Manchester City vs Watford
Saturday 18th May 2019
FA Cup final, Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC One – Kick-Off: 17:00 BST
Manchester City vs Watford: Manchester City will be hoping to complete a domestic treble on Saturday when they take on comeback king Watford in the FA Cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s side sealed the title in style last weekend, coming from a goal behind to beat Brighton 4-1 at the Amex. Sergio Aguero levelled minutes after Glenn Murray had threatened to spoil the party. Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez then ensured City become the first team to retain the title in over ten years. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United were the last side to achieve that feat in 2007/08. After their disappointment in the Champions League, Guardiola will be determined to ensure City end the year with three pieces of silverware, especially in a game they are favourites to win. Citizens will only be too familiar of Wigan Athletic’s upset against then Roberto Mancini’s side, but Guardiola will be meticulous in his preparation and won’t allow his players to take anything for granted.
Watford’s form hasn’t been the best since they beat Wolves in such dramatic circumstances. It’s one win in six for Javi Gracia’s men since reaching the final, which saw them finish 11th in the final Premier League standings. Understandably, their focus has very much been on this clash, knowing a win would send them into Europe next season. It’s vital they don’t concede an early goal and their big players come to the party. The likes of Gerard Deulofeu, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney will have to be at their best. They will have to tighten up defensively too. Since beating Wolves, they have conceded two goals per game on average, which is a run they need to address.
Kevin Friend is the referee for this game. The Englishman has officiated 38 top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 38.2. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total points for this fixture.
Manchester City have been a class act this season and don’t often lose against the smaller sides. Watford do carry a threat, as shown by their win against Wolves, but against the champions of England, it’s a different matter altogether.
Manchester City vs Watford will be televised live in the UK on BBC One with kick off at 17:00 BST.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Watford
Suggested Tips – Manchester City vs Watford – (SKYBET)
- Correct Score – Manchester City to win 2-0 – 15/2.
- To Score & Win – Gabriel Jesus – 15/8.
- Price Boost – Raheem Sterling to score a brace – 11/2.
- Double Up Boost – Manchester City v Watford – Sterling 3+ shots on target in 90 mins (was 4/1) – 8/1. (NAP).
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To win by exactly 1 goal – Watford to win, BTTS, 4+ Corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 100/1. (Outsider Bet).Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Deeney to score a header and Manchester City to score a penalty – 125/1.Official Man Of The Match – Vincent Kompany – 25/1.Player Stats RequestABets – Bernardo Silva 2+ shots on target, Sterling & Deulofeu 1+ shots on target each and Kompany & Holebas to be carded – 125/1.RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 30+ match booking pts – 9/4. (NAP).
Leeds United vs Derby County – Match Preview
Leeds United vs Derby County
Wednesday 15th May 2019
The Championship Play-Off, Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, Elland RoadLive on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick Off: 20:00 BST
Leeds vs Derby: Leeds United will be hoping to see through their one-goal advantage when they host Derby County at Elland Road in the second leg of their Championship play-off clash.
The Whites hold a 1-0 lead heading into this definitive clash, thanks to Kemar Roofe’s winner at Pride Park. The forward buried United’s first and only real clear-cut chance in the game, although Marcelo Bielsa’s side dominated throughout. United managed to pin the Rams back into their own half and keeping their danger men at bay. A similar performance in front of their home faithful will see them reach Wembley. United did all that without the services of Pontus Jansson, who could return for this return fixture. Adam Forshaw, who limped out of the first-leg clash will be missing, as will goal-scorer Roofe.
Patrick Bamford is set to lead the line, following his return from a two-match ban, with Tyler Roberts also out injured. Leeds were victorious in this fixture last January, beating Derby 2-0 at home. Bielsa’s record now stands at played three, won three against Frank Lampard. One more positive result will see them take a step close to the Premier League.
Derby have it all to do after being beaten on home turf last Saturday. Martyn Waghorn missed that clash, with David Nugent in attack. Waghorn has bagged five goals in his last nine games for the Rams and Lampard will be hoping to have their number nine fit for this game. If Derby are to turn the tie, they will need to be braver on the ball, as their boss stated after Saturday’s performance. Therefore, the likes of Mason Mount, Harry Wilson and Duane Holmes were ineffective, and need to be bolder in possession if they are to beat Leeds’ high press. Away from home, Derby have struggled this season. That being said, they are unbeaten in their last three on the road but have only won away twice this calendar year.
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.
Derby have to go for it here, but, their record against Leeds this season is poor. Lampard’s side are yet to prove they quality to match Bielsa’s tactics or style. As a result, I’m going for a home win.
Leeds United vs Derby County will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD with kick off at 19:45 BST.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Derby County
Suggested Tips – Leeds United vs Derby County – (SKYBET)
- Correct Score – Leeds United to win 2-0 – 15/2.
- To Score & Win – Patrick Bamford – 15/8.
- Both Players to score – Patrick Bamford and Pablo Hernandez – 5/1.
- To win by exactly 1 goal – Leeds United – 11/4.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Jansson to score a header and Klich to score from outside the area – 200/1.
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Leeds to score 1+ goals, 6+ Leeds corners, 3+ Derby corners and 30+ match booking pts – 7/4. (NAP).
West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa – Match Preview
West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa
Tuesday 14th May
The Championship Play-Off, Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, The Hawthorns
Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick Off: 20:00 BSTWest Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa: West Brom will need to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their Championship play-off clash with Aston Villa if they’re to have any hope of reaching Wembley.
The Baggies head into this second leg without Dwight Gayle, who opened the scoring at Villa Park. West Brom’s top-scorer will miss both this game and the final, should they get there, after receiving his second red card of the season. That will be a big blow to James Shan’s teams’ hopes of qualifying but they do still have Jay Rodriguez to call upon. After taking the lead, Albion were very defensive at Villa Park, sitting nine men behind the ball.
At home, they will have to be much more attacking, but hope they can avoid getting hit on the counter-attack. The quality they do have in attack, even without Gayle, is enough to get the goals they need. Keeping them out at the other end will be their main concern. The Baggies have won their last five home games and haven’t lost at the Hawthorns since February, which came against Sheffield United.
Aston Villa battled back superbly to take a one-goal lead into the second leg. Conor Hourihane, who was unlucky to start the game, changed the match with his introduction and grabbed the all-important equaliser. Tammy Abraham then converted a stone-wall spot-kick, to make sure of the win. Overall, Villa were poor in the first half but much better in the second, especially after the equaliser. Gayle’s absence will prove a boost for Tyrone Mings and Axel Tuanzebe, who struggled to cope with him, particularly in the first half. Dean Smith’s men have enjoyed life on the road lately and haven’t lost away since the middle of February. With that in mind, they’ll feel confident of holding onto their first-leg lead.
Chris Kavanagh is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated 35 top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 33.3. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total points for this fixture.
West Brom will have to go hell for leather if they want to get back in this one. Their defensive vulnerabilities are always a concern though, which were again highlighted on Saturday. Therefore, I think Villa’s lead, added to their counter-attacking threat will see them progress on aggregate.
West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD with kick off at 20:00 BST.
Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Aston Villa
Suggested Tips – West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa – (SKYBET)
- To Score & Win – Jack Grealish – 5/1.
- Correct Score – Draw 1-1- 11/2.
- Both Players to Score – Jay Rodriguez and Tammy Abraham – 5/1.
- Full Time Result & Both Teams to Score – West Brom & Yes – 7/2.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Grealish to score from outside the area and West Brom to score a penalty – 80/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Over 1.5 goals, Rodriguez 1+ shots on target & Abraham 1+ shots on target, 6+ match corners and 20+ match booking pts – 5/4. (NAP).
- Player Stats RequestABets – BTTS, over 2.5 goals, Rodriguez & Abraham 1+ SOT each, 4+ corners each team and Dawson, Bartley & McGinn to be carded – 125/1.