All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Saturday 1st June 2019
UEFA Champions League Final, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Live on BT Sport 2 – 20:00 BST

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool: Liverpool will be desperate to make up for their Premier League disappointment by claiming the UEFA Champions League trophy when they take on Tottenham on Saturday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s reds missed out on their first Premier League title after losing out to Manchester City by a point. The Reds finished with the third-highest point tally in the competition’s history but still missed out to Pep Guardiola’s side. That disappointment should spur them on to claim the Champions League. It’s the second time in as many season’s that Klopp’s men have reached the final. Last years final was marred by Loris Karius’ error, whilst Gareth Bale’s wonder strike also stole the headlines.

Real Madrid won’t be there on Saturday, for the first time in three years, handing Mohamad Salah and Co the initiative to claim European success for the first time since Istanbul. All of the big guns are fit, meaning Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will lead the attack alongside Salah. Divock Origi could play the role of super sub, following his heroics against Barcelona in the semi-final.

Like Liverpool, Tottenham have their big names back, with Harry Kane set to make his first appearance since April 9. There has been speculation over the Englishman’s fitness, but also if he merits a place in the side. One of Lucas Moura or Son Heung-Min would be expected to drop out to make way for Kane, despite their heroics against Ajax that got them there. If not, it could be Dele Alli who misses out. It’s the first real selection headache Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with for a few weeks. Spurs ended the season with a 1-1 draw against Everton, although their minds were clearly focused on their date in Madrid. It’s the first time they have reached the Champions League final since the competition was reformed. Without doubt, a win would go down as the greatest achievement in the club’s modern history.

Damir Skomina is the referee for this game. The Slovenian official took charge of Real Madrid’s win over Ajax in the round of 16, as well as last season’s semi-final between Liverpool and Roma. The experienced official has averaged 4.67 yellow cards per game this season. Therefore, I’d advise a maximum of 60+ total booking points this season.

This game will be tight. Liverpool won both meetings in the league, but only by one goal. I think that might be the case again, or, if not, it may go all the way to extra time and maybe even penalties.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick off at 20:00 BST.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2: Liverpool

Suggested Tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score – Liverpool to win 2-1 – 8/1.
  • First Goalscorer – Sadio Mane – 5/1. 
  • Both Players to Score – Lucas Moura and Mohamed Salah – 11/1.
  • How will tie be decided- Either team to win in extra time – 11/2.
  • Price Boosts – Son Heung-min to score and Tottenham to win in 90 mins – 7/1.
  • Previous Stats RequestABet Winners – Mane 3+ shots on target, Salah 2+ shots on target and Kane 1+ shots on target – 25/1. (NB 2).
  • Popular RequestABets – Liverpool to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 14/1. (NAP).

Suggested Big Odds – RequestABet – Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – (SKYBET)

  • Joshua to win in Rounds 1-3 (v Ruiz) & Mo Salah to score in 90 mins (v Spurs) – 15/2. (NB).
    Found under Boxing > Specials.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Firmino to score a header and Tottenham to score a penalty – 100/1.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Eriksen 1+ shots on target & van Dijk 1+ shots on target, 4+ corners in each half and Sissoko & Robertson to be carded – 125/1.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Draw 1-1, 5+ Liverpool corners, 30+ match booking pts, Tottenham 1-0 at HT (90 mins) and Tottenham to win in ET – 150/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Mane to score, Liverpool 3-1 and 2+ corners each team in each half – 80/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Alderweireld & Wijnaldum to score, 4+ corners in each half and Eriksen & Alexander-Arnold to be carded – 500/1.

Chelsea vs Arsenal – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs Arsenal
Wednesday 29th May 2019
The Europa League Final, Baku Olympic Stadium

Live on BT Sport 2 – Kick Off:  20:00 BST 

Chelsea vs Arsenal: It’s an all-English affair in the Europa League final as Chelsea and Arsenal go head-to-head in the latest instalment of the London derby, with European silverware up for grabs.

Chelsea come into this match praying for a repeat of their 2013 triumph over Benfica. There are few survivors from that side, six years on, whilst speculation continues over the future of Maurizio Sarri. With Juventus reportedly sniffing around the Italian, this could be his last match as Chelsea manager. Frank Lampard is the favourite to replace Sarri, should he opt for a return to Italy. This could be a farewell trophy for Eden Hazard too, who looks set to move to Real Madrid this summer.

With a transfer ban looming over the Blues’ head, this could be one of the toughest closed seasons in the Roman Abramovic era. Champions League football is secure, at least, regardless of this result. Their route to the final was far from straight forward; they needed penalties to edge past Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final. They are yet to lose in this year’s competition, however, which is an impressive feat.

This game has much bigger added implications for the men in red. For Arsenal, this is their one and only shot to secure Champions League football. This is their first European final since losing to Barcelona in 2006. After finishing fifth in the league, Unai Emery’s hopes of acquiring some of Europe’s top talent in the summer window rests on this match. Arsenal have impressed in this competition this season. The knocked out Spanish opposition in the last round, making light work of Valencia with home and away wins. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have been central to their success in this tournament and the pair will need to be at their best again on Wednesday if they’re to lift the trophy. They will be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan after he stayed at home due to political unrest between Armenia and the final host country Azerbaijan.

Gianluca Rocchi is the referee for this game. The Italian has officiated 13 Serie A matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average card total of 5.46. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total points for this fixture.

Chelsea are in the better form of the two sides, although that can often go out of the window in a cup final. Given Arsenal’s desperation to secure Champions League football, I’m going to side with them. The pace of Aubameyang and Lacazette may just prove too much for David Luiz and Co to handle.

Chelsea vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick off at 20:00 BST.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Arsenal – (SKYBET):

  • Correct Score – Arsenal to win 2-1 – 10/1.
  • Both Player to Score – Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8/1.
  • First Goalscorer – Eden Hazard to score first – 4/1.
  • Price Boost – David Luiz to be shown the first card – 10/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 9/2. (NAP).
  • Previous RequestABet Winners –  ARS 2-0 CHE: Lacazette to score first, over 1.5 goals, 4+ Arsenal corners and Luiz to be carded – 33/1.
  • Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Aubameyang to score, BTTS, Azpilicueta to be carded and Arsenal to lift the trophy – 22/1. (NB).
  • Price Boost – Eden Hazard to score from outside the penalty area – 18/1.

Big Odds RequestABets – Pick 3 from the below at above 50/1 or more – Chelsea vs Arsenal – (SKYBET):

  • Popular RequestABets – Hazard & Aubameyang to score and Luiz & Xhaka to be carded – 50/1.
  • Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Lacazette to score, Jorginho to be carded and Arsenal to win in ET – 100/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Kante, Xhaka, Christensen & Kolasinac to be carded – 125/1.
  • RequestABet Specials – Giroud to score, Chelsea to win and Kolasinac & Maitland-Niles to be carded – 50/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Chelsea 4-3 and Arsenal to win 1st Half – 200/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Koscielny to score and Arsenal 2-0 – 100/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Kante & Barkley to score, Chelsea to win and Azpilicueta to be carded – 100/1.

Odds and Markets correct at the time of publishing / last updated at 16:48 on Wednesday 29th May 2019.

Aston Villa vs Derby County – Match Preview

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Aston Villa vs Derby County
Monday 27 May 2019
The Championship Play-Off Final, Wembley Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT

Aston Villa vs Derby County: Aston Villa and Derby County go head to head in ‘the richest game in football’ with a Premier League place and a rumoured windfall of £180m at stake.

Dean Smith’s side enter this game having beaten West Brom in the semi-finals on penalties, after a 2-2 draw on aggregate. Villa’s performance at the Hawthorns wasn’t the best, as they lost 1-0, but they still managed to edge past their West Midlands rivals. Having beaten Derby 3-0 and 4-0 in the league season, they come into this match as favourites. Their hopes of reaching the promised land rest in the hands of their key players, Tammy Abraham, Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings. Without the trio, Villa would still be languishing in mid-table. They also know that if they fail to secure promotion all three won’t be at the club next year. With Financial Fair Play restrictions looming, Smith would have completely rebuild this side for next season, should they lose.

Frank Lampard’s men come into this game on a high after their phenomenal comeback against Leeds United. Despite tailing the tie 2-0 on aggregate, they came back with three goals in 15 minutes to win 4-2 at Elland Road and progress 4-3. Jack Marriott’s equalised with his first touch before bagging the winner. That brace should earn him a first start in months. If Lampard opts for a 4-4-2 diamond again, which I think he will, eyes will be on whether Martyn Waghorn is fit to join Marriott in attack, or whether Mason Bennett will lead the line.

The narrow system allows the Rams’ key players such as Mason Mount and Duane Holmes to find space between the lines and feed the attackers. Although Derby have lost 7-0 on aggregate over two games with Villa, that was a similar story with Leeds. They won that game, in the most unlikely of circumstance, which shows anything can happen in the play-offs.

Anthony Taylor is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated 48 top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 31.8. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total points for this fixture.

This is a really tough game to call. Play-off finals aren’t usually flooded with goals; they can often be tense, nervy affairs. I expect Derby to make things tough for Aston Villa, but I am going to back Smith’s side for a narrow win. Don’t be surprised if this makes it all the way to extra time and even penalties, though.

Aston Villa vs Derby County will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 15:00 BST.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Derby County

Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Derby County – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score – Aston Villa to Win – 2-1 – 8/1.
  • Both Players to score – Jack Marriott and Tammy Abraham – 8/1.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Grealish 1+ shots on target & Wilson 1+ shots on target and 20+ booking points each team – 4/1.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Abraham to score a header and Wilson to score from outside the area – 100/1.
  • Scorecast Boost – Tammy Abraham to score first and Aston Villa to win 2-1 – 40/1. (NB).
  • How Will Tie be Decided – Either team to win on Penalties – 5/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 5/1. (NAP).
  • Popular RequestABets – Derby to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 22/1. (Cover).