All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Watford vs Chelsea – Match Betting Preview

February 5, 2018 by Elliott Jackson·Comments Off

FA Premier League: Watford vs Chelsea. Chelsea take a trip across London to Vicarage Road as they face Watford as they look to consolidate their top four place.

New signing Oliver Giroud could be in line to make his debut following his 15.3 million pound move from Arsenal. Despite being 31, the Frenchman represents fine value for money in an extremely bloated market. After five years in the division, Giroud brings guaranteed Premier League goals, unlike a number of their other reported targets. He offers support and is a good back-up to Alvaro Morata; his presence within the squad may even raise the game of the Spaniard.

There’s no doubt that if he is given game time he is capable of scoring 15 league goals. I’ve always felt he’s a fantastic second striker, but not quite good enough to fire you to a league title. With Morata in close tandem, they could be key as Chelsea look to regain their title next season.

After a shock home defeat to Bournemouth in midweek, it’s imperative the Champions get back on track or risk getting further embroiled in a heated top four scrap. After a run of just one win in 14 games, Watford sacked Marco Silva. His replacement, Javi Garcia, got off to a losing start last weekend as they went out of the FA Cup at the hands of Southampton. After such an impressive start to the campaign, their recent slump has seen them drop to 11th, three points above the relegation zone.

The January window saw Gerard Deulofeu return to England with the Spanish winger signing on a season-long loan from Barcelona. The former Everton winger’s pace and trickery could be the catalyst to reignite the Hornets stuttering form. With crucial fixture’s against relegation rivals West Ham and West Brom to come later in the month, building momentum for those game is vital to their hopes of staying up.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 13 games against Watford, winning ten of those meetings. Their last defeat came at Vicarage Road back in 1999, almost 20 years ago. Craig Pawson is the referee for Monday night’s match, fresh from officiating West Brom’s 3-2 FA Cup win over Liverpool. Pawson has the highest average booking points total in the division, averaging 42.9 per game. He also averaged a grand total of 3.7 yellow cards per match, which means booking points may be a good bet.

With the impetus of a new manager, I could see Watford taking something from this game. After their defeat to Bournemouth, Chelsea have proved they’re vulnerable and an early goal for Watford could further dent the Champions low confidence.

Prediction: Watford 1-1 Chelsea.

Watford vs Chelsea – Suggested tips (BET365):

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

Giroud to score first – (link no longer available)

Watford vs Chelsea – Suggested tips (Skybet):

Hazard to score and Chelsea to win – 7/4.

BTTS and Watford to win – 10/1.

Deulofeu to score first and Chelsea to win 2-1 – 145/1.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur – Match Betting Preview

February 4, 2018 by Elliott Jackson·Comments Off

This afternoon’s Super Sunday big game is Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides will be looking to make further ground in the race for the top four.

After bouncing back against Huddersfield in midweek, Liverpool atoned for their defeat at Swansea. A comfortably 3-0 win and a clean sheet was vital after back to back defeats. That results left them fourth, five points clear of their visitors as both look to secure Champions League football next season. With no more additions entering the club following the arrival of Virgil van Dijk, the Reds appear happy with their squad despite not replacing Phillipe Coutinho.

With Nabby Keita also set to join the squad at the end of the season, next summer seems the best time for Liverpool to bolster their side. Roberto Firmino added his 19th goals of the season at the John Smith’s Stadium; the striker’s third goal in four games. Following Daniel Sturridge leaving to join West Brom for the rest of the season, it’s vital the Brazilian can continue in this vein of form to catapult Liverpool into Europe. Liverpool still have huge games in the Champions League still to come this campaign, the burden has been left firmly on Firmino, Mohamad Salah and Sadio Mane’s shoulders.

Tottenham will be looking hoping to add to their win over Manchester United with a victory at Anfield on Sunday. Deadline day addition Lucas Moura could be in line to make his debut after signing from PSG for a reported fee of 25 million pounds. The Brazilian winger brings another dimension to Spurs’ squad as he possesses the natural width and pace they have missed.

Whilst Tottenham are blessed with a number of great players, they have at times lacked an outlet and someone who can carry them up the pitch when they are under pressure. After drawing their last two away games, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be desperate to try and grab three points against such a close rival. Despite those draws, they remain unbeaten in eight games and have scored 20 goals in that time.

Liverpool have lost one of their last 11 league games against Tottenham. That loss was, however, in the reverse fixture last year, with Spurs coming out 4-1 winners. Their last win at Anfield came back in May 2011 under Harry Redknapp. Jonathan Moss will referee Sunday afternoon’s fixture, having last referee Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Brighton. Moss has a booking points average of 38.8 which is amongst the highest in the league. He has the fourth highest yellow card average at 3.6 per game across 17 games.

I think this is a really tough game to call. Liverpool tend to turn up in the big matches, which is part of their infuriating nature. Tottenham, by contrast, have only won one game against the ‘big six’ this season, with both victories coming at Wembley. I think a draw might be on the cards, but the safest bet would be for BTTS or BTTS and over 2.5 goals at larger odds.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur will be televised in the UK, with Kick off at 4:30PM GMT on Sky Sports 1.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham.

Suggested tips Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur (Skybet):

Correct score, 2-2 draw – 11/1.

BTTS and over 2.5 goals – 5/6.

Kane and Salah to both score – 4/1.

Firmino to score first and Liverpool to win 2-1 – 25/1.

Tottenham to win by exactly one goal – 5/1.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United – Match Betting Preview

February 4, 2018 by Elliott Jackson·Comments Off

Sunday afternoon’s early kick off comes from Selhurst Park which see Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United. Palace host Newcastle in a crunch fixture at the bottom of the Premier League. A win for either side could move them into the top half of the table.

After a run of one defeat in four league games, Palace will be looking to further distance themselves from the bottom three. Roy Hodgson’s side sit in 12th spot, three points above the relegation zone. With games against three of the top four to come, it’s vital that Palace pick up some results against the teams around them. Having already beaten Southampton and securing a draw against West Ham in recent weeks, another victory against the Toon Army would be greatly received. After missing out on Diafra Sakho, Palace appears to have turned their attention to Preston striker Jordan Hugill. Despite being out of contract in the summer, it could take a reported ten million pound bid to prise away the Lancashire club’s top scorer, which is a lot of money for someone who’s unproven in the Premier League.

Newcastle come into this game having lost their last two games. In the league, however, they have suffered just two defeats in six. With the club still up for sale and no closer to being sold, Newcastle have again failed to invest in their squad during the transfer window, much to Rafa Benitez’s frustration.

To me, it appears that if the club doesn’t get sold or Mike Ashley doesn’t help to bolster the squad, they risk losing Benitez and possibly their Premier League status as well. The lack of depth in the squad is a major issue and whilst they have improved of late, the team are desperately crying out for offensive reinforcements. With 22 goals in 24 games they are amongst the lowest scorers in the league and with them sat just one point above the drop zone they need some more firepower.

Newcastle have lost just one of their last 14 games against Crystal Palace and secured a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture this season. Their last two games have finished by that same scoreline, however, they did lose 5-1 on their last visit to Selhurst Park, their only loss in that impressive run.

Similarly, they haven’t won away in the league at Palace since 2013, despite that solitary defeat. Andre Marriner has been selected as the referee for this match, fresh from officiating Tottenham’s game against Manchester United in midweek. Marriner has a booking points average of 28.8, which low compared to other officials.

Given their recent form against relegation rivals, I think Palace will win this game. Selhurst Park has become a tough place to go and Newcastle don’t travel well as it is.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle will be televised in the UK on Sky Sports from 1:30PM GMT.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-1 Newcastle United.

Suggested tips Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United (Skybet):

Correct score, Palace to win 3-1- (link no longer available).

To Score In Both Halves – Crystal Palace – Yes – (link no longer available)

Suggested tips Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United (Skybet):

Zaha to score and win – 7/2.

Benteke to score first and draw 1-1- 25/1.

BTTS and Newcastle to win – 13/2.

Gayle and Sako to both score – 8/1.

Today’s game between Tottenham vs Liverpool will be up later in our tips and preview section as well as Monday night’s match featuring Watford and Chelsea.