This Saturday could be pivotal to the outcome of the Premier league because both Liverpool and Manchester City look vulnerable in away fixtures. The two top teams in the Premier League are unbeaten (before Liverpool’s match on Wednesday at Burnley) but one or both of those records could go this weekend. Bournemouth and Chelsea could upsets but it would be a major shock if both teams picked up three points at home.
Liverpool have been winning matches in the Premier League without playing as well as last season. It was all about the front men but this season the defence have impressed. Liverpool have conceded five goals in 14 matches and only let in one goal at home. They rode their luck against Everton who missed some big chances and clinched the win in the 96th minute with one of the most bizarre goals of the season. Their luck could run out on the road at Bournemouth.
The home side had lost four matches in the Premier League in succession before beating Huddersfield at home but even they conceded a goal. The fixture list has caught up with Bournemouth and they lost matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in the last month. That run of tough encounters will not happen again this season and despite winning no points out of 12 the three points against Huddersfield took Bournemouth to sixth place ahead of the Premier League programme on Wednesday. Liverpool could suffer a league defeat in this meeting.
Manchester City were much better value than the 2-1 score line at Watford on Tuesday. They had the chances to be several goals in front before Watford pulled a goal back in the last 10 minutes. Suddenly a defence that were knocking the ball around confidently at the back were under a bit of pressure. City held on to win the match but they can’t afford to be so wasteful against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Since losing to Tottenham in the league Chelsea have won two matches without conceding a goal so are in good nick for the City match which they could win.
There are three live matches on Saturday because Tottenham are away at Leicester in the evening. The home club are still in turmoil after the tragic loss of their chairman and the emotion of the situation will soon replace the adrenaline. It is tough for visiting sides because they want to respect and sympathise with the club but also look after themselves and try to win the match. After losing to Arsenal at the weekend Tottenham were at home to Southampton in the week and three points from that match and a win at Leicester gets their season back on track.
Newcastle’s home match against Wolves on Sunday could also be telling. Both clubs are a few points and positions out of the relegation situation but a defeat in this match would drag either team back into the battle to beat the drop. Wolves have not won in five league matches and Newcastle had won three of their last five before playing at Everton this week. Recent form points to a home win and three points for Newcastle and troubling times for Wolves.
Everton lost against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday but deserved something out of the match. In the last 20 minutes (and most of the extra minutes) the Blues looked more likely to score than the Reds. We all know what happened in the last minute of added time but two home matches should repair some of the damage. Everton are fancied to beat Watford at Goodison Park in the Monday Football night match.
Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott
Will It Be A Good Day For Trump?
There is a man called Trump playing Joe Perry in the UK Championship in snooker today but I don’t think he is any relation to The Donald. The US President is probably more a pool man so he will be interested in the third day of the Mosconi Cup. The Ryder Cup of pool brings together the best five players from Europe and the United States at the Alexandra Palace in London. The away team are leading by 6 matches to 4 with 11 more points up for grabs. The tournament continues until one team has reached 11 points and EUROPE are 5/4 with William Hill to come from behind and win the 2018 Mosconi Cup.
Oxford and Cambridge play each other at most sports these days but other than the Boat Race the biggest occasion is the Varsity match in rugby union. It’s the 137th such meeting and in the history of the match there has only ever been one of two winners. Cambridge have won the last two matches but are the underdogs this time. However, they can limit the margin of defeat so CAMBRIDGE +8 at 10//11 with Ladbrokes is the bet in the student’s rugger dust up.
There are no meaningful football matches in England and the rest of Europe tonight but there is a big football match in the United States but the punt-off in the NFL fixture is not until 1.20am. Jacksonville are at Tennessee and the visitors have won just one of the last seven corresponding fixtures and a low-scoring encounter is expected. The match brings together the 30th and 28th highest scoring teams in the league and the total point’s line is 39.5 which is well below average. The Vegas handicappers may have overreacted to the stats so OVER 39.5 POINTS is the bet of the night at 11/10 with Betfair.
The richest race of the day is the handicap chase over three miles and one furlong at Wincanton (1.30). The trends suggest Captain Buck’s is the horse to back but no wins in nine races over fences does not instil much confidence. A breathing operation has done the trick for COLOMBO who is well treated on past form so the horse is the selection to win this race at 7/2 with bet365.
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