All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Aston Villa vs Sheffield United – Match Preview

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Aston Villa vs Sheffield United – Match Preview – Fifth faces sixth in the Championship as Aston Villa host Sheffield United with both clubs looking to cement their spot in the play-off places.

Villa have lost just once at home this season, with Sheffield Wednesday the only side to have taken three points from Villa Park. They’ll be hoping the Blades don’t make it a Sheffield double as they come in search of their first win in five games.

Without the services of Jonathan Kodjia, Villa have been heavily reliant on the goals of Albert Adomah. After finding himself out of the starting line-up at the beginning of the campaign, Adomah has stepped up in Kodjia’s absence with 11 goals this season. With Scott Hogan’s injury woes and Keinan Davis still gaining experience at this level, the onus has been on other players to chip in with the goals, a challenge the Ghanaian hasn’t shirked.

Adomah has been pivotal for Villa with his contribution to the club Photo Credit: skysports.com

A lot of Villa’s good work this year has been due to their improvement at the back. At this stage last year Villa had conceded 25 goals compared to 20 this year, which is a stark improvement. Whilst many will point to the signing of John Terry as to how Villa have improved, James Chester has been just as important. After an indifferent first season at the club, Chester has established himself as one of the division’s best centre-backs and has been fantastic despite the absence of Terry.

Clarke has been in good goalscroing form for Utd Photo Credit: skysports.com

After a fantastic start to the season, Sheffield United are enduring their roughest patch of the campaign. The Blades have collected just seven points from their last games and one point from their last five. Those series of results mean that they sit in sixth place, just one point clear of seventh-placed Leeds. With United performing well above expectation this season, it will be interesting to see if they can rediscover their early season form, or whether they will drop away from the top six. With a much smaller squad than those around them, it could be tough for them to stay in touch with the pack during the busy festive period.

The last times these two sides met in the league was back in 2007. Villa haven’t lost in seven league matches against Sheffield United, with their last defeat back in 1991. Similarly, the Blades haven’t won at Villa Park in the league since 1966, although they did beat them in the FA Cup in 2014.

In the league this season, Aston Villa have only scored two or more goals at home in 45% of their matches. Likewise, Sheffield United have only scored two or more away goals in 36% of their matches. United, however, have conceded 12 goals in their last five matches whilst Villa have only let in four. That for me will be the difference on Saturday and I think Villa will take the spoils.

 

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Sheffield United

 

SKYBET: BTTS AND VILLA TO WIN- 10/3

SKYBET: CLARKE TO SCORE FIRST AND UNITED TO WIN 2-1- 40/1

SKYBET: ADOMAH AND SHARP TO BOTH SCORE- 6/1

SKYBET: VILLA TO WIN TO NIL- 9/4

SKYBET: UNDER 2.5 GOALS- 8/11

BET365: VILLA TO WIN 2-0- (link no longer available)

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

Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match Preview – Arsenal will be looking to jump above their visitors in the Premier League table when they face Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions and sit one point behind Liverpool ahead of their meeting. Last time out the Gunners secured a 1-0 win against Newcastle thanks to a wonder strike from Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker has come into his own in recent weeks and is showing glimpses of the ability that saw him regarded as one of the best number tens in the world.

Ozil and Sanchez could be heading out of the Emirates at the end of the season Photo Credit: skysports.com

With both Alexis Sanchez and Ozil’s futures still in doubt, it will be a tough month for Arsenal as they look to keep hold of their main assets. Both players will be free to negotiate a move away from the club with foreign teams in January, which could leave Arsenal questioning their decision to not cash in on the pair in January. The speculation over the pair could raise issues in the Arsenal camp and potentially de-rail their campaign. With Arsene Wenger’s side heading into a run of favourable fixtures, a win in this game could really help them build some momentum.

Liverpool come into the game unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions. Jurgen Klopp’s men are in fine form, having won three of their last five games. Last time out the Reds demolished Bournemouth and left the Vitality Stadium with a 4-0 victory. Mohamad Salah grabbed himself his 21st goal of the season and his 11th goal in 11 games. The Egyptian has been a revelation since making his move from Roma in the summer with many pundits labelling him as the signing of the season.

Salah, Firmino and Coutinho have become a world class attacking trio Photo Credit: skysports.com

With Phillipe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino also in the goals, there are very few teams who can keep the ‘fab four’ at bay. With the amount of pace and skill in the Liverpool attack goals are almost a formality, but keeping the back door shut is a different story. It has been the case for Liverpool for so long. With such a potent attack, I have no doubt if Liverpool invest in some world-class defenders, they could be genuine title contenders. As is often the case, they haven’t done so and therefore they will never be able to end their 27-year wait for a league title.

Liverpool are unbeaten in five meetings with the Gunners and have won their last three. Arsenal haven’t won against Liverpool since 2015 when they came away 4-1 winners. The last four meetings between the team has served up 21 goals which average out at over five goals a game. Given both sides’ inability to defend, I expect goals in this game, with over 3.5 a good bet if you’re feeling confident. I’m going to go for a Liverpool win in this one, in what could be another classic encounter between the pair.

 

Prediction: Arsenal 2-3 Liverpool

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE LIVERPOOL 3-2- 20/1

SKYBET: SALAH TO SCORE AND LIVERPOOL TO WIN- 3/1

SKYBET: SALAH AND SANCHEZ BOTH TO SCORE- 11/2

SKYBET: LACAZETTE TO SCORE FIRST AND ARSENAL TO WIN 3-1- 40/1

SKYBET: BTTS IN BOTH HALVES- 17/2

SKYBET: BTTS AND OVER 3.5 GOALS- 11/8

SKYBET: TO SCORE AND WIN- MANE TO SCORE AND LIVERPOOL TO WIN- 9/2

Carabao Cup Quarter Final – Bristol City vs Man Utd – Match Preview

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Bristol City vs Man Utd – Match Preview – Manchester United take a trip to high-flying Bristol City as they look to secure their place in the last four of the Carabao Cup.

Consecutive league wins have helped United bounce back from their disappointing derby defeat. Wins against Bournemouth and West Brom will have helped restore confidence in the United camp which will hopefully spur them on to close the gap to their noisy neighbours.

Another huge bonus for Jose Mourinho is the return of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is now available again after completing his three-match suspension. With a place in the last four now within reach, I think Mourinho will play a strong side against his Championship counterparts. The United boss will want to avoid any complacency as he looks to claim his second consecutive League Cup in charge of the Red Devils.

Could Ibrahimovic start tonight in the Carabao Cup? Photo Credit: skysports.com

After beating Burton Albion and Swansea City to reach this stage, this will probably be their toughest game so far. Whilst Swansea might be Premier League opposition, they are in dire form which is quite the opposite to the Robins. Whilst there’s no doubt that United are massive favourites for the game I think Lee Johnson’s side will try and attack them from the off to get the crowd behind them.

Reid has the ability to cause Utd’s defence problems Photo Credit: skysports.com

Bristol City have performed well above expectations in the league and sit in third place, seven points clear of seventh-placed Leeds. The Robins are now just four points behind Cardiff who occupy the second automatic promotion spot, meaning they have a realistic chance of promotion this season. The main challenge for Johnson will be trying to keep his players fit and firing. Compared to other sides at the top of the table they have quite a small squad, so it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this fine form through the festive period. City have also knocked out three Premier League sides on their way to the quarter-final, with Stoke and Crystal Palace both losing out at Ashton Gate.

These two teams have not met since 1980. The last time they did a Joe Jordan brace gave Manchester United a comfortable 4-0 victory. Whilst Manchester United are favourites for the game, I think BTTS and United to win is a good bet. Bristol City have managed 14 goals in the cup in just four games and I think they’ll get on the scoresheet again on Wednesday night. I still think United will go through, although team selection could be vital if Mourinho’s men want to avoid an upset.

 

Prediction: Bristol City 1-3 Manchester United

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE UNITED 3-1- 10/1

SKYBET: BTTS AND UNITED TO WIN- 7/4

SKYBET: MARTIAL TO SCORE A BRACE- 7/2

SKYBET: POGBA TO SCORE OUTSIDE THE PENALTY AREA- 8/1

SKYBET: BRISTOL CITY TO QUALITY- 10/3

SKYBET: IBRAHIMOVIC TO SCORE A HEADER- 12/1

SKYBET: REID TO SCORE FIRST- 8/1