Reading vs Cardiff City
Sunday 18th August 2019
SkyBet Championship, Madejski Stadium
Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 12:00 BST
Reading will be looking for their first points of the 2019/20 Championship season when they host Cardiff City on Sunday.
The Royals have lost both of their opening games against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, respectively. Last weekend the Tigers came out 2-1 winners as Reading’s porous defence was once again in a generous mood. They have conceded five goals in their opening two matches, the most in the league after two games.
Lucas Joao was on target making his debut. The Portuguese striker made the £6m switch from Wednesday in the summer, despite scoring against Reading on the opening day of the season. The 25-year-old is a fantastic talent on his day but lacks consistency. He’ll be hoping his new Portuguese manager, Jose Gomes, can bring the best out of him more regularly. He’ll join George Puscas, who started on the bench last weekend, in attack. The Bulgarian Under-21 star was one of the summer tournaments best performers and look a real coup.
Cardiff City needed a 97th-minute winner to get their first win back in the Championship. After an opening day defeat to Wigan Athletic, Isaac Vassell’s debut header saw them beat Luton Town 2-1. The former Birmingham striker has had a torrid time with injuries but will be hoping to kick on at his new club.
A lot will rest on his shoulders after the departure of Bobby Reid and Kenneth Zohore over the summer. That leaves the Bluebirds with only Gary Madine and Omar Bogle as alternatives to Vassell. That has left huge question marks on whether they have the goals needed to earn promotion. Callum Paterson will also chip in from midfielder but Cardiff do look a little lightweight across their forward line, which is a concern.
Andy Davies is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 40.4, across 38 Championship matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
This game will be tight and maybe not one for the neutrals. Cardiff are a tough outfit to face on the road. Reading will want to shore up their backline in front of their home fans and goals will be at a premium, in my view. Therefore, I’m going for a narrow away win.
Reading vs Cardiff City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 12:00 BST.
Prediction: Reading 0-1 Cardiff City
Suggested Tips – Reading vs Cardiff City – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Cardiff City Town to win 1-0 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Joao – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Reading vs Cardiff City – (SKYBET)
- Price Boost – Aden Flint to score a header – 12/1.
-
Player Stats RequestABets – Flint to score a header and Junior Hoilett to score from outside the area – 100/1.Markets updated Sunday 18th August at 11:25 BST.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – Match Preview
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday 17th August 2019
FA Premier League, Etihad StadiumLive on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 17:30 BST
Premier League champions Manchester City will look to continue their strong form into the new season when they face Tottenham Hotspur in an early-season clash between two of the big six.
City laid down an emphatic marker on the opening day of the season, smashing West Ham United 5-0 in their own backyard. The Hammers could get nowhere near Pep Guardiola’s team, with Raheem Sterling grabbing a hat-trick. The Englishman carried last season’s form, that saw him win the Football Writers’ Player of the Year away, into the new season and looked razor-sharp at the London Stadium.
Gabriel Jesus was given the nod in attack ahead of Sergio Aguero. The Brazilian took his chance with the opening goal to set City on their way. A lot of have speculated that this could be a big season for Jesus as he looks to oust Aguero from Guardiola’s number one striking spot. Who the Spaniard plumps for on Saturday could be a big indication for the rest of the season, given the magnitude of the clash.
Tottenham came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1, thanks to Harry Kane’s brace. A debut goal from midfielder Tanguy Ndombele started the comeback before the Englishman opened his account for the season. It seems his August hoodoo is well and truly over.
This match will be a good test for Spurs’ record signing. The Frenchman showed a little bit of everything on his Premier League debut. Strong, quick, athletic, with good feet too. He’s very much a traditional box-to-box midfielder, so it will be interesting to see how he’ll cope against the very best of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne.
Christian Eriksen was a surprise omission from that match, with speculation swirling around his future. He changed the game when he came on against Villa. With Dele Alli missing, his creativity will be vital for Mauricio Pochettino’s side if they’re to get anything from the game. Although there is clearly a contract war going on behind the scenes, he needs to be on the field whilst Spurs still have him.
Anthony Taylor is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 31.8, across 48 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
City look imperious, whilst behind-the-scenes drama threatens to derail what is arguably the best squad in Tottenham’s history. With Eriksen in the team, they have a chance, without him those odds dramatically decrease. I’m going for a City win and I think there will be goals.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 17:30 BST.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Suggested Tips – Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Manchester City to win 3-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Raheem Sterling – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – (BET365)
- BTTS and Full Time Result – Yes and Manchester City win – 6/4.
- RequestABet Specials – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points – 10/1.
- Popular RequestABet – Sterling & Kane to score and Hernandez and NDombele to be carded – 125/1.
- @FootyAccums RequestABet – Man City to win, Aguero & Kane 1+ shot on target each, 5+ Manchester City corners & Fernandinho & Rose to be carded – 25/1.
- PlayerStats RequestABets – Kane to score a header and De Bruyne to score from outside the area – 100/1.
- PlayerStats RequestABets – Sterling to score, Man City to win, B,Silva and Kane 1+ SoT each, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points – 40/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Sterling to score, Man City to win 3-1 and Kane and Kyle Walker to be carded – 300/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Spurs to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points – 100/1.
Arsenal vs Burnley – Match Preview
Arsenal vs Burnley
Saturday 17th August 2019
FA Premier League, Emirates StadiumLive on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 12:30 BST
Arsenal will be looking to back up their opening day win with another three points when they take on Burnley at the Emirates.
The Gunners kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win at Newcastle United last weekend. With Mesut Ozil missing and Alexandre Lacazette and new signing Nicolas Pepe on the bench, the goal-scoring burden fell on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shoulders.
The Gabonese striker grabbed the winner in the second half with a clinical finish from close range. Whilst it wasn’t a flawless 90-minute display from Unai Emery’s side, they got the job done, which isn’t something you can often associate with Arsenal. Last season they won away from home and kept a clean sheet once in the entirety of the campaign, so they’ve already matched that feat.
Callum Chambers has resurrected his career at Arsenal throughout pre-season and he started at the heart of the defence next to Sokratis. Deadline Day addition David Luiz was on the bench and it’s tough to see Emery starting the Brazilian for this match after their showing last weekend.
Last season the Gunners were imperious at home. Their top-four push was built on their record at the Emirates, against the so-called ‘lesser siders’. Games like this were meat and drink for Emery’s team, it was against the big boys and away from home where they struggled.
Burnley come into the match off the back of a resounding 3-0 home win against Southampton. Ashley Barnes proved himself a nuisance for the back four bagging a brace against the Saints, who were well off the pace. The Englishman, alongside Chris Wood, have proven themselves as handfuls for any backline at this level.
The Clarets managed to fend off interest for James Tarkowski in the summer, with Leicester City leading the chase for his signature. The former Oldham and Brentford defender has forged a solid partnership in their backline which has helped them keep the goals out.
Mike Dean is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 51.8, across 42 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
As I’ve already mentioned, games like this were the heartbeat of Arsenal’s top-four push last season. Burnley will be stubborn and they’ll make it hard for the Gunners, which makes an early goal crucial. I’m going to back Arsenal because of their home form but it might be a narrow win, once again.
Arsenal vs Burnley will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick off at 12:30 BST.
Predictions: Arsenal 1-0 Burnley
Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Burnley – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Arsenal to win 1-0 – (link no longer available).
- Anytime Goalscorer – Ashley Barnes – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Burnley – (BET365)
- To Score and Win – Aubameyang to score and win – 19/20.
- Winning Margin – Arsenal by exactly 2 goals – 3/1.
- Scorecast Boost – Ashley Barnes to score first and Draw 1-1 – 70/1.
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Lacazette to score a header and Arsenal to score a penalty – 66/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Aubameyang 1+ shots on target, Lacazette 1+ shots on target & Barnes 1+ shots on target – 5/4.