All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Arsenal vs Newcastle – Match Preview

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Arsenal vs Newcastle
Sunday 16th February 2020
FA Premier League, The Emirates Stadium.

Live on Sky Sports Premier League. Kick-off: 16:30 GMT

Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend when they host Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides will be coming back from the Premier League’s first even winter break fully re-energised, and keen to return to winning ways in the Premier League.

Prior to the break, Arsenal had drawn their last four consecutive Premier League encounters, meanwhile Newcastle were unbeaten in their last four, drawing three and winning one.

Arsenal have been inconsistent this season to say the least, and have drawn more matches than any other side in the division (13). Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can convert them draws into wins as the business end of the season approaches, and strengthen their hopes, albeit faint of securing European football for next season.

These two sides last met at the beginning of the season, where Arsenal took all three points thanks to a goal from Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. That goal in August was Aubameyang’s first of fourteen goals scored this season, and the Arsenal striker is priced at 7/10 on SkyBet to score anytime on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners boast a tremendous record over this weekends opponents, and have won thirteen of the last fourteen meetings between these two. Arsenal have lost once in the last ten years against Newcastle. The Magpies’ last win in this fixture came back in April 2018, where they were victorious 2-1 at St James’ Park. The last time Newcastle won away to Arsenal was in 2010.

The referee for this encounter is Lee Mason. The 48-year old has taken charge of twelve Premier League matches this season, and in that time has awarded forty-six yellow cards, and one red card. This considered, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture. Sunday afternoon will be the first time he has taken charge of an Arsenal game in the Premier League this season, but Mason did take charge of Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Everton, where he awarded four yellow cards.

Arsenal vs Newcastle United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 16:30 GMT.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Newcastle

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Newcastle – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Arsenal to Win 3-1 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Nicholas Pepe – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Newcastle – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Arsenal 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 7/2.

Markets last updated at 17:40 on Friday 14th February 2020.

Norwich vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Norwich vs Liverpool
Saturday 15th February 2020
FA Premier League, Carrow Road.

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-off: 17:30 GMT.

Norwich City return to Premier League action this weekend as they host league leaders Liverpool at Carrow Road.

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City side are tasked with stopping the red juggernaut that’s steamrolling it’s way through the Premier League, and are still the only Premier League side yet to lose a game. The Canaries however, despite their position can have some confidence ahead of this one, as they beat reigning Champions Manchester City at the beginning of the season, administering their first defeat of what’s been a disappointing season for Pep Guardiola’s side. Farke and his players will however know the mountain of a task that awaits them this weekend.

Norwich, in fairness, are in deep trouble as the final three months of the season approach. The Canaries sit rock bottom and are currently seven points adrift in the battle to avoid relegation. Norwich have won one of their last twelve matches, form which you would associate with a side that’s well and truly in a relegation battle.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side however are quite literally in a league of their own, and have picked up an astounding 73 from a possible 75 available in the Premier League. The Red’s are well on course for their first Premier League title in thirty years, and if they continue, they will secure it in record time. Six more wins is all they need to Premier League glory.

These two sides met on the opening day, and Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners at Anfield. Teemu Pukki scored his first of eleven goals at Anfield, and is priced at 15/8 to score anytime. Both Pukki and Norwich will have to work hard if they are to find the back of the net however, they are facing a Liverpool team who have eight clean sheets in their last nine matches in the Premier League.

The referee for this encounter is Stuart Attwell. The 37-year old has established himself as one of the harsher referee’s this season, averaging over 4.5 yellow cards per game. Attwell has also awarded two red cards this season. This considered, I would suggest a minimum of 30+ booking points for this  encounter.

Norwich vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League HD with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.

Prediction: Norwich 0-2 Liverpool

Suggested Tips – Norwich vs Liverpool- (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Liverpool to Win 2-0 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Sadio Mane – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Norwich vs Liverpool – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Liverpool 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 15/8.

Markets last updated at 17:33 on Friday 14th February 2020.

West Brom vs Nottingham Forest – Match Preview

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West Brom vs Nottingham Forest
Saturday 15th February 2020.
The Championship, The Hawthorns.

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 12:30 GMT.

West Brom return to the Hawthorns this weekend as they host Nottingham Forest in the SkyBet Championship.

Both sides are competing at the top end of the division in a bid to to secure promotion to the Premier League, and know that from now until the end of the season slip-up’s must be kept at a minimum.

West Brom in recent weeks have got themselves back on track in the league following a sticky spell at the beginning of the year which saw them relinquish top spot on a number of occasions. Slaven Bilic’s side have won their last three consecutive matches, and have put a six-point gap between themselves and 2nd placed Leeds United. A win on Saturday lunchtime would put them nine-clear of Leeds, due to them kicking off earlier on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest on the other hand missed the chance to go second in midweek, and were beaten 1-0 at home to Charlton Athletic. In this past week Forest have proven they can beat the best in the division following their 2-0 win over Leeds on Saturday evening, but highlighted their inconsistencies in the defeat to Charlton. Sabri Lamouchi will be hoping his side can dust themselves off and find the performance levels they displayed against Leeds for this weekend’s encounter.

West Brom have lost four times in thirty-two matches this season, the fewest of any team in the division. SkyBet are offering odds of a home win at 8/11.

These two sides met in their opening fixture of the season and West Brom took all three points following a 2-1 win at the City ground. The Baggies have lost one of the last five meetings against Forest, and are unbeaten in the last three.  Forest on the other hand have won two of the last six, their last win coming in January 2010.

The referee for this clash is Keith Stroud.  The 50-year old has been on of the more lenient match officials this season, averaging just over three yellow cards per fixture in the Championship. Stroud however has awarded two red cards. For this fixture, I would recommend  minimum of 30+ booking points.

West Brom vs Nottingham Forest will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Action with kick-off at 19:45.

Prediction: West Brom 2-1 Nottingham Forest 

Suggested Tips – West Brom vs Nottingham Forest – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – West Brom to Win 2-1- (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Matheus Pereira – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – West Brom vs Nottingham Forest – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – West Brom 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 15/8.

Markets last updated at 17:20 on Friday 14th February 2020.