Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester City
Sunday 12 May 2019
FA Premier League, Amex Stadium
Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 15:00 BST
Brighton vs Manchester City: Manchester City head to Brighton knowing three points will see them win the Premier League title for a second season running.
Pep Guardiola’s side are one win from retaining their Premier League crown. City have won 20 of their last 21 games in all competitions, which has kept them one point ahead Liverpool heading into the final day of the season. It was frustrating night for champions on Monday against Leicester until Vincent Kompany’s 30-yard screamer which saw them defeat the Foxes. The City skipper has been at the heart of every title win to date, so it is only fitting that he grabbed the winner at the Etihad. It was yet another clean sheet for City too, their 10thin 12 league games. Guardiola’s side know how to get the job done in the tightest of circumstances and are no strangers to sealing a league title on the final day.
Brighton’s Premier League status was sealed last weekend after Cardiff were relegated. The Seagulls also grabbed a very notable point at the Emirates, battling back from one goal down. Back-to-back draws have helped to stop the rot for Chris Hughton’s side, but they haven’t tasted victory since March, which is a worrying run. Brighton will need an overhaul in the summer, they have become too reliant on Glenn Murray’s goal. Whilst the Englishman has had another good season, he is 35. A striker and some creative wingers need to be at the top of their shopping list, to avoid another relegation battle next season.
Michael Oliver is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated 43 top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 33.6. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total points for this fixture.
Manchester City are calm, cool and collected. I just can’t see a Brighton, who are toothless, causing them too many problems. Once the first goal goes in, it will be game over and I expect City to be champions
Brighton vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 15:00 BST.
Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Manchester City
Suggested Tips – Brighton vs Manchester City – (BET365):
- Correct score: Manchester City Win – 2-0 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Brighton vs Manchester City – (SKYBET):
- Raheem Sterling to score a brace – 5/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Aguero to score a hat trick and Manchester City 4-0 – 150/1.
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Manchester City to score 2+ goals, 5+ Manchester City corners and 20+ Brighton booking pts – 15/8. (NAP).
- Previous RequestABet Winners – Aguero & Sterling to score and Manchester City 2-0 – 28/1.
Odds and Markets updated at 13:46 BST.
Valencia vs Arsenal – Match Preview
Valencia vs Arsenal
Thursday 9th May 2019
UEFA Europa League, Mestalla Stadium
Live on BT Sport 2 HD – Kick-Off: 20:00 BST
Valencia vs Arsenal: Arsenal will be hoping to boost their hopes of competing in next season’s Champions League by reaching the Europa League final with victory over Valencia on Thursday night.
The Gunners hold a 3-1 lead heading into the second leg of this tie, having beaten their Spanish counterparts at the Emirates last week. A brace from Alexandre Lacazette and a late Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike saw Unai Emery’s side come from behind. Arsenal have lost their last two away games convincingly and have struggled on the road all season. In their knockout Europa League matches, they have only beaten Napoli, having lost to BATE Borisov and Rennes in the previous rounds. Throw in three-goal defeats against Wolves and Leicester City and it’s easy to see why some supporters are feeling nervy ahead of this game. Arsenal’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Brighton at the weekend has ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through the top four. With one game to play, they are three points behind Tottenham but have an inferior goal difference of eight.
Valencia warmed up for their second-leg clash with a 6-2 win over bottom club Huesca. That win kept their faint hopes of securing Champions League football alive. They sit fifth in the La Liga table, three points behind Getafe who occupy the final top four. If they fail to secure qualification through the league, their only hope of entering Europe’s elite competition lie through the Europa League. Marcelino Toral’s side haven’t been at their best in the Mestalla this season. They have the tenth best home form in La Liga, despite only losing twice in 18 matches. Draws have been their downfall, with ten, whilst their away form is the fourth best.
Danny Makkelie is the referee for this fixture. The Dutchman has officiated 29 matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated a total of 2.44 cards per game. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total booking points for this fixture.
Arsenal’s poor form away from home has cost them a place in the top four through the Premier League but in Europe, they have been more convincing. Valencia’s results at home haven’t been the best either. Therefore I’m going to back the Gunners to grind their way through.
Valencia vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick off at 20:00 GMT.
Prediction: Valencia 1-1 Arsenal
Suggested Tips – Valencia vs Arsenal – (BET365):
- Correct score: Draw – 1-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Valencia vs Arsenal – (SKYBET):
- Both Players to Score – Rodrigo and Alexander Lacazette – 9/1.
- Full Time Result & Both Teams to Score – Valencia and Yes – 21/10.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – BTTS, Aubameyang 1+ shots on target & Lacazette 1+ shots on target and 4+ corners each team – 11/2. (NAP).
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Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Lacezette to score a header and Valencia to score a penalty –150/1.
Liverpool vs Barcelona – Match Preview
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Tuesday 7th May 2019
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, Anfield
Live on BT Sport 2 – kick-off: 20:00 BSTLiverpool vs Barcelona: Liverpool will be hoping to launch another one of the Champions League’s most famous comebacks as they bid to overturn a three-goal deficit against Barcelona on Tuesday.
The Reds suffered a disappointing 3-0 reverse in Catalonia last week, with Lionel Messi at his sublime best. A brace from the Argentine, coupled with a Luis Suarez opener, did the damage, leaving Liverpool’s hopes of a second Champions League final in as many years in tatters. Although Jurgen Klopp’s side came away from the Camp Nou convincingly beaten on the scoreline, the Reds were in the game for large portions of the game. Mohamad Salah, amongst others, was guilty of missing some key chances at pivotal moments before Messi stepped in.
Although it isn’t past Liverpool to score three times at Anfield, it will be some ask to do so without a reply. One away goal for Barcelona would leave Liverpool needing five, which really would be mission impossible. Roberto Firmino could miss the clash after the striker missed the weekend win over Newcastle. Divock Origi, the match-winner at St James’ Park could be in line to deputise for the Brazilian in attack.
Barcelona rested all of their star men at the weekend, with La Liga already sewn up. Their target is fixed on the Champions League, a trophy they last won in 2015. Messi’s first-leg genius looks to have secured a place in this year’s final but for a catastrophe at Anfield. Their record in England is good, they haven’t lost in each of their six trips, including wins at both Manchester clubs. Unlike Liverpool, who had to field their strongest side as they continue to battle for the Premier League title, Barcelona’s extra rest could pay dividends. It’s very difficult to see them conceding three, given they have only done that once this season.
Cüneyt Çakır is the referee for this game. The Turkish man was in charge of the second-leg clash between Manchester City and Tottenham last month. He has officiated 25 matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated a total of 3.84 cards per game. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total booking points for this fixture.
Liverpool are very much up against it against one of Europe’s elite side. I can see them scoring a few goals, maybe even winning, but I can’t see them keeping Messi quiet all evening.
Liverpool vs Barcelona will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick off at 20:00 BST.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Barcelona
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Barcelona – (BET365):
- Correct score: Draw – 2-2 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Sadio Mane – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Barcelona – (SKYBET):
- Full Time Result & Both Teams to score – Barcelona & Yes – 4/1.
- Both Player to Score – Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – 9/2. (NB).
- Player Stats RequestABets – Sadio Mane 1+ shots on target & van Dijk 1+ shots on target, 3+ Liverpool corners and 20+ match booking pts – 11/2. (NAP).
Big Odd RequestABets – Liverpool vs Barcelona – (SKYBET):
- Player Stats RequestABets – Mane to score a header and Messi to score from outside the area – 80/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Mane & Suarez to score, Liverpool to win, Messi 2+ shots on target, 4+ corners each team and Pique to be carded – 200/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Shaqiri & Coutinho to score, Draw 2-2 and Alexander-Arnold & Busquets to be carded – 500/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Mane & Suarez to score and Shaqiri & Messi to be carded – 100/1.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Suarez to score a header and Henderson to be carded – 100/1.
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RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Sadio Mane, Messi & Suarez to score and Henderson & Busquets to be carded – 80/1.