by ·Comments Off on Crystal Palace vs Arsenal – Match Preview

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal – Match Preview – The football festivities continue with a London Derby as Crystal Palace look to extend their unbeaten run against Champions League hopefuls Arsenal.

Both sides will appreciate the two extra days rest in this ever-busy Christmas period and should be fully refreshed for this intriguing clash.

Crystal Palace have taken significant strides in turning around their season since hiring Roy Hodgson, the side look world’s apart in terms of organisation and style of play compared to the disarray under Frank de Boer and just after.

The Eagles are now unbeaten in their last eight matches in the league and have lifted themselves out of the relegation zone and into 16th on 18 points at the time of writing. There is a two-point gap now between themselves and Bournemouth in 18th and while the 1-1 draw at bottom club Swansea was not ideal last time out, it keeps Hodgson’s side ticking over.

Zaha has been sensational since returning to the Palace squad and will be a real threat on the wing against Arsenal Photo Credit: skysports.com

With Christian Benteke finding the net again (after an elongated and uncharacteristic drought) and Wilfried Zaha in the form of his life, Palace can pose danger to any side in the league.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are embroiled in what promises to be an almighty battle for the top four. There is currently just one point in it between The Gunners in 6th (with 35) and Liverpool in 4th (with 36) as North-London rivals Tottenham Hotspur separate the two teams.

Ozil has begun to perform this season in the Red of Arsenal Photo Credit: skysports.com

Wenger will be desperate to rectify the nightmares given to him in this fixture last season – losing 3-0 and taking what proved to be one of the fatal blows to Champions League qualification. A similar result this time around perhaps might not be as conclusive, but will cause huge damage to Arsenal’s ambitions to be in Europe’s elite competition.

Stats

Despite Palace’s danger, the favourite to keep a clean sheet in this one will be Arsenal. Only Manchester United (10) have kept more than Arsenal’s nine clean sheets this season.
By contrast, The Eagles have kept just the three – only Stoke (2) have kept less in the entire division.

If this goes to form, expect there to be a barrage of corners in this one. Arsenal and Palace come in 3rd and 7th respectively in our corner club stats table. Arsenal tend to always be on the front foot and dominate higher up the pitch, but Palace’s direct fast football earns them a load of corners too. Roy Hodgson teams always have a focus on set-pieces, and with Palace’s stature – i.e. Benteke, Dann, Sakho etc it would be foolish not to.

 The money with this one should be looking at Crystal Palace, they have been awarded the joint-second-highest number of yellow cards this season (38, only West Ham have more with 41) and come third in our club card stats table for average cards awarded per game with 2 – earning an average of 20 booking points per fixture.
Arsenal, by contrast have picked up just 27 yellow cards this season, and neither side have been awarded a red at this stage.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Price Boost – Mesut Ozil to score and Arsenal to win in 90 mins – 5/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Christian Benteke to score a header – 9/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 9/1
  • Skybet OPTA Player Shots on Target Multiples – Townsend and Ozil 1+ shots on target each – 3/1
  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Wilfried Zaha and Mesut Ozil – 10/1
  • Skybet To Score from Outside the Area – Alexis Sanchez – 12/1
  • Bet365 – Correct Score – 2-2 – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 – To Score Anytime – Luka Milivojevic – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 – Double Chance – Palace or Draw – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 – First Goalscorer – Alexandre Lacazette – (link no longer available)

by ·Comments Off on Liverpool vs Swansea City – Match Preview
Liverpool vs Swansea City - Match Preview

Liverpool vs Swansea City – Match Preview – The Premier League’s bottom side Swansea City are in desperate need of a late Christmas present via three unlikely points against Champions League-chasing Liverpool.

This fixture last season was the turning point for Swansea and Paul Clement, as he miraculously kept the South-Welsh side in the division after a galvanising 3-2 win at Anfield.

Swansea were rock-bottom at Christmas then, and that is the current situation again, however the reality seems to be even worse this time around. The club are manager-less – with club icon Leon Britton taking the reins temporarily – and have picked up just one win in their last 11 league games, losing nine.

Nothing but victory will do for Jurgen Klopp’s side with the race for the top four being increasingly tight. Just one point separates Liverpool in 4th and Arsenal in 6th after they played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw on Friday night – a match which stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 10 matches.

Coutinho scored the opener against Arsenal on Friday night Photo Credit: skysports.com

The league is surely beyond reach for Liverpool so battling and earning a Champions League place – where Liverpool have drawn Porto in the last 16 – and becoming a regular in Europe’s top competition is paramount.

Swansea will be hoping to build on their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday and in their position every game seems like a must-win, but going to Anfield to reinvigorate a season is no mean feat – does lightning strike twice here?

Stats

Despite the defensive issues that are regularly discussed regarding Liverpool, only Burnley, Arsenal and Manchester United have kept more Premier League clean sheets than their eight so far this term.
The issue for Swansea hasn’t necessarily been at the back, it has been at the other end of the pitch – The Swans have scored a league-low, measly total of 11 goals this season. However, they have kept six clean sheets, just two less than their Boxing Day opponents.

Neither of the two sides have been particularly card-laden this year, with Liverpool and Swansea ranking in 15th and 16th respectively in our club card stats table for average cards per game – both have 1.3. The Swans have been given 24 yellow cards, one more than Liverpool but have not had a single player shown a red all year – The Reds have been given marching orders just the once too.

The corner stats are as expected, with Liverpool and Swansea ranking in positions more representative of the league table – Liverpool are 7th in our club corner stats table, being awarded 109 corners, to Swansea’s 16th place and 78 corner kicks.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Price Boost – Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both to score in 90 mins – 7/2
  • Skybet Price Boost – Dejan Lovren and Roque Mesa both to be carded – 16/1
  • Skybet Featured RequestAbet – Coutinho to score and Mesa & Fernandez to be carded – 22/1 
  • Skybet – To Score a Header – Roberto Firmino – 7/1

by ·Comments Off on Spurs vs Southampton – Match Preview
Spurs vs Southampton - Match Preview

Spurs vs Southampton – Match Preview – The Premier Leagues congested festive period continues as Tottenham host Southampton on Boxing Day.

The hosts will be hoping to close the gap and break into the top four, as they currently sit in a Europa League spot.

The visitors will be hoping to improve from their recent 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town on the 23rd December. Charlie Austin’s first half goal was not enough for the Saints as a second half equaliser once again highlighted Southampton’s defensive issues this season.

Tottenham are currently 5th in the Premier League. Their most recent outing saw them defeat Premier League dark horses, Burnley, with Harry Kane stealing the headlines. The Englishman bagged his seventh hat trick of 2017 as Mauricio Pochettino’s men made it four wins in their last five games.

Kane bagged a hattrick against Burnley on the weekend Photo Credit: skysports.com

The Spurs side of last year were almost unbreakable, and whilst they didn’t go on to win the league, they sure had the tactics and personnel to do so. This season there have been signs of defensive frailties however, this can be put down the the extended workload due to their Champions League campaign. Spurs will really expect to win this one against a Southampton side that have goals lacking.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Tottenham to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 10/3

Southampton are currently 13th in the Premier League, halfway through the campaign. Mauricio Pellegrino hasn’t made quite the desired impact upon his arrival at St Mary’s however they have sustained their status as a tough team to beat. With some tough fixtures behind them, Southampton have only achieved three points from their last six Premier League outings as scoring goals has also become an issue for them this season.

Austin will miss the game due to a 3 match suspension and injury Photo Credit: skysports.com

Charlie Austin has been the standout performer so far with six league goals to his name. The creativity of Soufianne Boufal has been shown in glimpses however, and he must step up if the Saints are to get out of this rut with a decent gap between them and the relegation zone.

Skybet Match Result – Southampton to Win – 17/2

Despite having plenty of wins, Tottenham have only scored two or more goals in 33% of their home Premier League matches so far.

Southampton haven’t been too exciting on the road so far, having been awarded an average of only 4.6 corners in their Premier League away matches.

Graham Scott will take charge of the Boxing Day showdown. Scott has only awarded an average of 21.5 booking points in his 10 Premier League matches.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Price Boost – Christian Eriksen to score from outside the penalty area – 7/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Eric Dier and Oriol Romeu both to be carded – 18/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Tottenham to win, BTTS, over 2.5 goals and 4+ corners each team – 5/1
  • Skybet To Score a Header – Harry Kane – 6/1

by ·Comments Off on Everton vs Chelsea – Match Preview
Everton vs Chelsea - Match Preview

Everton vs Chelsea – Match Preview – Sam Allardyce faces his toughest challenge yet as Everton manager as Champions Chelsea come to Goodison Park in a historic Premier League fixture.

Since taking over, Allardyce’s Toffees are unbeaten, winning four of his five games in charge and drawing the other in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Such an upturn in form has seen Everton rocket up the table and they now sit comfortably in 9th on 25 points, closer to Liverpool in the Champions League places than the relegation zone – a far cry from the desperate times faced under Ronald Koeman and caretaker manager David Unsworth.

Despite receiving many knockbacks throughout the year, Antonio Conte and Chelsea keep plugging away – reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals after beating Bournemouth 2-1 on Wedenesday courtesy of a late Alvaro Morata goal.

Morata scored the winner midweek in the Carabao Cup Photo Credit: skysports.com

Eight wins from the previous 10 league matches have maintained Chelsea’s push to be the best of the rest – with Conte conceding a couple of weeks ago that Manchester City were uncatchable – and The Blues are in 3rd, just three points behind Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

Whilst they will back themselves against Barcelona, drawing the Catalan giants in the last 16 of the Champions League could well end the European foray for Chelsea. And following the year where Chelsea didn’t make Europe after defending their title last time, that means ensuring a top four finish this season is absolutely pivotal, and will be the bare minimum requirement imposed by owner Roman Abramovich.

This is an exciting fixture for various reasons, it sees two of the league’s form teams meeting, but additionally, meetings between the two sides often produce explosions and that’s just in recent memory; the 2009 FA Cup final, the 6-3 at Goodison in 2015, and Chelsea’s 5-0 annihilation of Everton last season – the latter described by legendary commentator John Motson as the ‘best ever Premier League performance’.

The three games mentioned above all resulted in victories for Chelsea, but under Allardyce, Everton will more than fancy themselves to pull off a shock result – albeit with a defensive, resolute performance.

Rooney and Sigurdsson will be Everton’s main threat Photo Credit: skysports.com

Stats

Before Big Sam was announced as Everton manger (they played the West Ham match immediately after), the blue of Merseyside had managed a solitary clean sheet all season. Naturally, the defensive areas of their game have improved since and including the win over West Ham have kept four clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions.
As Champions of England, you would expect Chelsea to be at the top end of the defensive charts, which is the case, they are fourth in our club clean sheet stats table with only Burnley, Arsenal and Manchester United obtaining more shutouts.

Surprisingly, Everton are bottom of our club corner stats table, after only earning a dismal 56 in the league this season, a huge 19 away from the next nearest sides West Ham, West Brom and Swansea – not great company.
An Allardyce team tends to focus on set pieces, and with the outstanding delivery of Gylfi Sigurdsson you would expect this low total to increase. Chelsea, by contrast rank in 5th in this stat, highlighting their tendency to be higher up the pitch and pressuring opposition.

Everton have been good value for booking points this campaign, ranking joint third in our club card stat table for average booking points per match with 1.9. This has been a result of their joint-fifth highest total of 30 yellow cards and by being awarded an additional two red cards.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Price Boost – Chelsea to win 3-1 – 14/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Gylfi Sigurdsson to score from outside the penalty area – 20/1
  • Skybet OPTA Price Boost – Hazard to Assist a Goal – 11/4
  • Skybet OPTA Player Offsides – Dominic Calvert-Lewin 2+ Offsides – 5/2
  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Wayne Rooney and Eden Hazard – 13/2
  • Skybet Player Carded Accumulator – Jonjoe Kenny and Alvaro Morata both to be carded – 11/1
  • Skybet Total Goals, Corners Taken and Booking Points – Over 2.5 Goals, Over 10.5 Corners, Over 35 Booking Points – 7/1
  • Bet365 First Goalscorer – Alvaro Morata – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 Double Chance – Everton or Draw – (link no longer available)

by ·Comments Off on Newcastle Utd vs Manchester City – Match Preview
Newcastle Utd vs Manchester City - Match Preview

Newcastle Utd vs Manchester City – Match Preview – Manchester City will look to continue their unbeaten run as they travel to relegation-threatened Newcastle United.

After sealing their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, City kept alive their dream of the domestic treble. With a favourable Champions League draw to boot, Pep Guardiola’s side remain in pole position for their most successful season to date. The club hold every record in the league, with the most goals scored and the joint best defensive record. 11 points clear of their biggest rivals in second, this season couldn’t have gone better had Guardiola scripted it himself.

de Bruyne has been in fantastic form for City Photo Credit: skysports.com

With Vincent Kompany still struggling to maintain his fitness, City may have to delve into the January transfer market. Rumoured to be on their shopping list is Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch centre back’s future was subject to mass speculation in the summer, with Liverpool failing to land their number one target. Now it appears to be City’s turn to tempt Southampton into parting with their prized asset. With only Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala as fit recognised defenders, they need to strengthen that area as soon as possible.

Can Gayle trouble the City defence Photo Credit: skysports.com

Newcastle fans will be praying for some transfer business of their own when the window reopens in January. Rafa Benitez’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements or they risk an immediate return to the Championship. The team have recorded just one point from their last eight Premier League games. At home, they are without a win since October and have lost their last four games at St James’ Park. Devoid of any confidence or ideas, Benitez will be hoping to keep his side out of the bottom three with January looming. However, should Mike Ashley fail to sell the club before then, they could be left without any further investment, which would leave them clinging on to their Premier League status by a thread.

With that in mind, the last thing Newcastle need is a visit from the league leaders. As if things weren’t tough enough, the Toon Army haven’t won against City in 20 league games, with their last win coming back in 2005. Of those twenty games, they’ve drawn only three, meaning City have collected 54 points out of a possible 60 against them.

With Newcastle’s Achilles heel being in front of goal and City being resolute at the back, there’s only one way this game is heading. City’s attack will be far too much for the hosts to handle, whilst Newcastle pose little threat going the other way.

 

Prediction: Newcastle 0-3 Manchester City

 

SKYBET: CITY TO WIN TO NIL- 11/10

SKYBET: AGUERO TO SCORE FIRST AND CITY TO WIN 4-0- 22/1

SKYBET: JESUS AND STERLING TO BOTH SCORE- 5/2

SKYBET: GAYLE TO SCORE IN 90 MINS- 11/4

SKYBET: BTTS AND CITY TO WIN- 6/4

BET365: CORRECT SCORE CITY TO WIN 3-0- (link no longer available)

BET365: ALTERNATIVE TOTAL GOALS- OVER 5.5- (link no longer available)

 

by ·Comments Off on Aston Villa vs Sheffield United – Match Preview
Aston Villa vs Sheffield United - Match Preview

Aston Villa vs Sheffield United – Match Preview – Fifth faces sixth in the Championship as Aston Villa host Sheffield United with both clubs looking to cement their spot in the play-off places.

Villa have lost just once at home this season, with Sheffield Wednesday the only side to have taken three points from Villa Park. They’ll be hoping the Blades don’t make it a Sheffield double as they come in search of their first win in five games.

Without the services of Jonathan Kodjia, Villa have been heavily reliant on the goals of Albert Adomah. After finding himself out of the starting line-up at the beginning of the campaign, Adomah has stepped up in Kodjia’s absence with 11 goals this season. With Scott Hogan’s injury woes and Keinan Davis still gaining experience at this level, the onus has been on other players to chip in with the goals, a challenge the Ghanaian hasn’t shirked.

Adomah has been pivotal for Villa with his contribution to the club Photo Credit: skysports.com

A lot of Villa’s good work this year has been due to their improvement at the back. At this stage last year Villa had conceded 25 goals compared to 20 this year, which is a stark improvement. Whilst many will point to the signing of John Terry as to how Villa have improved, James Chester has been just as important. After an indifferent first season at the club, Chester has established himself as one of the division’s best centre-backs and has been fantastic despite the absence of Terry.

Clarke has been in good goalscroing form for Utd Photo Credit: skysports.com

After a fantastic start to the season, Sheffield United are enduring their roughest patch of the campaign. The Blades have collected just seven points from their last games and one point from their last five. Those series of results mean that they sit in sixth place, just one point clear of seventh-placed Leeds. With United performing well above expectation this season, it will be interesting to see if they can rediscover their early season form, or whether they will drop away from the top six. With a much smaller squad than those around them, it could be tough for them to stay in touch with the pack during the busy festive period.

The last times these two sides met in the league was back in 2007. Villa haven’t lost in seven league matches against Sheffield United, with their last defeat back in 1991. Similarly, the Blades haven’t won at Villa Park in the league since 1966, although they did beat them in the FA Cup in 2014.

In the league this season, Aston Villa have only scored two or more goals at home in 45% of their matches. Likewise, Sheffield United have only scored two or more away goals in 36% of their matches. United, however, have conceded 12 goals in their last five matches whilst Villa have only let in four. That for me will be the difference on Saturday and I think Villa will take the spoils.

 

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Sheffield United

 

SKYBET: BTTS AND VILLA TO WIN- 10/3

SKYBET: CLARKE TO SCORE FIRST AND UNITED TO WIN 2-1- 40/1

SKYBET: ADOMAH AND SHARP TO BOTH SCORE- 6/1

SKYBET: VILLA TO WIN TO NIL- 9/4

SKYBET: UNDER 2.5 GOALS- 8/11

BET365: VILLA TO WIN 2-0- (link no longer available)

BET365: HALFTIME/FULL TIME – VILLA/DRAW- (link no longer available)

by ·Comments Off on Leicester City vs Man United – Match Preview
Leicester City vs Man United - Match Preview

Leicester City vs Man United – Match Preview – With Christmas just around the corner, Leicester City will host Manchester United in Premier League action this Saturday evening.

The hosts will face a tough test ahead of them as they are looking to accumulate more points and climb up the Premier League standings. The visitors will continue their very hopeful bid to close the gap between them and league leaders Manchester City, who are eleven points adrift at the top of the Premier League.

Mahrez and Vardy will be Leicester’s main threat Photo Credit: skysports.com

Leicester City are currently eighth in the Premier League. Their most recent outing in the league was a disappointing one, suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in an afternoon to forget for Claude Puel’s men. Their defensive issues have been their main issue at times this season. The Foxes have conceded 26 goals in their 18 Premier League matches so far; entering the second half of the season, they are really going to want to tighten up at the back. Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have been promising in recent times and could be the ones to cause Manchester United big problems. Can the Foxes cause an upset?

Skybet Match Result – Leicester to Win – 16/5

Manchester United are currently second in the Premier League standings. Jose Mourinho’s men have become a real force both domestically and internationally this season, with many of last year’s key signings finally beginning to find form. Their most recent Premier League outing was a 2-1 victory over West Brom away from home; with Romelu Lukaku bagging another goal. The big Belgian has now scored 10 Premier League goals so far and has also been a helping hand with 4 assists to his name. Often a team to grind a result if they aren’t on their best day, Leicester will find it hard t break down this United side. Record signing, Paul Pogba, returns after a three game suspension.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Man Utd to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 15/8

 

Pogba returns after a three game suspension Photo Credit: skysports.com

Despite their dominance this season, Manchester United have only scored two or more goals in 55% of their Premier League matches this year. Don’t expect them to run away with the result, it’s a Mourinho team.

Leicester have only been awarded an average of 4.3 corners per home fixture this season. On the road, United have been awarded an average of 5.3 corners.

Jonathan Moss will take charge of this fixture. The referee has awarded an average of 33.8 booking points in his 12 Premier League matches.

 

Suggested Tips

  • Skybet Penalty Specials – A Penalty Awarded – 9/4
  • Skybet Both Players to Score – Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku – 11/2
  • Skybet Total Goals, Corners Taken and Booking Points – Over 1.5 Goals, Over 8.5 Corners, Over 25 Booking Points – 11/8
  • Bet365 Total Goals/Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 & Yes – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 To Score at Any Time – Shinji Okazaki – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 Half Time/Full Time – Draw/ Leicester – (link no longer available)
  • Bet365 Match Result – (link no longer available)

by ·Comments Off on Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match Preview

Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match Preview – Arsenal will be looking to jump above their visitors in the Premier League table when they face Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions and sit one point behind Liverpool ahead of their meeting. Last time out the Gunners secured a 1-0 win against Newcastle thanks to a wonder strike from Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker has come into his own in recent weeks and is showing glimpses of the ability that saw him regarded as one of the best number tens in the world.

Ozil and Sanchez could be heading out of the Emirates at the end of the season Photo Credit: skysports.com

With both Alexis Sanchez and Ozil’s futures still in doubt, it will be a tough month for Arsenal as they look to keep hold of their main assets. Both players will be free to negotiate a move away from the club with foreign teams in January, which could leave Arsenal questioning their decision to not cash in on the pair in January. The speculation over the pair could raise issues in the Arsenal camp and potentially de-rail their campaign. With Arsene Wenger’s side heading into a run of favourable fixtures, a win in this game could really help them build some momentum.

Liverpool come into the game unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions. Jurgen Klopp’s men are in fine form, having won three of their last five games. Last time out the Reds demolished Bournemouth and left the Vitality Stadium with a 4-0 victory. Mohamad Salah grabbed himself his 21st goal of the season and his 11th goal in 11 games. The Egyptian has been a revelation since making his move from Roma in the summer with many pundits labelling him as the signing of the season.

Salah, Firmino and Coutinho have become a world class attacking trio Photo Credit: skysports.com

With Phillipe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino also in the goals, there are very few teams who can keep the ‘fab four’ at bay. With the amount of pace and skill in the Liverpool attack goals are almost a formality, but keeping the back door shut is a different story. It has been the case for Liverpool for so long. With such a potent attack, I have no doubt if Liverpool invest in some world-class defenders, they could be genuine title contenders. As is often the case, they haven’t done so and therefore they will never be able to end their 27-year wait for a league title.

Liverpool are unbeaten in five meetings with the Gunners and have won their last three. Arsenal haven’t won against Liverpool since 2015 when they came away 4-1 winners. The last four meetings between the team has served up 21 goals which average out at over five goals a game. Given both sides’ inability to defend, I expect goals in this game, with over 3.5 a good bet if you’re feeling confident. I’m going to go for a Liverpool win in this one, in what could be another classic encounter between the pair.

 

Prediction: Arsenal 2-3 Liverpool

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE LIVERPOOL 3-2- 20/1

SKYBET: SALAH TO SCORE AND LIVERPOOL TO WIN- 3/1

SKYBET: SALAH AND SANCHEZ BOTH TO SCORE- 11/2

SKYBET: LACAZETTE TO SCORE FIRST AND ARSENAL TO WIN 3-1- 40/1

SKYBET: BTTS IN BOTH HALVES- 17/2

SKYBET: BTTS AND OVER 3.5 GOALS- 11/8

SKYBET: TO SCORE AND WIN- MANE TO SCORE AND LIVERPOOL TO WIN- 9/2

by ·Comments Off on NFL – Gameweek 16 Preview

NFL – Gameweek 16 Preview – Playoff races are tight around the league, with this being the second to last week of the year, here are my week 16 top 5 game predictions. Happy Holidays!!

Christmas Eve – Sunday

Falcons at Saints

Rematch from two weeks ago where the Falcons beat the Saints with a last minute interception from Drew Brees. Both teams are in dead heats for the playoffs as their division, the NFC South, is the most competitive this season. The Falcons offense wasn’t as dynamic as normal last week and they will be looking to get back on track. The Saints at home coming off their loss two weeks ago have their healthy two-man RB tandem, and at home in a shootout, I expect them to win.

Saints to Win –  28-27

Brees: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Ingram: 105 YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Kumara: 100 Total YDS, 1 REC TD

Thomas: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Total Points – 54 – 57 Points – 6/1

Rams at Titans

The Rams dominated the Seahawks last week virtually putting them out of the playoff race in the NFC. Now the Rams are hopeful for the number two seed in the conference and a loss will virtually put them in 3rd place. Meanwhile, the Titans are second in their division and hold one of the two wildcard spots in the playoffs as of now, a loss at this critical time of the year will be a killer. At home I expect the titans to be very competitive, however the Rams running game will control the ball ultimately resulting in them winning.

Rams to Win –  24-17

Goff: 250 YDS, 1 TD

Gurley: 115 total YDS, 2 TDS Rushing

Woods: 1 REC TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Los Angeles Rams -7.5 and Under 50.5 Total Match Points – 5/2

Bills at Patriots

The Pats won a thriller against the Steelers on the road last week, putting the defending champs in prime position to have home field throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bills have the second wildcard playoff spot in the AFC and are looking to stay in. While these two division rivals are always competitive, on the road against the Pats this time of year is always tough.

Patriots to Win –  24-14

Brady: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Gronkowski: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Lewis: 75 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Skybet Total Points – 0 – 41 Points – 15/8

Dolphins at Chiefs

The up and down season that the Kansas City Chiefs have had seems to be leaning toward consistency with their win last week against their surging rivals the Chargers, giving them command of the AFC West. The Chiefs will be looking to keep their momentum against a better than we expected Dolphins this week. This game will be closer than some believe.

Chiefs to Win – 28 -21

Smith: 225 YDS, 2 TDS

Hunt: 110 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 1 REC TD

Kelce: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Total Points – 48 Points or More – 6/4

Monday Night Christmas Day Primetime

Steelers at Texans

Injuries have derailed the Texans season this year, however they will be looking to play spoiler to the Steelers, who after their shocking loss to the Pats last week hold the second seed in the AFC. On the road I expect the Steelers, even without WR Antonio Brown playing due to injury last week, to get back on track.

Steelers to Win – 24-14

Roethlisberger 275 YDS, 2 TDS

Bell: 135 Total YDS, 2 Rushing TDS

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Pittsburgh Steelers -10.5 and Under 45.5 Total Match Points – 3/1

 

Happy Holidays!!

by ·Comments Off on Carabao Cup Quarter Final – Chelsea vs Bournemouth – Match Preview
chelsea-vs-bournemouth-preview-large-cc

Chelsea are huge favourites to make the semi-finals of the League Cup as they host Bournemouth in the quarter-final stage, looking to emulate their run in the competition in 2015 and eventually claim the tournament in Wembley.

Team News

After winning the Premier League last season, Chelsea have enjoyed a mixed campaign this time around, but ultimately not hitting the same heights. Already a massive 14 points behind the unstoppable Manchester City, manager Antonio Conte all but admitted his side’s title defence is over.

Finishing 2nd in their Champions League group and consequently drawing Barcelona in the last 16, it is very plausible that the only silverware available for Chelsea this season are the domestic cups – hence the importance of this match and this tournament.

Conte, however, has suggested that he will rotate for this match, saying to Chelsea TV:

“I want to continue to give the chance to players that are not playing with regularity. I want to continue this way, but at the same time we want to reach the semi-final.”

Conte was also asked during his pre-match press conference if any of Chelsea’s academy players would be involved, and replied saying: ‘They could be. Why not? I think these players are the future for Chelsea. Sterling is a really good player. Hudson-Odoi won the Under-17 World Cup. Ampadu played the last game against Everton, maybe he could start also tomorrow. I think I must consider the young players if they deserve to have this chance. I think Sterling has spent a lot of time working with us this season. Ampadu is always every day with the first team.’

 

 

 

Etan Ampadu started Chelsea's last game against Everton in the Carabao Cup & may get given another run out tomorrow night as Conte looks to rotate his squad.

Etan Ampadu started Chelsea’s last game against Everton in the Carabao Cup & may get given another run out tomorrow night as Conte looks to rotate his squad against Bournemouth.

Bournemouth have also not lived up to the expectations set from last year’s achievements, 2016/17’s 9th place finish seems a far cry from the current 16th spot, just one point outside the relegation zone and undoubtedly in a battle.

However, the fact The Cherries are now in their third consecutive season in the Premier League, and again matched their best ever run in this competition by reaching the quarter-finals (did the first time in 2014/15) is testament to the fantastic work and huge strides made by the club in recent years.

A cup run could be the galvanisation needed for Eddie Howe’s men as they seek to retain their top-flight status. Perhaps even more exciting, could be the prospect of leading this club from the bottom tier of English football all the way to cup winners and on a foray into Europe.

Nonetheless, Bournemouth will be fully prepared for an incredibly difficult match at the home of the English Champions. The statistics prove that, The Blues have won seven of their last eight league home games, scoring 24 goals in doing so.
Bournemouth have never won away to top-flight opposition in this competition in 15 attempts, and The Cherries have only beaten Chelsea once in their last nine fixtures, although that was at Stamford Bridge as recently as December 2015.

Stats

It seems like there is only one side to back for a clean sheet in this game, only three teams (Newcastle, Palace and Stoke) have kept less than Bournemouth’s four in the Premier League this season whilst only three teams (Arsenal, Burnley, Manchester United) have kept more than Chelsea’s eight.

Both these sides accumulate a lot of corners, with Chelsea and Bournemouth placing at 5th and 10th in our club corner stats table in the Premier League – but with Chelsea expected to be largely dominant and Eddie Howe likely to set his team up deep and defensively, backing Chelsea to earn a hefty number could be promising.

Steve Cook & Harry Artur have both been carded 4 times each this season for the Cherries.

Steve Cook & Harry Artur have both been carded 4 times each this season for the Cherries.

Only four teams have received more than Bournemouth’s 30 yellow cards this year in the Premier League, while Chelsea have already been brandished with three red cards this term (second only to Watford’s 4) – so booking points are a strong possibility.

Suggested Tips

  • SkyBet: Price Boost – Chelsea to Win 3-0 – 8/1 
  • SkyBet: Price Boost – Bournemouth to Win 2-1 – 33/1
  • SkyBet: Featured RequestABet – Chelsea to win, Chelsea to score 3+ goals, 11+ match corners and 40+ match booking pts – 9/1
  • SkyBet: RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Hazard to score, 10+ Chelsea corners and Steve Cook & Fraser to be carded – 150/1
  • SkyBet: RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – Chelsea to score 2+ goals, 5+ Chelsea corners and 20+ Bournemouth booking pts – 2/1
  • SkyBet: RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – Batshuayi to score, over 2.5 goals, Under 13 match corners and 30+ Bournemouth booking points – 10/1 
  • SkyBet: RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Bournemouth to win and over 2.5 goals – 12/1
  • SkyBet: RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Afobe to score, over 2.5 goals, 13+ match corners and 10+ booking points each team – 28/1