Swansea City vs Birmingham City
Sunday 25th August 2019
Sky Bet Championship, Liberty Stadium
Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 12:00 BST
Swansea City will want to continue their fine start to the new Championship season on Sunday when they host Birmingham City.
The Swans have taken like a duck to water to life under Steve Cooper who has led his new side to ten points from their opening four games. They took six points in four days last week beating Preston North End 3-2 and then Queens Park Rangers 3-1 away in midweek. That was the first time they have scored three goals in three consecutive fixtures for 20 years. They sit second in the table ahead of this weekend’s action and are one of only four teams left unbeaten in the Championship.
A huge part of Cooper’s success has been to bring Borja Baston and Andre Ayew in for the cold. Combined, they cost £35m in the Premier League, but following relegation, they were both shipped out on loan. With Oliver McBurnie sold to Sheffield United, Cooper has played Baston and he has rewarded him with four goals in as many games. Similarly, Ayew is finding his feet and set up the Swans’ third goal at QPR on Wednesday. At this level, the forgotten pair will be a match for any side at this level.
Birmingham have started the season with five points from their opening four games. They’re unbeaten at home, turning over Barnsley 2-0 in midweek, but got trounced at 3-0 at Nottingham Forest on their last away visit. That’s a theme I’m expecting a lot from Pep Clotet’s side, strong at home, poor away. Although they did win away at Brentford on the opening day of the season, it was very much a smash-and-grab result.
Lukas Jutkiewicz was back in the scoring grove on Wednesday, alongside new signing Alvaro Giminez in attack. The big target man is crucial to their play but needs to be in a two-pronged attack to be most effective. Last season, Garry Monk deployed a 4-4-2 with Che Adams and Jutkiewicz in attack and they devastated. Collet played a 3-5-2 in midweek, which got the best from him, unlike the 4-3-3 deployed at Nottingham Forest.
Andy Woolmer is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 31.3, across 19 Championship matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
Swansea have really impressed me with their start to the season. Equally, Birmingham are shaping up to be a side that are good at home but struggle away. As a result, I’m going for a home win.
Swansea City vs Birmingham City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 12:00 BST.
Prediction: Swansea City 2-0 Birmingham City
Suggested Tips – Swansea City vs Birmingham City – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Swansea City to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Gonzalez Borja Baston – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Swansea City vs Birmingham City – (SKYBET)
- To Score and Win – Andre Ayew – 11/4.
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Total Goals, Corners Taken & Booking Pts – Over 1.5 Goals, Over 8.5 Corners, Over 25 Booking Points – 9/4.
Markets updated at 12:02 BST on Saturday August 24 2019.
Liverpool vs Arsenal – Match Preview
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Saturday 24th August 2019
FA Premier League, AnfieldLive on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 17:30 BST
Liverpool and Arsenal will be looking to continue their 100% start to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign when go head to head at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds have started the season in strong form, collecting six points from their opening six available. At the weekend they beat Southampton 2-1, thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Despite spending most of his closed season at the African Cup of Nations, Mane has come back in razor-sharp form. The Senegalese winger has become one of the most clinical players in the Premier League over the last 18 months. Alongside Mohamad Salah and Firmino who are also both of the mark, they remain one of the most, if not the, most deadly trios in world football.
At the back, Liverpool have been a little suspect in the opening weeks of the season. The Reds have been caught trying to play offside, which was illustrated on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. The Reds’ high line is no different to last season but they need to be sharper at tracking runs and filling spaces. They have got away with it, to a degree, against the less clinical sides, but against Arsenal, they will be punished.
Arsenal come into this match having won their opening two fixtures for the first time in ten years. That in itself underlines the strong start Unai Emery’s men have made. Whilst they will need to guard against Liverpool’s front three, they also boast one of the most potent trios in the league. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have three goals between them already, whilst new signing Nicolas Pepe could make his full debut at Anfield. Given the defensive issues Liverpool have had in the opening weeks of the season, they could really exploit those frailties with their pace and energy.
Dani Ceballos made his full debut against Burnley and was sublime. The Spaniard, on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, look to be the ball-playing midfielder they’ve missed since Santi Cazorla left. You could maybe even go as far back as Cesc Fabregas. The midfielder oozes class but is also not afraid to throw his weight around in midfield. He’ll be really tested against Liverpool’s midfield three, which should be an interesting battle.
Anthony Taylor is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 31.8, across 48 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
This could be a really good match on Saturday. Whilst Liverpool are obvious favourites, Arsenal have the players capable of really hurting the Reds on the break. It’s a bold shout but I think they might actually get something at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 17:30 BST.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Arsenal – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Draw 2-2 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Roberto Firminho – (link no longer available).
- Anytime Goalscorer – Sadio Mane – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Arsenal – (SKYBET)
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RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 8/1
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Both Players to Score – Pierre Emerick Aubameyang & Mohamed Salah – 11/2.
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Full Time Result & Both Teams to Score – Liverpool and Yes – 6/4.
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Popular RequestABets – Firmino & Salah to score and Fabinho to be carded – 25/1.
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Player Stats RequestABets – Aubameyang & Lacazette 2+ shots on target each & Pepe 1+ shots on target and Guendouzi & Maitland-Niles to be carded – 400/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Salah & Aubameyang to score and van Dijk 1+ shots on target & Luiz 1+ shots on target – 100/1.
Markets updated at 11:42 BST on Saturday August 24 2019.
Aston Villa vs Everton – Match Preview
Aston Villa vs Everton
Friday 23rd August 2019
FA Premier League, Villa ParkLive on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 20:00 BST
Aston Villa will be looking for their first points of the 2019/20 Premier League season when they host Everton on Friday night.
Dean Smith’s side are yet to get off the mark this season after back-to-back defeats in the opening weeks of the season. On Saturday, they were beaten 2-1 at home by Bournemouth. Having found themselves 2-0 down after 15 minutes at the weekend, Villa battled back strongly but couldn’t get an equaliser. Villa were a little naïve in their approach, something they will need to address sooner rather than later. They can’t afford to give any side a two-goal advantage at this level and expect to get something from the game.
John McGinn’s performances in the opening two matches have caught the eye. The Scottish international’s stock is on the rise after a phenomenal 14 months in the Midlands. He was one of the best players in the Championship last season and has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. He’s definitely one to watch. Striker Wesley is yet to get off the mark and will need to put that right soon to avoid the crowd getting on his back. Making Villa Park a fortress this season will be vital for Smith’s side, to make sure they stay up. Having lost to Bournemouth this game is a must-not-lose fixture for them.
Everton recorded their first win of the season against Watford at the weekend, thanks to Bernard’s strike. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has led the line in both of their opening league fixtures but keep an eye out for big-money signing Moise Keane, who caught the eye with a late cameo role at Goodison Park. The Italian youngster, signed from Juventus in the summer, has all the attributes to score goals in the Premier League.
Everton have recorded back-to-back clean sheets already this season, which is an improvement on last year. Michael Keane is really stepping up to fill the void left by Phil Jagielka’s departure, alongside Yerry Mina at the back. If the Toffees can keep that consistency in attack, they definitely have the players in attack to trouble most defences in the Premier League
Michael Oliver is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 32.8, across 44 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
Aston Villa need to get something from this game. After losing at home to Bournemouth, they can’t afford to lose again at home. Everton have been solid if not spectacular at the start of the new campaign. As a result, I’m going for a draw.
Aston Villa vs Everton will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 20:00 BST.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Everton – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Richarlison – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Everton– (BET365)
- RequestABets up to 10/1 – BTTS, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 7/4.
- Both Teams to Score & Full Time Result – Draw and Yes – 3/1.
- To Score and Win – Gylfi Sigurdsson – 11/4.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Sigurdsson 1+ shots on target, Richarlison 1+ shots on target, McGinn 1+ shots on target & Grealish 1+ shots on target – 9/1.
Player Stats RequestABets – Grealish & Sigurdsson to score from outside the area – 100/1.