by ·Comments Off on Horse Racing Preview – Sandown & Beverley – 2nd September 2017
Horse Racing Preview - Beverley

Today’s selections come from Beverley and Sandown for Saturday 2nd September 2017.

14.25 Sandown – BetBright Solorio Stakes (Group 3) (7f)

I always found that 7f is a specialist trip, even if you are stepping up or dropping down in trip, this index can catch a few out, also pedigree is a strong factor here and one that really stands out is Charlie Appleby’s Masar.

The son of New Approach who was unbeaten over this trip as a juvenile and Masar definitely inherited his fathers genes.

The Chesham Stakes is probably the best form to take out of this race, despite only finishing third behind September and Nyaleti, the form was given a boost when Nyaleti went on to land the Group 3 Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot, but the form has taken a hit with both beaten very convincingly when stepping into better company, however I do think he is a bit classier than these.

Main dangers should be coming form John Gosden’s Purser who landed a touch when winning at Newbury, his maiden was very competitive with the likes of Merlin Magic whom he beat, the front pair were easily clear of the third.

MASAR : 3pt Win @ 7/4 (BOG)

15.00 Sandown – BetBright Casino Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) (8f)

With four from six past winning favourites in this race I suppose we have to take on board that Nathra will head the market for John Gosden.

She has got better with every run and looked like she was going to get off the mark in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes when she was beaten by Massaat who was tipped up on here. If she brings her second in the French 1000gns she will be very hard to beat. She was beaten this year in the Valiant Stakes which went to On Her Toes who she re-apposes again this afternoon.

This time around she will be getting 3lb back form both Tisbutadream and On Her Toes and with her improvement now coming to hand she should be finding the losing distance. Tisbutadream has to be considered again after her second in the Hungerford Stakes, but I have concerns that this race has come to quick after her defeat in France two weeks ago.

NATHRA : 2pt Win @ 9/2 (BOG)

15.15 Beverley – totescoop6 Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes (Listed) (5f)

Last years winner and fourth go head to head again and it is the latter this time around that can gain revenge and success. Final Venture has since changed hands when he was trained by Alan Swinbank to win this race, now with a sprinting trainer I feel he has enough speed to fend off all comers under a power pack ride from Nunthorpe winning jockey Luke Morris.

Kimberella seems to save her best for the all weather or Chester these days, but she did win the Listed Queensberry Stakes at Chester two runs back when beating Judicial quiet comfortably, but she has to concede 3lb to Judicial this time around and the latter should be a lot closer this time.

Borderlescott landed this race as a ten year old and Take Cover is looking to come as the only second double aged winner. Dropping back into this category he has to be taken seriously after he showed when landing the Listed City Walls Stakes at York this year.

However both Kimberella and Take Cover have become more exposed than some of these on turf this year, so on that account Paul Midgley’s five year old can go three places better this year.

FINAL VENTURE : 2pt Win @ 5/1 (BOG)

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by ·Comments Off on World Cup Qualifiers – Malta vs England – Match Preview
Malta vs England - Match Preview

Malta vs England – Match Preview – Gareth Southgate’s men are back in action for a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Malta. The Three lions are yet to be beaten during the qualifying campaign, having won 4 of their six encounters thus far.

Travelling to Malta could spell trouble for England however, who have only won one of their three away fixtures so far in Group F. Malta are sitting rock bottom of the qualifying group though; yet to claim a point after six matches.

With only two goals to their name, the Maltese attack hasn’t had much effect to this date. The same could be said for the defence, who have conceded 15 goals; five coming from a battering to the feet from Scotland back in 2016. However, Malta took the field back in June of this year against the Ukraine in a friendly and came out victorious 1-0.

England will be expected to win comfortably against Malta Photo Credit: skysports.com

England shouldn’t face too many issues in their trip to Malta, however as always, the talking points have been around squad selection. Following Wayne Rooney’s retirement from international football, many will be looking to Harry Kane to create yet another legacy spearheading the English attack. Kane has only scored once so far in the qualifying campaign, however will be many peoples favourite to bag a goal this Friday.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – England to Win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 11/4

Skybet First Goalscorer – Harry Kane to score 1st – 2/1

As aforementioned, the likelihood of Malta challenging England on the score line is rather slim. If they were to pull off a victory, it would not only be possibly the biggest victory in their history but also would shine a very glum light onto Gareth Southgate at the throne of the England national team.

Skybet Match Result – Malta to Win – 40/1

The two nations have only ever met four times in their history, with England winning all four matches. The biggest score line was 5-0 to England back in 1971, could history repeat itself?

Skybet Correct Score – England to Win 5-0 – 13/2

 

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by ·Comments Off on West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City – Match Preview
West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City - Match Preview

West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City – Match Preview – Tony Pulis welcomes his old team to The Hawthorns as West Brom look to continue their perfect start to the season against a Stoke side buoyed from a wonderful victory over Arsenal last time out.

The Potters, now managed by Mark Hughes of course, lost their opening game 1-0 to Everton to a fairytale goal from returning hero Wayne Rooney.
However, Jese Rodriguez, following confirmation of his loan signing from PSG, conjured his own piece of magic with a dream debut strike to defeat Arsenal by the same score-line.

A totally different type of challenge awaits the Staffordshire team when they travel to West Brom, an increase on the astounding 22.7% possession they had in the game against Arsenal is practically guaranteed.

Ahmed Hegazy scored the match winner against Burnley Photo Credit: skysports.com

Pulis’ men have started the campaign in what must be described as typical Pulis fashion, two games, two 1-0 wins (with the goals coming from a set-piece and a long-ball) and a very happy manager. New signing Ahmed Hegazy scored the winner v Bournemouth and Welsh international Hal Robson-Kanu took his goal brilliantly to see off Burnley before being remarkably sent-off just a matter of minutes later.

Currently perennial mid-table teams, just a point separated West Brom in 10th and Stoke in 13th last campaign and both will want to push on from those finishes. However, in an increasingly competitive league it will be difficult to do so.

Expect a tight game with two well organised teams and the difference perhaps being a piece of magic from one of Stoke’s eternal mavericks (Shaqiri or Jese come to mind) or from yet another well-executed set-play from The Baggies.

Team News 
Manchester City’s interest in Jonny Evans shows no signs of rescinding, but the Northern Ireland international could be set to make his first appearances of the season if he passes a late fitness test. Claudio Jacob is also expected to return. Robson-Kanu will be suspended after his red card against Burnley.

Stoke could welcome back Xherdan Shaqiri and his potential explosion of ingenuity into the forward line after missing out in the midweek League Cup match against Rochdale.

Darren Fletcher takes on his former club on Sunday Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch 
Darren Fletcher made the switch from The Hawthorns to the bet365 this summer and is facing an almost immediate return. With a wealth of experience and proven ability at the top level, the 33-year-old was pivotal to Pulis’ midfield during his two years at the club. Now in the middle of the park for Stoke, alongside the vast experience, his exceptional reading of the game and tactical nous can only be an asset for Hughes’ team. Fletcher has won every club trophy in the game whilst at Manchester United and with over 300 Premier League appearances, shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

 

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

Manchester United vs Leicester City – Match Preview – Manchester United host Leicester City as Jose Mourinho will aim to continue the momentum of their perfect start to the campaign.
The self proclaimed ‘Special One’ has enjoyed watching his side dismantle both West Ham and Swansea in their opening fixtures with consecutive 4-0 victories. Meanwhile, Leicester have been illustrating their attacking prowess since the first whistle of the new season.

Manchester United have flexed their financial muscle yet again this summer and it appears to have paid off thus far. The arrival of Romelu Lukaku stole the back pages and his opening two matches have continued that trend. The big Belgian scored two against West Ham in an emphatic debut and nailed Swansea’s coffin with a late goal in his second league match. Can Lukaku make it three consecutive games on the scoresheet?

Skybet Player to Score a Brace – Romelu Lukaku – 2/1

‘The Foxes’ bounced back from a tough 4-3 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League’s opening match with a 2-0 victory over league newcomers, Brighton and Hove Albion.
A season of stability is required from Craig Shakespeare and promising signs were shown in their previous outing. However, United pose a much larger threat and Shakespeare’s men will have a tough time dealing with the ‘Red Devils’ attack. New arrival, Harry Maguire has impressed since joining Leicester but will face his toughest test yet having to mark Lukaku and company.
Jamie Vardy will be hoping to get some good service in behind the United defence as he aims for a third season of goalscoring for ‘The Foxes’.

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Jamie Vardy to Score Anytime in 90 mins – 3/1

Henrik Mkhitaryan has been in great form for Manchester United so far this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Jose Mourinho will be hoping his pattern of good early starts in the domestic leagues resulting in title wins will occur yet again with his new-look Manchester United side. The introduction of Marcus Rashford and Henrik Mhkitaryan in behind target-man Lukaku has seen great success so far. Summer arrival Nemanja Matic has also hit the ground running and has struck up a promising relationship with £90 million man Paul Pogba. They are tough to bet against.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Manchester United to Win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 100/30

Shinji Okazaki could cause the United defence problems with his movement Photo Credit: skysports.com

Leicester are fresh from a 4-1 victory over Sheffield United midweek in the Carabao Cup. Two goals from hot and cold striker Islam Slimani saw ‘The Foxes’ cruise to victory. It is unsure whether Slimani’s efforts on Tuesday will earn him a spot in the starting eleven. Both Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy have begun the campaign in impressive fashion, which could spell more time on the bench for the Algerian. Leicester seem to be in a goal-scoring mood, could it rattle the United defence?

Skybet Match Result – Leicester to Win – 15/2

by ·Comments Off on UEFA Champions League Qualifier 2nd Leg – Liverpool vs Hoffenheim – Match Preview
UEFA Champions League Qualifier - Liverpool vs Hoffenheim - Match Preview

Liverpool vs Hoffenheim – Match Preview – Liverpool will be looking to finish the job this Wednesday in the second leg tie of their Champions League qualifier with Hoffenheim. Jurgen Klopp’s side were fortunate in many ways to come out victorious on their trip to Hamburg. A goal from youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold and an own goal was enough to see the Reds over the line. A missed penalty in the 12th minute from Hoffenheim winger, Andrej Kramaric was a lucky escape for the Scousers.

Firmino and Salah will be key to Liverpool’s qualification hopes Photo Credit: skysports.com

A dominant performance, yet narrow victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League has left many wondering if Klopp will make many changes for their all important second leg. Sadio Mane has continued his fine form in front of goal and is proving to be more and more invaluable to this Liverpool side. His frightening speed and dribbling ability is sure to cause the Germans’ defence some issues.

Skybet Both Players to Score- Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah – 7/2

Hoffenheim enjoyed a dream start to their Bundesliga campaign, beating Werder Bremen 1-0 in front of a home crowd. Andrej Kramaric nailed home an 84th minute winner in emphatic fashion to get his own campaign up and running. The ex-Leicester flop has rejuvenated his form in Germany and is Hoffenheim’s biggest threat to Liverpool this Wednesday.

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Andrej Kramaric to Score Anytime in 90 mins – 2/1

Andrej Kramaric will be a big threat at Anfield Photo Credit: bundesliga.com

Jurgen Klopp has a rather successful past in European competitions, most recently reaching the Europa League final with Liverpool. When first appointed, Liverpool would have wanted the exuberant German to lead the Scouse outfit back into the Champions League. Now so close to achieveing that, Klopp will be feeling alot of pressure on these 90 minutes. Having dominated Crystal Palace with a whopping 77% possession, they will be hoping to bring that momentum into the early stages on Wednesday. They must start quickly otherwise it will be long 90 minutes.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Liverpool to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 4/1

Hoffenheim will be hoping to shock many in their trip to North England. The German side were disappointed with the result in their first match given the missed penalty. However, they should be full of confidence heading into this second leg. Manager Julian Nagelsmann will set up in attacking fashion knowing his side have to get a result. Klopp has been impressed with the impact his opposing coach has had on the Hoffenheim side, but he won’t be too impressed if he knocks his side out.

Skybet Match Result – Hoffenheim to Win – 4/1

 

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

Manchester City vs Everton – Match Preview – Manchester City host Everton at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Premier League, with the last game of the 2nd week set to be an exciting one.

Both sides have strengthened their squads; Manchester City have spent over £150 million on their defence alone, signing Kyle Walker for £45 million from Tottenham and raiding current French champions, Monaco, for Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva.

Everton also added to their squad, selling forward, Romelu Lukaku, to Manchester United in an initial £75 million deal, allowing them to pursue a number of players in all areas of the squad. Most notably, the return of Wayne Rooney from Manchester United. Everton have also signed Swansea attacking midfielder, Gylfi Sigurdsson for £45 million, showing that Everton are not only looking to compete in the league, but on all fronts of competitions, especially with the Europa League being very demanding.

Aguero and Sane can cause the Everton defence problems Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

City defeated newly promoted Brighton on their opening fixture 2-0 at the Amex stadium, with Sergio Aguero and a Lewis Dunk own goal securing a comfortable win. No new injury concerns for the Citizens, with new signing Benjamin Mendy still sidelined with a thigh injury. City are expected to be unchanged from their opening fixture.

Everton also won their opening fixture, with a 1-0 home win against Stoke City as Wayne Rooney scored on his Premier League return to Goodison Park. Koeman and his men were in action in the Europa League first round playoffs last Thursday, defeating Hadjuk Split at home. Everton look set for a packed season, full of midweek games to fulfil as well as the Premier League and the signings made by Ronald Koeman show he has ammunition in most areas of the field.

New signing Gylfi Sigurdsson is poised to make his debut for Everton and Spanish forward Sandro Ramirez could return after missing out midweek. Ross Barkley and James McCarthy are still sidelined with injury.

Rooney will be key to Everton breaking down City Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player To Watch

Wayne Rooney has come back to Everton with a smile on his face and has settled in extremely well, back at Goodison. He has taken the captain’s armband in place of Phil Jagielka and looks as though he never left the club. Slotting in behind the striker or even leading the line himself, Rooney can adapt to most circumstances on the field along with taking control from the middle. With Rooney’s experience and hunger for success, both Koeman and the squad will benefit from England’s all time top goalscorer and the added incentive of facing Manchester City could see a performance of the highest from the former Manchester United forward.

 

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by ·Comments Off on Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea - Match Preview

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Match Preview – In just the second weekend of the new Premier League season we are being treated to one of the fixtures of the season – Tottenham play their first home league game at Wembley by hosting the 2016/17 champions and London rivals Chelsea, in what could already be billed as a crucial match for the entire season.

Remarkably even at this early stage in the campaign, many are claiming The Blues to be in turmoil. Last season’s 20-goal striker Diego Costa says he is being ‘treated like a criminal’ while manager Antonio Conte has repeatedly voiced his concerns about the club’s dealings (or lack of) in the transfer market.

Pair that with the capitulation of being 3-0 down to Burnley at home in the opening game and finishing the match with nine men and trouble could well be on the horizon should Chelsea lose again this week.

Losing to Spurs of all teams would be a particularly bitter pill to swallow, with the two clubs striking a fierce rivalry in recent seasons. Memorable moments such as Chelsea’s 2015 League Cup Final victory over the North-London side and the bizarre game where The Blues ended Spurs’ 2015/16 title aspirations have added fuel to the flames in this fixture.

Alvaro Morata could make his first Premier League start against Spurs Photo Credit: skysports.com

Last year’s runners-up (to Chelsea), Spurs, have baffled many with the decision to not further invest in a squad which has come so close but not quite far enough to glory in recent seasons – especially whilst direct competitors throw extraordinary money at strengthening their squads.

It could, however, be argued that (despite selling Kyle Walker to Manchester City for 50m) retaining most of their most influential players such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld with minimal fuss is a strong window in itself.

Another obstacle facing Mauricio Pochettino’s team is the Wembley factor, with a woeful recent record at the home of English football, Spurs must come to terms with overcoming their apparent hoodoo as they will play every home match at the famous ground whilst the new White Hart Lane is under construction.

A fantastic clash between two of the country’s finest teams and brilliant managers in Conte and Pochettino will well and truly ignite the spark of yet another exhilarating Premier League campaign, not that it needed any help to do so.

 

Team News 
Plenty of team news for both sides, as Spurs’ youthful Kyle Walker replacement, Kyle Walker-Peters looks to keep his place despite the return to fitness of more established right-back Kieran Trippier.
However, on the opposite side of defence Danny Rose remains side-lined so the reliable Ben Davies will keep his place in the team. Erik Lamela and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou are both still unavailable.

Chelsea have much more pressing concerns, star man Eden Hazard is still not 100%, while Pedro is a huge doubt and Diego Costa is on the other side of the world. Both of captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas are suspended after their red cards last week, but Victor Moses and new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko could feature for the first time this campaign. Big-money striker Alvaro Morata is expected to displace Michy Batshuayi and make his full debut for the club.

Can Harry Kane get off the mark against rivals Chelsea Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch 
A well-documented fact; Harry Kane is yet to score a league goal in the month of August, but not for the want of trying. The back-to-back Premier League Golden Boot winner is in constant, imperious form for the rest of the season though, and any side would be foolish to underestimate his potential impact. The England international is lethal from anywhere within 25 yards of goal and also has a penchant for scoring against London clubs with an astonishing record of 19 strikes in 26 league games in derbies in England’s capital. Could he add to that total on Sunday?

 

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

Stoke City vs Arsenal – Match Preview – On the back of contrasting opening day results; Stoke face Arsenal at home hoping to kick-start their season and get one over on Arsene Wenger’s title-hopefuls in the process.

As everyone is aware, there is no easy fixture in the Premier League. Arsenal away to Stoke is a game which typifies that caveat – The Potters are often seen as The Gunners’ ‘bogey’ team – especially at the bet365 Stadium.

Wenger’s side have come away from Stoke with victory just twice in the Premier League era and know that another tough evening’s work awaits them in this game too.

Arsenal have finally invested in a big-money striker, Alexandre Lacazette, and the French international got off to the perfect start last week with a league debut goal inside two minutes.

This was just the first goal in a thrilling 4-3 win at home to Leicester, which saw the Gunners come back from 3-2 with less than 10 minutes left to claim the win – Aaron Ramsey and match-winner Olivier Giroud both came off the substitutes bench to find the net and send the fans into raptures.

In bleaker news, the futures of some of the club’s most valuable players in Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all still undecided, which leaves Arsenal in a particularly arduous scenario – the club need to be competing and winning at the highest level to keep players of that calibre, but need players of that calibre to be able to compete and win. Being able to come away with victory in battling fixtures such as Stoke away is essential to a good Premier League season.

New Stoke City signing Moteng could feature on Saturday

Stoke have succumbed to their own stereotype this summer, a middling club whose ambition can be questioned – and has by West Ham’s new £25m signing Marco Arnautovic upon his departure from the bet365.

The Potters have forgone spending money for instead acquiring loan signings, causing many to predict Stoke to struggle in the season ahead. A limp showing last week in a 1-0 defeat at Everton did nothing to dispel such suggestions. Mark Hughes is still a knowledgeable manager with a strong squad at his disposal, however.

Arsenal undoubtedly come in as massive favourites and if they play to their capabilities will win, but can Stoke live up to recent history and once again take pleasure in snatching a win against the North-London side?

 Team News
Sanchez is again unlikely to start due to an abdominal injury but is getting nearer to full fitness. Francis Coquelin is back in contention while the centre-back situation at Arsenal is improving with both Per Mertersacker and Shkodran Mustafi expected to be available while Laurent Koscielny serves the final match of his three-game ban.
Goal-scorers and match-changers from the bench last week, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud are both pushing for starts – with the former much more likely to do so than the latter.

For Stoke, their big team news is the signing of Jese on loan from PSG, and the Spaniard is expected to feature instantly. New signing Maxim Choupo-Moteng could also make his first start for the club.

Granit Xhaka needs to make his presence felt more in the Premier League Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch
Granit Xhaka played a significant part in the rollercoaster ride that was Arsenal 4-3 Leicester, at fault for a couple of The Foxes’ goals but repairing the damage by assisting some afterwards. That level of inconsistent performance typifies the 53-times capped Switzerland international’s Arsenal career to date. The 24-year-old’s ability to spray passes of all types while simultaneously demonstrating the aggression that’s been lacking in central midfield at The Emirates in recent years is a good sign – however a lack of discipline in both mistimed/sloppy challenges and in a positional and tactical sense leave a lot to be desired. There is no doubt he has a wand of a left foot, mind, and he isn’t afraid to show it.

 

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by ·Comments Off on Swansea City vs Manchester United – Match Preview

Swansea City vs Manchester United – Match Preview – Back into the thick of it we go, the Premier League is up and running and the second round of fixtures gets underway with Manchester United travelling to South Wales to face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

The Red Devils are hungrier than ever for trophies this year and are likely to seriously compete for the Premier League title and the form last week in beating West Ham suggested as much.

Paul Clement’s Swansea will be desperate to avoid the same relegation battle that blighted their 2016/17 campaign – an increasingly challenging task given that star player Gylfi Sigurdsson has just departed for Everton in a deal estimated to be worth £45m.

United will be massive favourites to steamroller the Swans and it will take defensive reliance of the highest order from the latter to deny that possibility.

Lukaku’s brace helped Manchester United to a 4-0 home win on the opening day Photo Credit: skysports.com

Previous Meeting
Jose Mourinho’s side were the strongest performers on the opening matchday, dismantling West Ham 4-0 at Old Trafford courtesy of a league debut brace by Romelu Lukaku and goals from Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial. As a result, they now find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Swansea, however, were considerably less convincing; their season began by hanging on for dear life and battling to earn a 0-0 draw away at Southampton – a good clean sheet and point nonetheless.

Meetings last season
This fixture last year brought a 3-1 victory for the travelling Mancuinians, Paul Pogba scoring a wonderfully executed half-volley in a feeble performance by the Swans during Bob Bradley’s tumultuous reign.

The reverse fixture also saw the away side look strongest, whilst conceding a very contentious penalty for Lukasz Fabianski’s challenge on Marcus Rashford which Wayne Rooney duly dispatched, what was now Paul Clement’s team contained the Europa League winners. A wonderful piece of Gylfi Sigurdsson magic to find the top corner’s apex with a delightful free-kick saw the scores finish 1-1.

Fernando Llorente could return to the Swansea side this weekend Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News
Swansea now have the almighty task of replacing Gylfi Sigurdsson, but will be boosted in the knowledge last season’s top-scorer Fernando Llorente is set to return from the broken arm which prevented the striker from featuring in pre-season. However, Ki Sung-Yeung and Nathan Dyer are still injured so will play not take part.

Jose Mourinho can once again count on the squad he had available last time out, with only the long-term absentees of Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo unavailable for selection.

Nemanja Matic will be key for Manchester United in all competitions this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch
Scarcely does a player make such an instant impact as what Nemanja Matic did last week. The Serbian international completely dominated in midfield against The Hammers in a performance which many took to justify his £40m price tag and strongly question Chelsea’s reasoning for selling such a key player to a direct rival. Matic seems to be precisely the type of forward-thinking midfield patroller than United have lacked in recent seasons, with a great blend of dynamism and technique on the ball, the 29-year-old will be at the heart of Saturday’s match and in the United midfield for seasons to come.

 

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by ·Comments Off on Burton Albion vs Birmingham City – Match Preview
Burton Albion vs Birmingham City - Match Preview

Burton Albion vs Birmingham City – Match Preview – Burton Albion host Birmingham City on Friday night in the Sky Bet Championship. With the home side yet to pick up a point this season, it already looks to be an important game for them as they look to avoid the drop.

Having already faced two of last year’s relegated sides, Middlesbrough and Hull, few will be surprised to see Burton struggling. Last year’s achievement of avoiding relegation was nothing short of a miracle, but this year it will be even harder for Nigel Clough to replicate that feet.

Can Clough gain victory over Birmingham as they did last season? Photo Credit: skysports.com

The club were dealt an early blow when new record signing Liam Boyce was ruled out for the majority of the season with knee ligament damage. With the budget at the Pirelli stadium already small, this was a huge loss for them. However, one thing Burton can seek solace from is their home form. Last year they picked up 28 points at home, which was a huge part of them staying in the division. Having lost their opening home game against Cardiff, they’ll be keen to get back to winning ways and record their first three points of the season.

Birmingham have had a mixed start to the Championship season. Now under the guidance of Harry Redknapp, the Blues have lost, won and drawn in their opening three games. Redknapp has made no bones about saying he needs more players at St Andrews, and this is clear from his limited options from the bench.

Harry Redknapp will hope for a win away from home on Friday night against Burton Photo Credit: skysports.com

After a dismal defeat on the opening day to Ipswich, four points from Bristol City and Bolton at home is far from catastrophic. Without the injured Che Adams however, they do look toothless up front, with many fans calling for the owners to bring in some much needed firepower. Adams has impressed so far this season, registering three goals in the league and cup so far. He has attracted admirers across the league, with Birmingham knocking back a bid from former manager Gary Rowett, who is now manager at Debry County.

Incredibly, these two have only met twice in the league. Both of those games were last season, where Burton won both times. This means Birmingham have never beaten Burton, a record they will hope to amend come Friday. In both game last season, the games finished 2-0 to Burton, meaning the Blues have also never scored against the Brewers.

On Friday, I can see them breaking that record, with a hard fought 1-1 draw.

 

SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE 1-1- 9/2

SKYBET: BURTON TO WIN 1-0, 2-0, OR 2-1- 5/2

SKYBET: BIRMINGHAM TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE- 9/2

SKYBET: DRAW AND OVER 2.5 MATCH GOALS- 12/1

SKYBET: DONALDSON AND VASSELL TO BOTH SCORE- 17/2

SKYBET: BURTON TO WIN FROM BEHIND- 16/1

SKYBET: BURTON TO IN TO NIL- 7/2