All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Hull City vs Leeds United – Match Preview

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Hull City vs Leeds United.
Saturday 29th February 2020.
SkyBet Championship. KCOM Stadium.

Live on Sky Sports Football. Kick-off: 12:30PM GMT.

Hull City host promotion chasing Leeds United on Saturday lunchtime in the SkyBet Championship.

Both sides are battling at both ends of the division, and a win would certainly boost their bids to avoid the drop in Hull City’s case, or secure promotion if you’re associated with Leeds United.

The midweek results in the Championship produced a mixed bag of results for both sides; Hull were beaten 1-0 at home by Barnsley, meanwhile Leeds took another step closer to promotion with a 1-0 win away at Middlesbrough.

The Tigers, led by Grant McCann, are in a poor run of form and have failed to win in each of their last ten matches. In that time, City have lost eight times, and now have work to do if they are to avoid the drop. Hull find themselves four points clear of 22nd placed Wigan Athletic with twelve matches to go in the SkyBet Championship.

It’s no coincidence that Hull have struggled since the departures of talismanic figures Jarred Bowen and Kamil Grosicki. Of the forty-eight goals Hull have scored this season, the pair were involved in thirty-three of them (Bowen: 16G 6A) (Grosicki: 7G 4A), no wonder the Tigers have deteriorated since their exit’s.

After sixteen long years, it finally looks like Leeds United are destined to return to English footballs’ top-flight. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently 2nd in the league, in the automatic play-off places, and five points clear of Fulham in 3rd. Leeds have won their last three on the bounce and have rediscovered their form after a momentary slip at the start of the month.

These two sides last met in December, where Leeds were 2-0 winners at Elland Road. Leeds have an impressive record against Hull, losing only one of the last seven in this fixture. Hull’s last win came in December 2018, a 2-0 win at Elland Road.

The referee for Saturday’s clash is Keith Stroud. The 50-year old has averaged just over three yellow cards per match in his nineteen appearances in the Championship this season, and that considered I would recommend a minimum of 30+ booking points for this clash.

Hull City vs Leeds United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Hull City 0-2 Leeds United

Suggested Tips – Hull City vs Leeds United – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Leeds United to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Patrick Bamford – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Hull City vs Leeds United – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Leeds United to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 13/8.

Arsenal vs Olympiakos – Match Preview

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Arsenal vs Olympiakos
Thursday 27th February 2020
UEFA Europa League – Emirates Stadium.

Live on BT Sport 3. Kick-off: 20:00 GMT.

Arsenal host Olympiacos in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.

The Gunners come into Thursday night’s clash with a 1-0 advantage following their victory away in the first leg a week ago. Alexandre Lacazette struck Arsenal’s winner in Greece and put his side in the ascendancy with the luxury of an away goal.

Mikel Arteta’s side come into Thursday’s encounter following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Everton on Sunday afternoon. The win lifted Arsenal to 9th place, and with that kept their hopes of securing European football for next season alive.

Olympiacos also enjoyed a victory of their own at the weekend as they defeated 2nd placed PAOK 1-0 away from home and increased their lead at the top of Greece’s super league to five points. Pedro Martin’s side are currently undefeated in Greece’s top division and have won nineteen of their twenty-five league matches this season.

Arsenal finished top of the pile in Group F and won three of their six group matches. The Gunners’ only defeat in this year’s competition came at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, so there is hope for Olympiacos as they travel to the capital on Thursday night.

Olympiacos were knocked out of the Champions League group stage and filtered through to this years Europa League. The Greek side finished third in Group B, behind group winners Bayern Munich and second placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Last weeks meeting between these two sides was their ninth in total, bit their first ever in the Europa League. Of the nine meetings between the two there is not much between them, with Arsenal winning five, and Olympiacos winning four. There has never been a draw between these two sides in any previous meeting.

Gabriel Martinelli has contributed to more goals more than any other Arsenal player in this season’s Europa League, with five goal involvements in six matches. (Three goals, two assists). SkyBet are offering odds of 15/8 for the young Brazilian to find the back of the net on Thursday evening.

Arsenal vs Olympiakos will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 3 with kick-off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiakos

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Olympiakos – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Arsenal to win 3-1 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Olympiakos – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Arsenal to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 4/1.

Markets last updated at 19:20 on Thursday 27th February 2020.

Manchester United vs Club Brugge – Match Preview

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Manchester United vs Club Brugge
Thursday 27th February 2020
UEFA Europa League – Old Trafford.

Live on BT Sport 2/Ultimate – Kick-off: 20:00 GMT.

Manchester United host Club Brugge in the second leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Both sides head into Thursday night’s encounter with nothing to separate them, following the 1-1 draw in Belgium a week ago. Some would argue it’s the Red Devils’ who have the slight advantage after scoring an away goal, but if they are to quality, they will be made to work hard by Phillipe Clement’s side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side come into this week’s fixture on the back of a strong 3-0 victory over Watford on Sunday afternoon. Bruno Fernandes struck his first goal in his new colours the win, and teed up Anthony Martial for United’s second. The Portuguese is finding his feet in Manchester.

Brugge themselves were victorious in league action, they defeated Charleroi 1-0 at home, a win which keeps them nine-points clear of the Belgian Pro League. Brugge have lost only once in the league, winning nineteen of their twenty-seven matches this season.

Last Thursday’s clash was the third meeting between these two sides. Brugge have never beaten Manchester United, with the Red Devils winning two of the three meetings in this fixture.

United won all three group matches at Old Trafford without conceding a goal. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are priced at 11/10 on SkyBet to win to nil.

Brugge posses an incredible record away from home and are unbeaten in all competitions since the middle of November, a run which totals ten matches. Brugge are priced at 7/1 on SkyBet to win in 90 minutes.

For the first time in the Europa League’s history, VAR is being used in the latter stage of this year’s competition.

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has scored in each of his last three appearances, including in the 1-1 stalemate in Belgium last Thursday. The Frenchman to score in 90 minutes is priced at 11/10 on SkyBet.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Club Brugge

Suggested Tips – Manchester United vs Club Brugge – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Manchester United 2-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Anytime Goalscorer – Bruno Fernandes – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Manchester United vs Club Brugge – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Manchester United to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 5/4.

Markets last updated at 19:09 on Thursday 27th February 2020.