All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Chelsea vs Southampton – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs Southampton
Sunday 22nd April 2018
FA Cup, Semi-Final, Wembley Stadium

Live on BT Sport – Kick-Off: 15:00

Chelsea vs Southampton: Chelsea take on Southampton looking to book their place in a second consecutive FA Cup final.

With any hopes of a top-four fading, Antonio Conte will be hoping for some success in the FA Cup. The Blues reached the final last year but were defeated 2-1 by Arsenal. Last weekend they completed a memorable turnaround, beating Sunday’s opponents 3-2.

Substitute Olivier Giroud’s brace was crucial in the turnaround and the former Arsenal man will be hoping for a starting berth at the weekend. After such a fantastic debut campaign, this season has been a bitter disappointment for Conte.

Even silverware, in the shape of the FA Cup, wouldn’t save their season. Chelsea have won three of their last nine games in all competition. A win on Sunday could be a catalyst to spark a run of form until the end of the season. Although hopes of Champions League football seem small, Spurs dropping five points in the last week will give some cause for optimism.

Southampton’s hopes of survival were dented after surrendering a two-goal lead against the Champions. Despite looking comfortable with a two-goal cushion the Saints crumbled, leaving them five points adrift of safety. The FA cup has come as a welcome distraction to the Saints, leading them to the last four. With fixtures against Bournemouth, Everton and Swansea to follow, this could be a huge month for the club. They have only won two of their last eight games, with both of those victories coming in this competition.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for Sunday’s clash. The Englishman has refereed 26 league games this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 41. That is the highest in the league, therefore meaning booking points could be a good bet. When these two sides met last weekend there were eight booking in the game. Thus, I would advise a maximum of 30+booking points each team.

Despite Chelsea’s poor form, they showed a lot of character to get back into the game last week. Coming from two goals behind is never easy and Conte will be hoping this was the markings of his team turning a corner. I think they will come out on top in the match, with Chelsea to win to nil my choice of bet.

Chelsea vs Southampton will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport with kick off at 15:00 GMT.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Southampton

Suggested tips – Chelsea vs Southampton – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Chelsea 2-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Chelsea to win to nil – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Chelsea vs Southampton – (SKYBET):

  • Correct Score Group Betting – Chelsea to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 6/4.
  • Giroud to score and win – 11/8.
  • Hazard and Morata to score – 3/1.

Odds and markets last updated on 20th April 2018 @13:10 GMT. Markets will be updated prior to kick-off on Sunday so keep checking back.

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

Bournemouth vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Wednesday 18th April 2018
FA Premier League, Dean Court

Live on BT Sport 1 – Kick-Off: 19:45

Bournemouth vs Manchester United: Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s shock defeat with a win against Bournemouth.

After handing Manchester City the title on Sunday, Jose Mourinho’s team will be determined to secure second place. With a crucial FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham at the weekend, Mourinho could rotate his squad with three games in six days. United’s performance in the defeat to West Brom was lacklustre. The contrast in the display from last week at the Etihad was stark, with a number of a key player underperforming. Reports have suggested that Mourinho may even axe Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba from the starting side this weekend. Whilst both played poorly, United stand a much better chance of winning with the pair on the pitch, rather than off it. If they play in this game, then you fear that those reports could be on the money.

Bournemouth lost 3-0 at Liverpool at the weekend. Eddie Howe’s side were second best as Mohamad Salah notched yet another goal for the Reds. The Cherries sit in 11th place, ten points clear of the relegation zone. With only four games to go, they have all but secured their status in the top flight for another season. They have, however, been on a poor run of late, winning just one of their last eight games. Bournemouth have made a habit of pulling off a big win per season at the Vitality Stadium. In the last few years Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs have all fallen foul of that record. This is always a game that you would label as a ‘potential banana skin’.

Graham Scott is the referee on Wednesday night. The Englishman has officiated 17 top-flight games this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 23.8, which is the joint second lowest in the league. Therefore, I’d avoid betting on booking points for this game.

Knowing Mourinho, he will be desperate to win this game. After such an embarrassing defeat at the weekend, he will expect a reaction from his players. Consequently, I think they will win, although much may depend on what team he starts with.

Bournemouth vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1 with kick off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United

Suggested tips – Bournemouth vs Manchester United – (SKYBET):

  • Correct score, United to win 2-1 – 7/1.
  • BTTS and over 2.5 goal – 11/10.
  • Rashford to score and win – 2/1.
  • Wilson and Lukaku to both score – 11/2.
  • United to win by exactly one goal – 11/4.

Odds and markets last updated on 18th April 2018 @19:15 GMT. Markets unlikely to be updated prior to kick off.

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

West Ham United vs Stoke City – Match Preview

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West Ham United vs Stoke City
Monday 16th April 2018
FA Premier League, London Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 20:00

West Ham United vs Stoke City: West Ham host Stoke in a relegation ‘six-pointer’ at the Olympic Stadium as they bid to move further clear of the drop zone.

The Hammers grabbed a vital point last weekend in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea. David Moyes’ team showed great character to battle back from a goal down away from home, with substitute Javier Hernandez grabbing the equaliser. They currently sit 14th, six points clear of relegation and seven in front of their visitors. After a run of one win in seven league games, West Ham appear to have turned a corner. Having recently beaten fellow relegation strugglers Southampton convincingly at home they will be hoping for another commanding display. Marko Arnautovic has been key in recent months. The Austrian has nine goals in 16 league games since December and has been the bright spark in the Hammers’ poor season.

Stoke fell to yet another defeat last weekend, losing 2-1 at home to Tottenham. The Potters are four points adrift of safety with only five games left to play. With fixtures against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Swansea yet to come, their future is still in their own hands. They can’t afford to lose games like this, though. They need to get points on the board, quickly and this starts with Monday night’s game. Stoke haven’t won away from home this calendar year. Their last victory on the road came in November last year against Watford. Despite winning his first match in charge, Paul Lambert has now endured nine games without victory. If Stoke are to turn the corner, it needs to be now.

Michael Oliver is the referee for Monday’s clash. The Englishman was embroiled in controversy last Wednesday as he awarded a last-minute penalty to Real Madrid in their Champions League tie against Juventus. Oliver has an average booking points total of 38.3; one of the league’s highest. As a result, I’d advise for a maximum of 40+ match booking points.

West Ham have performed well in their last two games. The Hammers, however, have the habit of self-destructing and I fear that could happen if they were to go behind in this game. Despite this, I still think they will win this game. Stoke’s poor away form has shown little sign of improving. Therefore, I’m predicting a home win.

West Ham United vs Stoke City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 20:00 GMT.

Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Stoke

Suggested tips – West Ham United vs Stoke City – (BET365):

  • West Ham to win – (link no longer available).
  • Correct Score – West Ham win 2-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – West Ham United vs Stoke City – (SKYBET):

  • Correct Score Group Betting – West Ham to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 15/8.
  • Arnautovic to score and win – 9/4.
  • Hernandez and Diouf to both score – 13/2.
  • Shaqiri to score first and Stoke to win 2-1 – 60/1.

Odds and markets last updated on 16th April 2018 @16:40 GMT. Markets unlikely to be updated prior to kick off.

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