All articles by: Thomas Mcgrath

Newcastle United vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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Newcastle United vs Manchester United
Sunday 6th October 2019
FA Premier League, St James Park

Live on Sky Sports – Kick Off: 16:30 BST

Newcastle United return to St James’ Park this weekend as they host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Steve Bruce’s side currently sit 19th in the league and are winless in their last four PL encounters. They are facing a Manchester United side who before this fixture have a Europa League group game to contend with. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side travel to Holland as they face AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night, and will be hoping his side don’t suffer any kind of European hangover, regardless of the result.

United come into this fixture following a disappointing run in the league, which has seen them fall to 10th in the table. Since their opening day 4-0 win over Chelsea, United have won once since, that victory coming against Leicester in the middle of September. Solskjaer’s side are without a win in their last two, following the draw with Arsenal, and their defeat to West Ham.

The arrival of defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Leicester and Crystal Palace respectively was a breath of fresh air to United fans, and a welcomed defensive improvement they have been so desperate to see. Maguire has looked solid and has regularly demonstrated his leadership capabilities, often the one seen organising and barking orders at his colleagues. For a combined fee of £130 million, it’s important their showings remain consistent for the entirety of this campaign, as well as the next, because United don’t want to be second fiddle to their Manchester rivals Manchester City, or Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool for too much longer.

Manchester United possess the better recent record between the two sides and completed a league double over the Magpies last season; the first time they have done so since the 2014/15 campaign. The Red Devils have lost once in their last nine encounters against Newcastle and will be hoping they can continue their impressive form against this weekend’s opponents, and claim a much-needed victory.

This weekend’s referee is Mike Dean. Dean has appeared in six PL fixtures so far this season, awarding twenty-three yellow cards and two red cards in these matches. The 51-year old has already officiated both sides already this season and awarded a combined total of eight yellow cards in the two separate fixtures (four each). This considered, I would recommend a minimum of 30+ booking points for this fixture.

This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon, with kick off scheduled to take place at 16:30 BST.

Prediction: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester United.

Suggested tips – Newcastle United vs Manchester United – (SKYBET):

  • First Goalscorer – Daniel James – (link no longer available).
  • Correct score – Manchester United 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Newcastle United vs Manchester United – (SKYBET):

  • Correct score group betting – Manchester United to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 7/4.
  • To Score and Win – Paul Pogba – 3/1.
  • Player to be Carded – Matt Ritchie – 12/5.

Southampton vs Chelsea – Match Preview

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Southampton vs Chelsea
Sunday 6th October 2019
FA Premier League, St Mary’s Stadium

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

Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend as they travel to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Blues, as they have no time to dwell on Wednesday night’s Champions League win over Lille. Instead, attention turns straight back to the Premier League, where Chelsea’s pursuit of the top 4 continues.

Frank Lampard will be hoping his side don’t ensure any kind of Champions League hangover following their midweek clash against Lille. Chelsea look to have put their slow start to the Premier League season behind them and have only lost once in their last seven PL matches, that defeat coming at the hands of league leaders Liverpool in September. Their opponents Southampton have suffered a slight dip in form and have lost their last two PL matches. Saints have already displayed they can mix it with the big boys this season. They drew 1-1 with Manchester United after playing a lengthy period with ten men, and a lack of any clinical edge prevented them from taking points off Liverpool at the end of August. This will be by no means an easy game for Frank Lampard’s youthful Chelsea side.

Tammy Abraham has started his Chelsea career emphatically, scoring seven times in the Premier League which includes his hat-trick against Wolves. The Chelsea frontman’s season total is only bettered by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero with eight. Frank Lampard’s faith in his younger players is beginning to pay dividends, as Chelsea’s surge up the table continues, spearheaded by the fearless Abraham. SkyBet are offering odds of EVENS for Tammy Abraham to score on Sunday. Five of Abraham’s seven PL goals this season have come away from home.

The referee for Sunday afternoon’s clash is Paul Tierney. The 38-year old has overseen five PL fixtures so far this season, awarding seventeen yellow cards. This considered, I would recommend a maximum of 40+ booking points for this fixture. Tierney is yet to officiate any of these sides so far this season.

This match will be shown live on Sky Sports with kick off scheduled to take place at 14:00 BST on Sunday afternoon.

Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Chelsea

Suggested tips – Southampton vs Chelsea (BET365)

  • First goalscorer -Rodriguez Pedro – (link no longer available).
  • Correct score – Chelsea 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Southampton vs Chelsea (SKYBET)

  • Correct score group betting – Chelsea to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 21/10.
  • Both teams to score and U/O 3.5 goals – 2/1.
  • Goal in both halves – Chelsea – 13/8.
  • Scorecast boost – Tammy Abraham to score 2+ goals – 9/2.
  • Full time result and both teams to score – Chelsea to win & yes – 9/4.

Markets last updated on Friday 4th October 2019 at 12:00 BST.

West Ham United vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview

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West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 5th October 2019
FA Premier League, London Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick Off: 17:30 BST

West Ham United return to the London Stadium this weekend as they face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The Hammers come into this weekends fixture in 5th place following an impressive six match unbeaten run, which includes the recent win over Manchester United. Their opponents Crystal Palace too find themselves on a positive run of form, losing once in their last five PL encounters. Roy Hodgson’s side currently find themselves 9th in the league table.

If last seasons clashes between these two sides are anything to go by, then we are in store for some goals this weekend. West Ham ran out 3-2 winners at home in December, and in the most recent fixture between the two in February ended as a 1-1 draw. In the last four fixtures between these two sides BTTS has landed in every match.

Additionally, West Ham boast an impressive unbeaten record against this weekend’s opponents. The Hammers are currently unbeaten in their last eight Premier League fixtures against Palace, their last defeat in this fixture coming in February of 2015.

West Ham’s defensive performances have been impressive thus far this campaign. The Hammers have registered three clean sheets in seven PL matches this season, giving them the joint best defensive record in the league so far. In comparison to last season, it took West Ham until the 15th of December for them to record their third clean sheet of the campaign, and this season they have done so by October. This just shows the progression Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have made. SkyBet are offering odds of 7/4 for West Ham to keep a clean sheet this weekend.

The man in the middle for this encounter is Michael Oliver. The 34-year old has taken charge of eight matches across three different competitions this season, and has awarded 33 yellow cards in the process, as well as one red card which came in a Europa League qualifier. This considered, I would suggest a minimum of 30+ booking points for this fixture.

I’m fully expecting West Ham to extend their unbeaten run and claim all three points in this one. Defensive they have looked strong, and their record this season justifies that. The Hammers have shown that their source of goals can come from anyone on the pitch they don’t just rely on the forwards for goals. West Ham could be in for an exciting season if they continue their positive start to the season.

Prediction: West Ham United 2-0 Crystal Palace.

This match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event on Saturday evening, with kick off scheduled to take place at 17:30 BST.

Suggested Tips – West Ham United vs Crystal Palace (BET365)

  • First Goal Scorer – Sebastien Haller – (link no longer available).
  • Correct score – West Ham United 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – West Ham United vs Crystal Palace (SKYBET)

  • Correct score group betting – West Ham to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 21/10.
  • 1st player carded – James McArthur – 9/1.
  • Price boost – Andriy Yarmalenko to score & West Ham to win – 14/5.

Markets last updated on Friday 4th October 2019 at 10:30 BST.