All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Bradford City vs Millwall – Match Preview

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Bradford City vs Millwall – Match Preview

Skybet League One Playoff Final, Wembley Stadium, London 3pm

The Sky Bet League One season comes to a climax as Bradford City and Millwall battle for promotion to The Championship in the play-off final.

Bradford return to Wembley just four years after besting Northampton in the League Two play-off final and are seeking for their first stint in the second tier of English football since 2004.

Bradford are looking for a perfect hattrick at Wembley; also emerging victorious in the above mentioned match against Northampton and also in 1996 against Notts County.

This season has been a strong one for The Bantams; finishing in 5th place just 3 points away from beaten semi-finalists Scunthorpe in 3rd.
Stuart McCall’s men finished with a total of just 7 losses in the league this season – the second lowest total after dominant champions, Sheffield United in the division.

The lions’ season was a bit more difficult; sneaking in to the play-offs with a dramatic final day 4-3 victory over Bristol Rovers – scoring the winner in the 85th minute just to add to the theatre.

However, the resilience and determination shown in the 3-2 semi-final victory at Scunthorpe illustrates that Millwall are by no means here to make up the numbers, they are desperate to get back into the Championship two seasons after relegation.

A fifth Wembley appearance in 8 seasons will give manager Neil Harris’ men the belief in their experience to get the job done.

Both league matches this season between the two teams finished 1-1 – leaving the hypothetical winner as a difficult call to make.

Steve Morrison has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season

Steve Morrison has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Players to Watch
Millwall icon Steve Morrison has had a brilliant season – his tally of 18 goals in all competitions has aided The Lions’ promotion push to no end. Additionally, the striker has been pivotal in Millwall’s astounding FA Cup run; scoring against two Premier League sides Bournemouth and the winner against Watford. Another performance here like the brace notched in the dramatic comeback victory in the semi-final against Scunthorpe and The Lions could well be roaring at Wembley.

Colin Doyle has 17 clean sheets this season

Colin Doyle has 17 clean sheets this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Bradford partially owe their excellent season to goalkeeper Colin Doyle; the stopper, standing at an imposing 6ft5, has played every single minute of the campaign to date. He has also kept the joint second highest clean sheets, 17, after team-of-the-year feature Connor Ripley who has just one more. Doyle also boasts an impressive save percentage of 37%, and will may need to be in similar form to keep out Millwall’s potent threat of Morrison and Lee Gregory.

Team News
Bradford have no new injury concerns, and also see Alex Jones come back into contention after returning to training at the start of the week.

Millwall are also fortuitous in that there are no new problems. Shaun Cummings is still ruled out with a hamstring injury but Shaun Hutchinson – who played with a cracked rib against Scunthorpe – is expected to keep his place in defence.

 

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Price Boost – Steve Morison to score a brace – 20/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Lee Gregory to score and Millwall to win in 90 mins – 5/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Mark Marshall to score first and Bradford to win 2-1 – 100/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Aiden O’Brien to score first and either Millwall to win 2-0 or Millwall to win 3-1 – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 15/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Each team to take 3+ corners in each half – 10/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Gregory & Morison to score, Millwall to win and over 2.5 goals – 12/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Clarke to score, Bradford to win, BTTS and 50+ match booking pts – 25/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Cullen to score, Bradford to win, 7+ Bradford corners and 30+ Millwall booking pts – 50/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – BTTS and McMahon, Hutchinson & Knight-Percival to be carded – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Over 4.5 goals, 15+ match corners and 70+ match booking pts – 200/1

Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield Town – Match Preview

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Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield Town – Match Preview

Skybet Championship Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg, Hillsborough, Sheffield 7.45pm

Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town will both feel they are one step closer to the Premier League after a tense 0-0 draw in the play-off semi-final first time around.

After Reading’s 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate) victory over Fulham yesterday; both teams know that The Royals will be the opponents at Wembley should either team emerge victorious here.

The phrase perfectly poised is completely apt in this instance. The tie is on a knife-edge after an edgy affair in the 1st leg in which the deadlock scarcely looked like being broken.
Town were the dominant side but failed to capitalise and any good goal-scoring opportunities were limited. Kieran Westwood saved well from Nakhi Wells on more than one occasion to keep the scores level.

Team News 
Wednesday Midfielder Sam Hutchinson is back in contention after overcoming a knee injury. Gary Hooper is, however, still unavailable due to a hamstring problem.

Huddersfield welcome back goalkeeper Danny Ward from suspension and is likely to go straight back into the team.

Sheffield Wednesday will look to Fernando Forestieri to provide the goals tonight

Sheffield Wednesday will look to Fernando Forestieri to provide the goals tonight Photo Credit: skysports.com

Players to Watch
Fernando Forestieri is undoubtedly one of the division’s finest players when at his best. The diminutive forward has the ability to turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye – the type of creativity the 1st leg so desperately needed. The Argentinian’s second season for The Owls has been another strong one; scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances in The Championship. Big matches are decided by fine margins and Forestieri can definitely be the difference maker.

Terriers striker Nakhi Wells can be a frustrating player at times; plenty of ability but perhaps lacks the consistency to be a top player. However, when fit and firing the Bermudan forward is a handful for any defence and will be a constant worry for Wednesday’s defence with his lightning pace and running in behind. 10 goals this campaign represents a decent return for Wells; after missing a couple of chances in the first leg a goal in this game will see his contribution to the team be unquestionably more notable.

Nakhi Wells can fire Huddersfield into the final at Wembley

Nakhi Wells can fire Huddersfield into the final at Wembley Photo Credit: skysports.com

Summary
Expect another close encounter; neither side are likely to go gung-ho and risk exposure at the back so it could nervy and go right down to the wire.

However, Huddersfield have now not beaten Yorkshire counterparts Wednesday in 8 attempts and have not been able to score against them in the last 4. Pair that with The Owls’ excellent home record (only 6 defeats all season) and the experience of beating this season’s runners-up Brighton at this stage last year and the odds could well be in favour of the blue and white of Sheffield.

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Price Boost – Fernando Forestieri to score and Sheffield Wednesday to win in 90 mins – 4/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Elias Kachunga to score a header – 6/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Jordan Rhodes to score first and Sheffield Wednesday to win 2-1 – 50/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Aaron Mooy to score first and either Huddersfield to win 2-1 or Huddersfield to win 3-1 – 80/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – 5+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 4/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Sheffield Wednesday to score 2+ goals and 7+ Sheffield Wednesday corners – 11/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – A penalty awarded and a player sent off – 14/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Forestieri to score, Sheffield Wednesday to win, over 2.5 goals and 30+ booking pts each team – 22/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – BTTS and Lowe, Hogg & Loovens to be carded – 50/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Forestieri to score and Hefele, Reach & Hutchinson to be carded – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Rhodes & Fletcher to score and Bannan & Hutchinson to be carded – 80/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 and Loovens, Wells & Wallace to be carded – 500/1
  • Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Isaiah Brown to score Anytime in 90mins – 3/1
  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Fernando Forestieri and Nakhi Wells to both score in 90mins – 8/1

Arsenal vs Sunderland – Match Preview

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Arsenal v Sunderland – Match Preview

FA Premier League, Emirates Stadium, London 7.45pm

Arsenal need to beat already-relegated Sunderland at The Emirates to push the fight for a Champions League place to the final day.

As what seems to be the norm with Arsenal; what began as a season full of promise meekly petered away. Now, in the closing stages The Gunners have been in excellent form and are battling to get into the pinnacle of European club football – the UEFA Champions League.

In seasons gone by the North-London club’s 5 wins from 6 (the solitary loss coming against Spurs; 2-0 in the last ever North-London derby) would have been enough to solidify 4th place as their own. In fact in the previous two season Arsenal have managed to finish 3rd (2014/15) and 2nd (2015/16) though some would argue not deservedly so.

However; Manchester City and Liverpool won their crucial matches on the weekend 2-1 at home to Leicester and 4-0 at The London Stadium respectively. This means qualification is out of Arsenal’s hands. Arsenal are 5th on 69 points with two games left, City on 72 having also played 36 matches while Liverpool have 73 points with a single game left.
The ever-increasing protests for managerial and board member changes seen so vividly throughout the season will undoubtedly resurface should Arsenal not finish in the top 4 – Wenger’s saving grace could once again be the FA Cup where they face a Chelsea team looking for a league and cup double.

David Moyes could be in for a difficult evening after a poor season

David Moyes could be in for a difficult evening after a poor season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Sunderland could only dream of having the struggles mentioned above, and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table – relegated and guaranteed to face the battleground of The Championship next season.
The Black Cats have had a woeful season; losing 24 of their 36 matches so far and the atmosphere at The Stadium of Light reflects as much – dismay surrounds the club.

David Moyes has been ineffective and disinterested in leading the team as the manager. All whilst the owner Elis Short is desperate to sell the club, as a consequence has sold the club’s most promising player (Patrick van Aanholt for a fee rising to a reported £14m to relegation rivals Crystal Palace) and simultaneously refuses to invest any more money into the club.
It has been a mess and mass change is paramount should Sunderland want an instant return to the Premier League next season.

Team News  
Arsenal’s main concern is that Alexis Sanchez picked up a knock in the 4-1 victory over Stoke last time out and remains a doubt. Key defender Laurent Koscielny is also battling for match fitness due to a calf problem. Rejuvenated Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ruled out with a hamstring injury and is also a doubt for the FA Cup final too.

Sunderland might be without trio Victor Anichebe (hamstring), Jason Denayer (thigh), and George Honeyman (back) with the latter picking up an injury in training and both Anichebe and Denayer sustaining knocks in the 2-0 defeat against Swansea on Saturday.

Ozil can change the game at anytime if on form

Ozil can change the game at anytime if on form Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch
This match will almost certainly be about whether Arsenal can raise themselves to the required levels to beat Sunderland or whether they will stall, rather than if Sunderland can outplay The Gunners.

As such the performances of the Arsenal players will be key.
Mesut Ozil is the personification of today’s Arsenal – on his day an absolutely wonderful talent that reduces the most difficult aspects of football to mere simplicity. The German international has had his critics this season, most of which fair, but has still returned his best goal output in an Arsenal shirt this season with 8. When flourishing, Ozil is a dream for forwards and runners from midfield and can place the ball through the eye of the needle at his own whim. When he plays well, Arsenal tend to play well – and if so, they will definitely be too much for Sunderland.

Summary 
Arsenal go into this match as massive favourites – their excellent recent form paired with Sunderland’s lack of something to play for and own horrendous form makes this a relatively sure thing for Wenger’s men.

In addition, Arsenal have never lost a home Premier League game to Sunderland – in 15 matches The Gunners have won 10 and drawn 5.
In fact, Sunderland have only beaten their Tuesday night opponents once in all 26 attempts in the Premier League, the solitary victory coming courtesy of a 1-0 win in November 2009.

Olivier Giroud is looking to become only the 3rd Arsenal player to score 50 goals at the Emirates with a goal, and just the 19th to score 100 for Arsenal in all competitions – his strong record of 4 goals in his last 4 appearances against Sunderland means it would be difficult to bet against the Frenchman doing so.

 

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott – 2/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Jermain Defoe to score anytime – 100/30
  • Skybet Price Boost – Olivier Giroud to score first – 100/30
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Alexis Sanchez to score first and Arsenal to win 4-0 – 18/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Mesut Ozil to score first and either Arsenal to win 1-0 or Arsenal to win 2-0 – 14/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Arsenal to score in both halves, 6+ Arsenal Corners and 30+ match booking pts – 2/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Giroud & Welbeck to score, Arsenal to win and Jones to be carded – 10/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Giroud to score, Arsenal to win and Cattermole & Xhaka to be carded – 11/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – A penalty awarded and a player sent off – 14/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Arsenal to win and Cattermole, Ndong & Kone to be carded – 50/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Borini to score and Sunderland to win – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Kone, Mustafi, O’Shea & Ramsey to be carded – 450/1