All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Liverpool vs Brighton – Match Preview

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Liverpool vs Brighton
Sunday 13th May 2018
FA Premier League, Anfield

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 15:00 

Liverpool vs Brighton: Liverpool need just a point against Brighton to secure their place in the top four and ensure Champions League football next season.

The Reds are within touching distance of a second consecutive top-four finish. Chelsea’s draw in midweek against Huddersfield means Jurgen Klopp’s side hold a two-point cushion and a superior goal difference over Antonio Conte’s team. Had the Blues won in midweek, Liverpool would have entered the final weekend of the season level on point and needing a win. Their Premier League form has dipped in recent weeks, with the Champions League seemingly taking priority. They are without a win in their last three games and have won just once in their last five matches in all competitions. Still, with just one game remaining Klopp’s men should have enough to see the season through, before casting their minds to Kiev and Real Madrid.

Chris Hughton has worked wonders at Brighton. After leading the Seagulls into the Premier League for the first team he has now secure them a second consecutive season in the top flight. In truth, their Premier League status has looked secure for some time, following wins against Manchester United, Arsenal and Swansea. Adding a little more flair to match their resilient and hard-working back-line will be the priority in the summer. They have the best defence in the bottom half of the league but are also the third-lowest scorers in the division. Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy have enjoyed fruitful debut campaigns in the Premier League. The pair formed a formidable partnership in the Championship and have continued that in the top flight.

Kevin Friend is the referee for Sunday’s clash. The Englishman has officiated 20 top-flight matches this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 23. This is the second-lowest in the league, with only Lee Probert proving more lenient. Consequently, I would advise steering clear of any bets with booking points for this match.

Liverpool haven’t been there best recently but should take all three points in this game. They’ll want to end the season with a victory and also maintain their unbeaten league run at home this season.

Liverpool vs Brighton will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Brighton

Suggested tips – Liverpool vs Brighton (SKYBET):

  • Correct score, Liverpool to win 3-0 – 6/1.
  • Liverpool to win to nil – 10/11.
  • Firmino to score first – 7/2.
  • Salah to score a brace – 13/8.
  • Mane and Ings to both score – 9/2.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea – Match Preview

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Newcastle United vs Chelsea
Sunday 13th May 2018
FA Premier League, St James Park

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 15:00 

Newcastle vs Chelsea – Chelsea will be hoping to keep their faint top-four hopes alive with a win against Newcastle on Sunday.

Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Huddersfield in midweek left them two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool ahead of the final day of the season. Victory would have lifted Antonio Conte’s men level on points with the Reds, although they do possess an inferior goal difference. The scenario is simple now; Chelsea must win and hope Liverpool lose at home to Brighton. Otherwise, it is Europa League football for the Blues. It’s been a disappointing season for Chelsea, which was summed up in their draw at on Wednesday. They have one of the league’s lowest conversion rates, which has been the main downfall of their season. Without Diego Costa, Chelsea have lacked goals and a ruthless edge in front of goal. With this likely to be Conte’s last game in charge, the new man coming in has a rebuilding job on his hands.

Rafa Benitez has done a remarkable job; leading to Newcastle to safety in the Premier League. Despite being one of the league’s biggest clubs, they have arguably the worse squad. In the summer, they need some real investment to push the club forward. If not, they risk losing Benitez, which would be a massive loss. A goal-scorer must be high on the club list of summer targets. Ayoze Perez is the club’s leading marksman, but he only has eight goals to his name. After four consecutive wins, Newcastle have lost their last three matches. A run symptomatic of their up and down season.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for Sunday’s match. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 42, the highest in the league. He has officiated the third highest numbers of games at 27, with only Michael Oliver and John Moss exceeding his tally.

Newcastle have little to play for, with their Premier League status already secured. You never know which version of them will show up, making it hard to predict this game. Chelsea, by contrast, must ensure they win to keep alive any chance of Champions League football.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 15:00 GMT.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Chelsea

Suggested Tips – Newcastle United vs Chelsea – (SKYBET):

  • Correct score, Chelsea to win 2-1 – 7/1.
  • Hazard to score and win – 9/4.
  • Giroud to score a brace – 15/2.
  • Chelsea to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 13/8.
  • Ritchie to score first and Newcastle to win 1-0 – 130/1.

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa – Match Preview

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Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
Saturday 12th May 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Play Off Semi-Final, 1st Leg, Riverside Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 17:15

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa: Middlesbrough host Aston Villa in the first-leg of their Championship play-off tie hoping to make the most of their home advantage.

The most eagerly awaited time of the year is upon us. Not, not Christmas. The play-offs! Fourth faces fifth in this match-up with both of these sides looking to return to the Premier League. Middlesbrough were vindicated by their decision to swap Gary Monk for Tony Pulis as the Welshman guided Boro to a top-six finish. Pulis’ experience could be vital as he looks to guide them back into the top-flight at the first time of asking. They have won their last four games, hitting momentum at just the right time.

They’ve lost just once in their last seven matches and are unbeaten at home since March. Since coming into the club Pulis ha made the Riverside Stadium a fortress again. Only three home defeats since December tells half the story, with clean sheets a huge part of their success. In Patrick Bamford and Britt Assombalonga, there are goals in the team. Middlesbrough’s record signing hasn’t had the greatest of debut campaign, by his high standard, but does have two goals in his last three games.

Aston Villa are my pick for the play-offs. In Steve Bruce, they have a manager that has been there and got the t-shirt. He knows how to get promoted, especially through the play-offs. His side is filled with big-game know-how. From John Terry to Robert Snodgrass and Glenn Whelan; these players know how to get the job done. Villa did end the campaign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Millwall, although they did rest a few key players with their play-off spot already confirmed. On the road, they have only won one of their last five matches; a run that needs to end on Saturday night. If they can avoid defeat at the Riverside I would make them favourites to progress. Whether they can repel Middlesbrough for 90 minutes, however, remains to be seen.

Bobby Madley is the referee for this crucial game. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 31.1 from 18 Premier League games. He has, however, only officiated at the second-tier four times this season and is an experienced top-flight referee.

The first leg of most play-off ties are cagey. With so much to lose, neither team will be desperate to go ‘gung-ho’. As a result, I think this will be a draw, in what should be a well-contested match.

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 17:15 GMT.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Aston Villa

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

  • Correct score, draw 1-1 – 5/1.
  • Ayala to score a header – 14/1.
  • Bamford to score first – 10/1.
  • Assombalonga and Grabban to both score – 12/1.
  • Grealish to score first and either draw 1-1 or Villa 2-1 – 50/1.