All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United – Match Preview

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Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United – Match Preview – Two footballing heavyweights go toe to toe at the City Ground on Saturday night as Nottingham Forest host Leeds United. Both sides have made encouraging starts to the season, sitting in fourth and fifth respectively.

After selling star striker Britt Assombalonga to Middlesbrough, you could excuse any Forest fan for feeling pessimistic about the season ahead. That money however has been cleverly invested in the squad, and this has seen Forest yield nine points from their opening four fixtures. New signings Barrie McKay, Daryl Murphy and Andreas Bouchalakis have impressed, with all three getting on the score sheet early on in their Forest careers.

The club have further strengthened their squad this week with the permanent signing of Liam Bridcutt. The midfielder is now in line to make his debut against the club he has just left. Warburton seems to be building a team that is equipped for Championship football, and this has been underlined by Murphy’s instant impact in the team. After helping Newcastle United to the league title last year, he has already managed three goals for Forest, proving himself to be an astute signing for just two million pounds.

Daryl Murphy has scored three goals for Forest this season so far Photo Credit: skysports.com

Leeds begin life without Chris Wood, following his £15 million pound move to Premier League side Burnley. Although Leeds impressively beat Sunderland 2-0 last week without him, it is yet to be seen how much his absence will affect Thomas Christiansen’s side.

One bright spark for Leeds this season has been summer signing Samuel Saiz. The Spaniard has already scored four goals this season, and has put in some eye-catching performances in Leeds impressive start to the campaign. They are one of only three clubs left in the division yet to be beaten, and have won both of their away games so far this season.

Samuel Saiz has made a great start to the season for Leeds United Photo Credit: skysports.com

In this fixture last season, it was the home side who prevailed, coming out 3-1 winners. Forest have a good record against Leeds, with the Reds losing only two of their last ten meetings. Leeds last win at the City Ground came back in 2011, and they have only picked up two points there since then.

The last ten games between the two teams have produced 25 goals with both teams scoring on six occasions. I fancy another tight game this Saturday, with both teams to score looking a fairly safe bet.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Leeds United

SKYBET: 2-1 CORRECT SCORE- 17/2
SKYBET: MURPHY TO SCORE AND FOREST TO WIN- 11/4
SKYBET: MURPHY AND SAIZ TO BOTH SCORE- 7/1
SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE AND LEEDS TO WIN- 4/1
SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE GROUP BETTING, DRAW 1-1, 2-2 OR 3-3- 3/1

Bristol City vs Aston Villa – Match Preview

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Bristol City vs Aston Villa – Match Preview – After a rocky start to the season, Aston Villa face a tricky away trip to the Ashton Gate. Lee Johnson’s men are unbeaten at home so far this season, and another home win would pile the pressure upon Steve Bruce.

After their opening day thrashing of Barnsley, Bristol City have failed to build on that win. Since then, they have picked up one point from their last three league games and will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Friday. Since getting off the mark on the opening day, club record signing Famara Diedhio has failed to find the net since. With the club shelling out a reported £5.3 million pounds, the Senegalese striker will be keen to repay them by adding to his goal tally.

Bobby Reid has been in great form, scoring in his last two games for City Photo Credit: skysports.com

One shining light has been midfielder Bobby Reid. The 24 year old has managed four league goals already this season, including two in his last two. Whilst City only have five points to their name, the football they have played has merited more. Having hit the woodwork and missed several guilt egged chances against Birmingham, they found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 score line, underlining their misfortune.

Villa on the other hand have flattered to deceive. After being installed as the joint favourites to win the division, a measly four points from four games has drawn plenty of criticism. An encouraging 4-2 victory against Norwich last time out should bide Bruce some time, but performances must improve, if they are to challenge for automatic promotion.

Scott Hogan could play a part for Villa Photo Credit: skysports.com

Last season, Villa came unstuck at Aston Gate, losing 3-1. Although they avenged that defeat with a 2-0 home win, they haven’t won away in the league at the Robins since 1979. The last ten meetings between these two have drawn up 22 goals and with both sides having scored in three of their four league games, it should be an enthralling tie.

Prediction: Bristol City 1-1 Aston Villa

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE 1-1- 5/1

SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE AND BRISTOL CITY TO WIN- 4/1

SKYBET: ASTON VILLA TO WIN TO NIL- 4/1

SKYBET: REID AND HOGAN TO BOTH SCORE- 13/2

SKYBET: BRISTOL CITY TO WIN FROM BEHIND- 14/1

Huddersfield Town vs Newcastle United – Match Preview

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Huddersfield Town vs Newcastle United – Match Preview – Huddersfield Town take on Newcastle United in their first ever home game in the Premier League. Having both been promoted together last season, who will come out on top at The John Smith Stadium?

The Terriers got off to a dream start last week, beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park. A debut brace from record signing Steve Mounie and a Joel Ward own goal gave them a deserved three points as they breezed past Frank De Boer’s men.

Huddersfield are many people’s favourites to be relegated in their first ever season in the top flight. If they are to have any chance of staying up, making The John Smith Stadium a fortress will be key. They lost only six of their 23 home games last season, and they’ll need another impressive home season in order to survive.

Steve Mounie scored a brace on his Premier League debut for Huddersfield Photo Credit: skysports.com

Mounie grabbed his first goal with a thumping header in the box, and this was just a taster of what Huddersfield fans can come to expect. When compared against Europe’s top five major leagues since August 2016, he has some very impressive stats. He has scored the second highest amount of headed goals, with seven, the second highest number of aerial duels won, with 300 and the highest percentage of aerial duels won, with 65.5%.

Newcastle lost their opening game of the season at home to Tottenham, 2-0. Jonjo Shelvey will miss the next three games, after he was sent off for a stamp on Dele Alli. Newcastle had looked organised, until Shelvey’s sending off, but struggled to compete with ten men, against a very impressive Spurs side.

There is growing rumours of discontent at St James’ Park. After a less than impressive summer transfer window, Rafa Benitez has called on the club to make some new additions. With Mike Ashley reluctant to invest in the squad, it could be another tough season ahead for the Toon Army.

Joselu signs from Stoke City for £5 Million Photo Credit: skysports.com

Against Spurs they looked solid, without being spectacular offensively. It is no secret that Benitez is looking to add to his forward options, with Stoke City striker Joselu reportedly signing for an agreed five million pound fee. He would be Newcastle’s sixth summer addition, and probably not their last.

In the club’s two meetings last season, the away side conquered on each occasion. Interestingly, it was also in the second game of last season that these two met, with Huddersfield recording an impressive win at St James’ Park. The two clubs have only met three times in the past 33 years, underlining the real fairy-tale story of Huddersfield’s promotion. The Terriers have only won one of their last 11 matches against the Toon Army, and haven’t beaten them at home since 1963.

In the last 11 meetings, these two have clocked up 33 goals. With both sides stronger offensively than defensively, I would expect an open game on Sunday, with both sides looking to win.

 

Score prediction: Huddersfield 2-1 Newcastle.

 

SKYBET: MOUNIE TO SCORE FIRST AND HUDDERSFIELD TO WIN 2-1- 33/1

SKYBET: INCE AND GAYLE TO BOTH SCORE- 10/1

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE GROUP BETTING, HUDDERSFIELD TO WIN 1-0, 2-0 OR 2-1- 21/10

SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE ND HUDDERSFIELD TO WIN- 4/1

SKYBET: GAYLE TO SCORE AND WIN- 9/2

SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN BOTH HALVES- 22/1

SKYBET: HUDDERSFIELD TO WIN AND OVER 2.5 GOALS- 3/1