All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Chelsea vs MOL Vidi FC – Match Preview

Chelsea vs MOL Vidi FC
Thursday 4th October 2018, Stamford Bridge
UEFA Europa League – Group L Qualifier 

BT Sport 2 – 20:00 GMT.

Chelsea vs MOL Vidi FC – Chelsea face Hungarian Champions MOL Vidi FC looking to continue their solid showing to the Europa League.

It has been a very strong start to the season for Chelsea and new manager Mauricio Sarri. The Blues raced off to five consecutive Premier League victories and also won 1-0 at PAOK in this competition.

An uninspired draw against West Ham was a touch disappointing, before rectifying it with a comeback victory against Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup. The two sides met again in the league last weekend. Chelsea performed well with on-fire Eden Hazard netting, before conceding late to a Daniel Sturridge wondergoal in a 1-1 draw.

This puts Chelsea into third place with an undefeated start, racking up five victories from their first seven. Liverpool and Manchester City are marginally ahead, with six wins and a draw apiece.

Whilst the Europa League can often seem like a distraction, Chelsea should have the tools to successfully navigate it. More wins can bring more confidence and the squad seems perfectly capable of doing so.

The second matchday brings the challenge of Hungarian Champions MOL Vidi FC (recently changed from Videoton FC). The disparity between the two teams is obvious, but manager Marko Nikolic will be hoping for a legendary scalp. The like of which is common practice in the Europa League.

Vidi are coming off the back of a battling 1-0 win at 11th place (out of 12) Diosygor. Nikolic’s side are in 3rd, eight points off the pace in defending their crown, but with a game in hand. Only four wins from the first eight games spell a mixed start to the season, to say the least.

Chelsea’ inspired by Hazard’s sensational early season-form, will likely prove much too strong. Bate Borisov are the other Group L opponents, who also secured a 2-0 win against Vidi in matchday one. Chelsea should prove too strong for this group in general, wanting to secure qualification as quickly as possible.

The referee for this one will be Miroslav Zelinka, of the Czech Republic. Zelinka has officiated two Europa League qualifying matches this season, giving a huge 15 yellow cards out in the process. With Chelsea having a very good disciplinary record this term and will be the team undoubtedly on the front foot, they may be safe from that level of punishment. The opposite could be true for Vidi, however.

Despite the almost certain changes to the team after tough back-to-back ventures against Liverpool, perhaps even the imperious Hazard, Chelsea will surely continue their good form and swat away Vidi. It would take something remarkable for the outcome to be anything otherwise.

Chelsea vs MOL Vidi FC will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 3 with kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction – Chelsea 3-0 Mol Vidi FC 

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs MOL Vidi FC – (BET365)

  • Correct score: Chelsea to win 3-0 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Pedro – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs MOL Vidi FC – (SKYBET)

  • Scorecast – Morata to score first and Chelsea to win 3-0 – 11/4.
  • Popular RequestABet – Cahill to score a header & Chelsea to score a penalty – 40/1.
  • Scorecast Boost – Jorginho to score first and Chelsea win 5-0 – 100/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Thursday 4th October 2018 @09:34 GMT. Keep checking back to see if there’s any updates to markets – the time stamp in the previous sentence for when we update tips on this page will be updated.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekend domestic action.

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Cardiff vs Burnley – Match Preview

Cardiff vs Burnley
Sunday 30th
 September 2018
FA Premier League, Cardiff City Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 16:00 GMT

Cardiff vs Burnley – In what is already a six-pointer, Cardiff host Burnley in a relegation battle with both sides desperate for three points.

Burnley picked up a first win of the season last time out in a surprising 4-0 hammering of high-flying Bournemouth. Other than that, it has been clear to see there is some previous season and Europa League burnout. Sean Dyche’s side have looked completely distant from the team that finished seventh last year.

Not to mention the humiliating exit to struggling League One side Burton Albion in this week’s Carabao Cup. Before beating Bournemouth, The Clarets’ only point of the season came in a 0-0 draw with Southampton. Dyche will be hoping Saturday was indicative of future performances, not Tuesday. Sitting in 16th, no one is expecting Burnley to replicate last season’s achievements, but wins need to come, and fast.

In contrast, it was always going to be a struggle for newly promoted Cardiff City. Neil Warnock worked wonders last season to promote the South-Welsh side on a small budget compared to rivals. As such, Cardiff found themselves favourites for the drop. The first six games have done nothing to change anyone’s opinion on that, with just two points so far.

Those came against Huddersfield and Newcastle, in 0-0 draws. Perhaps more worrying, is that the relegation zone consists of those three sides. Cardiff are 19th, ahead of Huddersfield, but only based on alphabetical order. Both teams have conceded a league-worst total of 14 goals, whilst scoring the fewest amount with three too. The signs look ominous for The Bluebirds with a squad that looks devoid of the necessary quality needed to survive.

Then all signs point to this being billed as an incredibly important fixture. Burnley need to win to stamp an authority over supposed lesser teams, whilst Cardiff will see this as a vital opportunity to secure their first win back in the Premier League. Home form against rivals is so often a defining factor in a team’s attempts to avoid relegation.

Perhaps surprisingly, Burnley’s issue has not been scoring goals, but conceding them. However, with a strong backline of Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and an in-form Joe Hart, that should come good. Matej Vydra scored his first for the club last week, and if the Czech international can resume his scintillating form from last season, albeit in the Championship with Derby, then Burnley have a player on their hands.

Martin Atkinson has refereed in every Premier League matchweek so far, and will be the man at the helm here. Atkinson has given out 21 yellows and no reds so far, averaging just 3.5 cards per game. Only four teams have received more than Cardiff’s eight yellows, with Burnley’s figure just three more. The signs point to low booking points. However, in what will surely be a combative game, that could all change.

This may not be the most exciting match the Premier League has to offer. This may not showcase the highest quality players the league has to offer. It will, however, be an intense battle between two teams desperate to put three points on the board. It will come down to who wants it more.

Cardiff vs Burnley will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction – Cardiff 1-1 Burnley 

Suggested Tips – Cardiff vs Burnley (BET365)

  • Correct Score – Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Cardiff vs Burnley (SKYBET)

  • Burnley to score in the first 10 minutes – 9/1.
  • Full time result & Under 2.5 Goals – Draw and under 2.5 Goals – 9/4
  • First Goalscorer – Matej Vydra – 11/2
  • RequestABet Specials – Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 125/1
  • RequestABet up to 10/1 – Barnes, Reid, Danny Ward & Vokes 1+ shots on target each – 15/2.

Odds and markets last updated on Sunday 30th September 2018 @10:40 GMT.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weeks European action across the Champions and Europa League.

West Ham United vs Chelsea – Match Preview

West Ham United vs Chelsea
Saturday 23rd
 September 2018
FA Premier League, London Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 13:30 GMT

West Ham United vs Chelsea – Table-toppers Chelsea make the short trip to London rivals West Ham hoping to make it six wins from six.

Mauricio Sarri has enjoyed a wonderful start to life at Stamford Bridge, leading his side to five consecutive league victories. Such a good start in fact, that should Chelsea win on Sunday it would only be the fifth time that a side has won their opening six Premier League fixtures (Liverpool also have the opportunity to do so a day before).

There has been a vastly different style shift from previous boss Antonio Conte, which the players seem to buy into. The figurehead, as ever, has been Eden Hazard. The Belgian superstar has been in scintillating form, leading the division’s scoring charts with five goals so far. The increased freedom has allowed Hazard to flourish, also ranking first in the league for touches, successful dribbles and passes in the final third. Exactly the areas you want a player with such quality in.

Much of the talk surrounding the league title has centred around holders Manchester City and the appointed challengers Liverpool. In the same vein that Liverpool are winning without hitting top gear, the same could be said for Chelsea. Again, like Liverpool, when the attacking play clicks it is devastating and almost impossible to stop. No one has netted more than The Blues’ 14 league goals this term.

With a new system and players with reinstated belief, Chelsea are surely only going to get better. And if they do, then it would be foolish to dismiss their title chances.

Things couldn’t be much more different for West Ham. Excitement was rife in the West Ham camp after a summer of seemingly impressive recruitment. None seemed better than the appointment of former Premier League winning manager Manuel Pellegrini. However, football just doesn’t always work out that easy. Four losses from the opening four games rooted West Ham to the bottom of the table.

Light at the end of the tunnel came in the form of last week’s 3-1 victory at Everton. New signing Andriy Yarmolenko got his first start for the club and marked it with a brilliant brace. His talent alongside the increasingly consistent and effective Marko Arnautovic could be a force to be reckoned with.

That win took West Ham out of the relegation zone and into 16th. The project at West Ham is undoubtedly to look up the table, not worry about what is below. If the ability in the squad is realised there is no reason The Hammers can’t secure at least a top ten finish. If it doesn’t, it could be a gruelling season on a high wage bill. Pellegrini has his work cut out.

Taking charge of a fourth Premier League game of the season, is well-known referee Mike Dean. Dean has had a very busy start to the season, giving red cards out in two of his three games. Which could spell trouble as no side has received more cards than West Ham’s huge total of 18. That is in complete contrast to Chelsea, who have a league-leading disciplinary record of just four yellows.

The London Stadium will play host to what will surely be an exciting game filled with attacking football. Sarri’s side may be slightly tired after midweek European excursions (beating PAOK 1-0), but Chelsea should have too much quality. Especially if a certain diminutive Belgian is anywhere near his best.

West Ham United vs Chelsea will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 13:30.

Prediction – West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea

Suggested tips – West Ham United vs Chelsea – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Chelsea win 3-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – West Ham United vs Chelsea – (SKYBET):

  • First Goalscorer – Willian to score first – 6/1.
  • Chelsea to score a penalty – 4/1.
  • Correct Score Group Betting – Chelsea win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 4/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 10/1 to 28/1 – Hazard to score, BTTS, 5+ Chelsea Corners & 60+ Match Booking Points – 12/1.
  • Popular RequestABets – Giroud to score a header and Chelsea to score a penalty – 28/1

Odds and markets last updated on Sunday 22nd September 2018 @12:52 GMT.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around next weeks televised Premier league and SkyBet Championship matches.