All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Chelsea vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs Liverpool
Sunday 6th May 2018
FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 16:30 

Chelsea vs Liverpool – Chelsea host Liverpool in a must-win fixture as they bid to keep their faint hopes of a top-four finish alive.

Chelsea know that anything less than a victory will spell the end of their quest for Champions League football next season. The Blues are currently fifth in the league, six points behind Liverpool with a game in hand. Victory at Stamford Bridge would see them move to within three points of the Reds, with a game to spare. Whilst this season has been a bitterly disappointing campaign for the reigning champions, they could still salvage something from it. If they could snatch fourth place, alongside the FA Cup, then all would not be lost.

Chelsea’s squad needs a shake-up in the summer. The average age of the squad is 28, with a number of older players past their best. Having dismantled the spine of his title-winning side last summer, Conte has failed to replace those players. Nemanja Matic, David Luiz and Diego Costa have all been missed, due to poor recruitment. Chelsea have won their last four games all competitions but haven’t won at home in the league since March.

Liverpool secured their place in the Champions League final this week. Despite a 4-2 defeat in Rome, Jurgen Klopp’s side progressed into the final where they will face Real Madrid. The task until then is simple; secure a top-four finish. A draw this weekend would all but do that but three points would mathematically end any doubts. Liverpool have had a fantastic season; which could be topped off with European glory. A second-consecutive season in the top four also shows their progress domestically. With a few more additions – in the goalkeeping and defensive department – Liverpool could push for the title next year.

Anthony Taylor is the referee for Sunday’s crucial game. The Englishman has previously taken charge of this fixture, which Chelsea won 2-1 back in 2014. He has an average booking points total of 34.6 from 25 top-flight matches. This is an average score compared to other officials, so I’d steer clear of any high scoring booking points bets.

Chelsea have got to win this game. If they throw everything at Liverpool it could leave them susceptible to counter-attacks. It remains to be seen how sharp Liverpool will be following their midweek exploits but I see this one being a draw.

Chelsea vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 16:30.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool.

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Liverpool (BET365)

  • Correct score, draw 2-2 – (link no longer available).
  • Firmino to score in anytime – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Chelsea vs Liverpool (SKYBET)

  • Morata and Salah to both score – 4/1.
  • BTTS and draw – 3/1.
  • BTTS and over 2.5 goals – 11/10.

Stoke City vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview

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Stoke City vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 5th May 2018
FA Premier League, BET365 Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Premier League – Kick-Off: 12:30

Stoke City vs Crystal Palace: Stoke host Crystal Palace in a must-win game at the bottom of the Premier League.

Time is running out for Paul Lambert’s side. The Potters are three points away from safety after picking up a point at Anfield last week. That 0-0 draw was Stoke’s first clean sheet in six games and keeps them undefeated in three matches. With a game against Swansea on the last day of the season to come, the next two results will shape their season. In order to move out of the bottom three, they would need to secure their first win in 12 games. That result against Huddersfield was Lambert’s only win in charge, a record he will need to rectify in the last two games.

Crystal Palace have all but secured their place in the next season’s top flight after picking up seven points from three games. Their 5-0 thumping of Leicester underlined the incredible job Roy Hodgson has done as Palace boss. The Eagles were bottom after 11 games with just four points, then six points adrift of safety. Since then, they’ve picked up 27 points in 24 games; a phenomenal turn around. The biggest task now is keeping hold of Wilfried Zaha. The former Manchester United man has been the catalyst in Palace’s revival and is attracting interest from a number of top-four clubs.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for this crunch clash at the Bet365 Stadium. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 41, the highest in the league. With so much on the line in this fixture, tempers could easily flare. I’d advise a maximum of 40+ booking points each team.

This is such an important game for Stoke. Realistically, they have to win to have any hopes of surviving. However, I think they’ll fall short against an in-form Palace side, resulting in a draw.

Stoke City vs Crystal Palace will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 12:30 GMT

Prediction: Stoke City 1-1 Crystal Palace

Suggested tips – Stoke City vs Crystal Palace – (BET365):

  • Correct score, draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Zaha to score anytime- (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Stoke City vs Crystal Palace – (SKYBET):

  • Stoke to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 5/2.
  • Benteke and Shaqiri to both score – 17/2.
  • Stoke to win and under 2.5 goals – 9/2.

Odds and markets last updated on 4th May 2018 @15:53 GMT. Markets will be updated ahead of kick off so check back again before kick-off to see if there’s been any updates to the above picks.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for more previews for this weekend’s FA Premier League and SkyBet Championship action.

Brighton vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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Brighton vs Manchester United
Friday 4th May 2018
FA Premier League, Falmer Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 20:00 

Friday night’s live game see’s Brighton vs Manchester United. United will be looking to secure second place as they visit the South Coast to play Brighton.

Jose Mourinho’s side have won their last three games in all competitions, including last week’s victory over Arsenal. Marouane Fellaini’s stoppage-time winner gave United all three points, moving them five points clear of third-placed Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side have just two matches left to play, whilst United need one win from their remaining three fixtures to finish second. Whilst they have been in the shadows of their city rivals this season, United have still made progress. If they can win the FA Cup this will only further strengthen this argument. They can still end the season with 86 points, which would be enough to win the title most another season.

Brighton can secure their place in next season’s Premier League with another win. In truth, Chris Hughton’s men have probably already done enough to retain their top-flight status but another victory would ease any doubts. The Seagulls are seven games without a win, although they’ve lost just one of their last four games in all competitions. Their last home games saw them fight back to draw 1-1 with Tottenham, whilst Arsenal fell to defeat at the Amex last month. With United, City and Liverpool to come before the season’s end, trying to pick up another point or two could be crucial.

Craig Pawson is the referee for this Friday night fixture. The Englishman has an average booking 39.1, one of the highest in the division. With that in mind, I would advise a maximum booking points total of 30+ each team as I don’t see this being a bad-tempered affair.

Brighton have proven they are capable of getting a result at home. United, however, will want to end the season in style and I think they will edge this match.

Brighton vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediciton: Brighton 1-2 Manchester United

Suggested tips – Brighton vs Manchester United (BET365):

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

Suggested tips – Brighton vs Manchester United (SKYBET):

  • Alexis to score and win – 5/2.
  • Lukaku and Murray to both score – 5/1.
  • BTTS and United to win – 5/2.
  • United to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 7/4.

Odds and markets last updated on 4th May 2018 @15:53 GMT. Markets will unlikely be updated ahead of kick off.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for more previews for this weekend’s FA Premier League and SkyBet Championship action.