All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Huddersfield vs Sheffield Wednesday – Match Preview

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Huddersfield vs Sheffield Wednesday – Match Preview

Skybet Championship Semi Final, 1st Leg, John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield 12pm

 

The Championship play-offs are amongst us with Huddersfield hosting Sheffield Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final tie. It will be tight and tense just like any play-off match and heroes will be made in these matches and both squads have players capable of creating magical moments.

Huddersfield are entering the tie in uncharacteristic form, having lost their last two matches to Cardiff and relegation survivalists, Birmingham City. ‘The Terriers’ scored 56 goals and conceded 58 goals in 46 matches; the leakiest defence in the top six. David Wagner’s side were tipped to be placed well into the bottom half of the table at the start of the season. However, they’ve defied the odds and fought at the top end of the table for most of the season. Will the home advantage see Huddersfield take the lead on aggregate before a trip to Hillsborough in the second leg?

Skybet Full Time Result – Huddersfield to Win – 13/10

The visitors have been in great form since the beginning of April, having won six of their previous eight Championship matches; the latest being a 2-1 loss to fellow play-off contenders, Fulham. In terms of play-offs, ‘the Owls’ will be looking to redeem their efforts from last season after they lost 1-0 to Hull in the play-off final. After injecting money into their squad, they look as if they could one-up their performance from last season and gain Premier League football for their club. However, a visit to the John Smith Stadium is the first obstacle to overcome.

Skybet Full Time Result – Sheff Wed to Win – 21/10

Team News

Huddersfield boss, David Wagner, will have near enough a full-strength squad to choose from, after controversially resting a load of players in the run-in to this two-legged tie.

First choice goalkeeper and Liverpool loanee, Danny Ward, is unavailable for selection as he is serving a ban for the red card he received against Cardiff. Could a fresh face in goal spell trouble for the Huddersfield defence?

Huddersfield goalkeeper Danny Ward is suspended for the 1st leg

Huddersfield goalkeeper Danny Ward is suspended for the 1st leg Photo Credit: skysports.com

Skybet To Score – Sheff Wed to Score 2+ Goals – 9/4

Sheffield Wednesday boss, Carlos Carvahal, will have to make do without Gary Hooper who is still side-lined with a hamstring injury.

This untimely injury could come to a cost for Wednesday, however they hope he will be fit in time for the final should they qualify. Will Sheffield Wednesday’s key attacker, Fernando Forestieri, be able to grab himself a goal whilst their striking options are limited?

Fernando Forestieri will try to unlock the Huddersfield defence

Fernando Forestieri will try to unlock the Huddersfield defence Photo Credit@ skysports.com

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Fernando Forestieri to score anytime – 2/1

 

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  • Skybet Price Boost – Nahki Wells and Steven Fletcher both to score in 90 mins – 10/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Sheffield Wednesday to win 2-0 – 16/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Rajiv Van La Parra to score first and Huddersfield to win 2-1 – 80/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Steven Fletcher to score first and either Sheffield Wednesday to win 1-0 or Draw 1-1 – 18/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – BTTS and over 2.5 goals – 7/4
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 7/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Kachunga to score, Huddersfield to win, over 2.5 goals and Wallace to be carded – 20/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Rhodes to score, BTTS and Hutchinson & Loovens to be carded – 22/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Forestieri to score, Draw 1-1, under 12 corners and Under 60 match booking pts – 33/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Fletcher to score, BTTS and Mooy & Jones to be carded – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Hefele, Bannan, Schindler & Hogg to be carded – 150/1 
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Fletcher & Wallace to score and Smith & Loovens to be carded – 200/1

Manchester City vs Leicester City – Match Preview

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Manchester City vs Leicester City – Match Preview

FA Premier League, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 12.30pm

 

Manchester City host current Premier League champions, Leicester City, this Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. City will look to leapfrog Liverpool who are currently occupying third in the Premier League; one point above ‘the Sky Blues’. A draw will see Pep Guardiola’s men jump to third as they have a superior goal difference to their northern neighbours.

As for the visitors, they have won their previous two matches away at West Brom and at home to Watford which has seen them enter the top half of the table. A win for the visitors could see them overtake their midlands rivals, West Brom, if they fail to get any points in their Friday night football clash with Chelsea. There have been over 2.5 goals in 22 of Leicester’s 35 Premier League matches this campaign, will it become 23 matches with over 2.5 goals this Saturday?

Skybet Under/Over 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5 Goals in 90 mins – 4/11

Sergio Aguero will face a late fitness test before the game

Sergio Aguero will face a late fitness test before the game Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Pep Guardiola is without some star-men for the match this Saturday. Claudio Bravo and Ilkay Gundogan are both unavailable with their long-term injuries.

Sergio Aguero and John Stones will both face fitness tests before the match for their injuries which could leave Guardiola in a tough spot with team selection. If the two are declared unfit, will Manchester City still overcome the current champions?

Skybet Full Time Result – Manchester City to Win – 1/4

Leicester City manager, Craig Shakespeare, could face a big issue with his defensive options as his squad has taken a big blow following Wes Morgan’s injury. Robert Huth is doubtful with a foot problem which could leave Shakespeare depleted of his defensive options.

Defensive midfielder, Danny Drinkwater, will also miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury. Will the lack of defensive options for Shakespeare prove too much against a clinical Manchester City attack?

Danny Drinkwater will miss the remainder of the season with a thigh injury

Danny Drinkwater will miss the remainder of the season with a thigh injury Photo Credit: skysports.com

Skybet To Score – Manchester City To Score 2+ Goals – 1/5

With the race for Champions League qualification heating up, Guardiola’s men will be looking to this fixture as a ‘must-win’ match. A win would leave their European qualification bid in their own hands. Meanwhile, Leicester will be aiming for a top eight finish after the dreadful performances and relegation worries they had before Shakespeare was appointed. Liverpool and Manchester United will be hoping for a slip-up from Manchester City, but will their class shine through to help them gain Champions League football next year?

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  • Skybet Price Boost – Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane both to score in 90 mins – 7/2
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  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Shinji Okazaki to score first and either Draw 1-1 or Leicester to win 2-1 – 85/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Gabriel Jesus to score, Manchester City to win, over 2.5 goals and 20+ booking pts each team – 11/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Sterling to score, Manchester City to win, over 2.5 goals and 30+ Leicester booking pts – 8/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – De Bruyne to score, Manchester City to win, over 2.5 goals and Fernandinho to be carded – 12/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Sane, De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus & Sterling to score – 28/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Gabriel Jesus to score, Manchester City to win and Ndidi & Vardy to be carded – 40/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Gabriel Jesus & De Bruyne to score and Otamendi & Vardy to be carded – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Vardy & Mahrez to score and Fernandinho & Otamendi to be carded – 200/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Gabriel Jesus to score, Manchester City 4-0 and Ndidi & Toure to be carded – 300/1
  • Skybet Player Card Accumulator – Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi both to be carded – 18/1
  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Gabriel Jesus and Jamie Vardy both to score – 7/2

Betway – Darts Premier League – Week 15 – 11th May 2017

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Betway – Darts Premier League – Week 15 – 11th May 2017

It couldn’t be more tense as the Betway Darts Premier League regular season comes to an end. Aberdeen will play host to the final four fixtures that will see the bottom four in the league wave goodbye to the top four, who will be packing their bags for the O2 Arena. The current holder of the trophy, Michael van Gerwen, could seal top spot with a win, however, he faces tough opposition in Gary Anderson. In fourth place, Phil Taylor must beat Adrian Lewis to fend off the in-form Dave Chisnall; who would have the slightest chance of top four qualification if ‘The Power’ was to slip up.

Fixture List

Dave Chisnall vs James Wade

Dave Chisnall is the man in-form in the Premier League right now. He has seen a huge improvement on the doubles which when paired with his 180 hitting is making him a force to be reckoned with. James Wade is now unable to qualify for the top four positions meaning this will be his last match in this seasons Premier League, disappointing by his standards. With a glimmer of hope in his eye for that fourth spot, Chisnall should bring too much firepower for Wade.

Skybet Match Winner – Dave Chisnall – 4/5

Taylor can book his spot at the finals in London with at least a draw

Phil Taylor can book his spot at the finals in London with at least a draw PhotoCredit: skysports.com

Phil Taylor vs Adrian Lewis

All eyes will be on Phil Taylor in this match up as he faces the out-of-sorts Adrian Lewis. Taylor can book his spot at the finals in London with at least a draw, but Lewis will be playing for pride; after a shocking performance, last week. Taylor has improved his treble hitting lately, a factor that helped him beat Michael van Gerwen last week, 7-3. Current form should see Taylor over the line and qualify but even with all his experience, will the pressure be too much for ‘The Power’?

Skybet Match Winner – Phil Taylor – 8/11

Peter Wright vs Raymond van Barneveld

Peter Wright is a man on a mission this year. Last week he beat Adrian Lewis 7-2 in the Premier League and in the European Tour Grand Prix final on Sunday, he whitewashed Michael van Gerwen 6-0…incredible stuff. Raymond van Barneveld put up a good fight last week against Dave Chisnall however he was unfortunate to lose with a 100.65 three dart average. Wright will overtake Michael van Gerwen at the head of the table if he was to win, leaving all the pressure on ‘Mighty Mike’ in the last game of the evening. Will ‘Snakebite’ slither to the top of the table?

Skybet Match Winner – Peter Wright – 4/6

Michael van Gerwen can seal top spot with a victory against Gary Anderson

Michael van Gerwen can seal top spot with a victory against Gary Anderson Photo Credit: skysports.com

Michael van Gerwen vs Gary Anderson

When these two meet, they like to flex their darting muscle. Michael van Gerwen has a good history against the Scotsman; winning four of their last five meetings. Anderson will be looking to consolidate third place in the table with at least a draw being enough to do so. The two drew last time they met on the first night of the Premier League season. Will it be honours even again or will van Gerwen seal top spot with a victory?

Skybet Total 180’s – Over 7.5 180’s – 8/11

 

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Premier League Price Boost – Chisnall, Taylor & Wright all to win their matches – 5/1
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  • Skybet Featured RequestAbet – Every player to hit 2 or more 180’s – 3/1
  • Skybet Match Trebles – Chisnall to win the match, hit the outright highest checkout and score more 180’s than Wade – 2/1
  • Skybet Featured RequestAbet (Taylor vs Lewis) – Taylor to Win, Lewis most 180s & 3 or More 80+ Checkouts in Match – 5/1
  • Skybet Player Performance (Wright vs van Barneveld) – Peter Wright to win the match, score over 3.5 180’s and checkout over 104.5 – 5/1
  • Skybet Featured RequestAbet (van Gerwen vs Anderson) – MVG to win, 10 or more 180’s in the match & either player to checkout 100 or higher – 6/1