All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crvena Zvezda – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Tottenham Hotspur vs Crvena Zvezda – Match Preview

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crvena Zvezda
Tuesday 22nd October 2019
Champions League, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Live on BT Sport 3 – Kick Off: 20:00 BST

Tottenham Hotspur return to Champions League action this week as they host Crvena Zvezda at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Tuesday night.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be eager to secure a win in this seasons Champions League campaign, as well as try and forget the embarrassment of their 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich last time round. Spurs are without a win in their opening two group matches; Drawing with Olympiakos and losing to Bayern. Their opponents Red Star Belgrade currently sit 2nd in Group B, a place above Tuesday nights opponents. The Serbian based side currently sit on three points following their 3-1 victory over Olympiakos on matchday two but were defeated 3-0 away to Bayern in their opening game of the group.

Tottenham come into Tuesday nights fixture following yet another disappointing result in the Premier League. The 1-1 home draw with Watford means its only one win in five for Pochettino’s side, and questions are being asked about how much time he has left in London. Spurs dismal form in this campaign has clouded the judgement of many however. It’s easy to forget that only five months ago they were stepping out in a Champions League final for their first time in their history. What has gone so badly wrong for Pochettino and his players?

Red Star Belgrade however are in inspired form, and currently sit top of the pile in the Serbian SuperLiga. They have won 10/11 matches this season and have already established a four-point league at the top of the Serbian first division. Red Star aren’t to be underestimated in the Champions League, though. Last season they defeated Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2-0 in the group stage at home, so Tottenham, if they aren’t already, will be fully aware they are in for a difficult task on matchday 3.

Tuesday night’s encounter is the first ever between these two sides, so there’s no chance of any recent psychological advantage going into this clash. However, Spurs can gain encouragement from Red Star’s UCL form. The Serbian leaders have lost their last four matches on the road in the group stage, so Tottenham will be licking their lips ahead of this one.

The Italian Marco Guida is in charge of Tuesday night’s clash. The 38-year old who officiates predominantly in Italy’s Serie A has taken charge of seven matches in all competitions this season, accumulating a total of thirty-seven yellow cards and two red cards. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 20+ booking points for this fixture.

This match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 3 HD with kick-off scheduled to take place at 20:00 BST.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Crvena Zvezda

Suggested Tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Crvena Zvezda – (BET365)

  • Correct Score – Tottenham Hotspur to win 3-1 –(link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Harry Kane – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Crvena Zvezda – (SKYBET)

  • Scorecast Boost – Harry Kane to score first and Tottenham 3-1 – 33/1.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Alli and Kane 2+ shots on target each and Son 1+ shot on target – 4/1.
  • 1st Half RequestABets Specials – Tottenham to win the first half, BTTS in the first half and 5+ first half corners –  16/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Alli to score, BTTS, over 2.5 goals and Rose to be carded – 14/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 And Above – Canas, Gobelijic, Aurier and Rose to be carded – 100/1.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City – Match Preview

Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City
Tuesday 22nd October 2019
The Championship, Hillsborough

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick Off: 19:45 BST

Sheffield Wednesday return to Hillsborough this week as they host Stoke City for some midweek Championship action on Tuesday night.

Wednesday will be keen to return to winning ways, following Friday nights draw away to Cardiff City; Gary Monk’s side thought they had done enough for all the three points, but Lee Tomlin’s late free kick ensured both sides left with a share of the spoils. A win for Wednesday would have given them top spot, so Cardiff’s late leveller would have been even tougher to take.

Their opponents Stoke on the other hand returned from the International break with a fantastic result, defeating promotion candidates Fulham 2-0 at the Bet 365 stadium. A victory which was celebrated emphatically by manager Nathan Jones at the final whistle, following questions over his position after the Potters disappointing run of form. Saturdays win signalled back to back wins for the first time this season for Stoke, but they still have work to do if they are to escape the relegation places.

A win for stoke (presuming other results go their way) would take them out of the relegation zone above Middlesbrough, which would be a welcomed sight for Potters fans, who have endured a difficult couple of years, and will be hoping relegation isn’t another realistic outcome for this season.

These two sides last met in last seasons Championship campaign. Both fixtures resulted in draws (0-0, and 2-2). Much has changed in terms of personnel between these two sides both on and off the pitch, so we may well be ins store for a much different outcome on Tuesday night. SkyBet are offering odds of 21/10 for another draw between these two. Of the recent encounters over the years between these two sides, its Stoke who have the superior record.  City have lost only one of their last seven clashes with Wednesday and will be eager to extend that run on Tuesday night.

The referee for this fixture is Andrew Madley, brother of former Premier League Referee, Bobby. The 36-year old has officiated in both the Premier League and Championship this season, where in five matches has accumulated a total of seventeen yellow cards, and one red card. This considered, I would recommend a maximum of 40+ booking points for this fixture. Madley is yet to officiate Wednesday this season but did take charge of Stoke’s 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, where he issued four yellow cards that night.

This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action with kick-off scheduled to take place at 19:45 BST.

Score Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Stoke City

Suggested tips – Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City (BET365)

  • First goalscorer – Stephen Fletcher – (link no longer available).
  • Correct Score – Sheffield Wednesday to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City (SKYBET)

  • Sheffield Wednesday Price Boost – Sheffield Wednesday to win and BTTS – 5/1.
  • Over 1.5 goals, 5+ Sheffield Wednesday corners, 3+ Stoke corners and 10+ booking points each team – 3/1
  • Player to be Carded – Barry Bannan to be carded – 4/1.
  • Match Specials – Stoke to score in the first 10 minutes – 17/2.
  • Player Carded Accumulator – James McClean and Sam Hutchinson to be carded – 9/1.

Sheffield United vs Arsenal – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Sheffield United vs Arsenal – Match Preview

Sheffield United vs Arsenal
Monday 21st October 2019
FA Premier League, Bramall Lane

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick Off: 20:00 BST

The latest instalment of Premier League Monday Night Football comes from Bramall Lane where Sheffield United host Arsenal.

Following the Blades promotion from the Championship in May, many tipped Wilder’s side to struggle this season; their first back in the top-slight since 2007. In fact, United have been a breath of fresh air thus far and have already created a handful of memorable moments; the last-minute opening day equaliser at Bournemouth,  the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge as well as their first win of the season against Crystal Palace. Wilder and the rest of his squad will be relishing their return to PL action.

Arsenal come into Monday night’s fixture unbeaten in their last five PL matches, and defeated Bournemouth before the International break. Unai Emery’s side currently it 3rd in the league, one point behind last seasons Champions Manchester City.

Sheffield United went into the International break following the 0-0 draw with Watford, which may in hindsight appear to be a missed opportunity following the Hornet’s poor start to the season; they’re the only side in the league yet to register a victory. But Wilder and his squad will be aware there are many twists and turns to come before the final whistle in May, and that point may well be an important one for whatever reason at the end of the season.

The last time these two sides met was back in 2008 in the League cup, where Arsenal thrashed United 6-0. Arsenal have a strong record against Monday night’s opponents, they’ve won four of the last five against the Blades. You’ll have to rewind to 2006 for the last time Sheffield United tasted victory against Arsenal, where Christian Nade grabbed the winner that night. That night is one which sticks in the mind of Blades fans everywhere, but not just for the win. Phil Jagielka had to spend the final half-an hour in goal following an injury to Paddy Kenny. A memorable night for all associated with Sheffield United.

The referee for Monday nights encounter is Mike Dean. The 51-year old has appeared in seven matches so far this season, accumulating a total of twenty-nine yellow cards in that time. This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 30+ booking points for this fixture. Dean is yet to take charge of a Sheffield United match this season, but did oversee Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Burnley, where he awarded three yellow cards that day.

Sheffield United vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 20:00 BST.

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Arsenal

Suggested Tips – Sheffield United vs Arsenal (BET365)

  • Correct Score – Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available). 
  • First Goalscorer – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – (link no longer available). 
  • Full Time Result – Draw – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Sheffield United vs Arsenal (SKYBET)

  • Player Offsides – Oliver McBurnie 2+ offsides – 4/1.
  • Player to be carded – John Fleck – 9/4.
  • Player Carded Accumulators –  Granit Xhaka and Muhamed Besic to be carded – 7/1.
  • Player Shot Multiples – Callum Robinson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to have 5+ shots on target – 6/1.
  • Player Stats RequestABets – Aubameyang to score, Robinson 1+ shots on target and Fleck & Xhaka to be carded – 22/1.
  • Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Luiz to score a header and Aubameyang to score from outside the area – 200/1.

Markets last updated at 16:50 BST on Monday 21st October 2019.