Derby County vs West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 24th August 2019
Sky Bet Championship, Pride Park
Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 12:30 BST
Derby County return to SkyBet Championship action this weekend as they host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunchtime.
The Rams come into Saturday’s encounter without a win in their last three Championship games following the 2-1 home defeat to Bristol City in midweek. Philip Cocu’s side have failed to register a win in the league since their opening day victory over Huddersfield.
Meanwhile Saturday’s opponents West Brom have shown consistency with their league form, and are unbeaten in their opening four Championship fixtures, with two wins, and two draws.
Both sides entered the 2019/20 season under new management. Dutchman Philip Cocu took over from Frank Lampard as the latter headed to the Premier League with Chelsea, and West Brom recruited ex-Premier League boss Slaven Bilic, who stepped into the void left by James Shannon’s departure in June.
In the combined eight league fixtures played this season between the two sides (four apiece), BTTS has landed in 7/8 fixtures, and I am predicting a similar outcome at the end of proceedings come Saturday lunchtime. SkyBet offer odds of BTTS at 8/13, with a price boost of Derby to win and BTTS at 4/1.
Derby completed a league double over Saturday’s opponents last season, winning 4-1 at The Hawthorns before running out 3-1 winners at home on the final day. Martyn Waghorn scored first in the last meeting between the two, Waghorn to score first this time round is priced at 4/1 on SkyBet.
The referee for this weekend’s clash is Gavin Ward. The Surrey based official took charge of 25 Championship fixtures last season, administering 80 yellow cards, and 7 red cards in the process. Ward to issue a red card this weekend is priced at 7/2 on SkyBet.
Both sides will be looking to return to winning way this weekend after failing to do so in midweek, however I am predicting a stalemate come Saturday afternoon. Despite that, I do feel there will be goals, considering both teams have been no strangers to finding the back of the net so far this season. I would suggest over 2.5 goals.
Derby County vs West Bromwich Albion will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD, with kick-off at 12:30 BST.
Prediction: Derby County 2-2 West Brom.
Suggested Tips – Derby Country vs West Bromwich Albion – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Draw 2-2 – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Derby Country vs West Bromwich Albion – (SKYBET)
- Scorecast – Tom Lawrence to score first and 2-2 Draw – 75/1.
- West Brom Price Boost – West Brom to Win and BTTS Yes – 9/2.
- Price Boost – Charlie Austin and Martyn Waghorn both to score – 10/1.
- Price Boosts – Tom Lawrence to score from outside the penalty area – 9/1.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Waghorn & Austin 2+ shots on target each, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 20/1.
Markets updated at 11:22 BST on Saturday August 24 2019.
Norwich vs Chelsea – Match Preview
Norwich vs Chelsea
Saturday 24th August 2019
FA Premier League, Carrow Road
Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 12:30 BST
Premier League matchday three kicks off at Carrow Road on Saturday lunchtime, as Norwich host Chelsea.
The Canaries claimed their first win back in the top-flight last weekend, defeating Newcastle 3-1. Their talisman Teemu Pukki has stepped up and adjusted to life in the Premier League seamlessly and has already found the back of the net four times. The Fin followed up his consolation at Anfield with a hat-trick in last Saturdays triumph over the Magpies. Pukki to grab his fifth of the season and score anytime on Saturday is priced at 6/5 on SkyBet.
Contrastingly, Frank Lampard’s beginning to life as Chelsea boss has been a reality check to say the least. His Chelsea side are yet to register a win, after defeats to both Manchester United and Liverpool were followed up with a 1-1 stalemate with Leicester.
Despite a difficult beginning to the season there has been several positives to come from Chelsea’s performances, particularly the showing of, Mason Mount. Mount spent the entirety of last season with Lampard at Derby County, where he recorded 11 goals and 6 assists in 44 appearances. Mount got off the mark for Chelsea in the 1-1 draw with Leicester, his first goal for his boyhood club. Chelsea to win, and Mount to score first is priced at 3/1 on SkyBet.
Last season Carrow Road was somewhat of a fortress for Daniel Farke’s Norwich side, losing only three times in 23 games. If Norwich are to remain in the Premier League this season, making the most of home advantage could be the difference.
The referee for Saturday lunchtimes encounter is Martin Atkinson. An experienced referee, Atkinson has been officiating professionally since 2003. Atkinsons 2018/19 season statistics read 110 yellow cards in 34 matches, averaging just over 3 yellow cards per match. I would suggest no more than 50 booking points.
Although Norwich began their season on home turf with a win, I feel that Chelsea, who are overdue a win will claim all three points come Saturday lunchtime. Despite their uninspiring start to the season, they have played good football, most notably in the first half vs Manchester United, where they were unfortunate not to score. However, three games have already passed without a clean sheet for the Blues, and with the threat Pukki poses for the hosts, don’t be surprised if he notches for the third PL match in a row.
Norwich vs Chelsea will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport 1, with kick-off at 12:30 BST.
Prediction: Norwich 1-2 Chelsea.
Suggested Tips – Norwich vs Chelsea – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Chelsea win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Norwich vs Chelsea – (SKYBET)
- Player Stats RequestABets – Over 1.5 goals, Pukki 1+ shots on target & Mount 1+ shots on target, 6+ match corners and 20+ match booking pts – 13/8.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Pukki & Mount 2+ shots on target each – 11/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Mount to score, 11+ match corners and 10+ booking points each team – 13/2.
- RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Chelsea to win, over 2.5 goals, 5+ corners each team, and 50+ match booking points – 20/1.
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Price Boosts – Olivier Giroud to score a header – 6/1.
Markets updated at 11:02 BST on Saturday August 24 2019.
Huddersfield Town vs Fulham – Match Preview
Huddersfield Town vs Fulham
Friday 16th August 2019
SkyBet Championship, John Smith’s StadiumLive on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 19:45 BST
Huddersfield return to EFL Championship action as they face Fulham at the John Smith’s stadium on Friday evening.
Only 4 months ago this would have been a Premier League fixture, but off the back of disappointing tenures in the top flight both sides are adjusting to life back in the Championship following their relegation.
The Terriers have picked up where they left off following last season’s dismal campaign in the Premier League where they finished rock bottom. Jan Siewert’s side are without a win in their opening two fixtures, and to add to their sluggish start they were dumped out of the Carabao cup in midweek, losing 1-0 to League 1 side Lincoln City.
If Huddersfield are to grab their first win of the season it won’t be an easy ask. Scott Parker’s Fulham side were one of a handful of sides tipped for promotion, following several promising signings in the summer transfer window. Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro joined on season long loans from Brighton and Wolves respectively to help strengthen the attack alongside Aleksandr Mitrovic, who remained at Cravan Cottage following an encouraging spell last season despite Fulham’s relegation. The same cant be said however, for Ryan Sessegnon. The England Under-21 international put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur, worth up to £25 million.
Mitrovic is one third of the attacking trio to get off the mark this season. Cavaleiro and Knockaert to score anytime is 16/1 on SkyBet.
The Cottagers claimed their first win back in the Championship at the second time of asking. The 2-0 defeat by Barnsley on the opening day was a reality check and a result not many predicted, however last weekends 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers got points on the board, as attention now turns to Friday nights fixture.
James Linington is the man in the middle for Friday evening’s Championship clash. Linington appeared 25 times in the Championship last season, awarding 98 yellow cards and 3 red cards in the process, an average of just under 4 yellow cards per match.
Fulham come into the fixture ever so slight favourites, with SkyBet offering odds of 6/4 on an away victory.
Despite Huddersfield’s slow start to the season, I fancy them to get a result on Friday evening. A win against promotion hopefuls Fulham would be the perfect way for the Terriers to get off the mark. Having said that, I do fancy Fulham to score, Mitrovic always offers a threat, so Huddersfield will have to remain focused if they are to keep him quiet and record a clean sheet for the first time this season.
Huddersfield Town vs Fulham will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 19:45 BST.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Fulham
Suggested Tips – Huddersfield Town vs Fulham – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Huddersfield Town to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
- Friday Night Acca – Lyon, Bayern Munich and Huddersfield all to win – 4.28/1.
Suggested Tips – Huddersfield Town vs Fulham – (SKYBET)
- Huddersfield Town Price Boost – Huddersfield to win and BTTS – 5/1.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Mitrovic to score a header and Huddersfield to score a penalty – 50/1.
- RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – De Cordova-Reid and Mitrovic to score, BTTS and over 2.5 goals – 10/1.
- RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – Mitrovic to score and Huddersfield to win – 14/1.
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Feature Price Boost – Cross Sport – Imperial Choice (19:35T) to win & BTTS (Huddersfield v Fulham) – 9/2.
(Located in Horse Racing > Specials > Feature Price Boost – Cross Sport Friday Night Football Cross Sport Specials).Markets updated Friday 16th August at 17:25 BST.