All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

CSKA Moscow vs Man United – Champions League Group A Preview

CSKA Moscow vs Man United – Champions League Preview – Midweek Champions League action continues as Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United travel to Moscow to face CSKA Moscow in Group A.

Both sides were victorious in their group stage curtain raisers with the hosts seeing off Benfica 2-1 and Manchester United dispatching of Basel, 3-0.

Wednesdays hosts are currently fourth in the Russian Premier League, a position they will be hoping to improve as the season continues. Their most recent outing saw them draw with city rivals Dynamo Moscow 0-0 in a match that they were expected to win. CSKA play in a 3-5-2 quite often which could counter United’s familiar 4-2-3-1 to see an overload in the midfield if United do not stay compact. The three defenders will be looking to keep Romelu Lukaku quiet, who has enjoyed a fruitful beginning to his career at Old Trafford.

Brazilian striker Vitinho has proved to be a handful for defences in the Russian Premier League thus far. The striker has three goals so far domestically and scored the equaliser in their first Champions League match against Benfica from the spot. Moscow are a very organised outfit that will not only be tough to break down, but are capable of causing havoc to the United defence with two strikers.

Skybet Match Result – CSKA Moscow to Win – 9/2

United will look to keep up their good form in all competitions Photo Credit: skysports.com

Manchester United will be looking to make it six points from two matches in their travels to Russia. The Premier League leaders have shown real intent so far, both domestically and in Europe, that they are back from their dip in form of the recent seasons. New arrivals have all fit in rather well with Jose Mourinho’s tactics. In their most recent match, United narrowly beat Southampton, 1-0, in a performance they will be quick to put behind them.

However, the sign of a good team is one that can win even when they don’t play well. They will be hoping the pace in their attack will be too much for the CSKA defence to handle with Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Henrik Mhkitaryan and Paul Pogba in their armoury just to name a few. Undefeated in their last eight matches, they are proving almost impossible to get past right now and are favourites for this match up.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Manchester United to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 6/4

 

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Spartak Moscow vs Liverpool – Champions League Group E Preview

Spartak Moscow vs Liverpool – Champions League Preview – UEFA Champions League action returns with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool taking a trip to Russia to face Spartak Moscow in their second fixture in Group E.

Both sides drew their curtain raisers as Liverpool couldn’t quite see off Sevilla whilst Spartak Moscow were left frustrated with a 1-1 draw with Maribor.

The hosts have not had the fruitful begging to their domestic campaign that they had wished for; sitting 7th in the Russian Premier League after 11 matches. Last year they ran away with the league, finishing seven points ahead of CSKA Moscow to gain automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions’ League group stages.

The Russian outfit will fancy their chances of causing an upset to Liverpool in their own backyard. Russia is a tough place to travel to for any side with hostile atmospheres, time zone difference and the fact that Russian sides are hard to break down.

Luiz Adriano could cause the Liverpool defence problems Photo Credit: skysports.com

Whilst they won’t be expecting to dominate the possession statistics, they will be lining up to try and absorb the Merseyside attack to then catch them on the counter. Striker Luiz Adriano has been tipped as World class by many pundits and could cause the shaky Liverpool defence some serious problems. Can Moscow grab a huge home win?

Skybet Match Result – Spartak to Win – 18/5

Jurgen Klopp will have no time to dwell on the dramatic victory over Leicester City this weekend as he will be preparing for possibly the hardest away fixture of the group stages. With many doubts still surrounding the stability of the Liverpool defence after another inconsistent performance against Leicester City, the Reds must quickly try to scrub out the errors in their play.

Coutinho was in great form over the weekend against Leicester Photo Credit: skysports.com

Whilst the defence dominates the headlines, Liverpool’s attack is continuing to prosper with Coutinho recently returning to the side after his summer transfer window saga. The fluidity and creativeness that Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Coutinho possess makes them not only a delight to watch every week, but a big threat to the Moscow defence.

Spartak Moscow have conceded 17 goals in 11 matches so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Liverpool find the back of the net at some point during the match. Can they return to England with a huge European boost?

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Liverpool to Win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 9/2

 

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Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion – Match Preview

Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion – Match Preview – Monday night football will see Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

The bright Emirates Stadium lights will be shining in North London as Arsene Wenger’s side will be looking to build on the 0-0 draw with Chelsea in their previous Premier League outing.

Tony Pulis’ side have not been in great form as of late; having failed to win in their last four matches in all competitions.

The Arsene Wenger hate parade continues to dominate the talks around the turnstiles with many still disagreeing with the Frenchman’s tactics after last season’s drama. Fans are becoming greatly frustrated with Wenger’s choice to not start Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette together; it’s been either one or the other.

Lacazette and Sanchez are yet to start together for Arsenal Photo Credit: skysports.com

Complaints haven’t just been upon the attack, as many pundits and fans are questioning the stability of Arsenals defence. Wenger has chosen to line up with three at the back most of the season so far but has often chosen full-backs to fill in the centre back roles. West Brom could look to counter this by lining up with two up front. They have been lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation but could look to push the two wide attacking midfielders forward to put pressure and create more 1 on 1 opportunities. Can Arsenal deal with whatever West Brom throw at them?

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Arsenal to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 6/4

A team struggling for goals, West Brom will be hoping to turn their luck in front of goal around this Monday night. They are currently sitting 10th in the Premier League and an unexpected victory could see them into the top four depending on goal difference.

Rodriguez must do more for West Brom in attack Photo Credit: skysports.com

Jay Rodriguez enjoyed a fruitful start at the Hawthorns but has since become a frustrated figure at the spearhead of the West Brom attack. His unpredictable nature has always been his strong suit, however some defences find him far too easy to mark. Despite struggling to score, West Broms defence has been more than solid since the seasons start having conceded four goals in five games; three of them coming in one poor showing against Brighton and Hove Albion. Pulis has installed a ‘building from the back’ mentality at the Hawthorns which saw great success last season but has seen them struggle to create chances against the bigger clubs such as Arsenal. Can they provide a shock this Monday?

Skybet Match Result – West Brom to Win – 17/2

 

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