Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest
Saturday 10th August 2019
SkyBet Championship, Elland Road
Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 12:30 BST
Leeds United will be hoping to make it two wins from two with another impressive performance when they take on Nottingham Forest.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side got off to the perfect start last week as they beat Bristol City 3-1 at Ashton Gate. The Whites wiped away any suggestion of a play-off hangover with a comprehensive win against a top-six rival. Pablo Hernandez was at his sparkling best with a goal and an assist, in a Man-of-the-Match performance.
Patrick Bamford stepped up to the plate by opening his account for the season. The former Chelsea prodigy split opinion during his debut campaign at Elland Road. On one hand, his strike rate is pretty decent, 11 goals in 26 appearances, combined with terrible injury luck. On the other, he can go missing in matches and needs to become more of a dependable target man for his team.
With Kemar Roofe gone, much will rest on the shoulders of Bamford and Tyler Roberts, when fit. Ben White’s Championship debut was as assured as I’ve ever seen, a composed head on young shoulders which have wiped away any concern surrounding Pontus Jansson’s departure.
Nottingham Forest suffered defeat in their opening match of the season, falling through a goal ahead to lose 2-1 to West Brom. The Tricky Trees started the game well but fell away after the opening 20 minutes.
Goalkeeper Aro Muric had a debut to forget at the City Ground but much is thought of the Manchester City prodigy and he will no doubt grow in stature throughout the season. The main issue for new manager Sabri Lamouchi is the volume of players at his disposal. Their squad boasts almost 30 seasoned players, which is way too many for any squad.
Still, there is an abundance of attacking talent to work with. Albert Adomah was an astute free signing and will complement Joe Lolley, Lewis Grabban and, when fit, Joao Carvalho in attack. Still, it may take some time for Lamouchi to work out what his best team is.
Rob Jones is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 33.5, across 42 Championship matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
Leeds really impressed me last week. Their new signings slipped right in and they looked refreshed and rejuvenated. Forest, on the other hand, are a team that will take time to gel properly. They’ve got a new manager and a lot of players, it won’t be a quick fix. As a result, I’m going for a home win.
Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD with kick-off at 12:30 BST.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Suggested Tips – Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest – (BET365)
- Correct score – Leeds United to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Patrick Bamford – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest – (SKYBET)
- Price Boost – Jack Harrison to score and win – 7/2.
- Price Boost – Pablo Hernandez to score outside the area – 11/1.
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Player Stats RequestABets – Bamford to score a header and Hernandez to score from outside the area – 100/1.
Markets updated/correct as off – 12:23 BST on August 10th 2019.
West Ham United vs Manchester City – Match Preview
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Saturday 10th August 2019
FA Premier League, London StadiumLive on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 12:30 BST
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City begin their 2019/20 title defence when they take on new-look West Ham United.
Pep Guardiola’s side begin their push for a third-straight Premier League title. They would be the first club to win the trophy three times in arrow since Manchester United between 2006-2009.
City are still the team to beat and have only made their squad stronger over the summer. The additions of Rodri, Joao Cancelo and Angelino are big upgrades to the team, with all three in line to potentially make their Premier League debuts. The City faithful got a glimpse of their new Spanish recruit last weekend in the Community shield and he impressed in the holding midfield role.
Guardiola named a strong side to face Liverpool last weekend and they won the trophy on penalties. Leroy Sane, strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich, was forced off injured early on and may miss this game as a result. Gabriel Jesus impressed in pre-season so don’t be surprised to see him start down the middle instead of Sergio Aguero, with Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling on the flanks.
West Ham are looking fresh ahead of the new season. Sebastian Haller and Pablo Fornals are exciting big-money additions, with the latter tipped to be the ‘bargain of the season’ at £20m. Haller has big shoes to fill following Marko Arnautovic’s departure, but the £45m Frenchman will be confident of stepping up to the plate.
The Hammers will be aiming to push for a top-six finish alongside the likes of Everton, Wolves and Leicester City. There are still concerns over their defence, which conceded 55 goals last season. Still, they have reason to hope for an improvement on their 10th place finish.
Mike Dean is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 51.8, across 42 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
Manchester City looked good last weekend and are still the team to be beaten but I like the look of West Ham, especially going forward. I’m keen to see Fornals and Haller in action and I reckon they could cause City some issues. Still, I’m going for a narrow away win.
West Ham United vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick off at 12:30 BST.
Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 Manchester City
Suggested Tips – West Ham United vs Manchester City – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Manchester City 2-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Raheem Sterling – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – West Ham United vs Manchester City – (SKYBET)
- Scorecast – Sebastian Haller to score first and West Ham win 1-0 – 200/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Haller 1+ shots on target & Aguero 2+ shots on target, 6+ Manchester City corners and 20+ West Ham booking pts – 13/2.
- Popular RequestABets – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ West Ham corners, 5+ Manchester City corners and 10+ booking points each team – 9/4.
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RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Sterling to score, Manchester City to win, BTTS and 40+ West Ham booking points – 16/1.
Markets updated at 12:28 PM on Saturday 10th August 2019. Keep checking back to closer to kick off for any updates to picks
Liverpool vs Norwich City – Match Preview
Liverpool vs Norwich City
Friday 9th August 2019
FA Premier League, AnfieldLive on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 20:00 BST
Liverpool kick-off the 2019/20 Premier League campaign looking to lay down an early marker against newly-promoted Norwich City.
The Reds will be hoping they can close the gap on Manchester City this year after amassing 97 points last term. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be hoping to go one step better and claim their first-ever Premier League title with a perfect start against Norwich.
Last weekend Liverpool lost the community shield on penalties but can take away plenty from their performance. Klopp’s team were, without doubt, the best side in the second half and but for a dramatic clearance from Kyle Walker, they would have won the match.
The Reds made just one summer signing, Adrian, who replaces Simon Mignolet as Alisson’s back-up goalkeeper. Otherwise, it’s the same squad, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back fit. He and Adam Lallana will be hoping to make a big contribution this season after missing the whole of the last campaign.
Norwich are back in the big time and couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening match. Under Daniel Farke, the Canaries blew away the Championship with their brand of exciting, attacking football.
One concern for the Canaries is their defence, though. Despite winning the title, they conceded 57 goals, more than Birmingham City and Reading, who finished 17th and 18th, respectively.
Last season they relied on out-scoring teams. If they try to do that in the Premier League they will get battered on one or two occasions. Especially at Anfield.
Michael Oliver is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 32.8, across 44 Premier League matches last season. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
Liverpool will be desperate to get off to a great start and looked sharp last week. Whilst Sadio Mane may not start, Mohamad Salah will lead from the front. Given Norwich’s leaky defence, I reckon the Reds will come away with an eye-catching opening win.
Liverpool vs Norwich City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 20:00 BST.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Norwich City
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Norwich City – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Liverpool 4-0 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Mohammed Salah – (link no longer available).
- Liverpool to win to nil – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Norwich City – (SKYBET)
- Cross Sport Specials (located under horse racing > Specials) – Mubtasimah (19:40 N) to win & Mohammed Salah to score in 90 minutes – 9/4.
- Popular RequestABets – Salah to score first, Liverpool to win by 3+ goals, 12+ match corners and 30+ match booking pts – 28/1.
- Player Stat RequestABet – Liverpool to score 2+ goals, Salah 2+ shots on target, 5+ Liverpool corners and 20+ match booking pts – 6/4.
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Player Stats RequestABets – Van Dijk to score a header and Firmino to score from outside the area – 100/1.
Markets updated at 17:05 PM on Friday 9th August 2019.