Wolves vs Manchester United
Monday 19th August 2019
FA Premier League, Molineux Stadium
Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 20:00 BST
Manchester United will be hoping to back up their win over Chelsea last weekend when they take on the top-six giant slayers Wolves at Molineux.
The Red Devils got their season off to the perfect start at Old Trafford, thumping Chelsea 4-0. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were clinical in attack and resolute in defence throughout. Harry Maguire got his United career off to the perfect start with a clean sheet. The Englishman looked at home in defence alongside Victor Lindelof. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was similarly impressive and looks like he will burst up and down that right flank for years to come. His energy and athleticism is something United have missed for years but his defensive capabilities shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial created a lethal duo in attack. The fluidity of the pair, constantly interchanging between the centre-forward and left-wing role makes them a nightmare to pick up. Their pace and willingness to run in behind also makes the jobs of Paul Pogba and Co much easier. Martial, back in the number nine shirt, look much more at home down the middle, briefly interchanging with Rashford. With Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard also offering options in those roles, United shouldn’t miss Romelu Lukaku too much, providing they’re not unlucky with injuries.
Wolves will have a tough job improving on last season’s seventh-place finish. That saw them creep into the Europa League and only Torino stand in their way from reaching the group stages. They kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 0-0 draw with Leicester City, although they had Leander Dendoncker’s goal controversially ruled out for handball. Last season they were the team none of the top six wanted to face and took four points off United.
Wolves’ starting XI is brimming with quality but I have concerns about their lack of depth. If they pick up a few injuries, they could struggle and they will have to rotate the team more if they’re in the Europa League. Playing Thursday-Sunday is tough for a club of their size. As a result, they may have some off days off the back of long European away trips but they should be fit and firing for this Monday night clash.
Jon Moss is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 39.6, across 39 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
This will be a real test for United, who were clinical in both boxes but didn’t wipe the floor with Chelsea for 90 minutes. Wolves’ record against the big teams stand firm and therefore I think they’ll get something from the game.
Wolves vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League HD with kick-off at 20:00 BST.
Prediction: Wolves 2-2 Manchester United
Suggested Tips – Wolves vs Manchester United – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Draw 2-2 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Anthony Martial – (link no longer available).
- Player to be carded/booked – Luke Shaw – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Wolves vs Manchester United – (BET365)
- RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 11/2.
- Both Teams to Score & Full Time Result – Draw and Yes – 10/3.
- Both Player to Score – Diego Jota and Marcus Rashford – 17/2.
- Player Stat RequestABets – Dendoncker 1+ shots on target & McTominay 1+ shots on target and Boly & Pogba to be carded – 80/1.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Rashford to score from outside the area and Wolves to score a penalty – 125/1.
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Player Stats RequestABets – Wolves v Manchester Utd – BTTS, Jota & Rashford 1+ shots on target each, 1+ corners each team in each half and 10+ booking points each team – 4/1.
Markets updated on Monday 18th August at 16:30 BST.
Chelsea vs Leicester City – Match Preview
Chelsea vs Leicester City
Sunday 18th August 2019
FA Premier League, Stamford BridgeLive on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 16:30 BST
Chelsea will be looking for their first Premier League points under Frank Lampard as they welcome Leicester City to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues got off to the worst possible start under the new boss last weekend, losing 4-0 to Manchester United. Lampard’s decision to start Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham at Old Trafford drew criticism, despite Mount being one of their best players on the day. The former Derby County loanee has all the attributes to succeed as a first-team player at Stamford Bridge and has a manager behind him who trusts him. It’s been a rough week for Abraham, though, after missing the decisive penalty in the Super Cup on Wednesday night.
Chelsea were much improved in Istanbul in midweek and took Liverpool all the way to penalties. Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic, left on the bench at Old Trafford, did their hopes of a Premier League start no harm with impressive performances. Willian and Antonio Rudiger are also back in the squad and they will be a massive boost for Lampard in the coming weeks.
Leicester drew 0-0 with Wolves last weekend. The Foxes had an impressive summer window, signing Youri Tielemans permanently although they did lose Harry Maguire to Manchester United. Caglar Soyuncu filled the Englishman’s role and impressed last weekend. Some are even tipping him to become a cult hero amongst the Foxes’ faithful after spending a year adapting to English football.
Brendan Rodgers will be confident his side can cause an upset at Stamford Bridge, just as they did last season, then under Claude Puel. Jamie Vardy will cause problems for the Chelsea defence on the counter-attack with his direct, pacey style. With Vardy stretching the pitch, that should leave holes of James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Tielemans to operate in, to dangerous effect.
Graham Scott is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 25.5, across 22 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
Chelsea were much better in midweek and performed well in patches at Old Trafford. They need to, as time goes on, become more ruthless in both 18-yard boxes. Leicester will undoubtedly cause problems on the break and given Chelsea’s misfiring defence, I think they’ll get something tomorrow.
Chelsea vs Leicester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League HD with kick-off at 16:30 BST.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City
Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Leicester City – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Jamie Vardy –(link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Leicester City– (BET365)
- Popular RequestABets – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 11/1.
- Both Teams to Score & Full Time Result – Chelsea and Yes – 5/2.
- To Score and Win – Oliver Giroud – 2/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Abraham & Vardy to score and Jorginho & Ndidi to be carded – 125/1.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Zouma to score a header and Mount to score from outside the area – 200/1.
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Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Vardy to score first and Jorginho to be shown the first card – 80/1.Player Stats RequestABets – Over 1.5 goals, Abraham 1+ shots on target & Mount 1+ shots on target, 6+ match corners and 20+ match booking pts – 13/8.
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace
Sunday 18th August 2019
FA Premier League, Bramall LaneLive on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 14:00 BST
Sheffield United will be looking to get their first win in the Premier League for 12 years when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Blades welcome Premier League football back to Sheffield for the first time since 2007. Off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, they’ll be confident of getting something against Crystal Palace. Billy Sharp is vying for starting berth after his late goal from the bench last weekend, with David McGoldrick and Callum Robinson instead preferred upfront.
Oliver McBurnie is also in contention to start the game for his full home debut. The £20m striker enjoyed a fruitful season with Swansea City last term and will want to prove he can cut it in the top flight. The same can be said for most of the United squad, with most unproven at this level. Keep an eye out for Chris Wilder’s overlapping centre-backs, who play a vital role in their fluid back three. Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell spend most of the game on the byline, as part of a revolutionary tactic. Whilst this does leave the Blades exposed at times, it offers a different dimension in attack which is in keeping with Wilder’s attacking philosophy.
Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Everton last time out so are also looking for their first win of the season. Most of their hopes lie on Wilfried Zaha’s shoulders. The Ivorian was left on the bench in last weekend’s draw after a move away from the club failed to materialise in the summer. It will be interesting to see if Roy Hodgson throws him back in after a week back training with the squad.
Palace are tipped to struggle after an anticlimactic summer window. Zaha is their only real stand out players, especially in attack, which is a concern. They have good technicians in midfield, with James McArthur and Luca Milivojevic, and solid defenders such as Mamadou Sakho. However, without Zaha, they lack that sparkle that can win them a match at the highest level.
David Coote is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 28, across 15 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 40+ booking points for this fixture.
The Blades will need to make their most of home games against teams in the bottom half of the table if they’re to stay up. Bramall Lane should be rocking on Sunday and I think the Blades’ early-season momentum will see them take all three points.
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League HD with kick off at 14:00 BST.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Suggested Tips – Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Sheffield United to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Wilfred Zaha – (link no longer available).
- Anytime Goalscorer – Billy Sharp – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace – (BET365)
- Popular RequestABets – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 13/2.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Sharp 1+ shots on target & Zaha 1+ shots on target, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 7/2.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Zaha to score first and Basham to be shown the first card – 66/1.
Markets updated at 12:07 on Sunday 18th August 2019.