Switzerland vs England
Sunday 9th June 2019
UEFA Nations League – Third Place Play-Off, Estadio D.Afonso Henriques
Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick Off: 14:00 BST
Switzerland vs England: Gareth Southgate is tasked with picking up England after throwing away another semi-final lead against the Netherlands when they take on Switzerland on Sunday.
It was another night of what could have been for England on Thursday night as they went down 3-1 to the Netherlands. Despite leading until the 73rd minute, Southgate’s side were once again guilty of handing the initiative to the opposition. The Three Lions dropped deeper and deeper, inviting pressure on to themselves, just as they did against Croatia a little under 12 months ago. John Stones’ inexplicable error then all-but sealed their fate, before Ross Barkley allowed Ronald Koeman’s side to add a third. England were reminded just how short they are on quality in midfield, as Frenkie De Jong ran the show, just as Luka Modric did in Russia. Jordan Henderson’s absence from the starting XI hit the Three Lions hard, whilst the absence of a true ball-playing midfielder still haunt Southgate and the FA.
Switzerland went down 3-1 to Portugal on Wednesday, with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick proving the difference between the two sides. Vladimir Petkovic’s side were also embroiled in more VAR controversy. After seeing their initial penalty appeal turned down at one end, Portugal broke and earned a spot-kick of their own. VAR interjected and German official Felix Brych gave the Swiss penalty on review, allowing Ricardo Rodriguez to equalise. It proved to have little impact, though, as Fernando Santos’ side ran out winners. Switzerland last faced the Three Lions in September 2018, where they came away with a 1-0 defeat. In fact, they haven’t beat the Three Lions since 1981, a run of 11 matches.
Ovidiu Haţegan is the referee for this match. The official plies his trade in the Romanian league and has officiated 29 games this season. During those matches, he has accumulated an average cards total of 4.76. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 60+ booking points for this fixture.
Southgate is bound to make changes following Thursday night’s defeat. It’s been a long season for most of the Three Lions contingent, so there may be further experimentation. I’ll still back them for a narrow win, though.
Switzerland vs England will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event with kick-off at 14:00 BST.
Prediction: Switzerland 1-2 England
Suggested Tips – Switzerland vs England (SKYBET)
- Correct score, England Win 2-1 – 8/1.
- Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Harry Kane to score first and England to win 2-1 or 3-1 – 25/1. (NB).
- Price Boost – Wilson and Sterling to both score – 13/2.
- Winning Margin – Exactly 1 Goal – England – 3/1.
- Popular RequestABets – Shaqiri & Sterling to score and Schar & Rose to be carded – 100/1. (Outsider Shout).
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 125/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Kane to score a header and Shaqiri to score from outside the area – 80/1. (Outsider Shout 2).
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Yes or No? – Q1 – Yes, Q2 – Yes, Q3 – No, Q4 – Yes, Q5 – Yes, Q6 – No – 40/1.Player Stats RequestABets – Kane 1+ shots on target & Shaqiri 1+ shots on target and 3+ corners each team – 6/4. (NAP).
Netherlands vs England – Match Preview
Netherlands vs England
Thursday 6th June 2019
UEFA Nations League semi-final, Estadio D.Afonso Henriques
Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick Off: 19:45 BSTNetherlands vs England: Two of the world’s most up-and-coming sides go head to head in Portugal, with England and Netherlands looking to make the final of the UEFA Nations League.
Gareth Southgate’s side will feel confident of success in Portugal and are the bookies’ favourite to claim silverware. The Three Lions topped a group containing Spain and World Cup semi-finalists Croatia to make it to this point. Harry Kane is expected to start for England after returning to International duty following his Champions League disappointment with Tottenham. The final was the Englishman’s first start since April, but he is expected to go up against Virgil van Dijk for the second time in five days. Jadon Sacho’s fine form for Borussia Dortmund should see him retain his spot on the right, with Premier League winner Raheem Sterling on the other flank. England’s last defeat in normal time was almost a year ago. That came again Spain in 2018, which highlights how far this group has come in that time.
Whilst England’s attack has frightened some of the best defences in the world, the Netherlands have their talismanic captain, fresh from tasting Champions League glory. Van Dijk is partnered by Matthijs De Ligt, who is also one of the most sought after men in world football. In midfield, Frenkie De Jong and Gini Wijnaldum will try to orchestrate the engine room, leaving Memphis Depay and Co to run free in attack. Whilst Ronaldo Koeman’s side didn’t make the World Cup, with De Ligt, De Jong and several other exciting talents making a name for themselves on the biggest stage, their future is looking very bright. Just like England after the 2016 EUROS, Netherlands are beginning to show shoots of recovery after a disappointing few years.
Clement Turpin is the referee for this game. The Frenchman plies his trade in Ligue 1 and has officiated 17 games this season. During those matches, he has accumulated an average cards total of 3.35. Therefore, I would recommend a maximum of 50+ booking points for this fixture.
A lot will depend on whether Sterling and Sancho can isolate the Dutch fullbacks. Whoever comes out in that battle could win the match, such is Holland’s strength in midfield and at the back. I think this one may go to extra time, with such little to separate the teams.
Netherlands vs England will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event – Kick-Off: 19:45 BST.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 England
Suggested Tips – Netherland vs England (SKYBET)
- Correct score, draw 1-1 – 5/1.
- Price Boost – Sterling to score first – 7/1.
- Price Boost – Sancho and Depay to both score – 16/1. (NB).
- Popular RequestABets – BTTS in both halves and 2+ corners each team in each half – 50/1. (Outsider Shout).
- Popular Player Stats RequestABets – Maguire to score a header and Depay to score from outside the area – 150/1.
- RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 3/1. (NAP).
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Saturday 1st June 2019
UEFA Champions League Final, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Live on BT Sport 2 – 20:00 BSTTottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool: Liverpool will be desperate to make up for their Premier League disappointment by claiming the UEFA Champions League trophy when they take on Tottenham on Saturday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s reds missed out on their first Premier League title after losing out to Manchester City by a point. The Reds finished with the third-highest point tally in the competition’s history but still missed out to Pep Guardiola’s side. That disappointment should spur them on to claim the Champions League. It’s the second time in as many season’s that Klopp’s men have reached the final. Last years final was marred by Loris Karius’ error, whilst Gareth Bale’s wonder strike also stole the headlines.
Real Madrid won’t be there on Saturday, for the first time in three years, handing Mohamad Salah and Co the initiative to claim European success for the first time since Istanbul. All of the big guns are fit, meaning Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will lead the attack alongside Salah. Divock Origi could play the role of super sub, following his heroics against Barcelona in the semi-final.
Like Liverpool, Tottenham have their big names back, with Harry Kane set to make his first appearance since April 9. There has been speculation over the Englishman’s fitness, but also if he merits a place in the side. One of Lucas Moura or Son Heung-Min would be expected to drop out to make way for Kane, despite their heroics against Ajax that got them there. If not, it could be Dele Alli who misses out. It’s the first real selection headache Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with for a few weeks. Spurs ended the season with a 1-1 draw against Everton, although their minds were clearly focused on their date in Madrid. It’s the first time they have reached the Champions League final since the competition was reformed. Without doubt, a win would go down as the greatest achievement in the club’s modern history.
Damir Skomina is the referee for this game. The Slovenian official took charge of Real Madrid’s win over Ajax in the round of 16, as well as last season’s semi-final between Liverpool and Roma. The experienced official has averaged 4.67 yellow cards per game this season. Therefore, I’d advise a maximum of 60+ total booking points this season.
This game will be tight. Liverpool won both meetings in the league, but only by one goal. I think that might be the case again, or, if not, it may go all the way to extra time and maybe even penalties.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 2 with kick off at 20:00 BST.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2: Liverpool
Suggested Tips – Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – (SKYBET)
- Correct Score – Liverpool to win 2-1 – 8/1.
- First Goalscorer – Sadio Mane – 5/1.
- Both Players to Score – Lucas Moura and Mohamed Salah – 11/1.
- How will tie be decided- Either team to win in extra time – 11/2.
- Price Boosts – Son Heung-min to score and Tottenham to win in 90 mins – 7/1.
- Previous Stats RequestABet Winners – Mane 3+ shots on target, Salah 2+ shots on target and Kane 1+ shots on target – 25/1. (NB 2).
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Popular RequestABets – Liverpool to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 14/1. (NAP).
Suggested Big Odds – RequestABet – Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool – (SKYBET)
- Joshua to win in Rounds 1-3 (v Ruiz) & Mo Salah to score in 90 mins (v Spurs) – 15/2. (NB).
Found under Boxing > Specials. - Player Stats RequestABets – Firmino to score a header and Tottenham to score a penalty – 100/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Eriksen 1+ shots on target & van Dijk 1+ shots on target, 4+ corners in each half and Sissoko & Robertson to be carded – 125/1.
- Player Stats RequestABets – Draw 1-1, 5+ Liverpool corners, 30+ match booking pts, Tottenham 1-0 at HT (90 mins) and Tottenham to win in ET – 150/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Mane to score, Liverpool 3-1 and 2+ corners each team in each half – 80/1.
- RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Alderweireld & Wijnaldum to score, 4+ corners in each half and Eriksen & Alexander-Arnold to be carded – 500/1.
- Joshua to win in Rounds 1-3 (v Ruiz) & Mo Salah to score in 90 mins (v Spurs) – 15/2. (NB).