All articles by: Elliott Jackson

West Ham vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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West Ham United vs Manchester United
Saturday 29th September 2018
FA Premier League, The London Stadium

Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 12:30 GMT

West Ham vs Manchester United : The visitors will be looking to return to winning ways in the when they face West Ham, who will be buoyed by their draw with Chelsea last weekend.

The Hammers held Maurizio Sarri’s side to an impressive 0-0 draw. That result secured four points from two tricky matches, which moved them off the bottom of the league. Manuel Pellegrini’s side now sit in 17thplace, two points above the relegation zone. The main disappointment for West Ham has been their home form this season; they’re still yet to win in front of their own fans in the league. Although a draw against Chelsea was a good result, they lost to both Bournemouth and Wolves earlier in the season. Pellegrini will be desperate to secure that first home win, to relieve some of the early pressure he has faced. They did secure their first home win in all competition in midweek, however, as they beat Macclesfield 8-0 in the Carabao Cup, their biggest win in over 50 years.

Manchester United struggled last weekend after three wins on the bounce, as they drew 1-1 with Wolves. Jose Mourinho was highly critical of his side, accusing some players of performing at 30%. Although their showings have improved in recent weeks, United are already eight points behind Liverpool. Even at this early stage of the season, that is a big blow. Alexis Sanchez’s below-par form has typified their form; one week a seven out of ten, the next a four. To make matters worse, his side were beaten on penalties by Derby County as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup. It took a Mouraine Fellaini header in stoppage time to force penalties after United had Sergio Romero sent off.

Michael Oliver is the referee for Saturday’s early kick-off. The Englishman has officiated five top-flight matches this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 28. Therefore, I would advise a maximum total of 40 for this game.

West Ham have improved drastically in recent weeks, although they’re yet to win at home in the league. They sat deep against Chelsea, and they may adopt a similar tactic this weekend against United. I still think Mourinho’s men will win the game, though, but it might be closer than some would expect.

West Ham United vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United

Suggested Tips – West Ham United vs Manchester United (BET365)

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

Suggested Tips – West Ham United vs Manchester United (SKYBET)

  • Price Boost – Romelu Lukaku to score a header – 8/1.
  • Popular RequestABet – Pogba to score outside the area, Manchester United win, and BTTS – 16/1. (NB)
  • RequestABet Specials – Over 1.5 goals, Arnautovic & Lukaku 1+ shots on target each, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 9/4. (NAP).
  • Scorecast Boost Double Chance – Andriy Yarmolenko to score first and either West Ham to win 2-1 or West Ham to win 3-1 – 80/1. (Outsider)
  • RequestABet Specials – Manchester United win 2-1 and no booking points – 150/1. 

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.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United – Match Preview

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Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United
Friday 28th September 2018
SkyBet Championship, Hillsborough

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

Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United: The visitors take a trip to Hillsborough to face Wednesday, looking to extend their lead at the top of the Championship.

The Owls bounced back from defeat in midweek with a 2-1 win at Villa Park on Saturday. Those two results summed up Wednesday’s start to the campaign. They currently sit in tenth, two points off the top six, having collected 13 points from their last six games. That record makes them the joint most in-form side in the division; it’s an initial slow start that has cost them.

Jos Luhukay reverted to a back three at Villa Park, so it will be interesting to see how he sets his side up against the league leaders. Leeds will have to be wary of midfield maestro Barry Bannan if they’re to secure a positive result. The Scotsman has been one of the league’s star players so far this campaign, which saw him collect the August goal of the month award. They also welcome back Fernando Forestieri, who has missed the last three games through suspension.

Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford, Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez. They suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City last weekend and will be keen to make amends. Without Roofe and Bamford, Leeds have lacked a goal threat up front. Youngster Tyler Roberts has deputised in that role, but at the age of 19, he still has a lot to learn. Still, Leeds are top of the league for a reason, and Samuel Saiz will be key to getting them back on track at S6. Marco Bielsa’s side will always play the same style of football, which should make for a fascinating spectacle on Frida night.

Robert Jones is the referee for Friday’s Yorkshire derby. The Englishman has officiated six Championship fixture this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 38.3. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total booking points for this fixture.

Wednesday are unbeaten at home in the league this season, and are one of the most in-form sides in the division, alongside Leeds. The visitors are without a win in two matches, coinciding with the loss of Roofe and Bamford. As a result, I think this game could be a draw, although I could see the hosts nicking the match.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Leeds United

Suggested Tips – Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United – (BET365):

  • Correct score: draw 1-1 – 11/2.

Suggested Tips – Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United – (SKYBET):

  • Wednesday to win and BTTS – 6/1.
  • Fletcher and Saiz to both score – not available at time of writing – check closer to kick-off. We have tweeted at SkyBet about this. 
    (Alternative market: both players to have 1+ shots on target each – 6/5. Also available at 16/1 and 11/1 for both players to score and draw respectively).
  • Popular RequestABet – Pontus Jansson to score a header and Barry Bannan to score from outside the area – 100/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – 1-1 and no booking points – 125/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Friday 28th September @18:20 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 other Premier League and Championship action.

Liverpool vs Chelsea – Match Preview

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Liverpool vs Chelsea
Wednesday 26th September 2018
Carabao Cup, Third Round, Anfield

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

Liverpool vs Chelsea: Liverpool host Chelsea in the third round of the Carabao Cup, in the first of a doubleheader between the two sides.

Liverpool maintained their 100% start to the season with a 3-0 win over Southampton at the weekend. Jurgen Klopp rotated his side, with Xherdan Shaqiri coming into the team, alongside Mohamad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. The Swiss international provided a timely reminder of Liverpool’s increased strength in depth, putting in a fantastic 45-minute performance. Operating in the number ten position, Shaqiri almost capped his performance off with a stunning free-kick which crashed against the underside of the bar. That win kept Liverpool at the top of the league, with seven wins from seven. The Reds have a tough run of fixtures coming up, with two games against Chelsea before they face Napoli and Manchester City. After this sequence of games, we may have a better idea where Klopp’s side are at, and if they can genuinely challenge both domestically and in Europe.

Chelsea surrendered their 100% start to the campaign with a 0-0 draw against West Ham on Sunday. It was a frustrating afternoon for Maurizio Sarri’s side, who created several clear-cut opportunities but couldn’t find a finish. The result leaves them third in the league table, level on points with Manchester City. Sarri has had a good start to life in London; Chelsea are performing a lot better than most expected at this early stage.

Sarri will need time to implement his new philosophy, but the signs so far have been encouraging. They still lack a world-class number nine; somebody capable of winning a game on his own, as Diego Costa could. Giroud lacks mobility, although he is a great asset to have off the bench, whilst Morata is yet to really find his feet in England. If they’re to win the title or compete in the Champions League (in future seasons), they need someone with a bit more of an edge up front.

Kevin Friend is the referee for this game. The Englishman has officiated four top flight fixtures this season, accumulating the league’s lowest average booking points total of 15. Therefore, I would recommend an maximum of 40+ total match booking points for this game.

This fixture will be much harder to gauge than the one at Stamford Bridge at the weekend. With that match in mind, both managers are likely to rotate their squads, to varying degrees of strength. As Liverpool are the home side, I think I will side with them for a narrow win, although it is really dependant on the two starting lineups.

Liverpool vs Chelsea will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Suggested tips – Liverpool vs Chelsea – (SKYBET):

  • Price Boost – Correct Score – Liverpool win 2-1 – 15/2.
  • Winning Margin – Liverpool to win by exactly one goal – 11/4.
  • Both Players to score – Oliver Giroud and Daniel Sturridge – 6/1.
  • RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 9/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Wednesday 25th September 2018 @12:02 GMT.

Remember to keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weeks televised Premier league and SkyBet Championship matches.