All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Hoffenheim vs Manchester City – Match Preview

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Hoffenheim vs Manchester City
Tuesday 2nd October 2018, Rhein-Neckar Arena
UEFA Champions League – Group F Qualifier 

BT Sport 2 – 17:55 GMT

Hoffenheim vs Manchester City: Manchester City will be desperate to open their Champions League account for the season after a surprising defeat against Lyon when they take on Hoffenheim.

The champions of England got off to a horrible start in group F, losing 2-1 to Lyon on matchday one. The French side were fully deserving of the win and became only the second side to beat City at home in this competition under Pep Guardiola. In the league, however, things have been much smoother for City. They moved level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League at the weekend, following a comprehensive 2-0 win over Brighton.

Raheem Sterling was in the thick of the action, scoring the first before supplying Sergio Aguero with a telling assist for their second. The Englishman has been in fine form this season, picking up from his best-ever goalscoring campaign last year. Guardiola will also be buoyed by the new Kevin De Bruyne is set to resume training after knee ligament damage, although be a few weeks before he returns to match action. The most impressive stat behind City’s unbeaten start is that they have only conceded three goals. Alongside Liverpool, they have the best record in the division.

Hoffenheim drew their opening Champions League match 2-2 with Shakhtar Donetsk. Former West Ham defender Havard Nordtveit was on the scoresheet as they twice surrendered the lead and claimed just a point. In the Bundesliga, they’ve struggled this year, collecting just seven points from six league matches. Leaking goals has been their issue, with ten conceded and ten scored so far. At the weekend, they were beaten 2-1 at home by Red Bull Leipzig, which condemned them to their third defeat of the league campaign.

Damir Skomina the referee for this game. The Slovenian took charge of England’s group stage game against Belgium during the World Cup, as well as Liverpool’s semi-final tie against Roma in the last season’s competition. In 148 international matches, he has an average of 4.11 cards per game. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total points for this fixture.

Given their defeat last time out, Guardiola will be desperate for City to win this game. It won’t be easy against a tricky opponent, but their loss in the first game makes me even more confident they won’t underestimate their German counterparts. As a result, I’m going for a City win.

Hoffenheim vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick-off being early evening at 17:55 GMT.

Prediction: Hoffenheim 0-2 Manchester City

Suggested Tips – Hoffenheim vs Manchester City – (BET365)

  • Correct score: Manchester City to win 2-0 – 8/1.

Suggested Tips – Hoffenheim vs Manchester City – (SKYBET)

  • Sterling to score first – 5/1.
  • Sane and Jesus to both score – 11/2.
  • City to win by exactly two goals – 10/3.

Odds and markets last updated on Tuesday 2nd October 2018 @11:34 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 weeks other European games.

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Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview

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Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace
Monday 1st October 2018
FA Premier League, The Vitality Stadium

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

Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace: Bournemouth take on Crystal Palace with both sides looking to return to winning ways after dropping points last weekend.

Bournemouth suffered a crushing defeat at Turf Moore as they lost 4-0 to Burnley. This proved to be a shock result, following their fantastic start to the season. Eddie Howe’s side sit in eighth after six games, with ten points. At this stage last year, Bournemouth were in the bottom three, after making a terrible start to the season. This time around they haven’t made the same mistake, which allows Howe the luxury of tinkering with his side. He will want a reaction from his side though, after such a heavy defeat last weekend. They did return to winning ways in the Carabao Cup in midweek, defeating Blackburn 3-2. Callum Wilson secured the win for the Cherries with a 94th-minute winner, which moves them safely into the fourth round.

Like Bournemouth, Crystal Palace have enjoyed a solid start the new season after struggling at the start of last season. Roy Hodgson’s side have collected seven points from their opening fixtures, which leaves them in 11th. Last time out, they drew 0-0 at home to Newcastle, in a match they should have really won. Palace also secured their route into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in midweek with a 3-0 win at West Brom. Hodgson will have been pleased to secure their status in round four, but also get one over on his former employers. Andros Townsend opened his account for the season with a brace, before Patrick van Aanholt sealed a routine win.

Mike Dean is the referee for Monday night’s clash. The Englishman has officiated four top-flight matches this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 42.5. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 60+ total points for this fixture.

Both these teams are better offensively than defensively, which should make for a great game. Bournemouth have impressed me so far this year, particularly on home soil. As a result, I’m going to back them to edge this match, although it could easily end in a draw.

Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 8PM.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace

Suggested Tips – Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace – (BET365)

  • Correct score: Bournemouth to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace – (SKYBET)

  • Wilson and Zaha to both score – 6/1.
  • BTTS and FT draw – 3/1.
  • Popular RequestABet – Bournemouth to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 50+ match booking pts – 14/1.  (NAP).
  • RequestABet Specials – 80/1 and above – Wilson & Townsend to score, 3+ corners each team and Lerma & Rico to be carded – 125/1.
  • Popular RequestABet – Zaha to score from outside the area and Bournemouth to score a penalty – 250/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Monday 1st October 2018 @18:50 GMT.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weeks European action across the Champions and Europa League.

Chelsea vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs Liverpool
Saturday 29th September 2018
FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge

Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 17:30 GMT

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Liverpool will be desperate to maintain their 100% start to the league and inflict revenge on Chelsea after the Blues knocked them out of the Carabao Cup in midweek.

The introduction of Eden Hazard from the bench moved Chelsea into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. The Belgian scored a phenomenal solo goal which completed their turnaround in a 2-1 victory at Anfield. Maurizio Sarri made eight changes to the side that drew with West Ham at the weekend, showing his focus lies on the league. The 0-0 draw against the Hammers was the Blues first dropped points of the season, leaving them two points behind their next opposition who top the table. After his fine cameo display on Wednesday, Hazard has reignited speculation over a move to Real Madrid. In my view, he is now ready to make that next step. His goal typified everything good about Hazard; his dribbling ability, coupled with his low centre of gravity and strength. He is a nightmare for any defenders he faces.

That defeat was the Reds first this season, although Jurgen Klopp also made multiple changes. He will restore his full-strength side on Saturday, as they look to move five points clear of their hosts. Having already won at Wembley this season, Liverpool will be confident of producing another top away performances against one of the league’s big boys. Klopp’s main dilemma is whether to keep faith with Joel Matip, now free of injury after starting the last two games, or bring back Joe Gomez, who has impressed early on this season. Given their fine defensive record, I think Klopp will side with the Englishman, who has looked solid this campaign. In attack Roberto Firmino will return, having fully recovered from the eye injury he sustained against Spurs. Chelsea will have to be wary of the Brazilian, alongside Mohamad Salah and Sadio Mane in attack.

Andre Marriner is the referee for this Saturday tea-time clash. The Englishman has taken charge of five top-flight matches this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 32. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total points for this fixture.

Whilst defeat in midweek will have disappointed Klopp, this fixture is a completely different test. Both sides will field their strongest XIs, which should make for a fine spectacle. Liverpool have got to keep Hazard quiet; he showed at Anfield what he can produce in just a matter of seconds. If he is at his best, I think Chelsea could sneak a win in this one, although it will be tight.

Chelsea vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with kick off at 17:30 GMT.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Suggested tips – Chelsea vs Liverpool – (BET365):

  • Correct Score – Chelsea win 2-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Chelsea vs Liverpool – (SKYBET):

  • Hazard to score and win – 10/3.
  • Salah and Firmino to both score – 11/2.
  • BTTS and FT draw – 3/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 29th September 2018 @09:48 GMT.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this week-end’s other televised Premier league and SkyBet Championship matches.