All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Derby County vs Fulham – Match Betting Preview

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Derby County vs Fulham
Friday 11th May 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Play Off Semi-Final, 1st Leg, Pride Park

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

Derby vs Fulham: Derby County will be looking to end their play-off curse when they host Fulham at Pride Park on Friday night.

The Rams have been here and seen it all before. Their last 2014 play-off campaign was arguably the most heartbreaking; losing to a 90th minute Bobby Zamora goal at Wembley against ten-man QPR. More recently they lost to Hull City over two-legs in 2016 but failed to make the top six last season. After a poor run of form, Derby have won two of their last three games. Victories, against Cardiff and Barnsley, secured their place in the top six.

In those games, Cameron Jerome grabbed three goals with the January addition begging to settle into life at Pride Park. Matej Vydra also secured himself the Championship golden boot with another goal at the weekend, taking his tally to 22 for the season. Gary Rowett has recently changed to a back-three formation, which has sparked the Rams recent upturn in form. Whilst I don’t think this system suits them in the long-term, it has provided some fresh impetus in recent matches.

Fulham come into this game having finished 13 points ahead of their opponents. Slavisa Jokanovic’s men missed out on automatic promotion on the last day of the season; losing 3-1 to Birmingham City. Had they won, they would have stolen second spot as Cardiff drew with Reading. As a result, the Bluebirds are now back in the top flight. Fulham have been fantastic, going on an unbeaten 22 match run and blowing away every team in their way. Now, the real test starts. How will losing that run affect them? Can they reproduce those performances on the biggest stage? I personally have my doubts. We’re yet to see if this side can perform when it really matters, only time will tell.

Roger East has been confirmed as the referee for Friday night’s first-leg. The Englishman is in-experienced at Championship level, having only officiated five games this season. In the Premier League, however, he has managed 17 matches, accumulating an average booking points total of 33.5.

Play-off first-legs can often be tense and edgy. This should be a good game of football though. It’s often said you can’t win a tie in the first leg but you can lose it and that’s how I expect both managers to view this game.

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

Prediction: Derby County 2-1 Fulham

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

  • Correct score, Derby 2-1 – 9/1.
  • Double chance, Derby or draw – 8/15.
  • Derby to win by one goal – 7/2.
  • BTTS and draw – 3/1.
  • Vydra to score first – 4/1.
  • Jerome and Mitrovic to both score – 13/2.

West Ham United vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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 West Ham United vs Manchester United
Thursday 10th May 2018
FA Premier League, London Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 19:45 

West Ham United vs Manchester United – Having suffered defeat at the hands of Brighton last week, Manchester United will be looking to bounce as they face West Ham at the Olympic Stadium.

That defeat was United’s seventh in the league this season and left them a whopping 17 points behind Manchester City. However, they only need one point from their last two games to secure second place. The Red Devils should achieve that feat comfortably; they face Watford at Old Trafford after this game at the weekend. It’s been an indifferent campaign for Jose Mourinho. On one hand, there is no doubt they have improved but having spent so much money, they are still miles away from City’s level. It will take another summer of investment for United; a centre-back, left-back and centre midfielder will be high on Mourinho’s list of priorities. Mourinho criticised his fringe players following their defeat to Brighton, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial failing to take their chance.

West Ham sealed their top-flight status last weekend with an impressive 2-0 win at Leicester City. The victory took the Hammers to 15thin the league, five points clear of the bottom three. Marko Arnautovic has been the shining light in an otherwise dull campaign for West Ham.

After signing in the summer for £25 million the Austrian has managed 11 goals in his debut campaign; making him the club’s top scorer. In completing his mission, by lifting the club to safety, it will be interesting to see what David Moyes’ future holds. Despite a relatively successful time in charge, I’m not sure he is the man to take them forward.

Michael Oliver is the referee in East London, just days after officiating Swansea’s game against Southampton. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 7.7, the fifth highest in the league (of officials who have refereed 20+ games). As a result, I’d advise a maximum of 40+ match booking points.

This game might seem like is a bit of a dead rubber but it will matter to Mourinho. He’ll want to see a reaction from his side as they look to build momentum ahead of the FA Cup final.

West Ham United vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event, with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United

Suggested tips – West Ham United vs Manchester United – (BET365):

  • Correct score, United to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Rashford to score anytime – (link no longer available).
  • Arnautovic to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – West Ham United vs Manchester United – (SKYBET):

  • Price Boost – Paul Pogba to score from outside the area – 9/1.
  • Scorecast Boost: Lingard to score first and United to win 1-0 or 2-0 – 18/1. 
  • Popular Bets – Smalling to score a header and Arnautovic to score from outside the area – 200/1.
  • RequestABet up to 10/1 – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 30+ match booking pts – 13/8. (NAP).

Odds and markets last updated on 10 May 2018 @18:28 GMT. Markets unlikely to be updated before kick off.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for more previews from this weeks domestic action from the UK including both Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals.

Swansea City vs Southampton – Match Preview

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Swansea City vs Southampton
Tuesday 8th May 2018
FA Premier League, Liberty Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 19:45 

Swansea City vs Southampton: Swansea host Southampton in a ‘winner-takes-all’ game at the bottom of the Premier League.

The phrase ‘relegation six-pointer’ is a term often used too often, but it has never been more fitting for this game. Southampton sit level on point with Swansea, with just two league games remaining. Only goal difference is keeping the Saints out of the bottom three. They were denied a deserved victory at the weekend as Tom Davies struck in the 96th minute to break their hearts. Despite the late equaliser, the point was enough to lift them out of the bottom three and above Swansea. Southampton face league champions Manchester City at St Mary’s on the last day of the season, so this game is a must win. Huddersfield’s drawn with City has moved them three points clear of the bottom three, making it even more likely one of these two sides will drop into the Championship.

Swansea come into this game without a win in eight games in all competitions. Despite a fantastic start to life at the Liberty Stadium, Carlos Carvalhal’s side have struggled for form in recent weeks. At home, however, they have lost just one of their last six league games, winning four. Swansea face already-relegated Stoke City at home on the final day of the season, meaning a draw would still leave them with a chance of surviving. Victory would all but seal Premier League safety for another season.

Michael Oliver is the referee for Tuesday’s crucial fixture. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 37.7, the fifth highest in the league (of officials who have refereed 20+ games). As one of the league’s highest-rated referees, this a game he should be able to handle if not, the ramifications for either side could be colossal.

Both sides know they can’t afford to lose this game. As a result, I think it will be quite a cagey match, with little between the two teams. Consequently, I’m punting for a score-draw, which would suit Swansea more than Southampton.

Swansea City vs Southampton will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League HD with kick-off at 19:45.

Prediction: Swansea City 1-1 Southampton

Suggested tips – Swansea City vs Southampton  – (BET365):

  • Correct score, draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
  • J Ayew to score first – (link no longer available).
  • BTTS – Yes – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Swansea City vs Southampton  – (SKYBET):

  • Austin to score and win – 2/1.
  • Group Correct Score – Draw 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 – 10/3. (NB 2).
  • Request-A-Bet up to 10/1 – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 30+ match booking pts – 6/5. (NAP).
  • SkyBet – Horse Racing/Football – Cross Sport Specials / RequestABet – Captain Simon (19.30 Ludlow) to win & Both Teams to Score (Swansea v Southampton) – 11/2. (NB).
  • Request-A-Bet up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 13/2. (NBB).

Odds and markets last updated on 8 May 2018 @18:58 GMT. Markets unlikely to be updated before kick off – we added the last pick (BTTS, 4+ corners) just now at 18:58.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for more previews from this weeks domestic cup action from the UK.