All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Aston Villa vs Manchester City – Match Preview

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Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Sunday 12th January 2020
FA Premier League – Villa Park

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-off – 16:30 GMT.

Aston Villa return to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon as they host Manchester City in the Premier League.

Both sides will be keen to return to Premier League action following their recent exploits in the domestic cup competitions. Both sides picked up promising midweek results in the Carabao Cup, Villa drew 1-1 away to Leicester, meanwhile Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 win over neighbours Manchester United.

Villa currently sit 17th in the league and are only one point above the relegation zone. Dean Smith’s sides form of late has been inconsistent and have lost five of their last eight Premier League matches. Villa were 2-1 winners in their last Premier League outing over Burnley.

Their win came at a cost however following the injuries sustained to striker Wesley, and Goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Both have since been ruled out for the remainder of the season, which has prompted Villa to consider dipping into the January transfer market for replacements.

Manchester City on the other hand will be keen to close the gap between Liverpool and Leicester at the top of the top of the Premier League. City are currently fourteen points behind Liverpool who sit top of the pile. Last seasons Champions have won their last two Premier League matches and will be keen to avoid any more slip-ups to keep their title aspirations alive.

Manchester City were comfortable 3-0 winners in the last meeting between the two sides in October. Aston Villa are without a win in their last seven meetings against Manchester City, with their last coming in September 2013. City on the hand have won six of the last seven and boast the far superior record between the two.

The referee for this fixture is Jonathan Moss. The 49-year old has taken charge of fourteen Premier League matches this season and has awarded fifty-five yellow cards, and two red cards. This considered I would recommend a minimum of 30+ booking points for this fixture.

Moss has taken charge of both sides twice this season. He oversaw Villa’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal where he awarded seven yellow cards, and their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool where three yellow cards were awarded. He was also the man in the middle for City’s 4-0 win over Brighton where two yellow cards were awarded, and their 4-1 win at Burnley where he issued two yellows again.

Aston Villa vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with kick off at 16:30 GMT.

Prediction: Aston Villa 0-3 Manchester City

Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Manchester City – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Manchester City 3-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Anytime Goalscorer – Riyad Mahrez – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Manchester City – (SKYBET)

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Manchester City – 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 3/1.

Markets last updated on 12 January 2020 a 12:23 GMT.

Bournemouth vs Watford – Match Preview

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Bournemouth vs Watford
Sunday 12th January 2020
FA Premier League – The Vitality Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-off: 14:00 BST.

Bournemouth return to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Watford in the Premier League.

This fixture is being dubbed the classic ‘relegation six-pointer’ as both sides will be hoping to put breathing space between themselves and the Premier League relegation zone. Bournemouth are 18th, while Watford currently sit 19th.

Bournemouth will be eager to kick on from their 4-0 FA Cup win over Luton Town. Watford on the other hand were stunned at Vicarage Road, as they squandered a 3-0 lead to League one side Tranmere Rovers to draw 3-3.

Eddie Howe’s side have won only two of their last eleven Premier League encounters, form which has seen them slump towards the drop zone. Bournemouth have lost their last two Premier League games and are without a win in their last five. The Cherries form has become a cause for concern and has them nervously looking over their shoulder.

Watford on the other hand have been reinvigorated following Nigel Pearson’s introduction as manager. Pearson has seen his side win three of their last four Premier League matches, and they are yet to lose in the league under Pearson’s guidance.

It’s been quite the turnaround at Vicarage Road considering it took the Hornet’s eleven matches to register their first Premier League win. Nigel Pearson is threatening to complete yet another great escape, following his magic to keep Leicester in the Premier League in the 2014/15 season.

Nine of the last twelve fixtures between these wo sides have resulted in draws, and SkyBet are offering odds of 12/5 for another draw on Sunday afternoon.

The referee for this fixture is Mike Dean. The 51-year old has taken charge of sixteen matches in the league this season, accumulating a total of seventy-five yellow cards and two red cards. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 30+ booking points.

Incidentally, Dean took charge of the reverse fixture at Vicarage Road. Both sides played out a 0-0 draw, with eight yellow cards awarded.

Bournemouth vs Watford will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 14:00 GMT.

Suggested Tips – Bournemouth vs Watford – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Anytime Goalscorer – Ismaila Sarr – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Bournemouth vs Watford – (SKYBET)

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

Markets last updated at 12:10 GMT on Sunday 12 January 2020.

Brentford vs QPR – Match Preview

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Brentford vs QPR
Saturday 11th January 2020
SkyBet Championship – Griffin Park

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off 12:30 GMT

Brentford return to Championship action on Saturday as they welcome QPR to Griffin Park.

Both sides will be keen to carry on their winning ways after securing places in the fourth round of the FA Cup last weekend. Brentford were 1-0 winners over Stoke, meanwhile QPR gave fellow Championship side Swansea a 5-1 thumping at Loftus Road.

Thomas Frank’s Brentford side currently occupy third position in the Championship and trail the automatic places by a substantial nine points with Leeds and West Brom leading the way. The Bee’s have lost one in their last seven matches in all competitions, form which has seen them climb to the summit of the play-off places.

QPR meanwhile have been plagued by inconsistency this season, which sees them currently fifteenth in the league. Mark Warbuton’s side have lost three of their last five league encounters, and in the defeats have shipped eight goals.

There’s added importance ahead of this fixture for Warbuton as he travels to the club where he established himself as a manager, and spent two successful years before moving on to pastures new.

Despite QPR’s varying form, they have demonstrated they are no strangers to finding the back of the net and have scored eleven goals in their last two outings.

These sides last met at the end of October where Brentford ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at Loftus Road. In fact, the Bee’s have lost only once in the last eight meetings between the two sides. QPR’s last win in this fixture came in November 2018, and you’ll have to date back to April 2003 to find their last victory at Griffin Park.

The referee for this clash is John Brooks. The 30-year old has taken charge of fifteen Championship matches this season, accumulating a total of forty0-six yellow cards. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 20+ booking points for this fixture.

Brooks has taken charge of one match apiece involving these sides this season. He oversaw Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Wigan where he awarded three yellow cards, and QPR’s 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday where he awarded seven yellow cards.

Brentford vs QPR will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 12:30PM GMT.

Prediction: Brentford 3-1 QPR

Suggested Tips – Brentford vs QPR – (BET 365)

  • Correct Score – Brentford 3-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Anytime Goalscorer – Josh Da Silva – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Brentford vs QPR – (SKYBET)

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

Markets Last Updated on Saturday 11th January at 10:23 AM.