Brighton vs Arsenal
Sunday 4th Match, 2018
FA Premier League, Falmer Stadium
Sky Sports – Kick-Off 13:30 GMT
Brighton vs Arsenal – Arsenal will hope to bounce back from their Wembley defeat with a victory against relegation-threatened Brighton.
After back to back defeats to Manchester City, Arsenal will be hoping to end a wretched week with three points. Defeat at Wembley, followed by the Emirates saw the Gunners surrender their chance for silverware and to get back into the race for the top four. With the Europa League now their only hope of a trophy, it could be their best way to ensure Champions League football. With Arsenal ten points behind fourth-placed Spurs, their push for the top four seems over. However, like Manchester United did last year, they could still achieve Champions League football by winning the Europa League. They have been pitted against fellow European giants AC Milan, which means whoever comes out on top has a good chance of winning the competition.
Arsenal have lost their last three away league matches. Defeat to Bournemouth and Swansea gives Brighton cause for optimism ahead of this fixture. The Gunners are known for struggling against lower opposition. They haven’t won away in the league this year, with their last victory coming on the 28th December last year.
Brighton currently occupy 12th spot, four points above the relegation zone. No defeats in six has moved the Seagulls out of immediate danger, whilst they have won their last three home games in the process. Chris Hughton’s men are far from safe, however, these victories have been vital to renew belief around the Amex Stadium.
Glenn Murray has been in good form, netting six goals in five games. A brace for the former Bournemouth striker at the weekend took his tally to 12 for the season. New signing Jurgen Locadia opened his Premier League account for the club against Swansea, securing a good day all round for Brighton.
Arsenal have won the club’s last five meetings, including the reverse fixture this season. They have won at the Amex on their last two trips and haven’t been beaten by Brighton since 1982.
Kevin Friend will take charge of Sunday lunch-time’s game. Friend has the lowest average booking point total when compared to referee’s who have officiated 15 Premier League games this season(24). This includes 36 yellow cards and no red cards across 15 league games, therefore booking points may be worth avoiding.
I definitely think Brighton can take something from this game. Arsenal’s recent form on the road is poor, especially against teams who’re battling to stay up. Thus, Brighton are in good form and I think that could see them grab a draw on Sunday.
Brighton vs Arsenal will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK with kick-off at 13:30 GMT.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal.
Suggested tips – Brighton vs Arsenal – (BET365):
- Correct score, draw 1-1- (link no longer available).
Suggested tips – Brighton vs Arsenal – (SKYBET):
- BTTS and draw – 7/2.
- Aubameyang to score and win – 7/4.
- Murray to score first and Arsenal to win 2-1 – 75/1.
- Brighton to win by exactly one goal – 11/2.
Suggest RequestABet Tips – Brighton vs Arsenal (SKYBET):
- Pundit’s RequestABets – Brighton vs Arsenal – Charlie Nicholas’ RAB: Gross & Ramsey to score and Draw – 33/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Brighton vs Arsenal – Aubameyang & Ozil to score and Mustafi & Duffy to be carded – 80/1.
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Brighton vs Arsenal – BTTS and 4+ corners each team – 9/4.
- Brighton vs Arsenal – RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 150/1.
-
RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Brighton vs Arsenal – BTTS and 3+ corners each team – 5/4.
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Brighton vs Arsenal – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ Brighton corners, 5+ Arsenal corners and 10+ booking points each team – 5/2.
- @FootyAcuums RequestABet – Brighton vs Arsenal – Murray & Aubameyang to score and Duffy & Xhaka to be carded – 100/1. (Was previous Duffy & Elneny to be carded at 125/1).
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Brighton vs Arsenal – BTTS and 4+ Corners each team – 9/4.
Odds and markets last updated on Sunday 4 March 2018 @12:36 GMT.
More markets will be added later today prior to the game kicking off on Sunday afternoon. Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and previews for this weekends fixtures.
Liverpool vs Newcastle – Match Preview
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Saturday 3rd Match, 2018
FA Premier League, Anfield
BT Sport – Kick-Off 17:30 GMT
Liverpool vs Newcastle: Liverpool will be looking to move up to second in the table when they face Newcastle at Anfield
The Reds come into this match in third spot, two points behind Manchester United. Jurgen Klopp’s side have won four of their last five games, scoring 14 and conceding just three. Mohamad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were in the goals again at the weekend, as they brushed past West Ham.
The 4-1 victory showcased the Reds’ potent attack, whilst POTY contender Salah grabbed another goal. Whilst most, including myself, expect Kevin De Bruyne to collect the award at the end of the season, Salah has been extraordinary. Any other campaign, he would’ve walked the nomination. There is a serious case to be asked as to whether he has had the greatest ever debut campaign in Premier League history. To be matching the goals scored by Serio Aguero and Harry Kane, both strikers, is phenomenal.
Newcastle sit in 15th place, two points clear of the relegation zone. Rafa Benitez’s side threw away a two-goal lead last time out, as they drew with Bournemouth. After dominating the game for 70 minutes, and missing multiple chances, it was a cruel blow for the Toon Army as Dan Gosling’s 90th-minute equaliser grabbed the Cherries a point. With no defeats in four, things seem to be looking up for Newcastle. Their historic win over Manchester United could be the catalyst to see them out of danger. Dwight Gayle’s brace on the South Coast could be big for his confidence whilst Islam Slimani is unfit. With big games against Southampton and Huddersfield later this month, maintaining their unbeaten run could be crucial.
Liverpool have won just one of their last five meetings with Newcastle. Their last victory came at Anfield back in 2015, whilst Newcastle’s last win at Anfield came back in 1995. They did draw on their last trip to Merseyside though, a 2-2 draw in April 2016.
Graham Scott has been appointed as the referee for this game. The Englishman has the second lowest average booking points total this season. He has averaged a score of 21.8, showing just 28 yellow cards and 2 red cards across 14 games.
If Liverpool want to seriously challenge for the league next season, they have to win games like this. Whilst they’re in good form at the moment, these are the fixtures where they have slipped up in the past. Yet, I still expect them to win on Saturday and thus will move above United in the table.
Liverpool vs Newcastle will be televised live on BT Sport in the UK with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
Suggested tips – Liverpool vs Newcastle – (BET365):
- Liverpool to win 3-1 – (link no longer available).
Suggested tips – Liverpool vs Newcastle – (SKYBET):
- BTTS and Liverpool to win – 6/4.
- Salah and Mane to both score- 5/2.
- Firmino to score and win – 11/10.
- Liverpool to win by exactly two goals- 3/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Liverpool vs Newcastle – Salah to score, Liverpool to score 3+ goals, 6+ Liverpool corners and 20 + Newcastle Booking Points – 13/2.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Liverpool vs Newcastle – Van Dijk and Lascelles to score a header – 350/1.
- Televised RequestABets – 5:30pm RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund & Liverpool vs Newcastle – @FootyAccums Specials – Firmino & Werner to score and 4+ corners in each half & 20 booking points each team in each of LIV v NEW & RBL v DOR – 150/1.
Burnley vs Everton – Match Preview
Burnley vs Everton
Saturday 3rd Match, 2018
FA Premier League, Turf Moor
Sky Sports – Kick-Off 12:30 GMT
Burnley vs Everton: Two out of form sides clash at Turf Moor as both Burnley and Everton look to move further adrift of the relegation zone.
Burnley were denied three points last time out as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in their draw with Southampton. The goal was surrounded by controversy as the referee blocked off Ashley Westwood, which lead to Manolo Gabbiadini’s leveller. As a result of that draw, Burnley are without a win in 12 games. They haven’t recorded a victory since the turn of the year. Whilst they still sit in seventh place, ten points above the drop zone, it is imperative that they get out of their recent slump and return to winning ways. They have drawn three of their last four matches 1-1 yet have still struggled for those elusive three points.
Everton, like Burnley, are out of form. Their initial resurgence under Sam Allardyce has dwindled, with just two wins in 11. On the road, they’ve been particularly poor. Their last away win came back in December against Newcastle. The Toffees sit three points and two places below their hosts, seven points clear of the bottom three. Whilst there are no immediate concerns about relegation, Allardyce knows he needs some results to justify his place at the club. With Marco Silva now available, I expect the pressure to begin to build on the former England manager. January signings have yet to pay off, thus increasing speculation around ‘big’ Sam’s future. Cenk Tosun is still awaiting his first goal for the club, with Allardyce using the big money signing sparingly in recent weeks.
Burnley recorded a famous win when these two sides met earlier this season. Jeff Hendrick sealed a deserved victory for the Clarets against an Everton side managed by Ronald Koeman. Previous to that win, Sean Dyche’s side had won just one of their last five against the Toffees. Everton’s last away win at Turf Moor came in 2014 under Roberto Martinez.
Chris Kavanagh is the referee for Saturday lunch-time’s game. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 32. He has brandished 3.2 yellow cards across ten premier league and is yet to issue a red card. He is one of the last experienced referees in the top flight, having only officiated ten Premier League games this season.
As a result of the two sides’ recent form, I think this will be a draw. Whilst both teams need a win, neither will want to lose this game.
Burnley vs Everton will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports from 12:30 GMT.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Everton.
Suggested tips – Burnley vs Everton – (BET365):
- Correct score, draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).
- Sigurdsson to score first – (link no longer available).
Suggested tips – Burnley vs Everton – (SKYBET):
- Rooney to score outside the area – 25/1.
- Lennon to score first and Burnley 2-1 – 125/1.
- Walcott to score and Barnes to be carded – 14/1.
- RequestABet Specials – Burnley vs Everton – Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 66/1
- @FootyAccums RequestABet – Burnley to score 1+ goals, 1+ corners each team in each half and 20+ booking points each team – 7/1
- RequestABet Specials – Burnley vs Everton – Lennon & Niasse to score and Draw 1-1 – 66/1
Odds and markets last updated on Saturday 3 March 2018 @11:15 GMT.
More markets will be added later today prior to the game kicking off on Saturday lunchtime. Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and previews for this weekends fixtures.
Middlesbrough vs Leeds United – Match Preview
Middlesbrough vs Leeds United
Friday 2nd March
SkyBet Championship
Sky Sports 1, Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT
Middlesbrough vs Leeds United – Middlesbrough will host Leeds United in SkyBet Championship action this Friday night.
Both clubs have endured average seasons by their own standards, as they are both chasing play-off positions. This match is dubbed as a ‘six-pointer’ as there is only three points separating the two sides near the business end of the season.
The hosts are currently eighth in the SkyBet Championship only three points behind Sheffield United in the last play-off spot. New manager Tony Pulis has reenergized the squad that were looking rather timid and frail under old manager Garry Monk. Pulis has helped the northern outfit to accumulate 52 points from their 34 matches so far. In those matches they have found the back of the net 46 times, with two or more goals being scored in 47% of their outings.
Tony Pulis has made his trademark effect on the team, making them dangerous on the counter attack. By utilizing the pace in the squad they have got in behind opposition defences much more often which has seen their more recent matches turn into goal fests. They have also been awarded an average of 5.6 corners at the Riverside Stadium this season for their attacking endeavours.
The visitors are currently eleventh in the SkyBet Championship, with a loss on Friday night all but crushing their play-off dreams. The northerners have not been shy of goals this season and have scored 47 times in their 34 league outings. German Striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga has begun to find his feet in Leeds and has now hit double figures for the season. He has also spearheaded an attack that has managed two or more goals in 41% of their matches. Four of his 10 goals this season have come via a header. This has made him the fourth highest in the league for goals scored via a header.
However, defensively Leeds have found things a little more difficult this season. They have only kept a clean sheet in 38% of their league matches and conceded a total of 43 goals in the campaign. They have also found themselves to be rather ill disciplined, having been awarded an average of 22.9 booking points this season. The referee in charge of this encounter is Darren England. The official has not been shy when brandishing his cards this season, having averaged a 38.3 booking points in his 21 Championship matches. Middlesbrough have only been slightly better mannered this season, having averaged 20 booking points.
Middlesbrough vs Leeds United will be televised on Sky Sports Football in the UK and will kick off at 19:45 GMT.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Leeds United 1
Suggested tips – Middlesbrough vs Leeds United (BET365):
- Correct score, ‘Boro to win 2-1 – (link no longer available)
- Anytime Goalscorer – Pierre-Michal Lassoga – (link no longer available)
Suggested tips – Middlesbrough vs Leeds United (SKYBET):
- Scorecast Boost – Britt Assombalonga to score first and Middlesbrough to win 2-1 – 40/1
- Popular RequestABets -Middlesbrough vs Leeds United – BTTS, 2+ corners each team in each half and 10+ booking points each team – 11/1
- Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Ezgjan Alioski to score first and either Leeds to win 2-1 or Leeds to win 3-1- 100/1
- Popular RequestABets -Middlesbrough vs Leeds United – Michel Lasogga to score a header and Middlesbrough to score a penalty – 80/1
Odds and markets last updated on Friday 3 March 2018 @16:45 GMT.
More markets will be added later today prior to the game kicking off on tonight. Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and previews for this weekends fixtures.
Arsenal vs Manchester City – Match Preview
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Thursday 1st March 2018
FA Premier League, Emirates Stadium
Live on Sky Sport – Kick-Off: 19:45pm.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Arsenal face Manchester City at the Emirates, looking to avenge their Carabao Cup defeat last weekend.
Defeat at Wembley cast further doubt over Arsene Wenger’s future. Arsenal were well beaten in the final and failed to test City at any point. The lack of fight and character shown by the gunners was symptomatic of their recent failures. The Europa League is now Wenger’s only hope of silverware and therefore this seems their only viable route into the Champions League. Therefore, if I was him, I’d be throwing all my eggs in that basket. Whilst their next round tie against AC Milan is far from straightforward, it is a winnable tie. The top four is gone for them and without any silverware or European football, Wenger could find himself out of a job this summer.
Arsenal’s display at Wembley was gutless. Defensively, they were awful; they lacked organisation, resilience and concentration. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was ineffective, although he did play for large portions of the game without any service. Thus, if Arsenal are to get the best out of their new signing, they’ve got to play to his strengths. In theory, Aubameyang’s pace should have been a great outlet, especially on a big pitch like Wembley. Unfortunately, Arsenal never tried to use that to their advantage. They didn’t play the ball in behind the City rearguard, which would have allowed him to run at Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi.
Without the services of Raheem Sterling, Manchester City blew away their counterparts on Sunday. The win ensured Pep Guardiola’s first trophy as City manager, with reports emerging he is set to sign a new contract at the club. This could be the start of a dynasty for Pep. With the money and power that City hold, they could dominate English football for some time. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though, nobody has retained the Premier League since Manchester United in 2009. As a result, that is Guardiola’s biggest challenge next season, as well as targeting a first Champions League trophy for the club if they don’t win it this time around.
Andre Marriner has been appointed as the man in the middle for Thursday’s match. The Englishman has an average booking points total of 28.9. This is one of the lowest in the league, consequently booking points could be at a premium for this clash.
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal react in the game, after being so comprehensively beaten at the weekend. City will have to rotate their squad ahead of a clash with Chelsea at the weekend, yet I still think they’ll record another victory.
Arsenal vs Manchester City will be televised live on Sky Sports from 19:45 GMT in the UK.
Prediction: Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City.
Suggested tips – Arsenal vs Manchester City – (BET365):
- Correct score, Manchester City to win 2-0 – (link no longer available)
- City to win to nil – (link no longer available)
Suggested tips – Arsenal vs Manchester City – (SKYBET):
- City to win and BTTS – 7/4.
- Jesus to score and win – 2/1.
- Aubameyang and Aguero to both score – 4/1.
Suggested RequestABets – Arsenal vs Manchester City – (SKYBET):
- Popular RequestABets – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Aguero & Aubameyang to score, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points – 18/1.
- @FootyAccums RequestABets – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Aguero to score, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points – 9/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Manchester City to win to nil, Manchester City to score 2+ goals and 20 Arsenal booking points – 15/2.
- RequestABetsABet Specials 80/1 and above – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Aubameyang & Aguero each to score 2+ Goals and Draw 2-2 – 500/1.
- Price Boost – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Arsenal to win 2-1 – 16/1.
Odds and markets last updated on February 1 March 2018 @18:25 GMT.
More markets will be added prior to the game kicking off on Thursday night. Keep visiting the tips and preview area for further updates and betting previews for this weeks upcoming premier league fixtures.