All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Manchester United vs Liverpool – Match Preview

Manchester United vs Liverpool
Saturday 10th March 2018
FA Premier League, Old Trafford

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 12:30pm.

Manchester United vs Liverpool: Second faces third in the Premier League as Manchester United host Liverpool in the North-West derby.

Following their dramatic 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday night, Manchester United moved back up to second in the Premier League. Had they not won, they would have gone into this game below Liverpool. Whilst United defended poorly for both goals, the fight and spirit they showed was reminiscent of previous Sir Alex Ferguson teams. Coincidentally it was also the first time United had thought back to win from two goals since the Scotsman retired. Romelu Lukaku grabbed himself the all-important equaliser, taking his tally for the season to 28. The Belgian striker also has five goals in his six games. Manchester United are now unbeaten in four games and have won their last four home games. Their last defeat at Old Trafford came back in December, which is their only home loss of the season.

Liverpool come into this game off the back of a 0-0 draw with Porto in midweek. Having held a 5-0 aggregate lead, Jurgen Klopp rotated his squad. This gave him the chance to rest Mohamad Salah, whilst Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were also taken off during the game. Liverpool know that a win would take them above their rivals into second place. The Reds have lost just once in 20 league outings; form that has fired them into the top four. They have won their last two on the road but are yet to win away at any of the ‘big five’ this season. In those games, they have drawn with Arsenal but suffered defeat to Tottenham and Manchester City.

The last four meetings between these two sides have ended in draws, including the corresponding fixture this season. United have lost just one of their last nine games against Liverpool. The Reds last win at Old Trafford came in 2014 when they came ever so close to winning the league under Brendan Rodgers.

Craig Pawson has been appointed as the referee for this match on Saturday. The Englishman has the highest average booking points total in the league this season with 41.7. In his 18 league games, he has issued 65 yellow cards and four red cards. Therefore, booking points could be something to look out for in any RABS.

With both teams in relatively good form, I could see this game being a draw. United are strong at home, whilst Liverpool carry a huge threat on the counter-attack. Thus, BTTS would be my safest bet, whilst BTTS and draw would bet my bet at longer odds.

Manchester United vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool

Suggested tips – Manchester United vs Liverpool – (BET365):

  • Correct score, draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
  • BTTS – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Manchester United vs Liverpool – (SKYBET):

  • BTTS and draw – 3/1.
  • Salah and Lukaku to both score – 5/1.
  • Sanchez to score and win – 7/2.

Suggested RequestABets – Manchester United vs Liverpool – (SKYBET):

  • Popular RequestABets – Manchester Utd vs Liverpool – BTTS, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 6/4.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Manchester Utd vs Liverpool – Sanchez to score, Manchester Utd 1-0 and Pogba & Robertson to be carded – 250/1.
  • Popular RequestABets – Manchester Utd vs Liverpool – Lukaku & Van Dijk to score a header – 250/1.
  • @SPORF RequestABets – Manchester Utd vs Liverpool – Lukaku & Salah to score, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 25/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Manchester Utd vs Liverpool – Salah, Mane & Firmino to score, Liverpool 3-1 and 20+ booking points each team – 250/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 33/1 to 66/1 – Manchester Utd v Liverpool – Manchester Utd to win, goal in each half, over 2.5 goals, 2+ corners each team each half & 20+ booking pts each team – 33/1.

Odds and markets last updated on 9 March 2018 @02:25 GMT.

More markets will be added prior to the game kicking off on Saturday afternoon. Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for more previews from this weekends domestic league action.

Manchester City vs Basel – Match Preview

Manchester City vs Basel
Wednesday 7th March, 2018
UEFA Champions League, Etihad Stadium

BT Sport – Kick-Off 19:45 GMT

Manchester City vs Basel: Manchester City will be looking to confirm their place in the Champions League quarter-finals as they host Basel.

After a dominant display in Switzerland, City hold a 4-0 aggregate lead. With four away goals and an impressive home record, Pep Guardiola’s side have all but sealed their spot in the next round. After three games in a very busy week, Guardiola would be forgiven for rotating his side. I expect Gabriel Jesus to start, in a bid to step up his fitness for the end of the season. The Brazilian will be hoping for more game time in a hope to lead the line for his country in the World Cup.

City have won five of their last six games. That last week, in particular, has underlined their dominance in the Premier League. After collecting their first silverware of the season, the same starting 11 took apart Arsenal at the Emirates before dominating against Chelsea. The game against Chelsea, in particular, highlighted their strength. The reigning champions failed to even put a glove on City as they failed to even register a shot on target. City have teams beaten before they even step on the pitch. Psychologically, teams are entering the Etihad believing they are beaten, which is a hallmark of a great team.

Basel have only won one of their last five games. They have lost both of their league games since their drubbing against City two weeks ago. Reaching the knockout rounds of this competition is a good achievement for this side, but they were never going to be capable of competing with City. They currently sit 14 points adrift of league leaders Young Boys in the Swiss Super League, although they do have two games in hand. Star striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel has one goal in his last eight games, which highlights their poor form in front of goal.

Pavel Kralovec has been appointed as the referee for this game. The Czech has officiated three Champions League games this season, including Real Madrid V Borussia Dortmund and Anderlecht V PSG.

Given City’s busy upcoming schedule, I expect them to rotate their squad. The hard work was done two weeks and therefore they should be home and dry. I still expect them to come out with the win, with City to win to nil my bet.

Manchester City vs Basel will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with Kick Off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Basel

Suggested tips – Manchester City vs Basel – (BET365):

  • Correct score, City to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).
  • BTTS – No & Over 2.5 Goals Yes – (link no longer available).
  • City to win to nil – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Manchester City vs Basel – (SKYBET):

  • Aguero and De Bruyne to register 3+ shots on target – 8/1.
  • RAB: A goal in each half and 5+corners each half – 11/4.
  • Jesus to score a brace – 5/2.

Suggested RequestABets – Manchester City vs Basel – (SKYBET):

  • RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – : A goal in each half and 5+corners each half – 11/4.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Jesus & Sane to score and Laporte & Zinchenko to be carded – 125/1
  • Champions League RequestABets – Wed 7th Mar – RequestABet  – Over 1.5 goals and 9+ corners in each of MNC v BAS and TOT v JUV – 2/1
  • RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – :  HT/FT Man City/Man City, 8+ match corners & 30+ match booking points – 11/4
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Jesus to score a header and De Bruyne to score from outside the area – 100/1

Odds updated on 7th March at 19:20 GMT.

More markets will be added over the weekend prior to the game kicking off tonight.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for the remainder of this weeks European games and this weekend’s domestic league fixtures from England.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Juventus – Match Preview

Tottenham Hotspur vs Juventus
Wednesday 7th March, 2018
UEFA Champions League, Wembley Stadium

BT Sport – Kick-Off 19:45 GMT

Tottenham vs Juventus: Tottenham take on Juventus at Wembley in a crunch clash for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

This is expected to be one of the best games of the competition, as Spurs take home advantage into the second leg. After recovering from 2-0 to draw in Turin, Tottenham will feel confident their two away goals can see them through. In the first leg, Mauricio Pochettino’s side were fantastic. After going two goals down early on they recovered to dominate the match and deservedly came away with a draw. In the league, they have been equally impressive. They are unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions and have won five of their last seven matches. Heung-Ming Son caught the eye with his performance at the weekend. The South Korean’s two goals against Huddersfield took his tally to 14 for the season, the most he has managed since joining the club.

Juventus’ late win at Lazio moved them to within one point of leaders Napoli, with a game in hand. The Serie A champions have won 13 of their last 14 games, with that only blip coming against Tottenham. Whilst they did concede two away goals, this Juventus team is more than capable of winning this tie. Under the guidance of Massimiliano Allegri, they have proven themselves to be one of Europe’s finest teams. With players like Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic, they therefore pose a threat to any side in this competition.

Szymon Marciniak is the referee for Wednesday night’s crucial match. The Pole has refereed a number of high profile games in the Champions League including Real Madrid’s clash with Spurs earlier in the competitions. He has issued ten yellow cards in three games but is yet to brandish a red card in the Champions League this season. Thus, I wouldn’t expect a huge number of booking points on Wednesday.

This should be one of the tightest game in recent Champions League history. There is very little to separate the two sides and as a result, fine margins will dictate this match. Due to Tottenham’s dominance in the first leg, I think they will marginally secure victory. This will be a big night for the likes of Harry Kane to prove himself on the biggest stage. Spurs have proven they can beat Europe’s finest at Wembley, having already put Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to the sword.

Tottenham vs Juventus will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Juventus

Suggested tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Juventus – (BET365)

  • Correct score, Tottenham to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Both teams to score and over 2.5 Goals – Yes – (link no longer available)

Suggested tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Juventus – (SKYBET)

  • Kane and Higuain to both score in 90 mins – 5/1.
  • Dybala to score from outside the area – 7/1.
  • Son to score first and Tottenham to win 2-1- 66/1.
  • BTTS and Spurs to win – 10/3.

Suggested RequestABets – Tottenham Hotspur vs Juventus – (SKYBET)

  • RequestABet Specials upto 10/1: BTTS, 4+ corners and 20 booking points each team4/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above:  Kane to score first, Tottenham 2-1 and Alli, Sanchez & Chiellini to be carded – 450/1.
  • Champions League RequestABets – Wed 7th Mar – RequestABet  – Over 1.5 goals and 9+ corners in each of MNC v BAS and TOT v JUV – 2/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 33/1 and 66/1:   Kane & Higuain to score and Dier & Sandro to be carded – 33/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above: Alli & Dybala to score and Dembele & Matuidi to be carded – 80/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above: Dybala to score, Kane to score 2+ goals and Tottenham 2-1 – 80/1.

Odds updated on 7th March at 19:30 GMT.

More markets will be added over the weekend prior to the game kicking off tonight. Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for the remainder of this weeks European games and this weekend’s domestic league fixtures from England.