All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Spurs vs Southampton – Match Preview

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Spurs vs Southampton – Match Preview – The Premier Leagues congested festive period continues as Tottenham host Southampton on Boxing Day.

The hosts will be hoping to close the gap and break into the top four, as they currently sit in a Europa League spot.

The visitors will be hoping to improve from their recent 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town on the 23rd December. Charlie Austin’s first half goal was not enough for the Saints as a second half equaliser once again highlighted Southampton’s defensive issues this season.

Tottenham are currently 5th in the Premier League. Their most recent outing saw them defeat Premier League dark horses, Burnley, with Harry Kane stealing the headlines. The Englishman bagged his seventh hat trick of 2017 as Mauricio Pochettino’s men made it four wins in their last five games.

Kane bagged a hattrick against Burnley on the weekend Photo Credit: skysports.com

The Spurs side of last year were almost unbreakable, and whilst they didn’t go on to win the league, they sure had the tactics and personnel to do so. This season there have been signs of defensive frailties however, this can be put down the the extended workload due to their Champions League campaign. Spurs will really expect to win this one against a Southampton side that have goals lacking.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Tottenham to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 10/3

Southampton are currently 13th in the Premier League, halfway through the campaign. Mauricio Pellegrino hasn’t made quite the desired impact upon his arrival at St Mary’s however they have sustained their status as a tough team to beat. With some tough fixtures behind them, Southampton have only achieved three points from their last six Premier League outings as scoring goals has also become an issue for them this season.

Austin will miss the game due to a 3 match suspension and injury Photo Credit: skysports.com

Charlie Austin has been the standout performer so far with six league goals to his name. The creativity of Soufianne Boufal has been shown in glimpses however, and he must step up if the Saints are to get out of this rut with a decent gap between them and the relegation zone.

Skybet Match Result – Southampton to Win – 17/2

Despite having plenty of wins, Tottenham have only scored two or more goals in 33% of their home Premier League matches so far.

Southampton haven’t been too exciting on the road so far, having been awarded an average of only 4.6 corners in their Premier League away matches.

Graham Scott will take charge of the Boxing Day showdown. Scott has only awarded an average of 21.5 booking points in his 10 Premier League matches.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Price Boost – Christian Eriksen to score from outside the penalty area – 7/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Eric Dier and Oriol Romeu both to be carded – 18/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Tottenham to win, BTTS, over 2.5 goals and 4+ corners each team – 5/1
  • Skybet To Score a Header – Harry Kane – 6/1

Leicester City vs Man United – Match Preview

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Leicester City vs Man United – Match Preview – With Christmas just around the corner, Leicester City will host Manchester United in Premier League action this Saturday evening.

The hosts will face a tough test ahead of them as they are looking to accumulate more points and climb up the Premier League standings. The visitors will continue their very hopeful bid to close the gap between them and league leaders Manchester City, who are eleven points adrift at the top of the Premier League.

Mahrez and Vardy will be Leicester’s main threat Photo Credit: skysports.com

Leicester City are currently eighth in the Premier League. Their most recent outing in the league was a disappointing one, suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in an afternoon to forget for Claude Puel’s men. Their defensive issues have been their main issue at times this season. The Foxes have conceded 26 goals in their 18 Premier League matches so far; entering the second half of the season, they are really going to want to tighten up at the back. Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have been promising in recent times and could be the ones to cause Manchester United big problems. Can the Foxes cause an upset?

Skybet Match Result – Leicester to Win – 16/5

Manchester United are currently second in the Premier League standings. Jose Mourinho’s men have become a real force both domestically and internationally this season, with many of last year’s key signings finally beginning to find form. Their most recent Premier League outing was a 2-1 victory over West Brom away from home; with Romelu Lukaku bagging another goal. The big Belgian has now scored 10 Premier League goals so far and has also been a helping hand with 4 assists to his name. Often a team to grind a result if they aren’t on their best day, Leicester will find it hard t break down this United side. Record signing, Paul Pogba, returns after a three game suspension.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Man Utd to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 15/8

 

Pogba returns after a three game suspension Photo Credit: skysports.com

Despite their dominance this season, Manchester United have only scored two or more goals in 55% of their Premier League matches this year. Don’t expect them to run away with the result, it’s a Mourinho team.

Leicester have only been awarded an average of 4.3 corners per home fixture this season. On the road, United have been awarded an average of 5.3 corners.

Jonathan Moss will take charge of this fixture. The referee has awarded an average of 33.8 booking points in his 12 Premier League matches.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Penalty Specials – A Penalty Awarded – 9/4
  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku – 11/2
  • Skybet Total Goals, Corners Taken and Booking Points – Over 1.5 Goals, Over 8.5 Corners, Over 25 Booking Points – 11/8
  • Bet365 Total Goals/Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 & Yes – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 To Score at Any Time – Shinji Okazaki – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 Half Time/Full Time – Draw/ Leicester – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 Match Result – (link no longer available)

Carabao Cup Quarter Final – Arsenal vs West Ham – Match Preview

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Arsenal vs West Ham – Match Preview – Arsenal and West Ham meet for the second time in less than a week on Tuesday night in their Carabao Cup tie. When the two met six days before in the Premier League, the game was left goalless with Arsenal left ruing missed chances.

The hosts will be hoping for a turn in fortune this time around as they enter the fixture on the back of a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United. A stunning goal from Mesut Ozil was enough for Arsene Wenger’s side to clinch the victory and continue the German’s good form for the Gunners.

Giroud will hope he gets a starting place in the Carabao Cup Photo Credit: skysports.com

In the last round, Arsenal hosted Norwich in a match that was won after 120 minutes of football. It is unsure how strong the squad will be for this tie, with the busy festive season underway people are unsure as to how Arsene Wenger will prioritise. The Londoners have only conceded once in their last four matches across all competitions, solidifying down at the back. Can Wenger’s men advance to the next round?

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Arsenal to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 15/8

Arnautovic has begun to show his worth to West Ham Photo Credit: skysports.com

The visitors are enjoying a little honeymoon period since David Moyes’ arrival. The Hammers most recently turned over Stoke City away from home 3-0 in the Premier League with a fantastic performance from Marko Arnautovic, who has taken his time to adjust to his new club. In the last round, West Ham took out a major hitter with a big 3-2 victory over Spurs away from home. It was a very rare victory under Slaven Bilic’s reign this season. A team high on confidence, Moyes side will look to continue this impressive run of form.

Skybet Match Result – West Ham to Win – 5/1

Arsenal have scored two or more goals in 77% of their home Premier League matches this season. West Ham have only scored in 30% of their away matches.

Arsenal have been awarded an average of 7.6 corners per home match this season. They are likely to be on the front foot again on Tuesday.

Kevin Friend will take charge of this Tuesday night fixture. The Englishman has awarded an average of 25.6 booking points in his 9 Premier League matches so far this season.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Olivier Giroud and Diafra Sakho – 6/1
  • Skybet Penalty Specials – A Penalty to be Scored – 11/4
  • Skybet Full Time Result and BTTS – Draw and Yes – 4/1