All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Wolves vs Birmingham – Match Preview

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Wolves vs Birmingham
Sunday 15th April 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Molineux

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 12:00

Wolves vs Birmingham: Wolves can seal automatic promotion to the Premier League with victory over Birmingham in the West Midlands derby.

The league leaders hold an 11-point lead at the top of the Championship, following their 2-0 win over Derby County in midweek. Wolves could be promoted by the time they play on Sunday if either Cardiff City or Fulham fail to win on Saturday. Should Neil Warnock’s men fail to take three points, Wolves could also secure the league title with victory against their nearest rivals. Ruben Neves stole the headlines in their midweek win with a spectacular 30-yard volley. The Portuguese international has been a sensation since arriving in the Black Country and has been nominated for the Championship player of the year.

Birmingham come into this match three points clear of the relegation zone. The Blues’ impressive recent run of form has taken them out of the drop zone, at the expense of Barnsley. The Tykes, however, hold a game in hand over their relegation rivals, which could see Bolton or Birmingham slip back into the mire. They have lost one of their last five, which has included three victories against relegation rivals. Gary Monk’s arrival at the club has had the desired effect thus far and there is a real belief they can now avoid dropping into League One. The goals of Lukas Jutkiewicz have been key to their recent revival. The former Middlesbrough striker has scored three goals in his last three games.

Wolves have won six of their last eight home games, drawing two matches along the way. Their last defeat at Molineux came in January against Nottingham Forest. By contrast, Birmingham have won one of their last away matches.

Andy Davies is the referee for Sunday’s clash. The Englishman has officiated 21 Championship games this season, accumulating an average booking points total of 39.8. Therefore, I would advise a maximum booking points total of 40, given this is also a derby match.

Wolves look set for life in the top tier. Whether they need the result or not, I fully expect them to win this game. Wolves to win by exactly two goals is my bet for the game, with Wolves to win to nil a safer bet.

Wolves vs Birmingham City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 12:00 PM.

Prediction: Wolves 2-0 Birmingham City

Suggested tips – Wolves vs Birmingham – (BET365):

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

Suggested tips – Wolves vs Birmingham – (SKYBET):

  • Afobe to score and win – 6/4.
  • Jota and Jutkiewicz to both score – 17/2.
  • Wolves to win by exactly two goals – 3/1.

Fulham vs Brentford – Match Preview

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Fulham vs Brentford
Saturday 14th April 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Craven Cottage

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 17:30

Fulham vs Brentford: Fulham will be looking to continue their push for automatic promotion as they host Brentford at Craven Cottage in a London derby.

Fulham moved into second place in midweek following their 1-0 win over Reading. The Cottagers are a point clear of Cardiff City, who do hold a game in hand. Slaviska Jokanovic’s men have embarked on a 20-match unbeaten championship run; including eight wins from their last nine games. They have won 11 of their last 12 home games, making Craven Cottage a fortress. There is no doubt that they are the league’s form side, approaching the end of the campaign. Should they miss out on a top-two finish, that momentum could be vital ahead of the play-offs. After losing last year to Reading in the semi-final, they will be hoping to secure promotion this time around. Alexandar Mitrovic has been key to their run of form. The Newcastle loanee has 11 goals in his last 11 games.

Brentford appear to have just fallen short of the play-offs. The Bees are fourth points behind sixth-placed Millwall, with four games left to play. With a number of teams in and around the chasing pack still to play each other, there is still a chance for them to sneak in. If Dean Smith’s side are to manage a top-six finish, they need to win all their remaining games. Brentford have, again, defied the odds after losing yet more key players. The departure of Harlee Dean, Jota and Lasse Vibe hasn’t dented their efforts at challenging at the right end of the table. Brentford are unbeaten in five games, winning their last three.

Neil Swarbrick is the referee for Saturday’s tea-time kick-off. The Englishman has spent most of his time in the Premier League this season. He has officiated 18 top-flight matches and just one Championship games. He has an average booking points total of 26.7, which is relatively low. Consequently, I’d advise a maximum of 30+ total booking points, or 20+ each team.

Fulham look unstoppable right now, which could be their biggest danger. The Championship is an almost unpredictable league, which can see any team beat another. Therefore, I do think they will secure another win at home, although it will be a close game.

Fulham vs Brentford will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 17:30.

Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Brentford

Suggested tips – Fulham vs Brentford – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Fulham 3-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Half Time / Full Time – Fulham / Fulham – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Fulham vs Brentford – (SKYBET):

  • Sessegnon and Watkins to both score – 6/1.
  • Mitrovic to score and win – 13/8.
  • Fulham to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 9/4.
  • BTTS and Fulham to win – 15/8.

Odds and markets last updated on 14th April 2018 @09:45 GMT. We will try update markets again closer to kick off at 17:30 GMT.

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

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City – Match Preview

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
Saturday 14th April 2018
FA Premier League, Wembley Stadium

Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 19:30 GMT

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: Manchester City will be looking for their first win in three games as they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

City crashed out the Champions League in midweek after their third consecutive defeat. Liverpool’s 2-1 win at the Etihad secured their place in the semi-final at the expense of the Champions elect. In a traumatic week, City surrendered their chance of the treble, as well as securing the league title against Manchester United. In their last two games, Pep Guardiola’s team have surrendered half-time leads and lost. This indicates that City are running out of steam, as a result of such an impressive campaign.

The high intensity they showed in the first half of both games couldn’t be matched in the second 45 and consequently they won neither game. Both Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero were left out of the starting line-up against the Reds. Both are likely to return at Wembley as City look to restore some lost pride. Victory could see them secure their third title in seven years, should United lose at home to West Brom on Sunday.

Tottenham tightened their grip on a top-four spot with a 2-1 victory at Stoke last weekend. Spurs now hold a ten point lead on their London rivals as they head for a third consecutive Champions League finish. Harry Kane returned to the side last week as he hopes to claim his third golden boot in a row. With third, and potentially second, still in reach for Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino will have his eyes set on a strong finish to the season. They face Manchester United next weekend as they look to earn their place in the FA Cup final. Victory in that competition would be the Argentinian’s first in charge of Spurs and would cap off a strong season.

Jonathan Moss is the referee for Saturday night’s crunch clash. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 37.1. This is one of the highest in the league and with tempers likely to boil over, expect some booking points on Saturday. Thus, I’d advise a maximum total of 50 or 20+ each team.

Tottenham have won their last four games at home. Pochettino’s high-energy side could cause City yet to more problems, in a week they will want to forget. Therefore, I’m opting for a score draw. Kane and Aguero to both score would be my bet of choice as the two strikers look to fire their side to victory.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 19:30 GMT.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City

Suggested Tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Draw 2-2 – (link no longer available).
  • Half Time / Full Time – Spurs / Draw – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City – (SKYBET):

  • Aguero and Kane to both score – 7/2.
  • Son to score and win – 7/2.
  • Eriksen to score in 90 mins – 5/2.
  • Draw 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 – 3/1.
  • De Bruyne to score first and City to win 2-1- 75/1.

Odds and markets last updated on 13th April 2018 @19:50 GMT. Markets may be updated prior to kick off so keep checking back before kick off for any further updates or markets.

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