All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Manchester City vs Leicester City – Match Preview

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Manchester City vs Leicester City. Manchester City hosts Leicester at the Etihad Stadium, aiming to move 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

After dropping points at Burnley at the weekend, Pep Guardiola will be desperate for his side to get back to winning ways. With Everton the only side to come away from the Etihad with anything this season, Leicester will have their work cut out. After Leroy Sane ruled out for six weeks following his injury it City’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Cardiff, the club had hoped to bring in Foxes’ winger Riyad Mahrez. That deal collapsed on deadline day, with Mahrez yet to play or train since. The Algerian winger appears to now be on strike, hurt by Leicester’s failure to help secure him a move away from the club.

As a result of that failed deal, Guardiola named just six substitutes in their draw with Burnley at the weekend. This drew a vast amount of criticism, with many questioning why Guardiola didn’t simply move someone from City’s 200 million-pound academy.  Having already offered first team football to a number of academy graduates, it’s clear the Spaniard was merely illustrating a point to his board; he needs reinforcements. In midweek City face a trip to Basel in the Champions League before facing Wigan in the FA Cup, a week that could make or break their season. With City’s high number of injuries, it will be interesting to see how Guardiola rotates his squad for three games in nine days.

With Mahrez missing, Leicester will be looking for someone to fill that void as they go in search if three points. New signing Fousseni Diabate impressed on his debut against Peterborough as he grabbed two goals in their 5-1 win. Many have pointed to the Frenchman’s direct skilful play as an indicator he could replace the Algerian, whilst Foxes’ fans will be hoping to also see more of Demari Gray. With the hopes of another European tour, this time in the Europa League, on offer, Leicester cannot afford to lose ground in the race for seventh. With just one defeat from eight games, Claude Puel’s side have every chance of finishing the season in that spot, a testament to how well the Frenchman has done since taking over from Craig Shakespeare.

Manchester City have won two of their last six fixtures against Leicester. The Foxes have a good recent record against City, winning and drawing four of those meetings. Having met twice already this season, Puel’s side will be hoping to gain a victory, having lost the reverse league fixture 2-0 and losing on penalties in the Carabao Cup fifth round. Mike Jones has been appointed as referee for this fixture. Jones has refereed just ten Premier League fixtures this campaign, dishing out 3.3 yellow cards per game and one red card. His average booking points total of 35.5 is fairly average and in keeping with his fellow officials.

Despite Leicester’s fairly good recent record against Manchester City, I think they’ll lose out. Guardiola’s men are a different beats this campaign and despite a depleted team, they should still have enough quality to win this game.

Manchester City vs Leicester City will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City

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

Correct score, City to win 3-1 – (link no longer available)

BTTS and over 2.5 goals – (link no longer available)

Suggested tips – Manchester City vs Leicester City (Skybet):

Sterling and De Bruyne to both score – 4/1.

Diabate to score in 90 mins – 7/2.

Aguero to score a brace – 2/1.

Scorecast Boost – Aguero to Score First & Manchester City to win 3-1 – 33/1.

 

Sheffield United vs Leeds United – Betting Preview

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Sheffield United vs Leeds United  – New Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom will be desperate to start his reign with three points as they face Sheffield United in a Yorkshire derby.

After sacking Thomas Christansen, Leeds moved fast to appoint his successor. After signing a new contract at Barnsley just last week, this move will have come as a major surprise to most, not least the former Barnsley boss himself. Heckingbottom took over the club in League One and guided them to promotion, before consolidating them in the second tier of English football. He has earnt his move, now it’s time to prove he can do it on a bigger scale. One thing I would say is vital, Leeds have to give him time and money in the summer to craft his squad. Over a longer period, the success he had at Barnsley was evident and he needs the same conditions to be a success in East Yorkshire.

With Leeds seven points adrift of a play-off place, they may have to try to build for next season, but a good run of games could definitely see them catapulted into the top six. Without a win since boxing day, Leeds have lost five of their last seven and have picked up four red cards from their last five outings. A tough upcoming run of fixtures could make or break Leeds’ season but if the club show patience I definitely feel Heckingbottom has the right character to be the man to make them successful again.

After a run of just four wins in 15 games, Sheffield United have fallen out of the play-off places. The Blades now sit in eighth, five points behind sixth. Whilst United have massively overachieved this year, their recent run of form has been disappointing. The goals have dried up for top-scorer Leon Clarke, with just one goal from his last nine games. Chris Wilder has tried to freshen the team up with the introduction of his January recruitment but that has failed to pay off as of yet.

With one of the smallest squads amongst the challenging sides, United have finally run out of steam and they need a big win to try and get them back on track. Ever since Paul Coutts’ season-ending injury at Burton, they’ve looked a shadow of their former selves; it’s time for someone to step up to the plate if they want to finish in the top six.

Andrew Madley has been appointed as the referee for this Yorkshire clash. Madley has officiated 24 Championship games this season, more than anyone else. He has averaged 30.6 booking points per game and has yet to show a red card this season.

This will be a very interesting game, with two teams who’re out of form. Sheffield United will always try to go and win the game, especially at home, so the real test for Leeds will be trying to soak up the pressure and hit the Blades on the counter-attack.

Sheffield United vs Leeds United will be televised in the UK live on Sky Sports – Kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Sheffield United 2-2 Leeds.

Suggested tips (BET365):

Correct score, 2-2 draw – (link no longer available)

To Score at Any Time – Pierre-Michel Lasogga – (link no longer available)

Suggested tips – Sheffield United vs Leeds United – (Skybet):

BTTS and FT result draw – 7/2.

Lasogga to score and win – 11/2.

BTTS in both halves – 22/1.

Clarke to score first and United to win 2-1 – 20/1.

 

Millwall vs Cardiff City – Match Betting Preview

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Friday night Championship actions see Millwall vs Cardiff City live on Sky Sports. Millwall will be hoping to continue their fine run of form as they meet promotion-chasing Cardiff City at the New Den.

After a run of one defeat in seven games, Millwall have moved clear of the relegation zone. Neil Harris’ side now sit in the 14th place, 12 points clear of danger. Whilst they have always been impressive at home, it is their recent away record that has caught the eye. Back to back victories against Leeds and Reading has only boosted morale around the camp, with the club now seemingly safe on their return to the division.

Despite their good run of results, Millwall were knocked out of the FA Cup by Rochdale in midweek. With a spot in the 5th round up for grabs, Harris will be disappointed by the loss, especially against lower-league opposition. With 13 points separating them and the top six, a late play-off surge looks unlikely.

Most fans would have been thrilled with avoiding relegation at the start of the season, which only further illustrates their overachievement. Having beaten Derby and Leeds at home, whilst holding Wolves to a draw, the Lions will feel they have little fear ahead of the Bluebirds’ visit.

Cardiff’s 4-1 thumping of Leeds illustrated why they sit fourth in the Championship. With Neil Warnock’s side just three points behind Derby, with a game in hand, the Bluebirds are flying and look certain to secure a top-six finish at least. Deadline day addition Gary Madine made his debut at Elland Road following his six million pound move from Bolton.

The former Sheffield Wednesday striker has ten goals this season, more than any Cardiff player so far. If Madine can have a similar second half to the campaign then Warnock will be hoping that injection of attacking quality can help see them over the line.

After a blip in results during December, Cardiff are firmly back on the winning trail. Having built their promotion push on defensive solidity, only conceding four goals in their last six games will have pleased Warnock. Having picked up their first league away win since boing day last time out, they will be in good spirits ahead of this tough test.

Cardiff have lost just one of their last 11 games against Millwall. The Bluebirds only loss in that run came in 2014 at the New Den, with their last victory coming in 2012 at this ground. The last two meetings have finished 0-0 and the two before that were separated by just one goal, so this should be a tight contest.

Keith Stroud is the referee on Friday night. In his 17 Championship matches this season, Stroud has issued 4.3 yellow cards per game. His average booking points total of 48.8 is the third highest in the league, whilst he has also shown four red cards.

As the stats would suggest, I see this being a tight game. In the Championship, consistency is key and I think that if you offered Warnock a point now he would take it. Coincidentally, that’s what I think his side will pick up as they look to continue to build momentum.

Millwall vs. Cardiff City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports 1 with kick-off at 7:45 PM GMT.

Prediction: Millwall 1-1 Cardiff City

Suggested tips – Millwall vs Cardiff City – (BET365):

Correct score – Draw – 1-1 – (link no longer available)

To Score Any Time – Gary Medine – (link no longer available)

Suggested tips – Millwall vs Cardiff City – (Skybet):

Gregory and Zohore to both score – 8/1.

Madine to score and win – 10/3.

Hoilett to score and Cardiff to win 1-0 – 30/1.