Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Monday 7th January 2019
FA Cup – Third Round, Molineux
Live on BBC One – Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – Premier League leaders Liverpool turn their attention to the FA Cup on Monday night when they take on fellow top-flight side Wolves at Molineux.
Jurgen Klopp’s suffered their first defeat of the season on Thursday night as they lost 2-1 against Manchester City. That result cut the Reds’ lead over City to four points. Liverpool never really got going and struggled to win the battle in midfield. Klopp reverted to last season’s 4-3-3 set-up, which didn’t suit them. Liverpool looked far more settled in the 4-2-3-1 formation, which they changed to and that saw them equalise through Roberto Firmino. With that in mind, I’m expecting them to shape up in that system, with Xherdan Shaqiri likely to come back into the team.
Klopp’s personnel selection will illustrate where the FA Cup lies in his list of priorities. They will have to be on form to beat a strong Wolves side, renowned for toppling the top sides. However, they will be buoyed by their 2-0 win in this fixture just last month, in the league.
Wolves suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend, which sums up their current form. That came off the back of a 3-1 win over Tottenham, which highlights their inconsistencies. Wolves have taken points from all of the ‘big six’ this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are not to be underestimated. They have only lost to Liverpool and Spurs at Molineux, out of the top six, and will be hoping to avenge that result on Monday.
These two sides also met two years ago at Anfield, in the FA Cup third round, with Wolves securing a famous 2-1 win under Paul Lambert.
Paul Tierney is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated 11 top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 40. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total points for this fixture.
Liverpool will be desperate to bounce back from their defeat on Thursday, although I’m unsure how strong a side they will field. Wolves have little to play for in the league, so they should be full strength.
I think Liverpool will just edge this one, but don’t be shocked if it goes to a replay.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on BBC One and kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Liverpool
Suggested Tips – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – (BET365):
- Correct score: Liverpool Win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Daniel Sturridge – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – (SKYBET):
- Scorecast Boost – Sadio Mane to score first & Liverpool win 2-1 – 66/1.
- Both Players to score – Mohammed Salah & Raul Jiminez – 6/1.
- Popular RequestABet – Shaqiri to score, Liverpool to win and Neves to be carded – 14/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Jimenez to score a header and Shaqiri to score from outside the area – 80/1.
- Price Boost – Ruben Neves to score from outside the penalty area – 8/1.
- RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – BTTS, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 3/1. (NAP).
- RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – BTTS, 4+ Wolves corners, 20+ Liverpool booking pts and Draw at HT – 14/1.
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RequestABet Specials up-to 10/1 – Wolves to win or draw, Jimenez 1+ shots on target & Shaqiri 1+ shots on target both and 10+ booking points each team – 8/1. (Cover).
As always we don’t recommend covering every single pick – from the RequestABet selections we advise covering up to 3 bets depending on your budget. Odds and markets last updated on Monday 6th January 2019 @17:28 GMT.
Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weeks domestic action.
Blackpool vs Arsenal – Match Preview
Blackpool vs Arsenal
Saturday 5th January 2019
FA Cup – Third Round, Bloomfield RoadLive on BT Sport 2 – Kick-Off: 17:30 GMT
Blackpool vs Arsenal: Arsenal will be hoping to avoid an upset when they face League One outfit Blackpool in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Gunners bounced back from their 5-1 mauling by Liverpool with a 4-1 win over Fulham, on Tuesday. Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the departing Aaron Ramsey made sure of all three points. Ramsey looks set to move to Juventus and will move to Turin for free in the summer. Allowing the Welshman to leave for free is a bold move from Unai Emery as he bids to reshape his squad. Ramsey has provided goals and big moments for this club and will be missed by many supporters.
Tuesday’s win marked another day without a clean sheet for Arsenal, taking their tally to six games without a shutout. Their need for defenders cannot be stressed enough, although securing world-class additions in the January window is never easy.
Blackpool sit 10th in League One, ten points off the top six, with a game in hand. Despite their relatively comfortable league standing, things are far from rosy on the seaside. Attendances are at an all-time low – Sunderland had more fans in Bloomfield Road on boxing day than Blackpool – due to the Oyster family. The supporters have protested against their long-standing owners for some time and now appear to be voting with their feet. However, it will be interesting to see how many of them return for the visit of a Premier League giant. Blackpool still boast some well-known EFL players. Liam Feeney, Nathan Delfouneso and Jay Spearing have all pitted their wits in the top flight.
Mike Dean is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated 13 top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 50.4. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total points for this fixture. Arsenal are the most likely of any of the top six to lose in the third round, in my opinion.
However, Blackpool will be without a home crowd cheering them on, which could make a big difference. Therefore, I’m plumping for an away win.
Blackpool vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.
Prediction: Blackpool 1-4 ArsenalSuggested Tips – Blackpool vs Arsenal – (BET365):
- Correct score: Arsenal Win 4-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Alexander Lacazette – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Blackpool vs Arsenal – (SKYBET):
- Both Players to Score – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil to both score – 11/4.
- Full Time Result and Both Teams to Score – Arsenal & Yes – 13/8. (NAP).
Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 5th January 2019 @09:24 GMT.
Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekends FA Cup Third Round Action.
Manchester United vs Reading – Match Preview
Manchester United vs Reading
Saturday 5th January 2019
FA Cup – Third Round, Old TraffordLive on BT Sport 2 – Kick-Off: 12:30 GMT
Manchester United vs Reading: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be looking for his fifth-straight win as Manchester United boss when they take on Championship strugglers Reading at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils made it four wins from as many games under Solskjaer on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win over Newcastle. Goals from substitute Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford made sure of all three points. It appears that both will have a real battle on their hands to establish themselves as first choice striker until the end of the season. Rashford has held number one spot to date, but Lukaku has scored two in as many appearances off the bench.
United also have Alexis Sanchez’s return to fitness to consider after he grabbed the assist for Rashford’s goal at St James’ Park. It is certainly an exciting time to be a United fan, once again, with such an array of attacking talent. They also managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in eight matches.
Victor Lindelof seems to be improving game by game and with the right partner alongside him, he could flourish even further. United need to strengthen that area, although it will be hard to sign a world-class defender in January. Toby Alderweireld might be their best bet in the summer, for a reduced price of £25m. As it stands, Solskjaer has done his hopes of landing the job full-time no harm. They face Tottenham away after this match, which will be a much sterner test of his credentials.
Reading are in desolate form. The Royals haven’t won in ten games and are five points adrift of Championship safety. New boss Jose Manuel Gomes hasn’t had the best of starts in charge, with one draw and two defeats, including Saturday’s crippling 4-1 home reverse against Swansea City.
It looks a tall order for Reading to survive this season, despite reaching the play-off final just 18 months ago. Since, two managers have been sacked, but it’s the players that are underperforming. With a crunch match against Bolton around the corner, Reading may even be tempted to write this game off, given their current predicament.
Stuart Atwell is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated nine top-flight matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 30. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total points for this fixture. Manchester United and Reading couldn’t be in more opposing form.
The Red Devils are flying, whilst Reading are in free fall. This is only going to end one way.
Manchester United vs Reading will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick-off at 12:30 GMT.
Prediction: Manchester United 4-0 Reading
Suggested Tips – Manchester United vs Reading – (BET365):
- Correct score: Manchester United Win 4-0 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Romelu Lukaku – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Manchester United vs Reading – (SKYBET):
- RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – Lukaku to score, Manchester Utd to score 2+ goals, Sanchez 1+ Shots on Target and 5+ Manchester Utd corners – 11/8. (NAP).
- Both Players to Score – Alexis Sanchez and Marcus Rashford – 21/10.
- Popular RequestABet – Lukaku to score a hat rick and Manchester United Win 3-0 – 150/1.
- RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – Lukaku & Sanchez 2+ Shots on Target each, Lingard 1+ Shots on Target, 4+ M.Utd corners and 20+ Reading booking pts – 10/1. (NB).
Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 5th January 2019 @09:24 GMT.
Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekends FA Cup Third Round Action.