All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Southampton vs Burnley – Match Preview

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Southampton vs Burnley
Saturday 15th February 2020.
FA Premier League, St Mary’s Stadium.

Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-off: 12:30 GMT

Southampton return to St Mary’s on Saturday lunchtime as they host Burnley in the Premier League.

The winter break came at the wrong time for both of these sides, as they had each strung together a good run of results, which had seen them climb the table. If this fixture was a month ago, it would be dubbed as a relegation battle, but following their impressive form, both sides seem to be clear of the dreaded drop.

Ralph Hassenhuttl’s Southampton side have lost only two of their last eight, a run which included wins over Chelsea and Spurs, meanwhile Burnley have lost one of their last five, and in that time recorded victories over Leicester, and impressively away to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Sean Dyche saw his side rise as high as eleventh.

Much has been made of the form of Danny Ings this season, and whether his goalscoring return, and overall form warrants a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad this summer. Ings has scored fourteen goals this season, and is priced at ¾ on SkyBet to score in 90 minutes.

The last meeting between these two sides resulted in a convincing 3-0 for the Clarets. In fact, Sean Dyche is unbeaten against Southampton for the last four years and has seen his Burnley side open up a six-game unbeaten run against Saturday’s opponents. Southampton’s last win in this fixture came in October 2016.

The referee for this encounter is Simon Hooper. The 37-year old has taken charge of seven Premier League fixtures this season and has been one of the more lenient match officials. Hooper has averaged just over three yellow cards per game, and this considered I would recommend a maximum of 40+ booking points for Saturday lunchtime’s encounter.

Southampton vs Burnley will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 HD with kick-off at 12:30.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Burnley

Suggested Tips – Southampton vs Burnley – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Southampton to Win 2-1- (link no longer available).
  • Anytime Goalscorer – James Ward-Prowse – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Southampton vs Burnley – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Southampton 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 7/4.

Markets last updated at 17:05 on Friday 14th February 2020.

Wolves vs Leicester – Match Preview

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Wolves vs Leicester
Friday 14th February 2020
FA Premier League, Molineux

Live on BT Sport 1 HD. Kick-off: 20:00 GMT.

Wolves host Leicester City in the latest instalment of Friday night football in the Premier League.

Both sides headed into the Premier League’s first-ever winter break following a draw apiece, but now as the business end of the season approaches, they will be hoping to finish as strongly as possible, starting on Friday evening.

Leicester were held 2-2 at the King Power by Chelsea, meanwhile Wolves played out a stalemate with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Prior to the winter break both Wolves and Leicester had dropped points needlessly, and lost ground in their bid to secure European football for next season. Nuno Espirito-Santo’s Wolves side had won only one of their last eight encounters, meanwhile Leicester, despite sitting pretty in 3rd, had lost two of their last four in the league.

Wolves have lost three times in the league on home soil this season, with their most recent defeat coming to Liverpool at the end of January. SkyBet are offering odds of a home win at 7/5.

The last meeting between these two sides ended 0-0 at the King Power on an afternoon where VAR took centre stage in the Midlands. Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side have lost only one of their last five matches against Friday night’s opponents, winning three and drawing one. Wolves’ last win in this fixture came in January 2019, winning a thriller 4-3 at Molineux.

Two of the last three matches between these two sides have ended goalless.

The referee for this encounter is Mike Dean. The 51-year old has awarded eighty-three yellow cards, and three red cards in nineteen appearances in the league this season, establishing himself as one of the stricter match officials. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 40+ booking points for this encounter.

Wolves vs Leicester will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Leicester 

Suggested Tips – Wolves vs Leicester – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Draw 1-1- (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Ayoze Perez – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Wolves vs Leicester – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Draw 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 – 3/1.

Markets last updated at 16:20 on Friday 14th February 2020.

Bristol City vs Derby County – Match Preview

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Bristol City vs Derby County
Wednesday 12th February 2020
The Championship, Ashton Gate

Live on Sky Sports Action – Kick-off: 19:45 GMT.

Bristol City host Derby County on Wednesday evening for some midweek SkyBet Championship football.

Both sides will be eager for another match so quickly, but for different reasons. Bristol City will want to put things right following Friday night’s 3-1 defeat to Birmingham City; a result which dented their hopes for a place in the automatic promotion places, meanwhile the visitors Derby County were bolstered by their 3-2 win against Swansea on Saturday; only their second away win of the season.

Friday night’s disappointing defeat to Birmingham ended a run of four consecutive wins for Bristol City, and saw them slip to 7th place following the other results concerning teams around them. A win would have out them within touching distance of the automatic promotion places, and the defeat stung even more following Leeds United’s lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday teatime. Lee Johnson’s side face a real battle to stay in the play-off places, with a number of other teams hot on their heels.

Derby County meanwhile have play-off aspirations of their own, albeit faint, but have seemed to have turned a corner in the year 2020. Philip Cocu’s side have lost once in the league this year, and that defeat is their only one in their last eleven games in all competitions. The Rams currently sit 13th, three points off the final play-off position, but considering their recent form will be confident of their chances as the business end of the season approaches.

Bristol City won the meeting between these two sides earlier in the season, winning 2-1 at Pride Park. Derby do however boast an impressive record against the Robins, and have lost only two of the last thirteen meetings.

The referee for this encounter is Geoff Eltringham. The Englishman has averaged just over four yellow cards per game in the Championship this season, and has also awarded two red cards in his fifteen appearances. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 30+ booking points for this fixture.

Bristol City vs Derby County will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Action with kick-off at 19:45.

Prediction: Bristol City 2-1 Derby County 

Suggested Tips – Bristol City vs Derby County – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Bristol City to Win 2-1- (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Nahki Wells – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Bristol City vs Derby County – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Bristol City 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 9/4.

Markets last updated at 18:15 on Wednesday 12th February 2020.