All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Sunderland vs Charlton – Match Preview

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Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic
Saturday 4th August 2018
The Championship, Stadium of Light

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

Sunderland vs Charlton: Sunderland begin life in League One against one of the bookies’ favourites for promotion as they host Charlton at the Stadium of Light.

After a traumatic double relegation, Sunderland begin their time in the third tier at home. Jack Ross is the new man in charge following Chris Coleman’s departure. Ross is their 12th manager in ten years, but, with Ellis Short finally selling the club, this feels like a new dawn. With a raff of players leaving Wearside, it has been a busy summer up North. Big names have left the club, such as Jack Rodwell, Wabi Khazri and Paddy McNair. Those big wages have been replaced with players who know the division and most importantly, how to get out of it. Peterborough captain Jack Baldwin, Wycombe midfielder Luke O’Nien have injected some much-needing energy into the team. Former Sheffield Wednesday captain Glenn Loovens, Reece James and Tom Flanagan all bring vital experience in getting promoted from this division.

Charlton are much fancied to return to the Championship this season, under the guidance of Lee Bowyer. Darren Pratley and Lyle Taylor have both joined the Addicks, but striker Josh Magennis has left, joining Bolton. The main aim for Bowyer is to continue last season’s form, which saw them reach the play-offs. Whilst Roland Dutchatelet remains the unpopular owner of the club, there seems to be more stability at the Valley after a traumatic few years. Therefore, I would expect to see Charlton challenging at the right end of the table and maybe even pushing for automatic promotion. They couldn’t, on paper, have had a tougher opening-day assignment, though.

John Brooks is the referee for this match. The Englishman officiated 24 games in League One last season, accumulating an average booking points total of 27.3. This is one of league’s lowest and as a result, I’d advise a maximum of 30+ total booking points for this game.

Come the end of the season, I expect both these sides to be pushing for promotion. Sunderland are my tip for the title, whilst Charlton should challenge for second place. This is an early test of what Ross’ side are made of and whether they can stand the test of the third tier. I think they’ll edge this match, but it could easily end level.

Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton

Suggested Tips – Sunderland vs Charlton – (BET365):

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

Suggested Tips – Sunderland vs Charlton – (SKYBET):

  • Sunderland to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 7/4.
  • BTTS and draw – 7/2.
  • Maguire to score first – 11/2.

Odds and markets last updated on Friday 3rd August 2018 @12:22 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.

Reading vs Derby County – Match Preview

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Reading vs Derby County
Friday 3rd August 2018
The Championship, Madejski Stadium

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

Reading vs Derby County – Frank Lampard begins his managerial career at the Madejski Stadium as Derby take on Reading to kick off 2018/19 Championship season.

The former Chelsea midfielder took over the Rams following Gary Rowett’s departure to Stoke this summer. After reaching the play-off semi-final last season, Lampard will be determined to take Derby one step better. They are well fancied by the bookies, having bolstered their squad over the summer. Despite the constant speculation surrounding the Championship top-scorer, Matej Vyrda, Derby haven’t stalled in the transfer market. Lampard has called in on his Chelsea connections, adding Mason Mount to his squad alongside Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson. In that pair, they have the pick of the Premier League’s best young talents. Andreas Wiemann has also been replaced with Brentford winger Florian Jozefzoon, whilst Jack Marriott has arrived at Pride Park from Peterborough after ending last season as League One’s top scorer.

Reading, by contrast, have had a much quieter summer. Paul Clement has bolstered his attacking options by adding Marc McNulty and Sam Baldock to their ranks. David Meyler, John O’Shea and Andy Yiadom have also made the move to the Madejski, on free transfers. The real question is whether Reading have enough goals to keep them in the division. Baldock is a marquee signing, having helped Brighton into the Premier League only a year ago, but the rest of their strikers are far from proven. They were also rocked by Liam Moore handing in a transfer request as he tries to push through a move to the Seagulls. Whether the former Leicester City defender will start on Friday remains to be seen. If he was to leave, it would leave a massive hole in their defence, with time running out to find a suitable replacement.

Rob Jones is the referee for Friday’s Championship opener. The Englishman officiated 18 league games at this level last season, accumulating an average booking points total of 38.6. Therefore, I would advise a maximum of 40+ total booking points for this game.

I’ve tipped Derby to again finish in the top six this year. Lampard was a risky appointment, but their shrewd business, in particular through the loan market, has given cause for optimism. Reading looks shy of goals, which could see them struggle again this season. Therefore, I’m expecting Derby to kick off their season with a win.

Reading vs Derby County will be televised on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction: Reading 0-1 Derby

Suggested tips – Reading vs Derby (BET365):

  • Correct score: Derby to win 1-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Nugent to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Reading vs Derby (Skybet):

  • Mason Mount to score and win – 5/1.
  • Derby to win by exactly one goal – 11/4. (NAP).
  • FootyAccums Specials – Mount to score, Derby to win, 5+ Derby Corners, 20+ Reading booking points – 18/1. (NB).
  • Baldock and Marriott to both score – 17/2.

Odds and markets last updated on Friday 3rd August 2018 @18:45 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.

France vs Croatia – Match Preview

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France vs Croatia
Sunday 15th July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018 Final, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Live on BBC 1 & ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 16:00

After a month worth of football France vs Croatia is the World Cup final, with both sides desperate to finish the match as world champions.

France secured their place Sunday’s showpiece with a 1-0 win against Belgium. Samuel Umtiti’s first goal of the tournament was enough to secure the win. Despite having the third-youngest squad in the competition, it was a mature display from France. Their backline, of which only Rafael Varane is older than 24, were fantastic. Hugo Lloris in goal put in another fine display, with a few important saves to keep the Red Devils at bay. France have only conceded four goals in this tournament, with three of those strikes coming against Argentina. They have kept four clean sheets, the most in the tournament. It was a very tight game that France just about edged, which has now put them on the brink of their first World Cup triumph since 1998, exactly 20 years ago. This would be their first-ever victory on foreign soil, having lifted their first trophy in Paris.

Croatia once again found a way to win. They are yet to win a knockout-game having played extra-time in each match since the group stages. They needed penalties to get past Denmark and Russia, but broke English hearts in extra-time thanks to Mario Mandzukic. That win only further epitomised Croatia’s desire and resilience, after battling back from being 1-0 down inside five minutes. Luka Modric again ran the show as his bid for the golden ball gathers momentum, whilst Ivan Perisic scored and lead the comeback. The Inter Milan winger was a menace down the left-hand-side, causing England multiple problems with his ability to shift the ball on to either foot. Croatia don’t know when they are beaten; an admirable trait that could be crucial in the final.

Nestor Pitana is the referee for this match. The 43-year-old Argentine official was the man in the middle for France’s 2-0 victory against Uruguay in the quarter-finals, as well as Croatia’s penalty shoot-out victory over Denmark in the round of 16. He has averaged 4.62 yellow cards per game across 87 international matches. Therefore, I would advise a maximum total of 50+ booking points for this game.

Croatia have proved throughout they are stubborn opponents, who will never lie down. France will obviously be huge favourites for the match but will have to be patient to break Croatia down. I’m going to plump for a draw in this game, with France to sneak the win in extra-time, or from 12 yards.

The world cup final between France vs Croatia will be televised live in the UK on both BBC 1 and ITV 1 with kick-off at 16:00 GMT.

Prediction: France 1-1 Croatia

Suggested Tips – France vs Croatia – (BET365):

  • Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – France vs Croatia – (SKYBET):

  • First Goalscorer – Antoinne Griezmann – 9/2. 
  • France to win on Penalties – 9/1.
  • Croatia to win in Extra Time – 18/1.  
  • France to win by exactly by one goal  – 8/1.  
  • Popular RequestABets – France v Croatia – Griezmann to score, 3+ corners each team and Vida to be carded – 12/1.  (NB). 
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Rebic, Griezmann, & Mbappe 2+ Shots each on target and Perisic 1+ shot on target – 125/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 200/1 and above – Luca Modric to score, Croatia win 2-0 and Brozovic to be carded –  500/1. (Possible cover bet – 0.25pt). 
  • Popular RequestABets – France v Croatia –Over 1.5 Goals, 5+ France corners, 3+ Croatia corners, and 10+ booking points each team – 100/30. (NAP).
  • Player Carded Accumulators – France vs Croatia – Dejan Lovren and Marcelo Brazovic to be carded – 10/1.
  • RequestABet Specials upto 9/2 – BTTS and 20+ Booking Points each team – 5/1. (NB 2).
  • RequestABet Specials upto 9/2 – BTTS, 3+ corners each team and 20+ Croatia Booking Points – 7/2. (NB 3).
  • Player Carded Accumulators – France vs Croatia – Paul Pogba and Dejan Lovren both to be carded – 14/1. (NB4).
  • RequestABet Specials 5/1 to 9/1 – Pavard 1+ Shots on Target & Lovren 1+ shots on Target – 40/1. (NB 5).

Lots of tips for today’s final listed – we have given our NAP and Next Best picks (NB). Back the tips you actually like rather than all, stake what you can afford and don’t go too mad unless you can afford too. Enjoy the final !

Tips updated at 12:28 GMT on 15th July 2018.

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