All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Carabao Cup – Chelsea vs Arsenal – Semi Final 1st Leg Preview

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One week on from their thrilling 2-2 draw at the Emirates, the London derby between Chelsea vs Arsenal takes place again in the semi-final 1st leg of the Carabao Cup.

After stuttering to a 0-0 draw against Norwich at the weekend, Conte will expect a better display against the Gunners. Having picked up the league title in his first year, Conte will be desperate to gain silverware again this year. With retaining the Premier League becoming an unrealistic target, Conte must turn his full attention to the cup competitions. Having rested a number of key players in Saturday’s draw at Carrow Road, Chelsea should be fresh as they look to earn themselves a strong lead ahead of the second-leg.

Luiz saw red in the last game at the Bridge which finished 0-0 Photo Credit: skysports.com

Despite playing weakened sides in the previous round, I expect Chelsea to be full strength on Wednesday. Now in the last four of the competition, Chelsea have a really good chance to secure their first League Cup since 2015. Then, under Mourinho, Chelsea went on to secure the double as they beat Tottenham in the final at Wembley.

Against Arsenal last week, Conte opted for a 3-5-2 formation, a system he has used more regularly this season. With Arsenal’s defensive frailties there for all to see, I wonder if he might opt for a 3-4-3, the formation that he used so successfully last year as Chelsea became Champions. This would likely see Cesc Fabregas replaced by Willian or Pedro, as they join Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata in attack.

Giroud scored Arsenal’s only goal in the 3-1 loss last season at Stamford Bridge Photo Credit: skysports.com

An embarrassing FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest means Arsenal will be determined to make amends. Wenger fielded an inexperienced and inferior team as they were dumped out by Gary Brazil’s side. Arsenal will look towards the Europa League and this competition as they search to add to their trophy cabinet.

Stats

Chelsea are without a win in their last four meetings against Arsenal. They have lost only one of those games, with that defeat coming last May in the FA Cup final. In the league though, it’s a different story, with Arsenal winning only once in the clubs last 14 fixtures. Their last win at Stamford Bridge also came back in 2011, which was their last league victory against the Blues. With the cup contests seeming to be Arsenal’s best avenue against Chelsea, they’ll hope for a similar result tonight.

The last six meetings between the pair have seen 16 goals, averaging at almost three a game.  BTTS and Chelsea to win is a good bet, with Arsenal not winning on their last six visits to the Bridge.

 

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Suggested Tips (SkyBet)

 CORRECT SCORE- CHELSEA TO WIN 2-1- 7/1

 BTTS AND CHELSEA TO WIN- 9/4

 MORATA TO SCORE FIRST AND CHELSEA TO WIN 3-1- 33/1

 SANCHEZ AND HAZARD BOTH TO SCORE- 7/1

 LACAZETTE TO SCORE AND WIN- 5/1

 ARSENAL TO WIN AND OVER 2.5 GOALS- 11/2

FA Cup – Norwich City vs Chelsea – Match Preview

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FA Cup – Norwich City vs Chelsea – Match Preview – Championship strugglers Norwich welcome Chelsea to Carrow Road as they look to deny the Champions a place in the FA Cup fourth-round.

After closing the gap on Manchester United to just one point, Chelsea have started to look more like the team that lifted the Premier League title last year. A run of no defeats in seven games has built some confidence and they’re now looking close to the side they were last year.

Andreas Christensen has shown his quality for Chelsea in defence Photo Credit: skysports.com

Chelsea have re-found their defensive stability again, conceding just four goals in their last seven games. With Antonio Conte finding consistency in his new-look back three, Chelsea are reaping the rewards. With Andreas Christiansen now cemented at the heart of the Chelsea rear-guard, the young Danish international has established himself as one of the most promising centre-backs in the world. With that in mind, it’s hard to see David Luiz finding a way back into the team. After falling out with Conte, I’d be surprised to see the Brazilian still at Stamford Bridge come the summer.

Norwich have struggled in the Championship this year, with the Canaries currently sat in 13th place. New boss Daniel Farke has struggled in his season in England. After changes to the squad in the summer, Norwich have struggled for consistency and are nine points off the top six. With many City fans expecting a promotion push, unrest has grown around the club, with many fans now wanting owner Delia Smith to leave the club. After sacking Alex Neil last year, Smith has come under criticism with Neil now excelling at Preston. Now it’ll be interesting to see if the owners back their man next season or whether they decide to go for another approach.

Murphy looks to lead the line against Chelsea this weekend Photo Credit: Skysports.con

Away from home this season, Chelsea have scored more than two goals in six of their 11 games. Norwich, by contrast, have only managed that same feat three times at home this season, the fourth lowest in the division. Only Bolton, Burton and Birmingham have scored fewer goals in the Championship, with goals being a major issue for Norwich this season. The Canaries also have a horrendous record against Chelsea having not beaten them since 1994. They’ve collected just two points from their last 33 against Chelsea, losing nine of their last 11 league meetings.

Whilst there will be a number of shocks this weekend, I don’t think one will be at Carrow Road. I think the champions will continue their good record in the FA Cup and seal their passage into round four with minimal fuss.

 

Prediction: Norwich 0-3 Chelsea

 

SKYBET: CHELSEA TO WIN 3-0- 9/1

SKYBET: BATSHUAYI TO SCORE FIRST AND CHELSEA TO WIN 4-0- 40/1

SKYBET: CHELSEA TO WIN TO NIL- 6/4

SKYBET: PEDRO TO SCORE FIRST- 13/2

SKYBET: MURPHY TO SCORE FIRST- 18/1

SKYBET: WILLIAN TO SCORE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA- 7/1

FA Cup – Liverpool vs Everton – Match Preview

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FA Cup – Liverpool vs Everton – Match Preview – Liverpool host Everton in the Merseyside derby with both sides looking to secure a place in the fourth-round of the FA Cup.

After beating Burnley 2-1 on New Year’s Day, Liverpool moved six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal. With four wins from five, Liverpool have closed the gap on the teams above them as the race for a Champions League spot heats up. The Reds are unbeaten since October, which has seen a run of 16 games without a loss in all competitions.

Three consecutive wins over the festive period will have only boosted Liverpool’s confidence of securing a top-four finish. Jurgen Klopp has rotated his squad, but the results have not altered. Phillipe Coutinho has shown his true class over the recent months, whilst Mohamad Salah has continued in his rich vein of goal scoring form. Adam Lallana’s return to first-team action is also a major boost, with the Englishman managing 86 minutes on his first start of the season against Burnley.

Lallana could feature for Liverpool against Everton this Friday Photo Credit: skysports.com

Against Arsenal, the Reds did, however, show signs of their soft underbelly which has plagued them under Klopp’s reign. At 2-0 up, they lost complete control of the game and found themselves 3-2 behind just seven minutes later. It’s that sort of mentality and poor game management which is why they will never win a league title. Whilst the club have looked to address their defensive woes with the signing of Virgil van Dijk, they still need a new goalkeeper. With the wide array of attacking talent they possess, shoring up the backline with world-class quality players must be the priority in the summer.

Everton kicked off 2018 with a defeat as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United. After a fantastic start to life at Goodison Park, Sam Allardyce’s team are without a win in four games and have lost their last two games. With Liverpool and Tottenham next up, it’s vital they return to winning ways as soon as possible. Allardyce has had success already at Anfield this season, after masterminding his sides 1-1 draw last month. In a game Liverpool really should have won, Everton managed to frustrate the home side before snatching a point late on.

Can Everton get back to winning ways against rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup Photo Credit: skysports.com

With the Merseyside derby renowned for robust tackles and red cards, it’s worth looking at booking points for this fixture. Bobby Madley has been appointed as the referee for this fixture and he has the fourth highest average for red cards this season. Madley has also averaged 3.4 yellow cards in the ten games has managed this season. Given the occasion as well, I feel as though 20+ booking points each team would be a safe bet.

With regards to the actual match, I think Allardyce will come with a similar game plan to try and frustrate Liverpool. Unlike last month, however, I think the Reds will come out on top in a fierce and cagey affair.

 

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Everton

SUGGESTED TIPS:

SKYBET: LIVERPOOL TO WIN 2-1- 7/1

SKYBET: ADAM LALLANA TO SCORE & LIVERPOOL WIN – 5/2

SKYBET: BOTH PLAYERS TO SCORE – WAYNE ROONEY & DOMINIC SOLANKE – 7/1

SKYBET: @FOOTYACCUMS RAB – MANE TO SCORE, OVER 2.5 GOALS, 6+ LIVERPOOL CORNERS & 30 EVERTON BOOKING POINTS – 8/1

SKYBET: REQUEST-A-BET 80/1 & ABOVE: SIGURDSSON TO SCORE, DRAW 1-1, 3+ CORNERS EACH TEAM & GUEYE TO BE CARDED – 80/1

SKYBET: SIGURDSSON TO SCORE OUTSIDE THE AREA – 16/1

SKYBET: BTTS AND DRAW – 9/2

SKYBET: PRICE BOOST – ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN & DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN BOTH TO SCORE IN 90 MINS – 18/1

SKYBET: EVERTON TO WIN AND UNDER 2.5 GOALS – 12/1