All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Manchester City vs Manchester United – Match Preview

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Manchester City vs Manchester United
Saturday 7th April 2018
FA Premier League, Etihad Stadium

Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 17:30 GMT

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Manchester City face Manchester United at the Etihad knowing a victory against their greatest rivals will seal the Premier League title.

Victory for City would see them win the division for the fourth time in seven years. Pep Guardiola’s side currently hold a 16 point lead over Jose Mourinho’s men, with could become 19 with just six games to play. Manchester United will be desperate to delay the party for another week at least, making this a mouth-watering matchup.

City were rocked in the week as they fell to a 3-0 to Liverpool. Guardiola changed his tactics having been bested by Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield earlier in the campaign but this had little effect. Instead of persisting with the 4-3-3 blueprint that has proved so fruitful this campaign, the Spaniard changed the personnel and shape of his side. Raheem Sterling was discarded to the bench whilst Aymeric Laporte was asked to play out of position at left-back. This played right into Liverpool’s hands, with the Reds finding themselves 3-0 to the good inside 30 minutes as a result.

City failed to register a shot on target, which underlined Liverpool’s dominance. With a three-goal deficit to overhaul, the pressure is on the Champions elect. With that second leg looming on Tuesday, Guardiola will have to find a balance in his team selection at the weekend. What does he value most? A title-winning victory against their rivals, or a better chance at reaching the Champions League semi-final.

Whilst Mourinho can point to his figures and sheets, this has been an underwhelming season for United. There’s no doubt that the Red Devils have improved under the Portuguese’s guidance, but they have underperformed on the biggest stages. A club the size of United should not find themselves 16 points behind anyone in the league, let alone their nearest rivals. Then, they were embarrassed in their own backyard by Sevilla. Whilst Mourinho has deflected the blame away from himself, and his players, he knows this is a chance to try and restore some pride. Whilst a result will only delay the inevitable, Manchester United have the chance to make a big statement on Saturday.

Martin Atkinson is the referee for Saturday’s Manchester derby. The Englishman has the fourth highest average booking points total in the league, at 39.4. With so much at stake in this game, tempers are likely to fray. Therefore, booking points maybe a good thing to bet on. However, I’d recommend no more than 30+ each team.

It will be intriguing to see what team Guardiola picks. I think he will go for it and secure the Premier League trophy in the process.

Manchester City vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 17:30.

Prediction: City 1-0 United

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

  • Correct score, City to win 1-0 – (link no longer available).

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

  • De Bruyne to score outside the area – 12/1.
  • Sterling and Lukaku to both score – 11/1.
  • City to win by exactly one goal – 11/4.
  • Sanchez to score and draw – 14/1.

Odds and markets last updated on 7th April 2018 @16:35 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.

Norwich City vs Aston Villa – Match Preview

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Norwich City vs Aston Villa
Saturday 7th April 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Carrow Road

Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 12:30 GMT

Norwich vs Villa: Aston Villa continue their promotion push as they take a trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City in the Championship.

Villa returned to winning ways in midweek, comfortably defeating Reading 3-0. Steve Bruce’s side occupy fourth spot but are seven points behind second-placed Cardiff City. The Villans have also played a game extra than their Welsh rivals, meaning automatic promotion seems to be a step too far. Villa hold a 12 point lead over 7th place, meaning they will be involved in this season’s play-offs. Steve Bruce lead Hull City to promotion via this route in his last full season in charge. With the experience of players such as Glenn Whelan, John Terry and Robert Snodgrass, this won’t be something that daunts Villa.

They’re also boosted by the timely return of Jonathan Kodjia. The Ivory Coast striker has missed most of the campaign through injury but returned to the bench last weekend at Hull. Kodjia’s goals have been sorely missed this campaign and Bruce will be looking to get him fit and firing ahead of the play-offs.

Norwich have suffered a disappointing campaign. The Canaries sit in 14th place, ten points adrift of the play-offs. They have little to play for this season as they’re not going up or down. Marcus Madison has been the shining light in an otherwise dull season, highlighted by the Englishman’s inclusion in the Championship team of the season. Keeping the England U21 international at the club has to be the priority in the summer. A number of Premier clubs have already registered their interest in him, so it will be interesting to see how resistant the club will be to those approaches.

Peter Bankes is the referee for this fixture. The Englishman has officiated 25 Championship games this season, with an average booking points total of 40.6. He has shown 90 yellow cards and five red cards this season. He has the fifth highest booking points total when compared to referees who have officiated more than 15 games in the league this season.

Norwich have little to play for and therefore I expect Villa to win. Momentum is key in the play-offs so it is important for them to string together some results. I therefore fancy BTTS and Villa to win.

Norwich City vs Aston Villa will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Norwich City 1-2 Aston Villa

Suggested tips – Norwich City vs Aston Villa – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Villa to win 2-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Aston Villa to score in both halves – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Norwich City vs Aston Villa – (SKYBET):

  • Villa to win and BTTS – 9/2.
  • Grabban to score and win – 3/1.
  • Price Boost: Maddison and Adomah to both score – 13/2.
  • Villa to win both halves – 17/2.
  • Price Boost: John Terry to score a header – 28/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Norwich vs Aston Villa – Aston Villa to score 2+ goals, 5+ Aston Villa corners and 20+ Norwich booking pts – 7/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Norwich vs Aston Villa – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 15/2.

Odds and markets last updated on 7th April 2018 @11:35 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.

 

Everton vs Liverpool – Match Preview

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Everton vs Liverpool
Saturday 7th April 2018
FA Premier League, Goodison Park

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

Everton vs Liverpool: Liverpool take a trip to Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby as they look to go second in the Premier League table.

After a fantastic 3-0 win in midweek against Manchester City, Liverpool will be hoping for victory against their biggest rivals. With the second leg of that clash to come next Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp will have to rotate his squad. Mohamad Salah was taken off on Wednesday with a slight groin problem, making him a doubt for Saturday’s derby. I can’t see them taking the risk with their Egyptian maestro, given their upcoming games. Whilst they hold a commanding lead against City heading into the second leg, they will not take anything for granted, which could impact their team selection for this game. A win for the Reds will take them above Manchester United into second, ahead of the Manchester derby later in the day.

Everton come into this game in ninth place, 26 points behind their rivals. With Sam Allardyce’s team 12 points ahead of the relegation zone, there is no fear of the Toffees going down. Their main aim is to build some momentum ahead of next year, as ‘big Sam’ continues to assess his squad ahead of the summer transfer window. Cenk Tosun has been in good form recently, with four goals in his last five league games. With a full pre-season under his belt, there is a real belief the January addition could help to replace to void left by Romelu Lukaku.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last six games in all competition. By contrast, Everton have won three and lost three. Everton have, however, won three of their last four home games. Michael Oliver is the referee for this game. The Englishman has the second highest average booking points total in the league at 39.8. He has issued 88 yellow cards and 5 red cards in his 25 league games this year.

Whilst on paper, Liverpool are clear favourites for this game, it’s tough to say how they’ll perform in his game. Thus, I’m only predicting a narrow win for the Reds but don’t be shocked if this game ends up a draw.

Everton vs Liverpool will be televised in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League with kick off at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Liverpool

Suggested tips – Everton vs Liverpool – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Liverpool 2-1 – (link no longer available).
  • Firmino to score first – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Everton vs Liverpool – (SKYBET):

  • Price Boost: Tosun and Mane to both score – 10/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Everton vs Liverpool – Over 1.5 goals, 4+ corners in each half and 30+ match booking pts – 2/1. (NAP).
  • @FootyAccums RequestABets – Everton vs Liverpool – Tosun & Mane and Henderson & Gueye to be carded – 200/1.
  • Price Boost: Both to be carded, Gueye and Henderson – 12/1.
  • Liverpool to win by exactly one goal – 11/4.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Everton vs Liverpool – BTTS and 3+ corners each team – 11/8. (NB).

Odds and markets last updated on 7th April 2018 @10:25 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.