All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Arsenal vs Burnley – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Arsenal vs Burnley – Match Preview

Arsenal vs Burnley
Saturday 22nd December 2018
FA Premier League, Emirates Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 12:30 GMT

Arsenal vs Burnley – Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from two defeats in a week, after losing their 22-match unbeaten run, when they take on Burnley in the Saturday lunch-time match.

The Gunners came undone against Southampton last weekend, losing 3-2. Injuries have been the downfall of Unai Emery’s side. They are desperate for some defensive reinforcements in January. Hector Bellerin, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi are all out injured, alongside Sead Kolasinac and Rob Holding. Laurent Koscielny is back from a long-term lay-off but he is still finding his feet. Granit Xhaka has been drafted into the back four, which hasn’t really worked. With Emery wanting to play a back three, it is imperative they strengthen their defensive options.

In attack and midfield, they see to have found a good balance. The addition of a world-class defender could really help them push for a top-four finish. Mesut Ozil looks set to be on his way out after being left out of the squad for their last three matches. He played no part in their midweek 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham either, despite a number of youngsters being on the bench. Emery described that decision as ‘tactical’ which doesn’t bode well for Ozil’s long-term future.

Burnley dropped into the bottom three last weekend after losing to Tottenham. Despite frustrating Spurs for huge portions of the game, they came away with nothing after Cristian Eriksen’s 91st-minute winner. Saints win over the Gunners lifted them above Burnley, who are struggling to replicate their form from last season. Sean Dyche’s side need to return to their old ways, being hard to beat. Despite their poor form, Joe Hart has been terrific of late. After making his permanent switch from Manchester City in the summer, the former England number one seems to be rediscovering his best form. Southgate has never shut the door on Hart and if he continues to impress, he may find himself back in the squad.

Kevin Friend is the referee for this game. The Englishman has taken charge of 12 matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 40.8. As a result, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ points for this game.

Arsenal will be desperate to return to winning ways after a disappointing week. Burnley have shown character in their last matches but will need to be at their best to keep the Gunners at bay. I think it will be a closer match than most will expect but Arsenal will still win.

Arsenal vs Burnley will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Burnley

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Burnley – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Arsenal to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Burnley – (SKYBET):

  • Price Boost – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score a header – 9/1.
  • Popular RequestABet – Aubameyang to score a header and Arsenal to score a penalty – 40/1. 
  • RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – Aubameyang 2+ shots on target & Mkhitaryan 1+ shots on target, 4+ Arsenal corners and 20+ match booking pts – 13/8. 
  • Popular RequestABet – Burnley to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 80/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 22nd December @10:10 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 the domestic action over the festive period.

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – Match Preview

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Friday 21st December 2018
FA Premier League, Molineux 

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

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool: Liverpool will be hoping to extend their lead at top of the Premier League when they take on Wolves at Molineux on Friday night.

The Reds moved back to the summit of the league with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Manchester United last weekend. Super-sub Xherdan Shaqiri was the man of the hour with two goals from the bench to win the match. The Swiss international has hit the ground at Anfield. In Liverpool’s new-look 4-2-3-1 system, he is vital, coming off the right-hand side to create for the Reds other attackers. Another new man who has begun to settle in is Fabinho.

The Brazilian had a slow start in Merseyside but is now playing regularly and looking the part. Alongside his steel and athleticism is a very good footballer – illustrated by his fantastic assist for Sadio Mane’s opener against United. With the Champions League out of the way, Jurgen Klopp’s side can now focus on their title tilt. They have shown no signs of letting up to date and are still unbeaten. If they come out of the Christmas period still top of the pile, that will fill them with confidence.

Wolves have established a tag as the ‘top-six bogey side’. They have taken points from Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs already this season. Tottenham are the only side to beat Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Molineux has proven to be a tough place to visit and with Wolves up to seventh, it won’t be an easy game for Klopp’s side. Three wins on the spin – including three points against Chelsea – has seen Wolves end their recent slump and climb the table. They will be without Diogo Jota for this game, who has been the catalyst for their recent revival. Raul Jiminez will be looking for his third goal in four games and will lead the line as his side look to continue their push for European football.

Craig Pawson is the referee for this game. The Englishman has taken charge of 12 matches this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 48.8. As a result, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ points for this game.

Wolves have proved a tough nut to crack for all of the top sides this season, this game will be no different. Still, the Reds have shown so much mental strength in recent weeks, so I think they will sneak a tough win.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Liverpool

Suggested Tips – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Liverpool to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Mohammed Salah – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – (SKYBET):

  • To Score & Win – Sadio Mane – 9/4.
  • Popular RequestABet – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ Wolves corners, 5+ Liverpool corners and 10+ booking points each team – 3/1. (NAP).
  • RequestABet Specials – 80/1 and above – Draw, BTTS, 2+ corners each team in each half and 20+ booking points each team – 80/1.
  • RequestABet Specials – up to 10/1 – Neves & Fabinho to be carded – 8/1.
  • RequestABet Specials – 80/1 and above – Neves & Shaqiri to score from outside the area – 80/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Friday 21st December @16:40 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 weekends matches.

Derby County vs Nottingham Forest – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Derby County vs Nottingham Forest – Match Preview

Derby County vs Nottingham Forest
Monday 17th December 2018
SkyBet Championship, Pride Park

Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT

Derby vs Forest: Derby County take on their nearest rivals Nottingham Forest in the East Midlands derby, with both sides desperate for three points to aid their promotion push.

The Rams have won their last two matches and defeated Wigan Athletic last time out 1-0. Jack Marriott’s eighth of the campaign earned Frank Lampard’s men all three points. The former Peterborough striker almost signed for Forest in the summer but instead made the move to Pride Park. He has scored eight in his last ten games for Derby, having made a slow start to life in the Midlands. Derby currently sit in fifth in the table but three points would take them up to third and only four points behind the top two. With only six points separating third and eighth, the play-off race couldn’t be tighter. Derby’s home form has been impressive this season – they’ve only lost twice, to Leeds and Aston Villa. That could prove vital come the end of the season as they bid to reach the top flight.

Forest surrendered their seven games unbeaten run last weekend after surprisingly losing 1-0 to Preston at home. That result leaves Aitor Karanka’s side in seventh, two points off the top six. As a result, this means a win would take them into the play-offs and above their hosts, on goal difference. Lewis Grabban has been their main man this campaign, after signing in the summer from Bournemouth. He has 15 goals in 22 appearances this season, including 11 goals in his last 11 games. That makes him the Championship’s most prolific frontman, one ahead of Brentford’s Neil Maupay. Forest also have a good defensive record. In their last ten games, they have kept seven clean sheets, which is a fantastic return.

Keith Stroud is the referee for this game. The Englishman has taken charge of seven second-tier games this season. In that time, he has accumulated an average booking points total of 30. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total points for this derby fixture.

This is a tough game to call. Anything can happen in a derby game and both are these sides are enjoying their best for years in the league. Given Derby’s home form, I think they may shade this game but it will be a tight affair.

Derby County vs Nottingham Forest will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Derby 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Suggested Tips – Derby County vs Nottingham Forest – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Derby County to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
  • First Goalscorer – Jack Marriott – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Derby County vs Nottingham Forest – (SKYBET):

  • To Score & Win – Lewis Grabban to score and win – 4/1.
  • Double Up Price Boost – Harry Wilson to score outside the area – 9/1.
  • RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – Over 1.5 goals, Wilson 1+ shots on target & Grabban 1+ shots on target, 6+ corners each team and 20+ match booking pts  – 7/1.
  • RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 10/3.
  • Scorecast Boost – Wilson & Lolley to score from outside the area – 50/1.
  • RequestABet Insurance – Tom Huddlestone to be carded, Jack Colback to be carded and Michael Hefele to be carded – 12/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Monday 17th December @14:53 GMT.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekends other domestic games.