All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea City – Match Preview

Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea City – Match Preview – Tottenham will be hoping to secure back to back home wins for the first time this season, as they face Paul Clement’s Swansea City.

After a morale boosting win over Borussia Dortmund in their opening Champions League game in midweek, Spurs will be looking to back that up with their first home league win of the season. Another win for Mauricio Pochettino’s men would be their third in a row in all competitions, and would leave them unbeaten in four.

Eriksen has been in great form for Spurs so far this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

The most pleasing thing for Spurs’ fans will be to see Harry Kane hitting the net again. After opening his account for the season in their 3-0 win over Everton, the Englishman grabbed himself another brace in midweek. That leaves Kane with six goals in his last four games for club and country, after failing to score in his opening three Premier League games. With Heung-Ming Son also getting on the scoresheet in midweek, Tottenham appear to be sharing the goals around more this season, with five different players scoring in their five games so far, this campaign.

For Swansea, they’re still seeking consistency after grabbing four points from their first four league games. After picking up a victory and a draw at Crystal Palace and Southampton, it is their home form that is letting them down. A 4-0 defeat to Manchester United can be accepted, with the Red Devils scoring three in the last ten minutes to make the score line an unfair reflection of the full 90 minutes. However, a damaging 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle has left the Swans fans wondering which version of the team they will see when they visit the Liberty Stadium.

Abraham will be hoping to get on the scoresheet at Wembley against Spurs Photo Credit: skysports.com

There have been a number of bright moments in Swansea’s early season however. The blossoming partnership of striking duo Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew has caused Premier League defences issues, with both strikers proving a handful. There is also the new signing of Wilfried Bony and Renato Sanches for fans to get excited about, with both players making their first appearances in their last match. Whilst it might take a little bit of time to get both up and running, the potential is certainly there for them to have a great season.

Tottenham have not lost to Swansea City in the league since 1982, a run stretching back 16 matches. Even in more recent history, the Swans have only picked up two point against their hosts since their return to the Premier League back in 2011. In keeping with that record, Tottenham have also scored 2 or more goals in each of their last seven games against Swansea, a run stretching back to 2013.

Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Swansea

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE 3-1- 10/1

SKYBET: SPURS TO SCORE 2+ GOALS- 2/7

SKYBET: HARRY KANE TO SCORE FIRST AND TOTTENHAM TO WIN 2-0- 9/1

SKYBET: ALLI AND ABRAHAM TO BOTH SCORE- 7/1

SKYBET: BTTS AND OVER 2.5 GOALS- 11/8

SKYBET: KANE TO SCORE A BRACE- 7/4

 

Suggested Tips:

Barnsley vs Aston Villa – Match Preview

Barnsley vs Aston Villa – Match Preview – Aston Villa travel to Oakwell on Saturday night as they face Barnsley. Steve Bruce’s side will be looking to improve on a less than ideal start to the season.

Having been the pre-season favourites to win the league, Villa have yet to produce the form of promotion candidates. Having only accumulated seven points from their first seven games, Villa sit in eighteenth and are already ten points behind league leaders Leeds United. Whilst it is still early in the season, Bruce knows that performances, and most importantly results must improve. If Villa were to fail to reach at least the play-offs for a second consecutive year, then there would be big question marks over his future.

Jonathan Kodjia could return against Barnsley Photo Credit: skysports.com

One piece of encouraging news for Villa fans is the return to fitness of last year’s top scorer Jonathan Kodjia. The Ivorian striker grabbed 22 goals in his debut season, after signing for a club record fee from Bristol City. Kodjia made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in their midweek 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough. In that game, Villa were reduced to ten men after Henri Lansbury was given his marching orders. That decision has since been over ruled, meaning the former Arsenal and Nottingham Forest midfielder is eligible to play on Saturday.

After a worrying start to the season, Barnsley’s form has picked up. They currently sit in 15th place with the same points as their visitors, ahead of Saturday’s game. After losing their opening three league and cup games, the Tykes have responded with only one defeat in their last five games. In that run of form, Barnsley picked up home wins again Forest and Sunderland, an early illustration of how important their home form will be in their bid for survival.

Villa midfielder Gary Gardener joined Barnsley on a season-long loan on Deadline Day, but he will miss the game as he is ineligible to play against his parent club. That leaves the door open for Brad Potts to continue his impressive start to life in the second tier. The former Blackpool man has been a key player for Barnsley this season and opened his account for his new club in their 1-1 draw at Preston last weekend.

Villa’s last win against Barnsley was back in 1997. Admittedly, the two sides have only met three time since then, but Barnsley’s recent record shows signs of encouragement. The Tykes drew 1-1 with Villa last season at home, before completing a historic 3-1 victory at Villa Park, their first in the club’s history. I think this could be another draw, with Barnsley making life difficult for Villa. If Kodjia starts the game, it could see Villa snatch a needed win, but I think Bruce will be inclined to leave him on the bench again.

Prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Aston Villa

 

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

SKYBET: KODJIA TO SCREO FIRST AND VILLA TO WIN 2-1- 22/1

SKYBET: VILLA TO WIN FROM BEHIND- 10/1

SKYBET: BARNSLEY TO WIN AND BTTS- 5/1

SKYBET: BRADSHAW AND HOGAN TO BOTH SCORE- 15/2

SKYBET: BTTS IN BOTH HALVES- 14/1

Arsenal vs FC Koln – Europa League Preview

Arsenal vs FC Koln – Europa League Preview – Arsenal begin life in the Europa League at home, as they host FC Koln. After an impressive fifth place finish in the Bundesliga, the Germany club have proved themselves to be no mugs.

Another new season, but the same old Arsenal. After a less than convincing start to their league campaign, questions are yet again being asked about Arsene Wenger’s future at the club. A tense 4-3 home win on the opening day of the season was then followed by back to back away defeats. A typical spineless display from the Gunners saw them lose 1-0 at Stoke and then a week later they suffered a 4-0 defeat against a rampant Liverpool side at Anfield. With the pressure mounting on Wenger, just weeks in to his new two year contract, they reacted at the weekend with a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth.

Recruitment over the summer has been mediocre at the Emirates, with the headlines being dominated by the future of Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean was denied a deadline day transfer to Manchester City, and with less than 12 month remaining on his contract, he looks set to leave on a free at the end of the season. Throw in the departure of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin and the below average performances of Mesut Ozil, and you have yourself a right old mess.

Alexandre Lacazette has settled in at Arsenal quickly Photo Credit: skysports.com

The one shining light however has been the signing of Alexandre Lacazette. The French forward was Arsenal’s marquee summer addition, arriving from Lyon for a reported £55 million. Lacazette got off to the perfect start, scoring just three minutes in to his debut again Leicester, and grabbed his second of the season in their win at the weekend. He seems to be everything the Gunners have missed over the last few seasons; pace, energy and goals. If Arsenal can get Sanchez back playing, the combination he could strike up with Lacazette could be deadly, and see them challenge both domestically, and in Europe.

Leonardo Bittencourt Photo Credit: express.de

Despite a fantastic season last year, Koln are yet to pick up a point this season, and sit rock bottom of the league after three games. The departure of 27 goals striker Anthony Modeste has hit the club hard, with the Frenchman joining Tianjin Quanjian for £30 million in the summer. They do possess some young upcoming talent, with Spain under 21 international Jorge Mere leading their defence and German winger Leonardo Bittencourt.

Although this will be a tougher game than many might think, I still think Arsenal will have enough to come out winners. It will be interesting to see what side Wegner puts out, with him trying to balance his squad in Europe and the Premier League.

 

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Koln

 

SKYBET: ARSENAL TO WIN 3-0- 13/2

SKYBET: LACAZETTE AND WELBECK TO BOTH SCORE- 5/2

SKYBET: ARSENAL TO WIN TO NIL- 11/10

SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE AND OVER 3.5 GOALS- 5/2

SKYBET: BITTENCOURT TO SCORE FIRST AND DRAW 1-1- 135/1

SKYBET: GIROUD TO SCORE FIRST AND ARSENAL TO WIN 3-1- 22/1