All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Marseille vs Atletico Madrid – Match Preview

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Marseille vs Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 16th May 2018
Europa League Final, Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 19:45

Marseille vs Atletico Madrid: The Europa League final sees Atletico Madrid face off against Marseille with both sides looking to earn their first silverware of the season.

Marseille come into this game as underdogs, despite knocking out both Lyon and Salzburg on route to the final. Most of their fine campaign has been thanks to French winger Florian Thauvin. The former Newcastle winger has been in sensational form, scoring 25 goals and grabbing nine assists in all competitions. It was their defender, however, Rolando who secured Le Olympiens place in the final as he scored a crucial header in extra-time away at Salzburg. With only three Ligue 1 places awarding Champions League football, Marseille need to win the Europa League. They currently occupy fourth, level on points with Monaco but having played an extra game. If they were to win on Wednesday night they would join Monaco, Lyon and PSG in next year’s competition. In the league, Marseille are unbeaten in seven games, winning four.

Atletico come into this game having defeated Arsenal in the last round. A 2-1 aggregate win over the Gunners took them to the final, with Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann inflicting the damage. The Frenchman looks set to join Barcelona in the summer, with rumours circulating over a 100m euros move to the Nou Camp. Unlike their French counterparts, Atletico will feature in next season’s Champions League regardless of Wednesday’s result. In La Liga, they have been terrific and look set to finish runners-up to Barcelona. They lead third-placed Real Madrid by three points with just two matchdays remaining. Atletico haven’t been in the greatest form of late, however. They have won just two of their last six matches, in all competitions.

Bjorn Kuipers is the referee for Wednesday’s showpiece. The match will the Dutch official’s second Europa League final; having officiated Chelsea’s win over Benfica in 2013. He plies his trade in the Eredivisie, accumulating an average of 4.33 card per game, the league’s highest. This has included 61 yellow cards in 15 games.

Whilst Marseille have proven they are a top side, I can’t see pass Atletico in this game. The quality of Griezmann, Costa, Godin and Oblak is far superior to many sides in Europe and should see them lift the Europa League trophy.

Marseille vs Atletico Madrid will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Marseille 0-2 Atletico

Suggested Tips – Marseille vs Atletico Madrid  – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Atletico 2-0 – 11/2.
  • Atletico to win to nil – .

Suggested Tips – Marseille vs Atletico Madrid  – (SKYBET):

  • Griezmann to score first – 9/4.
  • Costa to score and win – 9/4.
  • Thauvin and Gamiero both to score – 7/1.

NAPs – Marseille vs Atletico Madrid  – (SKYBET):

These are picks we’ve personally backed that are quite short in terms of the odds. Th majority of the picks below can be found in SkyBet’s RequestABet Specials up to 10/1 market for the game.

  • Atletico to win or draw, over 1.5 goals, Payet & Griezmann 1+ shot on target each & 10 booking points each team – 5/1.
  • Atletico to score 2+ goals & 20+ Marseille booking points – 15/8. (NAP).
  • Over 1.5 Goals, 3+ corners each team & 30+ Match Booking Points – 13/8.
  • Greizmann & Payet to have 2+ shots each on target – 20/1 (found in popular RequestABets within the game).
  • Come to Me to Win (Punchesdown 19:15) & Antoine Greizmann to Score in 90 mins – 7/1 (found in horse racing > specials > cross sport specials).

Odds and markets last updated on 16 May 2018 @18:32 GMT. Markets will b 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 weekend FA Cup Final preview.

Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough – Match Preview

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Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough
Tuesday 15th May 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Play Off Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, Villa Park

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 19:45

Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough : Aston Villa hold a slender one-goal lead ahead of their second-leg play-off semi-final with Middlesbrough.

Mile Jedinak’s decisive header secured the win for Aston Villa when the two sides met at the Riverside on Saturday. In the second half, they put in a valiant defensive display with Middlesbrough unable to break down their opponents. John Terry and James Chester again proved why they are one of the best centre-back partnerships in the League; Chester has played every single minute for Villa this season. Alan Hutton also stood out. The Scotsman was tasked with man-marking Spanish winger Adama Traore, who has been a revelation since Tony Pulis’ arrival. If he swapped wings, so would Hutton and he marked Boro’s main man out of the game for 90 minutes.

If Middlesbrough want to find a way back into this tie, they’re going to have to be a bit more offensive. Despite losing the game, Pulis opted to take off Britt Asomblaonga for Patrick Bamford, rather than try the two together. I’m sure, from the start at least, they will maintain their 4-3-3 shape but they have to be open to using two forwards as they chase the game. It’s imperative Boro also find a way to stop Jack Grealish. Just like Traore, the Englishman is Villa’s main creative threat. If they again start with three midfielders, I’d recommend tasking Muhamed Besic or Adam Clayton to mark Grealish out of the match.

Mike Dean is the referee at Villa Park on Tuesday. Dean has predominately officiated in the top flight this season. The Englishman has accumulated an average booking points total of 40.2, the second highest in the league. With so much on the line, I’d advise a maximum of 50+ match booking points for this game.

Both these teams are potentially 90 minutes from Wembley. Middlesbrough have got to come out and play on the front-foot if they want to find a way back in this tie. However, I think Villa have too much experience to throw this position away.

Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with Kick Off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Middlesbrough

Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough – (BET365):

  • First Goalscorer – Lewis Grabban – (link no longer available).
  • Correct Score – Aston Vill win 2-1 in 90 mins – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough – (SKYBET):

  • Grealish to score and win – 7/2.
  • BTTS and Villa to win – 4/1.
  • Popular RequestABets – Aston Villa v Middlesbrough – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 30+ match booking pts – 5/2. (NB 2).
  • Grabban and Assombalonga to both score – 7/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 33/1 to 66/1 – Aston Villa v Middlesbrough – Jedinak 1+ shots on target & Terry 1+ shots on target, 5+ Aston Villa corners and 20+ Middlesbrough booking pts – 40/1. (NB).
  • Popular RequestABet – Over 1.5 goals, 5+ Aston Villa corners, 3+ Middlesbrough corners and 10+ booking points each team – 2/1. (NAP).

Odds and markets last updated on 15 May 2018 @16:22 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 weeks Europa League & FA Cup Finals.

Fulham vs Derby County – Match Preview

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Fulham vs Derby County
Monday 14th May 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Play Off Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, Craven Cottage

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 19:45

Fulham vs Derby: Fulham will be looking to overturn a one-goal deficit when they host Derby in the second-leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Rams’ 1-0 win on Friday night has given them a slender advantage heading into the second-leg. Cameron Jerome’s 34th-minute header was enough to seal the win, with Derby defending magnificently to preserve their lead. Fulham recycled possession well as always but just didn’t penetrate in behind the Derby rear-guard often enough. Alexandar Mitrovic was well marshalled by the impressive Curtis Davies, whilst Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon remained elusive throughout. If Fulham want to edge their way back into this tie, they need to find a way to move the ball quicker. There wasn’t enough tempo to the Cottagers possession play; making it easy for Derby to repel their attacks.

After falling short at the final hurdle, there are huge questions hanging over Fulham. Will missing out on automatic promotion derail their promotion push all together? With their 24-match unbeaten run coming to an abrupt end, can they get back to winning ways? Brighton never recovered from missing out on promotion on the final day two years ago and we could be seeing the same from Fulham. The Cottagers have, however, won 12 of their last 14 home league games, with their last defeat at Craven Cottage coming in November last year. Fulham fell at this stage last season; losing 2-1 to Reading over two legs. Whether they can end their play-off curse remains to be seen.

Chris Kavanagh is the referee for this crucial game. The Englishman has only officiated seven games this season in the Championship, with most of his appearances coming in the top-flight. Kavanagh has accumulated an average booking points total of 38.7 from 15 Premier League matches, which is one of the highest in the league.

I’m really not sure how this will play out. Fulham could easily produce a similar display as on Friday night, or come out the trams and blow the Rams away. I’m going to edge with Fulham to win in 90 minutes, although it could be anyone’s game after that.

Fulham vs Derby County will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Fulham 1-0 Derby

Suggested tips – Fulham vs Derby County – (BET365):

  • To win to Nil – Fulham to Win to Nil – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Fulham vs Derby County – (SKYBET):

  • Jerome and Sessegnon to both score – 15/2.
  • Correct score, Fulham 1-0 – 11/2.
  • Mitrovic to score and win – 6/4.
  • Either team to win in extra time – 6/1.
  • Popular Bet – Over 1.5 goals, 5+ Fulham corners, 3+ Derby corners and 10+ booking points each team – 2/1.