All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal – Match Betting Preview

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Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal
Thursday 3rd May 2018
UEFA Europa League, Semi-final, Second Leg, Wanda Metropolitano

Live BT Sport 2 – Kick-Off: 20:05

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal: Arsenal take a trip to Spain to face Atletico Madrid with both sides looking to book their place in the final of the competition.

Atletico come into this game as favourites, following their 1-1 draw at the Emirates last week. Despite being reduced to ten men after just nine minutes, Diego Simeone’s men left London with a crucial away goal. Whilst Antoine Griezmann grabbed the goal, the plaudits fell on the shoulders of Jan Oblak. The Atletico stopper proved why he is one of the world’s best with a string of impressive saves to keep his side level. In addition to Oblak’s brilliance, Atletico defended manfully to deny the Gunners. Diego Godin, in particular, stood out as he led his side to a fantastic result.

In true Arsenal fashion, Arsene Wenger’s side managed to throw away a goal advantage against ten men. The Gunners allowed Griezmann to catch them on the break and score what could be a pivotal away goal. The goal itself illustrated the difference between the two sides; Atletico are renowned for their defensive prowess, whereas Arsenal crumble at the first sign of trouble. A bright spark from the first leg was another goal for Alexandre Lacazette. Since returning from injury the Frenchman has rediscovered his goal-scoring touch. With four goals in his last three games, he appears to be finding his feet in the capital.

Gianluca Rocchi is the referee on Thursday night. The Italian could be a good omen for the Gunners, with no English team yet to lose in a game he has officiated. In Serie A he has averaged five cards per game, showing 69 yellow cards in 15 matches. As a result, I would avoid going big on booking points for this tie. I’d advise a maximum of total 40+.

This game is hard to call. I wouldn’t expect many goals, with it being such a tight match. I think Atletico might nick it, with Arsenal needing to score. Griezmann to score anytime would be my selected bet for this game, as both sides fight it out for a place in the final.

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with kick off at 20:05.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Arsenal

Suggested tips – Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal (SKYBET):

  • Correct score, Atletico 1-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Costa to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal (SKYBET):

  • Griezmann to score anytime – 10/11.
  • Atletico to win by exactly one goal – 5/2.
  • Pundits Pick – Phil Thompson’s RAB – Costa & Greizmann to score and Atletico Madrid to win to nil – 12/1. (NB2)
  • Lacazette to score and draw – 11/1.
  • Pundits Pick – Matt Le Tissier’s RAB – Costa to score first and Atletico Madrid to win to nil – 8/1.  (NB 1)
  • Player Shots on Target Multiples – Antoince Griezmann 3 shots on Target & Aaron Ramsey 1+ shots on target – 13/2 . (NAP)

Odds and markets last updated on 3 May 2018 @18:22 GMT. Markets unlikely to be updated prior to kick off.

Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews around this weekends domestic action in the Premier League and Championship.

Roma vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Roma vs Liverpool
Wednesday 2nd May 2018
UEFA Champions League, Semi-Final, Second Leg, Stadio Olimpico

Live on BT Sport – Kick-Off: 19:45

Roma vs Liverpool – Liverpool face a trip to the Stadio Olympico to face Roma in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

The Reds 5-2 victory over La Lupa last week helped them place on foot in the final of this year’s competition. Goals from Mohamad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane did the damage as Jurgen Klopp’s side raced into a five-goal lead. However, in true Liverpool fashion, the Reds failed to see the game out, conceding two late away goals and gifting Roma an avenue back into the tie. After their famous 3-0 fightback in the last round against Barcelona, Roma need the same result again to progress. Keeping Liverpool out at the other end, however, is a task that many have failed with this season. There’s no doubt Liverpool will have chances to grab themselves an away goal, or two. Should they nab one, on the counter-attack then they should see themselves through.

Liverpool rested men at the weekend in preparation for this crucial game. As a result, they stuttered to a 0-0 draw with Stoke, leaving them still sweating on a top-four finish. They hold a six-point lead over Chelsea but have played a game more. They must also travel to Stamford Bridge before the season is out. Should Chelsea win both those games, they would be level on points with Klopp’s side.

Roma responded to their defeat with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Chievo. The result keeps them in third place, level on points with Lazio. After scoring at Anfield, Edin Dzeko continued his fine form in front of goal with another brace. That took his tally for the season to 25 including six goals in his last eight games.

Damir Skomina will be the referee in Rome. The Slovenian has officiated six games in Europe this season, issuing 38 yellow cards and 0 reds. This averages at 63.3, which is extremely high. As a result, I would advise a maximum booking points total of 30+ each time.

Interestingly, Liverpool have a 100% losing record in matches officiated by Skomina. However, I think that run will end on Wednesday night. The Reds showed in the first-leg their ability to hurt Roma and on the counter-attack, I think they could be even more dangerous.

Roma vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with kick-off at 19:45.

Prediction: Roma 2-2 Liverpool

Suggested Tips – Roma vs Liverpool (BET365):

  • Correct score, draw 2-2 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Roma vs Liverpool (SKYBET):

  • @FootyAccums RequestABet – Dzeko to score, over 2.5 goals, 8+ Roma corners and 60+ match booking pts – 20/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Roma v Liverpool – BTTS, 3+ corners each team and Fazio, Jesus, Henderson & Lovren to be carded – 100/1.
  • @FootyAccums RequestABets – Roma v Liverpool – Kolarov, Firmino & Mane 1+ shots on target each, 8+ match corners and 40+ match booking pts – 9/1.
  • RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Roma v Liverpool – Roma to score 2+ goals, Dzeko & Salah 2+ shots on target each & Firmino 1+ shots on target and 6+ Roma corners – 11/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Roma v Liverpool – Roma to score 2+ goals, 5+ Roma corners and 20+ Liverpool booking pts – 5/2. (NAP)
  • BTTS, over 2.5 goals, 8+ match corners and 40+ match booking pts – 7/4.

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Match Preview

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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Tuesday 1st May 2018
UEFA Champions League, Semi-Final, Second Leg, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Live on BT Sport – Kick-Off: 19:45

Real Madrid vs Bayern: Real Madrid face Bayern Munich in the second leg  of their Champions League semi-final looking to secure a third consecutive final appearance.

Goals from Marcelo and Marco Asensio gave Madrid a 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena. Despite taking the lead through Joshua Kimmich, Bayern conceded two crucial away goal which sees them chasing the game ahead of their meeting at the Bernabeu. Zinedine Zidane’s side held a lead from the first-leg in the last round before almost losing to Juventus. This time around they will be much more focused on securing a third Champions League final in as many years. Gareth Bale continues to struggle to break into the side, after being left as an unused substitute in Germany. With Zidane preferring Isco, Asensio and Lucas Vasquez from the start, the Welshman’s future looks far from secure. Speculation has risen about a potential deal which could see long-term target Robert Lewandowski head to the Bernabeu, with Bale moving to Bayern.

Bayern come into this game as the underdogs. They must to score at least twice against the current holders to stand a chance of making it through to the final. With that in mind, expect Bayern to name a bold team selection as they bid to break down Real. This game is far from over, though; this year’s competition has been full of memorable comebacks. Jupp Heynckes’ side bounced back from defeat with a 4-1 victory at the weekend and will be confident of getting a result on Tuesday night.

Cuneyt Cakir is the referee for this crunch clash. The Turkishman, who has been an international referee since 2006, was in charge of a number of this season’s group stage matches, including Bayern’s 3-1 home victory over Paris Saint-Germain F.C and Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. He has an average booki g points total of 55.4 this season, which is very high. As a result, I’d advise a maximum points total of 30+ each team.

Real Madrid are in the ascendancy in this tie. They hold the lead and know Bayern have to come and attack them. Zidane should be able to navigate them to yet another final and I’m backing them to win.

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Bayern Munich.

Suggested tips – Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Madrid 3-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – (SKYBET):

  • Ronaldo to score a brace – 7/2.
  • Ronaldo and Lewandowski to both score – 11/4.
  • Isco to score and Real to win in 90 mins – 6/1.
  • Over 2.5 goals, over 10.5 corners and over 35 booking points – 15/8.