All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion – Match Preview

November 4, 2019 by Thomas Mcgrath·Comments Off

Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion
Monday 4th November 2019
The Championship, BET365 Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick Off: 20:00 GMT

Stoke return to the Bet 365 stadium as they welcome league leaders West Brom on Monday evening in the Championship.

Stoke are once again on the search for a new manager, following the dismissal of boss Nathan Jones on Friday morning. City’s next managerial appointment will be their third since 2018.

The Potters have endured a torrid beginning to this seasons campaign, and find themselves 23^rd, with only two wins all season. Last time. Round they were defeated 2-0 away to Millwall, a match where the familiar face of former Manager Gary Rowett was in the opposing dugout, his first match in charge of the Lions.

The current form of Monday evenings opponents couldn’t be more of a contrast. Albion currently sit top of the pile in the Championship, and have lost only once all season. They were held at home in the last round of fixtures by Lee Bowyer’s Charlton, who came away with a point courtesy of a last-minute penalty. Slaven Bilic’s side however are without a win in their last two, drawing both 2-2.

Despite Albion’s success so far this season, there has been an underlying issue; their ability to keep clean sheets. They have only done so twice in the league this season, and have conceded the most goals in the top 5 (17).

West Bromwich will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s dominance over their Midland’s rivals, where they completed a league double. Albion have lost once in their last nine against the potters, with their last defeat coming in 2017. Stoke’s only win prior came in 2014, where this fixture was a Premier League encounter.

In the last meeting between these two sides West Bromwich ran out 1-0 winners, and will be expecting a similar outcome on Monday evening.

The referee for Monday’s clash is Tim Robinson. The Englishman has taken charge of ten matches across all competitions so far this season, accumulating a total of thirty-two yellow cards and one red. This considered, I would suggest a minimum of 30+ booking points for this fixture. Robinson has overseen matches concerning these two this season. He took charge of Stokes 2-2 home draw with Derby County where he awarded six yellow cards, and West Brom’s 4-2 win over Huddersfield, where not a single card was brandished.

Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT on Monday Evening.

Prediction: Stoke City 0-2 West Bromwich Albion

Suggested Tips – Queens Park Rangers vs Brentford – (BET 365)

Correct score – West Bromwich Albion 2-0 – (link no longer available).
First Goalscorer – Charlie Austin – (link no longer available).
Half Time / Full Time – West Bromwich Albion / West Bromwich Albion – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Queens Park Rangers vs Brentford – (SKYBET)

Correct Score Group Betting – West Bromwich 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1 – 5/2.
West Brom Price Boost – West Brom to win and BTTS – 9/2.
To Score and Win – Charlie Austin – 6/4.
Match Specials – To score 2+ goals in the first half – 6/1.
Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Campbell to score first and Livermore to be shown the first card – 66/1.
@FootyAccums RequestABets – Phillips to score and Ndiaye & Sawyers to be carded – 80/1.
Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Phillips to score from outside the area and Stoke to score a penalty – 100/1.
Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Phillips 2+ shots on target and Clucas 3+ tackles – 18/1.

Markets Last Updated – Monday 4th November 2019 – 19:19 GMT.

Crystal Palace vs Leicester City – Match Preview

November 3, 2019 by Thomas Mcgrath·Comments Off

Crystal Palace vs Leicester City
Sunday 3rd November 2019
FA Premier League, Selhurst Park

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick Off: 14:00 GMT

Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park this weekend and welcome the arrival of Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Roy Hodgson’s side will be full of confidence following last weekend’s 2-2 draw away to Arsenal, a match where they showed admirable character to come from 2-0 down and come away with a share of the spoils. Palace have enjoyed a bright start to this seasons Premier League campaign, where they find themselves in 6^th place.

Leicester City are flying so far this season and sit 3^rd in the league. The Foxes come into the fixture on the back of a record-breaking win over Southampton, where they won 9-0; the biggest margin of victory for an away win in Premier League history.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have lost once in their last five outings, that defeat coming at Anfield, on Rodgers’ return to his old club. James Milner’s stoppage time penalty inflicted only the second defeat of the season for Leicester.

Palace however will be hoping to build on their impressive home form this season, and really make Selhurst Park a fortress for them. Roy Hodgson’s side have lost only once at home this season, against last season’s champions, Manchester City. Despite Leicester’s high-flying form, Sunday’s match will be a tough test.

It’s Palace who have the slight edge over their opponents heading into this one. Palace have beaten Leicester 27 times, whereas Leicester are just behind on 26 wins. Palace will be hooping for more of the same against this weekend’s opponents. The eagles completed a league double over Leicester last season and are unbeaten in the league against the Foxes since 2016.

Ayoze Perez netted his first PL goals in Leicester colours in last Friday’s record-breaking win over Southampton. The Spaniard helped himself to a hat-trick and will be hoping he can kick on and add more goals to his game now he has the taste for it. Perez finished his last season with Newcastle as the club’s top scorer.

The man in charge for this fixture is Paul Tierney. The 38-year old has officiated seven Premier League matches so far this season, awarding twenty-two yellows in the process. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 2-0+ booking points for this fixture. Tierney was in charge of Palace’s 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford and awarded six yellow cards that day, as well as awarding United a penalty. He also oversaw Leicester’s 2-1 win over Tottenham, awarding three yellow cards that day.

Crystal Palace vs Leicester City will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League, with kick-off scheduled to take place at 14:00 GMT on Sunday afternoon.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Leicester City

Suggested Tips – Crystal Palace vs Leicester City – (BET 365)

Correct score – Leicester City to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
First Goalscorer – Ayoze Perez – (link no longer available).
Player to be carded – Jonny Evans – (link no longer available).
Half Time / Full Time – Crystal Palace / Leicester City – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Crystal Palace vs Leicester City – (SKYBET)

Correct Score Group Betting- Leicester City to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 2/1.
To Score and Win – Jamie Vardy – 2/1.
Player Stats RequestABets – Over 1.5 goals, Zaha, Maddison & Tielemans 1+ SoT each 3+ corners each team and Milivojevic & Ndidi to be carded – 80/1.
Popular PlayerState RequestABet – Perez to score & Crystal Palace to score a penalty – 25/1.

Markets updated: Sunday 3rd November at 11:23 GMT.

Watford vs Chelsea – Match Preview

November 2, 2019 by Thomas Mcgrath·Comments Off

Watford vs Chelsea
Saturday 2nd November 2019
FA Premier League, Vicarage Road

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick Off: 12:30 GMT

Watford return to Premier League action this weekend as they welcome Chelsea to Vicarage Road on Saturday evening.

The Hornets are still the only side in the division yet to taste a league victory this season, and many are predicting that to still be the case following this weekends clash. Watford are currently rock bottom of the league with five points; three of them points coming in their last three outings, a draw in each. Last weekend’s 0-0 draw at home to Bournemouth was their tenth Premier league match without a win.

The visitors Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways themselves, following their midweek exit of the Carabao Cup at the hands of Manchester United. Marcus Rashford’s stunning 2^nd half free kick proved to be the difference, as united ran out 2-1 winners.

Frank Lampard’s side will be eager to return to Premier League action and extend their impressive away run. Chelsea have won their last four consecutive away matches, which has shot them up the table to 4^th, level on points with 3^rd placed Leicester. Chelsea’s last league defeat was back in September, losing 2-1 to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Last weekends 4-2 win over Burnley was their latest away triumph, with new boy Christian Pulisic grabbing a hat-trick, his first goals in Chelsea colours. His hat-trick put him in the history bucks as he first American to score a Premier League hat-trick since Clint Dempsey, back in his Fulham days.

Furthermore, in Chelsea’s four consecutive away wins, they’ve netted 16 times demonstrating they’re no strangers to finding the back of the net away from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Watford, and will be hoping their phenomenal record against the Hornets continues. Chelsea completed a league double over their opponents last season (3-0 H, 2-1 A) and have lost once in their last sixteen affairs with Watford.

Watford’s most recent win came in February 2018 where they ran out 4-1 winners at Vicarage road, and you’ll have to rewind all the way back to 1999 for their last league win, a truly wretched record.

The referee for his weekends encounter is Anthony Taylor. The 41-year old has overseen nine Premier League encounters this season, accumulating a total of thirty-seven yellow cards and one red. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 20+ booking points for this fixture. Taylor has taken charge of both sides this season; Chelsea’s opening day defeat to Manchester United where he awarded seven yellow cards, and Watford’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, where six yellow cards were brandished.

Watford vs Chelsea will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off scheduled to take place at 17:30 BST on Saturday.

Prediction: Watford 1-4 Chelsea

Suggested Tips – Watford vs Chelsea – (BET 365)

Correct score – Chelsea to win 4-1 – (link no longer available).
First Goalscorer – Tammy Abraham – (link no longer available).
Player to be carded – Etienne Capoue – (link no longer available).
Player to be carded – Jose Holebas – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Watford vs Chelsea – (SKYBET)

To Score 4+ Goals – Chelsea – 5/1.
Full Time Result and Over 4.5 Goals – Chelsea and Yes – 5/1.
Popular RequestABets – Abraham & Deulofeu to score and Holebas & Jorginho to be carded – 50/1.
RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic & Holebas to be carded – 125/1.

Markets Last Updated – Saturday 2nd November 2019 – 10:10 GMT.