Huddersfield Town vs Derby County
Monday 5th August 2019
SkyBet Championship, John Smith’s Stadium
Live on Sky Sports Football HD – Kick-Off: 19:45 BST
Huddersfield Town return to life in the Championship as they face last season’s beaten play-off finalists Derby County.
The Terriers are back in the second tier after two seasons in the Premier League. Jan Siewert’s side ended last term rock bottom of the league, winning only three games all season. They will have to acclimatise to the division quickly if they’re to blow away any relegation hangover.
There’ve been a few personnel changes throughout the summer, with Tommy Smith and Phillip Billing leaving to join Stoke City and Bournemouth over the summer. Reece Brown, Tommy Elphick, Isaac Mbenza and Kamil Grabara have all joined permanently to balance those sales.
Much is expected of Karlam Grant after his impressive cameo in the top flight. The striker joined Town from Charlton in January and is expected to fire the goals in for the Terriers this term. Whilst they’re not one the favourites for promotion a minimum top-ten finish should be the target for Huddersfield.
Derby are still in the process of building their new side under Phillip Cocu. The Dutchman has picked up the pieces after Frank Lampard’s departure, although Kieran Dowell is their only summer signing to date.
A centre-half is definitely needed, with Arsenal’s Krystian Bielik close to a reported £10m move. Cocu has said he wants at least four new additions before Thursday’s deadline so the club will need to move fast.
Darren Bond is the referee for this match. The Englishman accumulated an average booking points total of 30 across 42 Championship games last season. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
I think both of these sides are slightly short of promotion contenders, although both will have their eyes on the play-offs. This match could be an early indication of their levels, albeit early days. I’m going to go for a draw, with neither side wanting to lose their opening match.
Huddersfield Town vs Derby County will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD with kick-off at 19:45 BST.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Derby County
Suggested Tips – Huddersfield Town vs Derby County – (BET365)
- Correct score – 1-1 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Jack Marriott – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Huddersfield Town vs Derby County – (SKYBET)
- Huddersfield Town Price Boost – Huddersfield Town to win and BTTS – 4/1.
- Oddschecker RequestABet – Mounie to score, Huddersfield to win, BTTS, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 14/1.
- Super Boost – Aaron Mooy to score from outside the penalty area – 14/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Waghorn to score a header and Mooy to score from outside the area – 100/1.
- Both Players to Score – Martin Waghorn and Karlan Ahearne-Grant – 13/2.
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Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Waghorn 2+ Shots On Target, Schindler 2+ Tackles and Ahearne-Grant 2+ Offsides – 22/1.
Markets updated/correct as off – 16:25 BST on August 5th.
Liverpool vs Manchester City – Match Preview
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Sunday 4th August 2019
SkyBet Championship, Wembley StadiumLive on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 BST
Liverpool and Manchester City contest the Premier League curtain-raiser as both sides look to put down an early marker for this year’s title in the Community Shield.
The Reds have endured an up-and-down pre-season, with a number of uncharacteristic results. Whilst you can’t read a lot into friendly matches, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to see an improved display from his side. There will be no new faces at Wembley with Liverpool yet to make a move in the transfer market.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, full fit from after a serious knee injury, will feel like a new addition but there have been no new signings at Anfield. With the window set to shut on August 8th, time is running out for Klopp to strengthen his squad. Roberto Firmino, Mohamad Salah and Alisson played their first pre-season games against Lyon this week after their summer international activities.
With that in mind, it’s unclear as to whether Klopp will start his star attackers against City. Sadio Mane is also due to join the squad next week and will, therefore, miss this game.
Manchester City have enjoyed a relatively low-key summer, despite the additions of Rodri and Angelino. The former Atletico Madrid anchor has been dubbed as the ‘new Sergio Busquets’ and this game could allow City fans to cast their eye over Fernandinho’s long-term replacement.
The Spaniard has incredible vision and a wide passing range but it will be interesting to see how quickly he adapts to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. Angelino could start this match, with Benjamin Mendy still not quite fully fit, although the Frenchman is not far away from a return.
The likes of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne have all featured heavily throughout pre-season and should start in London. Leroy Sane may also start, with Pep Guardiola still trying to convince the German winger his future lies at the Etihad Stadium amidst ongoing speculation about a move to Bayern Munich.
Martin Atkinson is the referee for this match. The Englishman racked up an average booking points total of 32.8, across 43 Premier League matches. With that in mind, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
Whilst this is just a glorified friendly game, the relentless nature of both coaches could see this turn into quite a competitive affair. Both will want their sides to hit the ground running and this is the perfect opportunity to blow away some cobwebs.
With that in mind, I’m going to side with the champions. City’s pre-season hasn’t been as disrupted with absent players and Liverpool may be without each their dynamic front three.
Liverpool vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick-off at 15:00 BST.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City
Suggested Tips – Liverpool vs Manchester City – (SKYBET)
- Correct Score – Manchester City to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
- Both Players To Score – Mohammed Salah and Raheem Sterling – 13/2.
- Price Boost – Kevin De Bruyne to score from outside the penalty area – 18/1.
- Scorecast Boost – Raheem Sterling to score first and Manchester City to win 2-1 – 40/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Sterling & Salah to score and van Dijk & Zinchenko to be carded – 125/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Man City to win, B Silva & Sterling 1+ shots on target each, Under 12 match corners and Under 40 match booking points – 10/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Sterling, Aguero & David Silva to score and Manchester City 3-1 – 125/1.
Markets updated at 12:15 PM on Sunday 4th August 2019.
Bristol City vs Leeds United – Match Preview
Bristol City vs Leeds United
Sunday 4th August 2019
Sky Bet Championship, Ashton GateLive on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 16:30 BST
Promotion favourites Leeds United will be hoping to start their season with three points when they take on fellow top-six hopefuls Bristol City on Sunday.
The Whites are the bookies’ favourites to win promotion this season under Marcelo Bielsa. After falling just short last term, United are back with and stronger after a busy summer window. Helder Costa is their marquee signing after he arrived from Wolves on an initial loan deal. New recruit Ben White will partner Liam Cooper in defence after Pontus Jansson’s departure, and with Gaetano Berardi suspended, whilst Jack Harrison and Jack Clarke are vying for places on the wing after agreeing loan deals from Manchester City and Tottenham, respectively.
With a full Bielsa pre-season under their belts, Leeds will be confident of avoiding the traps of last season. Their squad has better depth now, although an extra centre-back before the window shut would not go amiss. That’s the only hole in their squad, although injuries are once again causing problems. Tyler Roberts, Luke Ayling, Bailey Peacock-Farrel and, crucially, Kemar Roofe will all miss the season opener.
Leeds started last season fantastically, with five wins from their opening eight games in August. They’ll be hoping for a similar start and a similar result to last season, after doing the double over the Robins in their two league fixtures.
Bristol City have recruited fantastically, adding Chelsea trio Tomas Kalas, Jay Dasilva and Kasey Palmer on permanent deals. Daniel Bentley, regarded one of the league’s best ‘keepers, has also joined from Brentford. A new striker is very high on the Robins’ shopping list to offer help to the likes of Famara Diedhiou and Andreas Weimann in attack.
They’ll also be desperate to keep gold of Byron Webster, who could the subject of a late £25m bid from Brighton as a chain effect if Harry Maguire moves to Manchester United. Having fallen just short of the top six in the last two seasons, City’s form at Ashton Gate will be vital if they’re to go one step better this time around.
Tim Robinson is the referee for this match. The Englishman accumulated an average booking points total of 44.7 across 35 Championship games last season. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
Leeds will want to hit the ground running but they could have had few tougher opening day assignments. Bristol City have promotion ambitions of their own and could pose a real threat. As a result, I’m going for a high-scoring draw.
Bristol City vs Leeds United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 16:30 BST.
Prediction: Bristol City 2-2 Leeds United
Suggested Tips – Bristol City vs Leeds United – (BET365)
- Correct Score – Draw – 2-2 – (link no longer available).
- First Goalscorer – Famara Diedhiou – (link no longer available).
Suggested Tips – Bristol City vs Leeds United – (SKYBET)
- Full Time Result and Both Teams to Score – Leeds United and Yes – 7/2.
- Both Players to Score – Helder Costa and Andreas Weimann – 10/1.
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Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Diedhiou to score a header and Klich to score from outside the area – 200/1.Player Stats RequestABets -BTTS, 4+ Corners Each Team & 20+ Booking Points Each Team – 5/1. Markets Updated at 11:50 BST on Sunday 4th August 2019.