All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Preston North End vs Stoke City – Match Preview

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Preston North End vs Stoke City
Saturday 18th August 2018
The Championship, Deepdale

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 17:30

Preston North End vs Stoke City: Stoke head to Deepdale in search of their first win of the season as they take on Preston in Saturday’s tea-time game.

The Potters followed up an opening-day defeat to Leeds with a home draw against Brentford last time out. Despite taking the lead through Benik Afobe, his second in two games, they couldn’t hang on for three points. Having leaked four goals in their opening two fixtures, Gary Rowett will be keen to shore up his leaky defence. At Leeds, they were carved up too early, which shouldn’t be the case given their personnel. Having spent big money in the summer, Rowett is still figuring out his best side, which will take time. They will be desperate to get that first win, though, given their tag as pre-season title favourites.

Preston bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Morecambe in the first round of Carabao Cup. In the league, they have won one and lost one, although they were unlucky to leave Swansea without a point last weekend. Preston have already shown signs of their form last season; they are a tough nut to crack. Defensively they are resolute, which always increases your chances of winning football matches. They do have goals in the team, although that is probably the department they lack in, slightly. I expect them to do well again this season – they will be pushing for a top six finish once again, I’m sure.

Andrew Madley has been appointed as the referee for this match. After two games this season, the Englishman has an average booking points total of 27.5. He is also one of only two Championship officials to have shown a red card this season. Therefore, I would advise a maximum total of 40+booking points for this game.

Preston are a tough team to beat, especially at home. However, if Stoke want to gain promotion, then they have to be getting at least a point in games like this. Coincidentally, that’s exactly what I think will happen, with both teams likely to cancel each other out.

Preston North End vs Stoke City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football this Saturday with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.

Prediction: Preston North End 1-1 Stoke City

Suggested tips – Preston North End vs Stoke City – (SKYBET):

  • Correct score: draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Preston North End vs Stoke City – (SKYBET):

  • Stoke to win by one goal – 10/3.
  • Afobe to score in 90 mins – 7/4.
  • Robinson to score and win – 8/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Thursday 16th August 2018 @19:02 GMT. Markets maybe updated prior to kick off so keep checking back – we will update the time for when the tips were last updated when doing so.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekends other Premier League and Championship games.

Arsenal vs Manchester City – Match Preview

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Arsenal vs Manchester City
Sunday 12th August 2018
FA Premier League, The Emirates Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 16:00

Arsenal vs Manchester City: New Gunners’ boss Unai Emery makes his Premier League debut against the league champions as Arsenal face Manchester City.

Emery will make his Arsenal bow at the Emirates against one the world’s finest managers, Pep Guardiola. It has been a summer of change for Arsenal, which has seen a number of new arrivals at the Emirates. Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Stephan Lichsteiner and Bern Leno have all joined the club in an attempt to bolster their defence. However, it is still unknown whether the former Bayer Leverkusen ‘keeper or Petr Cech will start in goal. They have also strengthened their midfield with the addition of tenacious ball-winner Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. Torreira showed for Uruguay during the World Cup that he has the potential to add the bite in midfield that Arsenal have sorely lacked.

A lot has been made over Emery’s attempts to field both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette together. Aubameyang has featured from the left in a number of pre-season matches, in order to accommodate the pair. If Emery can find a system to get the best out of the duo, Arsenal will be a real threat going forward.

Manchester City illustrated how far away they are from the rest as they cruised past Chelsea last Sunday. Sergio Aguero’s brace secured the Community Shield for Guardiola’s men. Despite missing a number of key players, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Raheem Sterling to name a few, they comfortably dispatched of Maurizio Sarri’s team. The season hasn’t even begun yet, but it already looks a thankless task for anyone trying to take the title away from the Etihad Stadium. Riyad Mahrez looked right at home on his full debut, whilst Bernado Silva stood out after a scintillating pre-season.

Michael Oliver is the referee for this match. The Englishman is widely regarded as the division’s best referee and officiated the most games in the league last season (30). In those games, he accumulated an average booking points total of 36.5. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 40 total booking points for this match.

Whilst nobody knows exactly how Arsenal will react to a new manager, it will take time for Emery to implement his philosophy. He couldn’t have picked a tougher opening day challenge; City looked razor sharp last weekend. As a result, I think they will have too much for the Gunners, although it should be a thrilling opening-day contest.

Arsenal vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 16:00 GMT.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City

Suggested tips – Arsenal vs Manchester City – (BET365):

  • Correct score: City to win 3-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Aguero to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Arsenal vs Manchester City – (SKYBET):

  • Mahrez and Aubameyang to score – 11/2.
  • BTTS and City to win – 21/10.

Odds and markets last updated on Sunday 12th August 2018 @11:20 GMT. Markets will not be updated prior to kick off.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weeks Premier League and Championship games.

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur – Match Preview

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Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday 11th August 2018
FA Premier League, St James’ Park

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

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping to get off to the perfect start as his Tottenham side take on Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Spurs have had an underwhelming summer, which has seen no new arrivals. Crucially, they have kept their squad intact, whilst Harry Kane has signed a new six-year deal. Speculation is still rife over the future of Toby Alderweireld, who can leave the club for just £25M next summer. Whilst Davidson Sanchez has proven himself as a fantastic talent, Jan Vertonghen and Alderweireld remain their best partnership at the back. Pochettino will be hoping he can convince his Belgian defender to sign a new deal or he will be resigned to losing him for cheap.

Tottenham have a very young, talented squad, but their lack of summer spending is worrying. If Daniel Levy wants Tottenham to move onto the next level, he is going to have to start paying higher wages and bigger transfer fees. Otherwise, Pochettino and co will eventually become disillusioned by the chairman’s lack of ambition.

Newcastle are in the exact same boat. Owner Mike Ashley has invested little money into the club since their promotion back into the Premier League. Whilst he has allowed Rafa Benitez to reinvest any money from player sales, that will only go so far. Benitez can see the club’s potential, but if Ashley doesn’t sell up or back him soon, he will walk. Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto have been brought in to try and improve their goal return this season, with Dwight Gayle and Chancel Mbemba departing. With a manager as good as Benitez, it’s hard to see Newcastle being in any real relegation danger, but without significant investment, they will always run the risk of a survival scrap. Goals again could be the main issue, however, the club will be hoping their new recruits can plug that gap.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for Saturday’s lunchtime match. The English officiated 28 league games last season in the top flight. He accumulated an average booking points total of 40.9, the highest in the division. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total booking points for this game.

Whilst Tottenham supporters will be disappointed not to see any new faces on Saturday, they still have a top-class team and manager. They should come away with an opening day win, as they did against Newcastle last year.

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Newcastle United 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Suggested Tips – Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur – (SKYBET):

  • Correct score: Tottenham to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur – (SKYBET):

  • Kane to score first – 11/4.
  • Tottenham to win to nil – 11/2.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 150/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Ayoze & Eriksen 2+ shots on target each – 18/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 11th August 2018 @09:20 GMT. Markets will not be updated prior to kick off.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekends other Premier League and Championship games.