All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Liverpool vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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Liverpool vs Manchester United – Match Preview – Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield on Saturday, with both teams looking for a win following the international break and it is bound to be an enthralling tie.

Liverpool’s are desperate for a win, with Jurgen Klopp’s side picking up just one win in their last seven games in all competitions. Before the international break, the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw away at Newcastle, with many fans growing frustrated by the sides defensive frailties. At the back, Liverpool are woeful, and if they want to gain anything from Saturday they will have to improve.

Liverpool will be reliant on Coutinho and Firminho for the victory on Saturday Photo Credit: skysports.com

Liverpool are however unbeaten at Anfield in the league this season. They’ve only dropped two points, and have won their other two matches. Having already played Arsenal at Anfield, the Reds know they can make Anfield a fortress, having ripped apart Arsene Wenger’s side in a 4-0 win. If they can get Mohamad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Phillipe Coutinho running at the United backline, they can cause them problems. They will, however, be without Sadio Mane, after the Senegalese forward was ruled out of for six weeks. Despite that blow, they still have plenty of attacking talent in reserve and will pose a threat to any defence.

Manchester United come into this game in excellent form, with six wins a row in all competitions. The Red Devils remain unbeaten in the league this season, with Saturday posing their biggest test yet. United will be without Marouane Fellaini after the Belgian picked up a knee injury. Whilst there has been no time frame put on Fellaini’s return, it is expected to be a lengthy absence. One Belgian who is available is Romelu Lukaku. Fresh from scoring for Belgium on Tuesday, the former Everton striker will be looking to add to his seven goals so far this campaign.

Lukaku and Rashford have been in great form so far this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

The rivalry in this game is huge. This game has thrown up 16 red cards and is second in the list of dirtiest fixtures. Only the Merseyside Derby has more with 21. With that in mind, you could get good odds on a dismissal this Saturday, with both teams desperate for three points.

In recent matches, there has been very little to separate the two teams, with the last three encounters being draws. Liverpool however only have one win against United in their last eight, and no league wins since 2014. The last time Liverpool beat United in the league at Anfield was back in 2013 when a Daniel Sturridge goal gave them all three points.

Looking towards the game, Jose Mourinho is the master of away performances. With that in mind, I can’t see his side losing, and I think United or draw would be a good bet. I could see them nicking a win in true Mourinho fashion, with Lukaku and co exposing Liverpool’s leaky backline.

 

Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE UNITED 2-1- 17/2

SKYBET: UNITED OR DRAW DOUBLE CHANCE- 2/5

SKYBET: A RED CARD TO BE SHOWN AND A PENALTY AWARDED- 15/2

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

SKYBET: RASHFORD TO SCORE FIRST AND 1-1 DRAW- 30/1

SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN BOTH HALVES- 14/1

SKYBET: BTTS AND OVER 2.5 GOALS- 6/5

SKYBET: RAB- LUKAKU TO SCORE, UNITED TO WIN, BTTS AND LOVREN TO BE CARDED- 16/1

SKYBET: RAB- BTTS, CAN, JONES AND VALENCIA TO BE CARDED- 22/1

World Cup Qualifiers – Slovenia vs Scotland – Match Preview

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Slovenia vs Scotland – Match Preview – With one round of games left, Scotland are in pole position to secure second spot in Group F. On Sunday, they know a win will guarantee them a play-off spot for a place in the World Cup 2018!

After their dramatic late win over Slovakia on Thursday night, Scotland have now moved in to second spot in the group. England’s late winner against Slovenia means Scotland are two point clear of Slovakia, and three clear of their next opponents. If Scotland can match the result of Slovakia and avoid defeat against Slovenia, it would secure them second place, and a two-legged chance of making the World Cup.

Thursday’s win came courtesy of an own goal from former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel. Whilst the Slovakian was credited with the unfortunate own goal, much credit was given to Chris Martin for his influence in the goal. The Derby County striker, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, has struggled this season, but this could be the catalyst to revive his campaign. With Leigh Griffiths Gordon Strachan’s first choice striker, it’ll be interesting to see who he chooses up front in Slovenia after Martin’s telling impact. Whilst Griffiths has more goals this qualifying campaign, Martin is the better hold up striker, which could be key away from home.

Chris Martin was influential in the win over Slovakia Photo Credit: skysports.com

Harry Kane’s 93rd minute winner at Wembley snatched what would have been an invaluable point from Slovenia. After frustrating England for large portions of the game, the England striker’s stoppage time goal will have been a sickening blow. With just one game left and them trailing three points behind Scotland, this game is a must win. Even with a victory against Scotland, they’d also be reliant on Slovakia not beating Malta in order to clinch second place.

The last time these two sides met was at Hampden Park, where Scotland snuck a 1-0 win. That victory was the start of their impressive five game unbeaten run, which has seen four clean sheets, and four wins in that time. Scotland’s new found defensive resilience has been key, and with Slovenia struggling to find the net, it could be only one goal that settles this game.

With that in mind, I think a double chance, Scotland or draw would be a good bet. Although Slovenia are at home, they struggle to score goals and create chances, and that’s why this one will be a low-scoring game. With them needing a win however, they may have to open up and go for the game, which will leave Scotland space to counter-attack.

 

Prediction: Slovenia 0-1 Scotland

 

SKYBET: SCOTLAND TO WIN 1-0- 11/2

SKYBET: DOUBLE CHANCE- SCOTLAND OR DRAW- 4/9

SKYBET: GRIFFITHS TO SCORE A BRACE- 13/2

SKYBET: MARTIN TO SCORE AND SCOTLAND TO DRAW- 10/1

SKYBET: SCOTLAND TO WIN TO NIL- 3/1

SKYBET: SLOVENIA TO WIN 2-1- 9/1

World Cup Qualifiers – Bosnia vs Belgium – Match Preview

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Bosnia vs Belgium – Match Preview – With Belgium already qualified as winners of Group H, all eyes are on Bosnia as the top two meet in a crucial game.

With two games to spare, Belgium have booked their place in Russia next summer. Dropping only two points all campaign, they have romped to the top of the group, and have placed themselves as one of the favourites for next year’s competition. With 32 goals scored and only three conceded in eight matches, they’re averaging four goals a game, which is largely down to the form of Romelu Lukaku.

The Manchester United man has ten goals so far in qualifying, sitting him third in the leader board. The Belgium striker has averaged a goal every 61 minutes, which is again the third best record in the qualifying rankings. Lukaku has also been producing this form at club level as well, netting seven goals in seven games for his new employers. Whilst Roberto Martinez may opt to rest his star striker, Lukaku will be chomping at the bit to add more goals to his impressive tally.

Lukaku has been in great form and may be on the bench as Belgium have already qualified Photo Credit: skysports.com

For Bosnia, this is a huge match. They currently occupy second place, which would earn them a play off spot. With only two games left to play, they have Greece breathing down their necks, who are just a point behind them. Cyprus, who are also in the running, and four points adrift of Bosnia, play Greece at the same time as this game. With one of those two teams guaranteed to drop points, a win for them could be huge. If Bosnia and Cyprus were both to win, it would secure second spot for them with a game still left to play. Their fate is certainly in their own hands, but facing an unbeaten Belgium side will not be easy, even if they’re already through.

When these two met last October, the Belgians ran riot, slotting four past a helpless Bosnian defence. That day Lukaku grabbed one of the goals as they comfortably dispatched their opposition, but this match is a totally different game. Bosnia’s main threat is offensively, with 19 goals so far, averaging at nearly 2.5 a game. At the back however, they are weaker. They’ve shipped eight goals so far, which is the same amount as Belgium and Cyprus together.

If Bosnia are going to get anything from this match, they’re going to have tighten up defensively. I think the starting eleven Martinez picks will be key, but Belgium should still get the job done and come away with a win.

 

Prediction: Bosnia 1-2 Belgium

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE 2-1 BELGIUM- 17/2
SKYBET: LUKAKU TO SCORE A BRACE- 5/1
SKYBET: HAZARD TO SCORE FIRST AND BELGIUM TO WIN 3-0- 120/1
SKYBET: BELGIUM TO WIN FROM BEHIND- 12/1
SKYBET: DZEKO AND LUKAKU TO BOTH SCORE- 7/2
SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE AND DRAW- 3/1