All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Manchester United vs Leicester City – Match Preview

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Manchester United vs Leicester City
Friday 10th August 2018
FA Premier League, Old Trafford Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 20:00

Manchester United vs Leicester City – Manchester United kick off the 2018/19 Premier League season when they host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Friday night.

After a season of watching their noisy neighbours dominate the league, Jose Mourinho will be desperate to restore United’s pride. In truth, their pre-season preparation has gone as smooth as possible. With the transfer window shortened and the World Cup taking away valuable negotiation time, it’s clear that Mourinho isn’t happy with his squad. They are still in the market for a centre-back, having chased various options through the summer. England hero Harry Maguire was the subject of two reported bids, one totalling up to £60 million. Toby Alderweireld and Jerome Boateng were also both been linked with a move to Manchester, but United were unable to secure any defensive reinforcements.

At the other end of the field, the future of Anthony Martial remains unresolved. The Frenchman has lost his way under Mourinho and it remains to be seen if he will rediscover the form that made him so popular in his debut campaign.

Leicester’s main aim this summer has been to replace Riyad Mahrez after the Algerian finally moved to Manchester City. Former Norwich City playmaker James Maddison has been drafted in to help fill the void. They have also rebuilt their defence, with some much-needed younger additions. Jonny Evans is likely to partner Maguire in the centre, whilst Ricardo Pereira is a major coup at right-back. Leicester have done some good business, for very good money.

My only concern is that once again it appears the goal-scoring burden will be left on Jamie Vardy’s shoulders. It remains to be seen who will provide the goals if the Englishman endures a lean spell in front of goal. That being said, Foxes fans will be hoping to see more from Kelechi Iheanacho this season. The Nigerian struggle last year after missing pre-season but should be fully fit and ready to show why the owners forked out £25M last summer.

Andre Marriner is the referee for this game. The Englishman officiated 28 matches at this level last season, accumulating an average booking points total of 30.4. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 40+ total booking points for this game.

Leicester proved tough opponents for Arsenal, when they opened the 2017/18 campaign, losing 4-3. With a number of World Cup stars just returning to Manchester United’s squad, it’s hard to predict how sharp they will be.

I still think that United will win, but it could be a lot closer than some may expect.

Manchester United vs Leicester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sport Football with kick-off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City

Suggested Tips – Manchester United vs Leicester City – (BET365):

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

Suggested Tips – Manchester United vs Leicester City – (SKYBET):

  • Rashford to score and win – 9/4.
  • Sanchez to score first – 4/1.
  • Maddison to score outside the area – 20/1.

  • Popular RequestABets – Sanchez 2+ shots on target, Fred 2+ tackles and Rashford 2+ offsides – 20/1.

  • @FootyAccums RequestABet – Rashford to score and Darmian & Morgan to be carded – 125/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Friday 10th August 2018 @19:40 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.

Chelsea vs Manchester City – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs Manchester City
Sunday 5th August 2018
FA Community Shield, Wembley Stadium

Live on BT Sport 2 – Kick-Off: 15:00

Chelsea vs Manchester City – Maurizio Sarri takes charge of his first game as Chelsea manager when his side face reigning champions Manchester City in the community shield.

After another turbulent summer, Sarri was finally appointed as the Blues boss, replacing Antonio Conte. Despite constant speculation about his future, Chelsea allowed the Italian to take the first week of pre-season training before replacing him. Since his arrival, Sarri has set about moulding Chelsea into his own team. The first step has been to abandon the 3-4-3 system that Conte used during his time in England, for his preferred 4-3-3 setup. With Jorginho captured from Napoli to play as a deep-lying playmaker, they are already beginning to take shape. Speculation over the futures of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois is far from over, however. With Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the Bernabeu this summer, Hazard has been lined up as their next ‘galactico’. Courtois has been linked with a move back to Spain for some time, and with just one year left on his deal, looks likely to depart Stamford Bridge.

After securing a record 100 points last season, it has been a relatively quiet summer for Pep Guardiola. Riyad Mahrez finally secured his move to the Etihad after talks broke down last January, but he remains their only addition. With Yaya Toure leaving, there was interest in Jorginho, but he opted for the darker Blue in London. With one of the most complete squads in Europe already, Guardiola’s biggest task is retaining the Premier League title; a feat nobody has managed since Manchester United in 2008. A first Champions League title is also high on the agenda as they look to replicate last season’s historic triumph.

A number of both clubs’ star players may miss this game due to the World Cup. For Chelsea, Hazard, Courtois, N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud are absent. City could be without Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and Mahrez, who picked up an injury in their last game.

Jonathan Moss is the referee for this season’s curtain-raiser. The Englishman accumulated an average booking points total of 39.1 last season, across 29 top-flight games. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 30 + total booking points for this game, with both teams looking to avoid any injuries.

It’s always hard to predict the outcome of this game, as it is almost a friendly. I would probably hedge my bets towards City, who have had more preparation time for this game. Neither side will be at full strength though, so it really could go either way.

Chelsea vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

Suggested tips – Chelsea vs Manchester City – (SkyBet):

  • Correct score: Manchester City to win 2-1 – 15/2.
  • Sane to score first – 11/2.
  • Aguero and Morata to both score – 11/2.
  • BTTS – 8/13.
  • Popular RequestABet Specials – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ Chelsea corners, 5+ Manchester City corners and 10+ booking points each team – 2/1. (NAP).
  • RequestABet Specials – 80/1 and above – Sane to score, Manchester City 2-1, Pedro 1+ Shots on Target, 5+ match corners and David Luiz to be carded – 66/1 (was 80/1).
  • RequestABet Specials – 80/1 and above –  Morata & Pedro to score, Chelsea 2-1 and Fernandinho to be carded – 150/1.
  • @FootyAccums Specials – BTTS, 1+ corners each team in each half, 30+ match booking pts (all 90 mins) and Manchester City to lift the trophy – 7/2. (NB).

Odds and markets last updated on Sunday 5th August 2018 @14:05 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 Championship games as well as our Charity Shield Preview.

Sheffield United vs Swansea City – Match Preview

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Sheffield United vs Swansea City
Saturday 4th August 2018
The Championship, Bramall Lane

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

Sheffield United vs Swansea City – ‘The Swans’ begin life back in the Championship at Bramall Lane when they take on play-off hopefuls Sheffield United.

Graham Potter will be hoping for three points in his first match in charge of the Swans when they visit Sheffield. Potter took over following their relegation to the second tier, with Carlos Carvalhal departing the club. Since then, their main aim has been to assemble a squad capable of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Joel Asoro, Barry McKay and Bersant Celina have all moved to the Liberty Stadium, although a host of big names have left. Andre Ayew, Kyle Bartley, Ki Sung-Yeung and Lukasz Fabianski have all moved on, whilst Alfie Mawson is expected to join Fulham.

With an inexperienced manager at this level, Swansea have taken a gamble. They’re also believed to be in talks with Brentford over the signing of Ryan Woods, which would be a huge addition to their side. Dealing with relegation is never easy, and a game against a Chris Wilder side is certainly not the nicest of opening games.

After uncertainty surrounding his future, Wilder committed himself to the Blades, signing a one-year extension. Despite his new contract, there is still uncertainty at boardroom level which threatens to de-rail their summer dealings. The sale of David Brooks has bolstered their transfer budget. A club-record deal of four million was spent on defender John Egan, as a result. They have also acquired Premier League starlets on loan, in the form of Dean Henderson and Ben Woodburn. It’s no secret Wilder still craves another striker, capable of firing them in the top six. Their pursuit of Martin Waghorn is ongoing, although they risk being priced out by Ipswich and potentially Derby. United created the second-most chances in the division last year, behind champions Wolves, despite finishing 11th. This underlines their need for a forward who can turn these opportunities into goals.

Jeremy Simpson is the referee for this match. The Englishman officiated 32 games at this level last season, accumulating an average booking points total of 45.8. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 50+ total booking points for this match.

This is a tough opening game for both coaches. Swansea are an unknown quantity – nobody knows how they will adapt to life back in the Championship. We do know that United are strong at home, and as a result, I think this could end in a draw.

Sheffield United vs Swansea City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Swansea City

Suggested Tips – Sheffield United vs Swansea City (BET365):

  • Correct score: draw 1-1 – 9/2.

Suggested Tips – Sheffield United vs Swansea City (SkyBet):

  • Leon Clarke to score first – 4/1.
  • McGoldrick and McBurnie to both score – 8/1.
  • BTTS and United to win – 4/1.

Odds and markets last updated on Friday 3rd August 2018 @13:22 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 Championship games as well as our Charity Shield Preview.