All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Wolves vs Manchester City – Match Preview

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Wolves vs Manchester City
Saturday 25th August 2018
FA Premier League, Molineaux

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 12:30 GMT

Wolves vs Manchester City – The champions will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the season when they face Wolves, who are still looking for their first win.

City have laid down a marker already this campaign, following up their 2-0 win at Arsenal by thumping Huddersfield 6-1. Despite having a number of World Cup stars unavailable, and Kevin De Bruyne injured, City romped home as Sergio Aguero bagged a hattrick. It was the Argentine’s third treble in nine games as he moved up to tenth in the all-time Premier League goalscorers list. David Silva also marked his return to the side with a peach of a free-kick, having missed the win at the Emirates last week. City just look a class above the rest. The signing of Riyad Mahrez and Benjamin Mendy’s return to fitness has only made them stronger. Whilst they will miss De Bruyne’s creativity in midfield, Pep Guardiola has an abundance of options to choose from to replace the Belgian.

Wolves suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend, losing 2-0 to Leicester. Wolves hit the woodwork three times but couldn’t find a breakthrough, leaving them searching for their first win since returning to the top flight. It’s the second week in a row they have failed to take advantage against ten men, as Jamie Vardy was dismissed for a late tackle of Matt Doherty. Wolves have been unlucky so far, but need to find a more ruthless edge in front of goal. Their general play is good; they just need to sharpen up in both 18-yard boxes. New signing Adama Traore did look lively from the bench and could be in line for his first start at the weekend, as could defensive midfielder Lars Dendoncker.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for this game. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 30, having officiated two matches so far this season. This total is in line with last season, so I would, therefore, recommend a maximum of 40+total booking points for this game.

Although Wolves are a good side and deserve more than a solitary point to show from their first two games, I can’t look beyond City for this one. They will lose at some point this season, but I doubt anyone will predict when. They were far superior last year and they look, dare I say it, even better this time around.

Wolves vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Wolves 0-3 Manchester City

Suggested Tips – Wolves vs Manchester City – (BET365):

  • Correct score: City to win 3-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Wolves vs Manchester City – (SKYBET):

  • Player to score a brace – Sergio Aguero – 7/4.
  • Both Players to score – Gabrielle Jesus and Raheem Sterling – 3/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Manchester City to win, over 2.5 goals and 4+ corners each team – 4/1.
  • Popular RequestABets – Aguero to score and David Silva to score from outside the area – 66/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Thursday 23rd August 2018 @17:10 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 Premier League and Championship games.

 

Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town – Match Preview

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Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town
Sunday 19th August 2018
FA Premier League, The Etihad Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 13:30 GMT

Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town – Pep Guardiola will be hoping his side can build on their victory at Arsenal with another win against Huddersfield.

City proved too strong for the Gunners last weekend, despite being without several first-team players. Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus were only used as a substitute, whilst David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi didn’t feature. Rihad Mahrez, however, made his debut, whilst Bernado Silva ran the show in a more central area. With Raheem Sterling opening the scoring in the first half, the Portuguese playmaker doubled City’s advantage in the second. Overall, they were just too powerful for Unai Emery’s side as they look to become the first team to retain the Premier League since 2008.

Defensively, City looked rock solid as well. John Stones partnered Aymeric Laporte and the Englishman continued his World Cup form into the new season. Stones was fantastic for England in the summer and he seems to have matured over the last 18 months, under the guidance of Guardiola. His has irradicated his errors, that often came from lapses in concentration. His distribution has always been phenomenal, to the point where Guardiola admitted they may use him in a midfield role at some point during the campaign.

Huddersfield were comprehensively beaten on the opening day as they lost 3-0 to Chelsea. The Terriers were second best against Maurizio Sarri’s side, and face an even tougher assignment against the champions. Having staved off relegation last year, David Wagner’s challenge is to perform the same feat this time around. Although we are only one game into the season, that task looks a tall order. I still have doubts over where the goals will come from in their side, whilst they also leak goals at the back. Still, they managed to perform a miracle last season, so there’s no reason they can’t do it again.

Manchester City look just as strong as last season, which is a worrying sight for the rest of the league. I expect them to take another three points on Sunday. Huddersfield could pull off a shock, as they did at the Etihad last season, but I highly doubt it.

Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 13:30 GMT.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield Town.

Suggested Tips – Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town – (SKYBET):

  • Correct score: City to win 3-0 – 9/2.

Suggested Tips – Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town – (SKYBET):

  • Aguero to score a brace – 11/8.
  • Silva and Sterling to score – 7/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Sunday 19th August 2018 @03:50 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 Premier League and Championship games.

Chelsea vs Arsenal – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs Arsenal
Saturday 18th August 2018
FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge

Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 17:30

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Two Premier League newcomers come head to head as Unai Emery’s Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to face Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea.

Sarri got off to the perfect start as Chelsea boss on Saturday, with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Huddersfield. Goals from N’Golo Kante, new signing Jorginho and Pedro sealed the victory. Jorginho and Kante seem to have already struck a golden partnership; when the Italian comes deep to pick up possession it allows Kante to move further up the field. This means Chelsea fans may see the Frenchman on the scoresheet more often this campaign. Kepa Arrizabalaga made his debut between the stick, replacing Thibaut Courtois as their new number one. You sense this game may be a better indicator of his ability, as he remained largely untested against Huddersfield. Eden Hazard is expected to start after coming off the bench, whilst Mateo Kovacic could make his appearance after signing on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

Unai Emery was not so fortunate, as they went down 2-0 to Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Although facing the champions was always going to be a tough test, the enormity of the job Emery faces was made clear. It will take several transfer windows for Emery to get the personnel needed to execute his style. Petr Cech looked nervous trying to play out from the back, whilst neither Shkodran Mustafi nor Sokratis Papastathopoulos possesses fantastic pace in order to hold a high line. Mesut Ozil was ineffective on right-wing, whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was isolated and starved of service upfront. Now, not every side will be as tough to play against as City, but this will not be a quick fix for Arsenal.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for Saturday’s game. The Englishman took charge of Newcastle V Tottenham on the opening weekend, dishing out four yellow cards. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 40+total booking points for this game.

Both teams are in a transitional period as they adapt to their new managers. Chelsea, though, look like the better of the two teams and I fancy them to win on Saturday, as a result. It would be a major statement if Emery’s side came away with all three points, but I don’t see that happening.

Chelsea vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK live on BT Sport 1 with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Arsenal – (BET365):

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

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Arsenal – (SKYBET):

  • Chelsea to win 1-0, or 2-0 or 2-1 – 21/10.
  • Chelsea to win and BTTS – 21/10.

Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 18th August 2018 @11:50 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 games.