All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Sheffield United vs Cardiff City – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Sheffield United vs Cardiff City – Match Preview

Sheffield United vs Cardiff City
Monday 2nd April 2018
SkyBet Championship, Bramall Lane

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

Sheffield United vs Cardiff: Neil Warnock returns to his former club as second placed Cardiff travel to play-off chasing Sheffield United.

Warnock, who is a United fan, managed the club between 1999-2007, leading them to the Premier League. Now he will be hoping to steal three points as his Cardiff City promotion dream takes shape. The Bluebirds hold a seven point lead in second place, following their eighth consecutive win against Burton Albion on Friday. Callum Paterson grabbed his ninth goal of the season in that win making him the club’s second highest scorer this season. Originally signed as a right-back, Warnock has transformed the Scotsman into a goal-scoring midfielder. Goals have been shared amongst the team this season, with Kenneth Zohore, Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing contributing a combined 25 goals to add to Paterson’s nine.

Sheffield United come into this match following their 1-1 draw with Brentford. That result left them in ninth place but only one point outside the play-offs. With just two points separating six teams between fifth and tenth, the battle for the top six has only intensified. The Blades will be without regular keeper Jamal Blackman for this match after he was shown a straight red card for an altercation with Ryan Woods. This game marks a tough run of fixtures for United against a number of promotion rivals. They still have to face Middlesbrough and Millwall at Bramall Lane, before travelling to Bristol City on the last day of the campaign.

Sheffield United haven’t beaten Cardiff in their last five meetings. Their last win came away from home in 2009. They also lost the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign 2-0. Cardiff’s last win at Bramall Lane came on their last visit, which was back in 2011. Warnock will be hoping his boyhood club won’t stand in the way of another three points.

Premier League officials Michael Oliver will take charge of this Monday night clash. Oliver is yet to officiate a Championship game this season but has the highest average booking points total in the top flight. Therefore, booking points may be a good bet, given the added physicality in the second tier.

Whilst Sheffield United’s home form has been good this season, I think Cardiff will come out on top. The goals have dried up recently for United’s frontmen, which could be crucial in this game.

Sheffield United vs Cardiff City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football HD with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-1 Cardiff City

Suggested tips – Sheffield United vs Cardiff City (BET365):

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

Suggested tips – Sheffield United vs Cardiff City (SKYBET):

  • Hoilett to score and win – 7/2.
  • Cardiff to win by exactly one goal – 7/2.
  • BTTS and FT draw – 3/1.

Odds and markets last updated on 2nd April 2018 @11:45 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 Stoke City – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Arsenal vs Stoke City – Match Preview

Arsenal vs Stoke City
Sunday 1st April 2018
FA Premier League, Emirates Stadium

Live on Sky Sports Football – Kick-Off: 13:30

Arsenal vs Stoke: Arsenal host relegation-threatened Stoke City on Sunday looking to close the gap between them and the top four.

The Gunners come into this game in sixth place, 13 points adrift of Tottenham. Whilst any realistic hopes of finishing in the top four have disappeared, the Gunners could still make a late surge for Champions League football. The Europa League could also be a fruitful route to Europe’s elite competition. The quarter-final draw has matched them up with CSKA Moscow. On paper, this appears an easier tie than their last round against AC Milan. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t advance into the semi-finals as they look to win the competition. In the league, Chelsea host Tottenham at 4pm, which means at least one side will drop points. Thus, a win for the Gunners at 1:30 could see them close the gap on the teams above them.

With just seven league games remaining, Stoke are in desperate need of wins. The Potters sit three points adrift of West Ham and Crystal Palace with both those two sides holding a game in hand. Stoke still have to play both those two sides before the season ends, so it is imperative they give themselves a fighting chance. It’s imperative they are still in touch with the sides above them when these fixtures come around, meaning they need to pick up points elsewhere. After seven games without a win and back to back home defeats, Stoke need to start showing signs of improvements. Their squad is more than capable of getting out of this mess but with time running out they need points on the board.

Despite winning in this reverse fixture earlier this campaign, Stoke have won just one of their last six games against Arsenal. They have never won at the Emirates, with their last away victory coming back in 1981, almost 27 years ago.

Craig Pawson will be hoping to continue his fine run of form when he takes charge of this Sunday lunchtime match. Pawson has the highest average booking points total in the league at 41.1. He has issued 69 yellow cards across 19 league games this season and has brandished four red cards.

Arsenal tend to impress in these sorts of matches. Therefore I expect them to come out on top against a vulnerable Stoke side. My bet would be Arsenal to win by three goals or more goals.

Arsenal vs Stoke City will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Football with kick off at 13:30 GMT.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Stoke

Suggested tips – Arsenal vs Stoke City (BET365):

  • Correct score, Arsenal to win 3-0 – (link no longer available).
  • Aubameyang First GoalScorer – (link no longer available).

Suggested tips – Arsenal vs Stoke City (SKYBET):

  • Arsenal to win by three goals or more goals – 2/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Arsenal vs Stoke – Arsenal to score 2+ goals, 5+ Arsenal corners and 10+ booking points each team – 5/4.
  • Mkhitaryan and Ramsey to both score – 4/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Arsenal vs Stoke – Aubameyang to score, Arsenal to win, Arsenal to score 2+ goals, 10+ match corners and 30+ match booking pts – 7/2.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Arsenal vs Stoke – Aubameyang to score, 5+ Arsenal corners, 3+ Stoke corners and 20+ match booking pts – 10/3.
  • Arsenal to win and over 2.5 goals – 4/6.
  • Aubameyang to score and win – 1/1.
  • @FootyAccums Specials – Arsenal to score 2+ goals, 5+ Arsenal corners and 20+ Stoke booking pts – 15/8.
  • Popular RequestABets – Arsenal to score 2+ goals, 8+ Arsenal corners and 30+ Stoke booking pts – 15/2.
  • Popular RequestABets – Aubameyang 3+ shots on target & Shaqiri 1+ shots on target and 20+ booking points each team – 20/1.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Arsenal vs Stoke – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team and 30+ match booking pts – 5/2.

Odds and markets last updated on 1st April 2018 @11:35 GMT. Markets may be updated prior to kick off so keep checking back before 13:30 GMT for updates.

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. We’ll also be posting this weeks Champions League games up from Monday so keep an eye out for those.

Middlesbrough vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Middlesbrough vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Match Preview

Middlesbrough vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Friday 30th March 2018
Sky Bet Championship, Riverside Stadium

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

Middlesbrough vs Wolves: Wolves face play-off chasing Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Friday night looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

After a comprehensive 3-1 win before the international break, Wolves sit six points clear of second-placed Cardiff City. Most importantly for Nuno Santo’s side, they have a 13 point cushion over Fulham who occupy third. Wolves responded to their 4-1 drubbing against Aston Villa with back to back home wins, leaving them in pole position ahead of the Championship run in. Benik Afobe has started their last two league matches and has grabbed three goals. The Bournemouth loanee looks back at home after rejoining his old club on deadline day and his goals could be vital in seeing them over the line. His return to form has come at an opportune moment, given Diogo Jota’s injury. The Portuguese playmaker is likely to miss Friday’s game after sustaining an injury against Reading.

Tony Pulis has lifted Middlesbrough into the play-offs since his arrival. This has been in no small part down to the form of Patrick Bamford and Adama Traore. The former Aston Villa winger has been in sensational form, contributing goals and assists to match his frightening pace and power. This has also correlated with the recent goal-scoring form of Bamford. The 24-year-old has grabbed eight goals from his last six matches. His form has kept out Britt Assombalonga whilst also making up for the injured Ruddy Gestede. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last six games and have won three of their last four matches. They haven’t lost at home since January, which has been key to their recent success. Pulis has always been renowned for his defensive prowess. This has been evident in Boro’s form since he arrived. At home, they have conceded just three goals in five games.

Middlesbrough have only lost one of their last five meetings with Wolves. That defeat did, however, come in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season. Stuart Atwell has been appointed as the referee for this match. The Englishman has only officiated four other Championship fixtures, having spent most of his time in the top flight. In his 13 Premier League matches, he racked up an average booking points total of 39.6, the third highest in the division. Thus, given the added physicality in the Championship, booking points may be a good bet for this match.

Despite being the best team in the division, Wolves have won one of their last four away games. Middlesbrough, by contrast, have been fantastic at home under Pulis. Therefore, I’m opting for a draw in what I expect to be an entertaining contest between two good sides.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Wolves.

Suggested tips – Middlesbrough vs Wolverhampton Wanderers –(SKYBET):

  • Correct score, 1-1 draw – 9/2.
  • Afobe to score and win – 3/1.
  • Bamford and Cavaleiro to both score – 15/2.
  • BTTS – YES – 10/11.
  • Wolves or Middlesbrough to win either half – 10/11.
  • Bennett to score first and draw 2-2 – 450/1.
  • @FootAccums RequestABets – Middlesbrough vs Wolves – Over 1.5 Goals, 3+ Corners each team and 30+ match booking points – 15/8.

Odds and markets last updated on 17 March 2018 @14:45 GMT.

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