All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Cardiff City vs Preston – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Cardiff City vs Preston – Match Preview

Cardiff City vs Preston – Match Preview – Cardiff will be looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats as they host Preston at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Back to back defeats means Neil Warnock’s men have dropped out of the automatic promotion places, with Bristol City now occupying second place. The Bluebirds lost their unbeaten home record at the weekend as they fell to a 4-2 defeat against Fulham. The week before, a disappointing 2-0 reverse against relegation-threatened Bolton. After overachieving so far this season, the pressure is on to see if they can maintain their early season form. With one of the smaller squads in the promotion-chasing pack, getting through the festive period in touch with the top six will be key.

Zohore returned from injury with a goal in his last game Photo Credit: skysports.com

One positive for Cardiff was the return of Kenneth Zohore. The Danish striker made his first start since October and got himself on the scoresheet, which is a massive bonus for Warnock. Regarded as one of the division’s finest strikers, Zohore has struggled for fitness and form this year, registering only four goals in 14 appearances. If Cardiff can get their man fit and firing, there’s no doubt he has the ability to help push the Bluebirds back into the top flight.

The visitors come into this game unbeaten in their last eight games. Alex Neil’s men have collected 16 points from those eight games, which has pushed them back into the mix for a play-off place. With one of the league’s more modest budgets, Neil has proven his ability to get the best out of his squad, with the Lilywhites only four points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United.

Hugill is Preston”s top scorer with 9 goals Photo Credit: skysports.com

Cardiff have only lost two of their last seven meetings with Preston. Alex Neil’s men haven’t won in the Welsh capital since 2004, over 13 years ago. With Cardiff the lowest scorers in the top six, they have built their promotion push around a solid defence. The same can be said for Preston, who have scored the fewest goals in the top half of the Championship. Similarly, only 43% of Cardiff’s games this season have had over 2.5 goals, the joint fourth lowest in the division. Preston’s record is identical with only 10 of their 23 games having over 2.5 goals (43%).

With that in mind, I think this could be a draw. Preston have become specialists in acquiring points on the road and Cardiff are struggling for form at the moment.

 

Prediction: Cardiff 1-1 Preston

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE DRAW 1-1- 5/1

SKYBET: ZOHORE TO SCORE AND CARDIFF TO WIN- 11/4

SKYBET: HUGIL TO SCORE FIRST AND PRESTON TO WIN 2-1- 45/1

SKYBET: BAMBA TO SCORE A HEADER- 20/1

SKYBET: HOILETT TO SCORE FIRST- 15/2

BET365: CORRECT SCORE DRAW 1-1- (link no longer available)

BET365: BTTS AND OVER 2.5 GOALS – (link no longer available)

BET365: HALF TIME/FULL TIME – DRAW/DRAW- (link no longer available)

 

Man Utd vs Southampton – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Man Utd vs Southampton – Match Preview

Man Utd vs Southampton – Match Preview – Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways after consecutive draws when they face Southampton.

The Red Devils have picked up just two points from their last two. After conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against Leicester City on Saturday, Jose Mourinho needed a late leveller of their own to earn a point against Burnley. Jesse Lingard grabbed both United’s goals against Burnley, meaning the English winger has six goals in his last seven appearances.

Lingard saved Utd a shock loss to Burnley with an injury time goal to level the game Photo Credit: skysports.com

With four more points dropped, the title race is well and truly over. Mourinho’s side now need to turn their attention to cementing second spot and not become embroiled in a battle for the top four. Manchester City could be 15 points clear before United play again, so it is vital they re-set their sights on winning a trophy. With the FA Cup and Champions League still up for grabs, winning one or both of those would still be a successful season for United, despite City’s dominance in the league.

Southampton will be looking to react from their 5-2 mauling by Tottenham. Harry Kane’s hattrick ensured it would be another torrid afternoon for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side. With no win in their last six, the pressure is building on the Argentine to get a result. The Saints sit just two points clear of the relegation places with fans becoming nervy about the prospect of a relegation zone battle. After appointing Pellegrino in the summer, it’s important the Southampton board back their man in January to give him the best chance of success.

van Djik look set to leave the Saints this January Photo Credit: skysports.com

The Saints seem to have accepted that Virgil van Dijk is leaving. The Dutch defender was left on the bench in their defeat at Chelsea, before being left out the 18 against Spurs. This appears to have signalled the end of his time on the South Coast, with Manchester City reportedly interested. Now regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest centre-backs, van Dijk could command a fee of 50 million+ which would give Southampton plenty to work with in the upcoming transfer window.

With both sides scoring twice in their last game, you’d be forgiven for thinking this had goals written all over it. In actual fact, Boxing Day was the first time Southampton had scored more than two goals in a game away from home. United have managed over two home goals in six of their ten games, which further backs this up.

With Mourinho under pressure to get back to winning ways, I think he’ll go for the kill against Southampton. With the Saints’ form in mind, I think they’ll get the win as they try to close the gap on their City rivals.

 

Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Southampton

 

SKYBET: LUKAKU TO SCORE FIRST AND UNITED TO WIN 3-1- 25/1

SKYBET: BTTS AND UNITED TO WIN- 21/10

SKYBET: UNITED TO WIN FROM BEHIND- 9/1

SKYBET: MARTIAL AND LINGARD TO BOTH SCORE- 11/2

SKYBET: UNITED TO WIN BY EXACTLY TWO GOALS- 3/1

BET365: CORRECT SCORE – MAN UTD 2-0- (link no longer available)

BET365: ANYTIME GOALSCORER- JESSE LINGARD – (link no longer available)

BET365: HALF TIME/FULL TIME- DRAW/MAN UTD – (link no longer available)

Newcastle Utd vs Manchester City – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Newcastle Utd vs Manchester City – Match Preview

Newcastle Utd vs Manchester City – Match Preview – Manchester City will look to continue their unbeaten run as they travel to relegation-threatened Newcastle United.

After sealing their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, City kept alive their dream of the domestic treble. With a favourable Champions League draw to boot, Pep Guardiola’s side remain in pole position for their most successful season to date. The club hold every record in the league, with the most goals scored and the joint best defensive record. 11 points clear of their biggest rivals in second, this season couldn’t have gone better had Guardiola scripted it himself.

de Bruyne has been in fantastic form for City Photo Credit: skysports.com

With Vincent Kompany still struggling to maintain his fitness, City may have to delve into the January transfer market. Rumoured to be on their shopping list is Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch centre back’s future was subject to mass speculation in the summer, with Liverpool failing to land their number one target. Now it appears to be City’s turn to tempt Southampton into parting with their prized asset. With only Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala as fit recognised defenders, they need to strengthen that area as soon as possible.

Can Gayle trouble the City defence Photo Credit: skysports.com

Newcastle fans will be praying for some transfer business of their own when the window reopens in January. Rafa Benitez’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements or they risk an immediate return to the Championship. The team have recorded just one point from their last eight Premier League games. At home, they are without a win since October and have lost their last four games at St James’ Park. Devoid of any confidence or ideas, Benitez will be hoping to keep his side out of the bottom three with January looming. However, should Mike Ashley fail to sell the club before then, they could be left without any further investment, which would leave them clinging on to their Premier League status by a thread.

With that in mind, the last thing Newcastle need is a visit from the league leaders. As if things weren’t tough enough, the Toon Army haven’t won against City in 20 league games, with their last win coming back in 2005. Of those twenty games, they’ve drawn only three, meaning City have collected 54 points out of a possible 60 against them.

With Newcastle’s Achilles heel being in front of goal and City being resolute at the back, there’s only one way this game is heading. City’s attack will be far too much for the hosts to handle, whilst Newcastle pose little threat going the other way.

 

Prediction: Newcastle 0-3 Manchester City

 

SKYBET: CITY TO WIN TO NIL- 11/10

SKYBET: AGUERO TO SCORE FIRST AND CITY TO WIN 4-0- 22/1

SKYBET: JESUS AND STERLING TO BOTH SCORE- 5/2

SKYBET: GAYLE TO SCORE IN 90 MINS- 11/4

SKYBET: BTTS AND CITY TO WIN- 6/4

BET365: CORRECT SCORE CITY TO WIN 3-0- (link no longer available)

BET365: ALTERNATIVE TOTAL GOALS- OVER 5.5- (link no longer available)