All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Match Preview.

by ·Comments Off on Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Match Preview.

Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Friday 6th April 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Cardiff City Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 19:45

Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Cardiff host Wolves at the Cardiff City Stadium in a match that could determine the destination of the league title.

Many have been pointing to this game for some time as the game that decides the Championship winners. Wolves have been runaway leaders for some time but Cardiff’s impressive form has given them a chance of stealing the title. The Bluebirds six five points behind Wolves, with a game in hand. A win for the Bluebirds on Friday and against Derby (their spare game) could see them move level on points at the top. Whilst that would still be not enough to take them top, due to Wolves superior goal difference, it would certainly crank up the pressure on Nuno Santo’s side.

Cardiff come into this game in their best form of the campaign. Despite surrendering their eight-game winning run at Sheffield United on Monday, they did secure a late point thanks to Anthony Pilkington. Neil Warnock’s side were second best at Bramall Lane yet didn’t lose the game; a hallmark of a good side. They’re five points clear of Fulham in the race for automatic promotion and have played one less game than Slavika Jokanovic’s side. Cardiff have won their last seven home games, with their last league defeat at homecoming in late December. Cardiff conceded just four goals in those seven wins, collecting four clean sheets in the process.

Wolves welcome back Matt Doherty and Ruben Neves from suspension after both missed the midweek draw with Hull. When Wolves are without Neves, they don’t look the same team. The Portuguese’s influence on this team hasn’t gone unnoticed, having been nominated for the Championship player of the season. A win for them would all but secure the league title and move them one step closer to the Premier League. Wolves are unbeaten in their last four games but have only won two of their last five away games. They did put out a magnificent display last time on the road, beating promotion-chasing Middlesbrough despite finishing the game with nine men.

Mike Dean has been placed in charge of Friday’s top table clash. The Englishman is yet to officiate a game in the second tier this season. Dean has an average booking points total of 39 across 21 matches. This is the fifth highest in the division, therefore booking points could be a good bet for this game.

This is a tough game to call. On one side, Cardiff’s home form has been fantastic. Wolves, however, are the best team in the league and their quality could shine through. Thus, I’m going to sit on the fence and opt for a draw, with both sides capable of securing the three points.

Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Cardiff 1-1 Wolves

Suggested tips – Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – (BET365):

  • Correct score, draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
  • BTTS – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – (SKYBET):

  • Zohore to score and win – 7/2.
  • Afobe and Hoilett to both score – 15/2.
  • RequestABet Specials – up to 10/1 – Cardiff City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – BTTS, 1+corner each team in each half and 10+booking points each team – 5/2. (NAP)

Odds and markets last updated on 6th April 2018 @12:45 GMT. We will try update markets again closer to kick off at 19:45 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.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow – Match Preview

Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow
Thursday 5th April 2018
UEFA Europa League, Quarter-Final, First Leg, Emirates Stadium

Live on BT Sport 2 – Kick-Off: 20:05 GMT

Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow: Arsenal will be hoping to make the most of home advantage as they host CSKA Moscow in the first round of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

The Gunners come into the match fresh from defeating Stoke at the weekend. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a brace alongside a goal for the returning Alexandre Lacazette in their 3-0 win. Lacazette will be hoping to start on Thursday following his return from injury but Aubameyang is ineligible having featured for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. This rule has, however, been removed ahead of next year’s competitions.

Danny Welbeck has been leading the line in Arsenal’s recent Europa League success, so it will be interesting to see who Arsene Wenger opts with from the start. They have won their last four games in a row, with three of those coming at the Emirates. They have only conceded one goal in those four games, scoring 11 times. With two more back to back home games to come, it’s crucial they make the most of their home comforts if they want to progress to the next round. Whilst the main priority will be ensuring they take a lead to Russia, they will hope to avoid giving the visitors any away goals in the process.

CSKA knocked out Lyon in the last round to move into the last eight of the competition. They currently sit third in the Russian Premier League, five points behind leaders Lokomotiv Moscow with seven games to go. They have won five of their last six games in all competitions. Despite losing the first leg at home to Lyon in the last round, they managed to defeat the French side 3-2 away from home. Therefore, Arsenal should seen that result as a warning; this is a team that can get a result on the road. Leicester City loanee Ahmed Musa is expected to lead the line whilst Russian midfielder Alan Dzagoev is their creative hub in the middle of the park.

Pavel Kralovec is the referee for Thursday’s clash. The Czech has officiated six games in Europe this season, brandishing 17 yellow cards. An average booking points total of 28.3 is nothing spectacular and thus booking points may be something to steer away from.

I think Arsenal will win, but it may be closer than some neutrals will expect. CSKA are no pushovers, which has been shown in the opposition they have beaten to get this far. Still, I expect the Gunners to come out winners in this match.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick-off at 17:45.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 CSKA Moscow

Suggested Tips – Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow (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 CSKA Moscow (SKYBET):

  • Match Stat Boost – Mesut Ozil to have 2+shots on target – 5/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 30+ match booking pts – 6/4.
  • Price Boost – Granit Xhaka to score from outside the penalty area – 22/1.
  • Lacazette to score and win – 11/8.
  • @FootyAccums RequestABet: Arsenal to score 2+goals, 5+ Arsenal Corners, and 20+ CSKA booking points –  13/8  (NAP).
  • Popular RequestABets – Mustafi to score a header and CSKA Moscow to take a penalty – 150/1.
  • Oddschecker RequestABets – Xhaka & Ignashevich to be carded – 11/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Arsenal v CSKA Moscow – Arsenal to win, Arsenal to score 2+ goals, 6+ Arsenal corners and Under 60 match booking points – 9/4 (NB).

Odds and markets last updated on 5th April 2018 @17:35 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.

 

Liverpool vs Manchester City – Match Betting Preview

by ·Comments Off on Liverpool vs Manchester City – Match Betting Preview

Liverpool vs Manchester City
Wednesday 4th March 2018
UEFA Champions League, Quarter-Final, First Leg, Anfield

Live on BT Sport – Kick-Off: 19:45

Liverpool vs Manchester City: Liverpool will be hoping to make the most of their home advantage when they host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The Reds come into the game after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at the weekend. Mohamad Salah grabbed the winner with ten minutes to go, his 38th goal of the season in all competitions. Liverpool have lost one game at Anfield in all competitions this season. That defeat came back in January in the FA Cup, meaning the Reds are also unbeaten in their last five at home. If Jurgen Klopp’s side hold any hope of progressing into the last four, making the use of their crowd will be vital. The Reds are the only side to have beaten Pep Guardiola’s City team this season, a result that came here at Anfield.

In that match, City were blown away in a ten minute period. That was the effect of the Liverpool home crowd, an atmosphere they need to recreate on Wednesday night. If that league game was a European tie, a marginal 4-3 defeat would have been a good result for City, which highlights the size of Liverpool’s task.

City warmed up for this game with a 3-1 against Everton at the weekend. Guardiola’s side blew away the Toffees at Goodison Park, leading 3-0 before the half-time whistle. That win meant they can secure their third league title in seven years this weekend, in the Manchester derby. With three huge games in six days, it will be interesting to see which games Guardiola prioritises as looks to complete the treble.

Sergio Aguero will miss the trip to Anfield having failed to recover from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since March the fourth. As a result, Gabriel Jesus will lead the line in his absence, supported by Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane. The pace and skill of these three attackers would cause any defence in Europe problems. This could be crucial as City go in search of an important away goal.

Felix Brych has been appointed as the referee for this game. The German plies his trade in the Bundesliga and has averaged 3.57 cards per game this season. This included 47 yellow cards in 14 league games, averaging at 3.4 cards each match. Consequently, I would advise to stay under 40+ match booking points.

In their two league meetings this season, Liverpool and City have racked up 12 goals. Therefore, there are bound to be some more in these two legs. Thus, my bet would be BTTS and over 3.5 goals, although, as a correct score I do fancy a score draw.

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

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Suggested tips – Liverpool vs Manchester City – (BET365):

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

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

  • De Bruyne to score outside the area – 12/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Liverpool vs Manchester City – BTTS, 3+ corners each team, 3+ corners in each half and 30+ match booking pts – 11/8. (NAP)
  • BTTS and over 3.5 goals – 7/4.  (NB)
  • Jesus and Firmino to both score – 6/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Liverpool vs Manchester City –  Manchester City to win, 10+ match corners and 10+ booking points each team – 5/2. 
  • @FootyAccums RequestABets – Liverpool vs Manchester City – Salah to score, Manchester City to win, 8+ match corners and Otamendi to be carded – 25/1.
  • Popular RequestABets – Liverpool vs Manchester City – Mane & De Bruyne 1+ shots on target each, 4+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 5/1. (NB 2)
  • RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Liverpool vs Manchester City  – Salah & Jesus to score, over 3.5 goals, 10+ match corners and 20+ match booking pts – 11/1.