All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Manchester City vs Liverpool – Match Betting Preview

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Manchester City vs Liverpool
Tuesday 10th April
UEFA Champions League, Etihad Stadium

BT Sport 2 – Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Manchester City host Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final, looking to overturn a three-goal deficit from their first-leg defeat.

City come into this game having lost consecutive matches for the first time this season. Their capitulation in the second-half of the Manchester derby highlighted the Citizens defensive frailties as they let a two-goal lead slip. Whilst Pep Guardiola opted to rest Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, this had no bearing on Saturday’s result. City should have been four up at the break, with Raheem Sterling guilty of wasting two golden opportunities.

Instead, it was Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany who were exposed. They duo have conceded six goals in 180 minutes. They had no answer to Liverpool’s first-half onslaught at Anfield, nor United’s second 45 at the Etihad. Despite spending big on Aymeric Laporte, Guardiola has stuck by his first-choice centre-half pairing. This week has shown that they aren’t good enough to win the Champions League. The Premier League, yes, but not Europe’s elite competition. City welcome back Sergio Aguero as they hope to make create one of Europe’s most memorable comebacks. We witnessed Barcelona perform a miracle last year and City will need nothing short of their own to progress.

Liverpool rotated heavily at the weekend, resulting in a 0-0 draw with Everton. They are, however, sweating on the fitness of Mohamad Salah, who came off with a groin strain in the first leg. They are also without Jordan Henderson and Emre Can, meaning Gini Wijnaldum will operate in a holding midfield position. The Dutchman took up this role on Saturday but is relatively inexperienced in the role, which could be an area for City to target. Having kept City at bay in the first-leg, Liverpool will be hoping to grab a crucial away goal. If the Reds can score, it would leave City needing four goal; a task that even Guardiola would deem impossible.

Antonio Mateu Lahoz is the referee for Tuesday night. The Spaniard plies his trade in La Liga and has an average cards per match total of 4.93. This includes 73 yellow cards across 15 league matches, averaging at just 4.87 per game. There’s no doubt this game will be hard-fought and I would, therefore, advise a maximum booking points total of 60.

Whilst I think City will win the game, I think the tie is beyond them. They have to score an early goal to have any hopes of completing a memorable turn-around. Keeping Liverpool out on the counter-attack will also be a tough task, but if anyone is capable, it’s Pep.

Manchester City vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Liverpool

Suggested tips – Manchester City vs Liverpool (BET365):

  • Correct score, City to win 3-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Aguero to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Manchester City vs Liverpool (SKYBET):

  • Firmino and Sterling to both score – 6/1.
  • BTTS and over 3.5 goals – 6/5.
  • Match Stat Price Boost – Aguero to have 3+shots on target, Salah and Firmino 1+shots on target each – 10/1. (NB)
  • @FootyAccums RequestABets – Manchester City v Liverpool – Manchester City to win, over 2.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 40+ match booking pts – 3/1. (NAP)
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Manchester City v Liverpool – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 20+ match booking pts – 5/4. (UPDATED NAP)

Odds and markets last updated on 10th April 2018 @18:32 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 European, FA Premier League and SkyBet Championship action.

Chelsea vs West Ham – Match Preview

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Chelsea vs West Ham United
Sunday 9th April
FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge

Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 16:30 GMT

Chelsea vs West Ham: Chelsea host West Ham in another London derby looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Tottenham.

Antonio Conte’s men suffered a huge blow last week, losing 3-1 to Spurs. It was their first defeat at home to their rivals in over 28 years and moved Tottenham eight points in fourth. Following that result, Chelsea’s hopes of a top-four finish look to be over. It would take a miracle for Conte’s team to secure Champions League football. This has only further intensified speculation over the Italian’s future. With a number of top managers available, Chelsea look set to ring the changes once again in the summer.

Chelsea weakened their side in the summer unnecessarily. Letting Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa leave was poor business and their replacements haven’t been up to scratch. David Luiz has also been exiled from the side, despite playing a starring role in their title win last year. Chelsea’s squad does need an overhaul and whilst most fans would like to see Conte stay, I can’t envisage it happening.

West Ham secured an emphatic 3-0 win last weekend, against relegation rivals Southampton. Marko Arnautovic continued his fine form with a brace as the Hammers sealed an important three points. The win moved them up to 14th in the table, five points clear of the bottom three. That brought to end a run of three straight defeats in the league, which had seen them drop closer to the drop zone.

West Ham face Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City in their next four games, with Manchester United also set to visit the Olympic Stadium before the season is out. With a run of tough fixtures ahead, picking up points against the team around them will be crucial. The Hammers have both Stoke and Everton to play, which could determine their fate.

Kevin Friend is the referee for Sunday’s derby clash. The Englishman has officiated 16 Premier League games this season, with an average booking points total of 23.8. That is the third lowest in the league. Therefore, booking points may not be the best bet this weekend, despite it being a derby match.

Chelsea played well in the first half last week but were undone in the second 45. As a result, I expect the Blues to grab three much-needed points as they look to close the gap on the top four.

Chelsea vs West Ham will be televised live on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 16:30 GMT.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 West Ham

Suggested tips – Chelsea vs West Ham (SKYBET):

  • Correct score, Chelsea 3-1 – 9/1.
  • Hazard to score first – 9/2.
  • Morata to score first and Chelsea to win 2-0 – 25/1.
  • Arnautovic and Morata to both score – 10/1.
  • Willian to score outside the area – 6/1.
  • RequestABet Specials – Chelsea vs West Ham – Chelsea to score 2+ Goals and 11+ Chelsea Corners – 9/2. (NAP)

Odds and markets last updated on 8th April 2018 @16:05 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 European, FA Premier League and SkyBet Championship action.

Arsenal vs Southampton – Match Preview

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Arsenal vs Southampton
Sunday 8th April 2018
FA Premier League, Emirates Stadium

Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 14:15 GMT

Arsenal vs Southampton: Arsenal host relegation-threatened Southampton at the Emirates looking for a fifth straight win on the bounce.

The Gunners claimed an impressive 4-1 win against CSKA Moscow in midweek, in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. That victory sets them up nicely for their trip to Russia next Thursday. Alexandre Lacazette followed up his goal last weekend with another two in that game, taking the Frenchman to 12 goals for the season. After missing a large chunk of the campaign through injury, the question posed to Arsene Wenger is, how does he fit both Lacazaette and Aubameyang in the same side? Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in January, the Gabon international has performed well. He showed a level of unselfishness last weekend to allow Lacazette to take their penalty, despite being on a hattrick. I think together, they could be a powerful duo.

In order to fit both in as central strikers, Wenger would need to switch to a back three. With Mesut Ozil also in the side, there’s no way they could do it with a back four. Wenger is not averse to playing this formation, having done so for large portion earlier in the season. This would also reduce the defensive responsibilities of the German. If Arsenal can recruit the correct defenders to fit this formation in the summer, I could see them becoming a dangerous pair up front.

Southampton are in big trouble. Despite boasting one of the most talented squads in the bottom half, they find themselves in the relegation zone. Last week, they were alarmingly beaten 3-0 by fellow relegation-strugglers West Ham. That result has only increased the panic on the South Coast, with the Saints set to face Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea before the season is out. They are only two points adrift of safety, with a game in hand but with games running out, Mark Hughes’ men need points on the board.

Andre Marriner is the referee for Sunday’s clash at the Emirates. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 27.8, one of the lowest in the league. Whilst Southampton are fighting for their lives, these teams don’t rank high amongst the league’s most carded sides. As a result, I would avoid betting on booking points, to a maximum of 30+ for both teams.

Southampton are desperate for a performance, as much as a result. They’ve shown little fight as of yet. Even if that does improve this weekend, I don’t see them getting a result. I fancy Arsenal to seal another home win, grabbing a couple of goals in the process.

Arsenal vs Southampton will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 19:45.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Southampton – (BET365):

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

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs Southampton – (SKYBET):

  • Aubameyang to score first and Arsenal to win 3-0 – 22/1.
  • Lacazette and Ramsey to both score – 5/1.
  • Arsenal to score a penalty – 4/1.
  • RequestABet Specials – Up to 10/1 – Aubameyang to score, Arsenal to score 2+ Goals, and 4+ Arsenal Corners – 5/4. (NAP)

Odds and markets last updated on 8th April 2018 @12:50 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.