The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2017/18: Round 8

<div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry Phillips</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back Watford @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/5">2.44</span> in Double Chance v Arsenal<br />Saturday, 17:30<br />Live on BT Sport</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the type of game where you can sense an upset, if you could even call it that against Arsenal these days. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Arsenal's away record has been poor this season</strong>, losing to Stoke and also suffering a heavy loss against Liverpool. They've had a run of four consecutive victories but those were largely played at home against teams with little attacking potency.<br /><br />Watford have started the season really strongly and a point was the least they deserved against West Brom in their last fixture. Putting their result against Manchester City aside, they've looked capable of being competitive against some of the bigger teams and ran Liverpool close at home in their opening fixture.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harry Phillips 2017-18 P/L: +£61.10</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Adam Baylis</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back under 1.5 goals in Southampton v Newcastle @ <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="12/5"></span></strong><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="12/5"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">3.35</span></span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday, 16:00<br />Live on Sky Sports Main Event / Premier League</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much has been made of Southampton's woes in front of goal and I have little doubt <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">their barren run will end soon</strong> however I don't expect it to be this weekend. Outside of the current top four in the league only Burnley's defense has been more miserly than that of Newcastle, and while entertainment may be in short supply, Rafa Benitez knows that if his side are to survive they must <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">build from the back</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Rafa's focus lying with the rearguard it's no surprise that they've been quiet in front of goal, notching just seven times so far this season - two more than Southampton - and I expect Mauricio Pellegrino's men to keep Joselu under wraps on Sunday. All of this, unfortunately, looks to add up to <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a pretty drab affair</strong> at St Mary's with perhaps one side stealing a goal and holding on for dear life.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam Baylis 2017-18 P/L: +£19.75</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Joe Dyer</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back Burnley to beat West Ham @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/5">2.80</span><br />Saturday, 15:00</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Burnley's home form kept them up last season but while it looks like they're trying to do the reverse this year I'll be backing them to win at <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Turf Moor </strong>on Saturday.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sean Dyche's team have defeated <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chelsea </strong>and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Everton </strong>on the road while also picking up a point apiece in trips to <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spurs </strong>and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liverpool</strong>. That is stunning form and if they can recreate that level should surely beat West Ham in this 3pm kick-off.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the home form has not matched their road play and the market isn't convinced they will get back on the winning trail making them <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/5"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>2.80</b></span></span> to defeat <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Slaven Bilic</strong>'s side.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Ham are slowly overcoming a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">miserable start</strong> to the season that saw them lose their first three matches all on the road. They've recovered a touch since then but were <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">abject </strong>until finding themselve 3-0 down to Spurs and were <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">second best</strong> for most of their 1-0 defeat of Swansea at the London Stadium.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not quite come together for the Hammers this season while sixth-placed Burnley are ticking along nicely, and I think the home side aren't quite being <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">respected </strong>by the market. Time for Dyche's team to improve that home record.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe Dyer 2017-18 P/L: +£4.75</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mike Norman</strong><br /><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Back Tottenham -2 to Win @ 13/8 v Bournemouth (Sportsbook)</b></span><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday, 15:00</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tottenham host Bournemouth at Wembley on Saturday afternoon and it's a great opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino's men to record their <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">first league win of the season</strong> at their temporary home.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On paper, failing to beat both Burnley and Swansea on 'home' soil was a disappointment and more fuel to keep burning the 'Spurs can't play at Wembley' fire, but if we're being honest the Lilywhites should have won both those games convincingly - they recorded <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">54 shots at goal, 13 on target</strong>, in those two matches.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry Kane</strong> in sensational form, and Bournemouth struggling, it really does feel like that this will be the game that Spurs record their first home league win of the season, and it could be by a wide margin too.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cherries have <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lost all three league away games this term</strong>, including a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, and against Tottenham they have conceded 12 goals in their four meetings. That man Kane scored six goals alone in those four meetings, and he'll surely be key again in what will hopefully be a very comfortable Spurs victory.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike Norman 2017-18 P/L: -£16.25</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dan Thomas<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back West Brom to beat Leicester at</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="16/5">4.20</span><br />Monday, 20:00<br />Live on Sky Sports Football</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Newcastle almost did me a favour last time out when going close to a late winner against Liverpool, and I'm sticking to the policy of looking at <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">big prices</strong> in the match odds this weekend, with a punt on West Brom.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tony Pulis</strong>' men have been decent enough on their travels this season, picking up solid wins at Burnley and Accrington and playing well in unlucky defeat at Arsenal. It was only the Brighton game they didn't perform and the manager made it clear how unacceptable that performance was.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leicester have only picked up one win in the league so far - against the aforementioned Seagulls - and just over evens on a team one place outside the relegation zone looks short to me.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Baggies have picked up <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">two wins and a draw on their last three trips</strong> across the Midlands and I'll take them to make it three wins from four at a nice price on Monday.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan Thomas 2017-18 P/L: -£41.25</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkZ0ar_U5vI/WeF4s0MpnmI/AAAAAAAAD0I/tV7N7l4pQ3g5aJayQGsgkB_UNTuKJjTCwCLcBGAs/s1600/tottenham-hotspurs-harry-kane-left-mauricio-pochettino..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkZ0ar_U5vI/WeF4s0MpnmI/AAAAAAAAD0I/tV7N7l4pQ3g5aJayQGsgkB_UNTuKJjTCwCLcBGAs/s640/tottenham-hotspurs-harry-kane-left-mauricio-pochettino..jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong></div>

The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2017/18: Round 8

Harry Phillips Back Watford @   2.44  in Double Chance v Arsenal Saturday, 17:30 Live on BT Sport This is the type of game where you can ...

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La Liga Betting: In-form Barcelona can sneak past Atlético Madrid

<div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Getafe v Real Madrid</span><br />Saturday, 15:15<br />Live on Betfair Live Video</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where were we, then? Ah yes: the title race and that seven-point gap. And for Real Madrid, a handy chance to exert some pressure on Barcelona immediately after the international break. Los Merengues make the short trip across town to play Getafe a few hours before their great rivals kick off against Atlético, so <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a good result here is crucial</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Zinedine Zidane, the hope must be that time away with their national teams has had a positive effect on his players. Even Madrid's victories before the break were scrappy affairs, relying on individual contributions (Dani Ceballos against Alavés, Isco against Espanyol) more than collective force. Still, the feeling is that <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">things can only get better once the gears start churning again</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getafe have made a solid enough start to life back in the bigtime and have not been overwhelmed in their tricker fixtures: they held Athletic, pushed both Sevilla and Barcelona, and thrashed Villarreal. But their record in derbies is pitiful - <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14 losses in the last 15 league meetings</strong> - and the defeat to Deportivo La Coruña last time out probably dented their confidence.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitors are without Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovačić, but <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they should still have more than enough firepower</strong> - and more than enough motivation - to kickstart their season here.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back Real Madrid -1.5 at</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/6">1.85</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Atlético Madrid v Barcelona</span><br />Saturday, 19:45<br />Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nine games, nine wins, 27 goals for and two against</strong>: Barcelona's record so far this term across La Liga and the Champions League makes for pretty formidable reading. Ernesto Valverde's side have been imperious, putting their summer troubles behind them and concentrating on the business of winning football matches and winning them well.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even the shadow of political chaos in Catalonia didn't derail them a fortnight ago. The late decision to play the game against Las Palmas behind closed doors may have raised a few eyebrows and disappointed a few thousand fans, but after a goalless first half the players kept their heads to pull away from the Canary Islanders.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, the Blaugrana travel to the Wanda Metropolitana for the first time to face an Atlético Madrid side looking to ensure their old competitive, inhospitable edge remains with them at their new ground. Two league games there have yielded two wins and two clean sheets, which is a good start, although there is work to be done at the other end of the pitch: <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Antoine Griezmann has yet to hit top gear</strong> and the supporting cast still don't have the consistency to make up for the shortfall.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been a tough fixture for Atleti recently: <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Los Colchoneros have not won a single one of the last 14 league games against Barça</strong>, losing 11 of them. They won't roll over here, but with Barcelona in such devastating form, and Lionel Messi producing his best football for a while, the chance to back the league leaders at attractive odds on the Asian handicap shouldn't be missed.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back Barcelona 0 & -0.5 at</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/5">2.20</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Real Betis v Valencia</span><br />Sunday, 19:45<br />Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Real Betis and Valencia have both provided brilliant entertainment</strong> to neutrals so far this season and there is reason to think they'll make Sunday night's match an attractive spectacle.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hosts, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">reborn this term under Quique Setién</strong>, have scored in every game since the opening-day defeat to Barcelona and have managed eight goals over their last two games, so confidence will be flowing through the attack. At the same time, defensive frailties remain: they also shipped four in a crazy game against Real Sociedad last time out.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valencia have also scored in six of their seven matches and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">their last three matches have produced five goals apiece</strong>, so we like their chances of making a game of this. The 14 games involving these two teams have produced 47 goals, so odds of <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/4"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>2.50</b></span></span> on there being four or more here are worth taking on.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back over 3.5 goals at</span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/4">2.50</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNIu8yva_jI/WeF3ymg_CNI/AAAAAAAADz8/rk92OiWVqMAYyeE_dmQEgmk8VYN2b6p0gCLcBGAs/s1600/atletico-barca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNIu8yva_jI/WeF3ymg_CNI/AAAAAAAADz8/rk92OiWVqMAYyeE_dmQEgmk8VYN2b6p0gCLcBGAs/s640/atletico-barca.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/4"><br /></span></span></strong></div> <div> <br /></div>

La Liga Betting: In-form Barcelona can sneak past Atlético Madrid

Getafe v Real Madrid Saturday, 15:15 Live on Betfair Live Video Where were we, then? Ah yes: the title race and that seven-point gap. And...

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Bundesliga Betting: Lewy can help Heynckes make a happy return

<div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Bayern Munich v Freiburg</span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday October 14, 14:30</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the unexpected that often gives football its magic, and the implosion of Carlo Ancelotti's reign at Bayern Munich certainly happened more quickly than many predicted. Bayern's reservations about their coach's lack of intensity were well known, but <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the end came with brutal speed,</strong> and the knives have been plunged deep and often into the Italian's back.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carletto's temporary replacement <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Willy Sagnol</strong> proved to be very temporary indeed, drawing his only game 2-2 at Hertha Berlin, before remarkably declaring that the Bavarian giants could no longer call themselves the strongest team in Germany. He didn't find many supporters for that statement.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Club president Uli Hoeness had doubts about the suitability of former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, but his preferred candidate Julian Nagelsmann is committed to Hoffenheim for the rest of this campaign. Enter stage left <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jupp Heynckes,</strong> the 72-year-old who led Bayern to the treble in 2013 before he was elbowed aside to make room for Pep Guardiola.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heynckes knows the players well, they in turn respect his work, and the hope is that the veteran can fill the fissures that have developed within the squad. A home game against Freiburg could be the perfect way to start. Although the Black Forest outfit managed an excellent win against Hoffenheim last time out, their away form in the last few months has been <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">atrocious.</strong> They have lost five of their last six Bundesliga away games, and have conceded 19 goals in those matches.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The markets heavily favour Bayern here, despite their three-match winless run in all competitions, so there aren't many attractive angles here. However, I like the look of backing <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Robert Lewandowski</strong> to score two goals or more at [2.25] on the Sportsbook. He scored four goals in Poland's final two World Cup qualifiers, including a hat-trick against Armenia. He has already scored multiple goals in four games this term for club and country, and with Freiburg leaking plenty of goals on the road, he could repeat the trick on Saturday.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bet</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back Robert Lewandowski to score two goals or more at [2.25]</span></strong> (Sportsbook)</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Hertha Berlin v Schalke</span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday October 14, 14:30</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schalke's bright new dawn under 32-year-old coach <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Domenico Tedesco</strong> has faded in recent weeks, with just one point collected from the last three games. There's no doubt that Tedesco is a clever guy with good ideas, but he is trying to implement a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">very careful style</strong> in which the collective system holds sway over flashes of unpredictability. That's all very well, but his players are understandably taking a while to adapt, and the football being played is hardly thrilling.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schalke have lost two of their three away games, they have fitness doubts over central midfielders Weston McKennie and Nabil Bentaleb (Max Meyer may have to play in a deeper role than usual), and they visit a Hertha side with an <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">excellent home record.</strong> The capital club came back from 2-0 down to hold Bayern 2-2 on Matchday Seven, and they have taken eight points from their four league matches at the Olympiastadion. If you stretch back into last season, you see that Hertha have lost just four of their last 21 Bundesliga home matches.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schalke have lost six of their last ten Bundesliga away games, and I'm not yet convinced that Tedesco's strategy will be a success at this level. I'll back the hosts with a bit of insurance.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bet</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Back Hertha Berlin Draw No Bet at</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="10/11">1.90</span></strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach</span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday October 15, 17:00</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since former Bremen defender Frank Baumann took over as Werder's sporting director, the club haven't fallen victim to panic when things have gone badly. Coach <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alexander Nouri</strong>could easily have been given the boot after losing the first four games of 2017, but Baumann kept faith, and Werder went on to win nine of the next 11 games on their way to a top-half finish.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now Baumann's patience is being tested again. Werder have drawn four and lost three of their first seven matches, but they have competed in every game, and only one of those defeats came by a margin of more than one goal. Baumann has publicly backed Nouri, as have several players.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The return from injury of influential skipper <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Zlatko Junuzovic</strong> should add drive and goal threat to midfield, and defensively Werder do look more cohesive than they have in recent seasons.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Borussia Monchengladbach have looked anything but defensively sound, with 12 goals conceded already. On the road, they have conceded twice at both Augsburg and Leipzig, and they leaked six goals at Borussia Dortmund. Gladbach have won just two of their last nine away games in the league, and I'm not entirely sure that coach <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dieter Hecking</strong> knows which style or starting eleven is best.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the hosts can break their duck here, even though their recent record against the Foals is poor. They are playing better than their results suggest.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bet</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back Werder Bremen Draw No Bet at</span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="1/1">2.00</span></strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2U4Azm61T4/WeF3Zud54II/AAAAAAAADz4/puAV-vO0a5gZ4Y_E8iTUUe1Npa15nslFACLcBGAs/s1600/heynckes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2U4Azm61T4/WeF3Zud54II/AAAAAAAADz4/puAV-vO0a5gZ4Y_E8iTUUe1Npa15nslFACLcBGAs/s640/heynckes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

Bundesliga Betting: Lewy can help Heynckes make a happy return

Bayern Munich v Freiburg Saturday October 14, 14:30 It's the unexpected that often gives football its magic, and the implosion of Car...

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Ligue 1 Betting: Saturday and Sunday in France's top division, writes James Eastham. And you can watch all of this

<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lille v Troyes (18th v 9th)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sat, 19:00 BST</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lille's short price of 1.60 to beat Troyes this weekend doesn't in any way reflect the way these two sides have played this season or the results they've picked up.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lille are winless in their last six matches, their only victory of the campaign coming against Nantes on the opening weekend (3-0). Since then they've produced a succession of mediocre performances, with the players struggling to adapt to manager Marcelo Bielsa's methods, serious questions about the club's summer recruitment policy and rumours of unrest at the training ground.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Troyes are nine places and six points above Lille in the Ligue 1 standings. Without being outstanding, Jean-Louis Garcia's newly promoted side have adapted pretty well to life in the top-flight and have picked up maximum points from their last two matches (1-0 win at Metz, 2-1 win over St Etienne). That's why Troyes are a good bet on the handicap this weekend.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a full guide to Asian Handicap betting, click here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Troyes +0.5&+1.0 Asian Handicap @ 2.20</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bordeaux v Nantes (6th v 4th)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sun, 14:00 BST</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Live on BT Sport ESPN</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nantes are in sensational form but there's a good chance they'll come unstuck at Bordeaux this weekend.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nantes won four games in a row during September and are unbeaten in six matches (W5-D1-L0) but those results are better than their performances have been. Manager Claudio Ranieri had got his side defensively well-organised but Nantes were lucky to win on a couple of occasions and cannot continue to keep seeing off opposition while their scoring rate remains lower than a goal a game (Nantes have scored just six times in eight fixtures to date).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bordeaux are top-four contenders this season and have the firepower to collect all 3pts. Their fine start to the 2017-18 season has carried over from last season: since the start of the calendar year Bordeaux's record against all sides but last season's top three Monaco, PSG and Nice is a remarkable W13-10-L0.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With such strong stats to fall back on Bordeaux will be confident of triumphing on Sunday afternoon.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bordeaux -0.5&-1.0 Asian Handicap @ 1.95</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Montpellier v Nice (13th v 10th)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sun, 16:00 BST</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Live on BT Sport ESPN</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a surprise to find Montpellier as short as 2.36 to win this weekend. The price on the hosts makes Nice the smart bet.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Montpellier owe their price to the fact that they've picked up points against France's top two sides in their last two outings. They drew 0-0 against PSG in their last home match and then scored a last-gasp equaliser to earn a point at Monaco (1-1) a fortnight ago.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Impressive as those results were, however, the fact remains that Montpellier have won just two of their first eight fixtures of the season and have a mediocre home record (W1-D2-L1). Nice are the more powerful attacking force and will be confident of avoiding defeat at the very least given their six-game form in all competitions (W4-D1-L1).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With our selection you'll make money if Nice win or draw.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice +0&+0.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.85</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlqnxQCmvvI/WeF28W1fG-I/AAAAAAAADz0/PGDbHVh4p2o8KwEgY4rEwi1622MGkyUZQCLcBGAs/s1600/francois-kamano-a-ete-l-un-des-grands-artisans-de-la-victoire-bordelaise-ce-dimanche-photo-afp-1487519566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlqnxQCmvvI/WeF28W1fG-I/AAAAAAAADz0/PGDbHVh4p2o8KwEgY4rEwi1622MGkyUZQCLcBGAs/s640/francois-kamano-a-ete-l-un-des-grands-artisans-de-la-victoire-bordelaise-ce-dimanche-photo-afp-1487519566.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Ligue 1 Betting: Saturday and Sunday in France's top division, writes James Eastham. And you can watch all of this

Lille v Troyes (18th v 9th) Sat, 19:00 BST Lille's short price of 1.60 to beat Troyes this weekend doesn't in any way reflect the...

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Liverpool v Man Utd: Goals could be scarce

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool v Man Utd </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 12:30 </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports Premier League</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hosts hurt by Mane loss</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some ways, Liverpool have been hard to predict this season, thrashing Arsenal one week, capitulating against Man City the next and failing to put teams away whilst dominating possession and chances.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet, simplifying it down, they've basically beaten teams who've given them space (Arsenal, Hoffenheim, Leicester) and struggled against those who haven't.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without doubt, Man Utd will fall into the latter category on Saturday and Jurgen Klopp hasn't really come up with solutions to beat sides who want to stand back and jab rather than come forward to throw punches themselves.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One win in seven is the grim reality for the Reds. A more positive spin is that they've lost just twice this season - once when reduced to 10 men and the other when playing a reserve team in the League Cup.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without doubt though, Sadio Mane's loss to injury is a huge blow, not just in perception but also in reality.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They average 2.1 points with the Senegalese speedster in the team and just 1.7 without and his impact shows up in goals scored too - 2.2 with Mane and 1.6 without.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho likely to stick to script</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With nine wins out of 10 in all competitions this season (I'm not counting the Super Cup), Jose Mourinho has kicked this Man Utd side on dramatically - just as he said he would.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The strength in defence remains but the midfield is brighter and the attack so much sharper after the arrival of Romelu Lukaku.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven of United's wins have been achieved with clean sheets and they've averaged 3.2 goals per game since starting with a 4-0 cruise over West Ham.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to expose too many weaknesses although they were held 2-2 at Stoke after taking the lead and considered somewhat fortunate to emerge with a 1-0 win at Southampton.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other words, while fairly ruthless at Old Trafford, life on the road has been more testing.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Mane's absence is a big loss for Liverpool, let's not forget that United must do without key midfield duo Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironically, it's Fellaini who United will probably miss more on Saturday as Mourinho would have used the big Belgian's physicality to ruffle the Liverpool defence at every opportunity.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a pick 'em</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There may be minor movements nearer kick-off but, right now, the two teams can't be split. It's Liverpool at [2.84} and Man Utd at 2.84.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The draw is the outsider of the three options at 3.35.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Premier League fixtures last year were draws and, adding in the Europa League 1-1 at Old Trafford in May 2016, means the last three duels have all ended in stalemate.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By contrast, the previous 12 head-to-heads had all produced a positive outcome, with Man Utd winning eight to Liverpool's four.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Klopp v Mourinho? Perhaps a little surprisingly, Klopp has lost just one of seven competitive meetings, winning three and drawing three.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was initially leaning towards United here but both sides may not be as fluid as usual after the international break.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">United were unusually sloppy when returning to action with that 2-2 draw at Stoke after the last one and, all things considered, a draw is no bad result for the visitors.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will Mourinho really risk defeat and charge forward for the win if the game is deadlocked with 10 to 15 minutes left?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A draw is by no means satisfactory for Liverpool either but they've had to settle for four in their last six and aren't sharp enough at either end at the moment to be backed with any confidence to win the game.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goals could be scarce</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With United riding high at the top of the Premier League, there's a feeling that Mourinho could turn up the attacking heat this time after basically playing for a 0-0 at Anfield last season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I'd be very surprised if we don't see his classic, big-game approach.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho knows the blue-print to stifle this Liverpool team so will tell his side to set out their stall early, wait patiently for an opening and then nick something on the break or from a set-piece.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two options were trading at the same price when the market was first formed but, quite correctly I think, Unders is now favourite at 1.95 and Overs the 2.02 outsider.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since Klopp took charge of Liverpool, all five games against Man Utd have featured under 2.5 goals and Mourinho being the away manager only adds further confidence.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As does the loss of Mane and, yes, Fellaini too while the late returns of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino from South America suggests the Brazilians may not be as slick as usual.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salah threat</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lack of expected goals means I'm not rushing out to play the scorer markets.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are some tempting prices though. Coutinho has three in three since getting back to full speed and 4.20 for another is appealing.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mo Salah is on a high after his two goals sent Egypt to their first World Cup finals since 1990 and he's scored in his last four Anfield appearances. He's 3.55 for another.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the visitors, Romelu Lukaku will attract plenty of money at 2.54 having started his United career by going on a scoring spree.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add in his starts for Belgium and he's scored in 12 of his 13 games this season. Remarkable figures.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enthusiasm is dimmed a little by the fact that he's netted just once in his last seven matches against Liverpool although that was in the blue of Everton of course.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ref watch</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin Atkinson gets the nod for this one and he's not exactly a popular figure on Merseyside.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard once admitted: "I can't stand him." Why? A big reason is that Atkinson was the ref who sent Gerrard off at Anfield in this fixture in 2015 - just 38 seconds after the skipper had come on as sub.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A more logical reason for LFC fans to turn their noses up at his appointment? Liverpool have lost three out of three against United when Atkinson has taken charge and, overall, they've managed just six wins in 16 fixtures with him as ref.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Opta Stat</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If Manchester United win this game, it'll be their best ever points tally after eight games of a Premier League season (22), following 20-point hauls in both 2011-12 and 1999-00.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2pts Under 2.5 Goals at 1.95</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1pt Draw at 3.35</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wWWhY2CKlA/WeB6oIUnFeI/AAAAAAAADzk/JIs5XKFVwwQLJLBGasyN_jQjUPh_Ew1igCLcBGAs/s1600/skysports-jurgen-klopp-jose-mourinho-red-monday-mnf-monday-night-football-liverpool_3806217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wWWhY2CKlA/WeB6oIUnFeI/AAAAAAAADzk/JIs5XKFVwwQLJLBGasyN_jQjUPh_Ew1igCLcBGAs/s640/skysports-jurgen-klopp-jose-mourinho-red-monday-mnf-monday-night-football-liverpool_3806217.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Liverpool v Man Utd: Goals could be scarce

Liverpool v Man Utd  Saturday, 12:30  Live on Sky Sports Premier League Hosts hurt by Mane loss In some ways, Liverpool have been hard ...

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Tottenham v Bournemouth: Spurs to end curse of Wembley with a demolition

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tottenham v Bournemouth</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 14 September, 15:00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spurs need a confidence booster ahead of tough run</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following an international break in which he has scored two winners for England, been nominated for the Ballon d'Or and been linked with another mega money move to Real Madrid, it seems remiss not to mention the remarkable run of form Harry Kane is currently enjoying.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 24-year-old is scoring for fun (15 in 10 appearances) and doesn't look like stopping any time soon. The forward is central to everything Spurs do and they will need him to carry on playing like he is if they are to overcome the five point gap already opened up by the table-topping Manchester clubs.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The common criticism of Mauricio Pochettino during his time in north London has been a failure to pick up any silverware - and the next few weeks could go a long way to showing how close his side are to achieving that this season. Spurs face the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in the league and a double-header with Real Madrid in Europe in the space of their next eight fixtures. But first they will face Bournemouth hoping to pick up a morale-boosting win with aplomb.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cherries struggling for form</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bournemouth have suffered a wretched start to the season, winning just one game from their opening seven. Manager Eddie Howe has been slightly shielded by just how awful Crystal Palace - the only side below them in the table - have performed, although his previous record of excellence also gives him more wiggle room than others.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The south coast club backed their manager in the summer and spent big on the likes of Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic and handed Jermain Defoe a bumper three-year contract. But the new signings have had limited impact and the club - with defeats to the likes of West Brom, Watford and an out-of-form Everton - sit in 19th spot.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November's run of fixtures - against Newcastle, Huddersfield, Swansea and Burnley - should see them rise up the table, but first they have this tough trip to Wembley and a visit from Chelsea to deal with.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can Spurs end the enduring Wembley curse?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the last international break Spurs travelled to Goodison Park and stuck three on Everton before beating Dortmund at Wembley in one of their most exciting games of the season so far.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are certainly no concerns about a hangover then, but what has been more puzzling is their form at Wembley. Spurs have failed to win any of their three opening home league games at the national stadium but continue to be in scintillating form away from it - winning all four league games on the road this season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They will be confident of ending that home run here though, having put 12 past Bournemouth in their past four meetings with just one in reply - and, of course, Kane was responsible for six of those efforts.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spurs are understandably short priced favourites to win at odds of 1.22 while Bournemouth are available at a whopping 16.50. The draw trades at 8.00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is more of a surprise however is that Spurs are odds-against to win to nil - Pochettino's men are currently available at 11/10 on the Sportsbook for that outcome. Spurs have had the best defence in the country for the past two seasons and have the most in-form marksman to boot. The Cherries have scored just four goals in seven.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goals look likely - but only at one end</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The markets clearly fancy some goalmouth action in this one, with Over 2.5 Goals trading at just 1.44. But Over 3.5 may be more tempting at 2.10.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bournemouth are certainly no 'Harry Kane team'</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harry Kane has scored 36 competitive goals in 2017 from 147 shots. That's the same number of goals as Bournemouth - but they've taken 224 shots more. You can get on Kane to be first goalscorer at 2.96.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jermain Defoe has averaged a goal every 798 minutes versus Tottenham in the Premier League, his worst ratio against all 36 sides that he's scored against in the competition. He can be backed at 3.75 to score at any time.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ref watch</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The man in charge for this one is Bobby Madley. The Yorkshireman has dished out four red cards and 27 yellows in his six games so far this season so the Spurs and Bournemouth players had better be on best behaviour.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Tottenham win to nil @ 11/10 on the Sportsbook</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UrfSh8t3-o0/WeB57bHKfpI/AAAAAAAADzY/8m514Ly1jmAlGj9yF9ov6CM2jFbGOjjnwCLcBGAs/s1600/dembele-mousa-spurs_3368584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UrfSh8t3-o0/WeB57bHKfpI/AAAAAAAADzY/8m514Ly1jmAlGj9yF9ov6CM2jFbGOjjnwCLcBGAs/s640/dembele-mousa-spurs_3368584.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Tottenham v Bournemouth: Spurs to end curse of Wembley with a demolition

Tottenham v Bournemouth Saturday 14 September, 15:00 Spurs need a confidence booster ahead of tough run Following an international break...

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Watford v Arsenal: Hornets no pushovers at Vicarage Road

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watford v Arsenal</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 17:30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on BT Sport 1</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hornets buzzing with intent</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's always dangerous to read too much into a single result, and Watford's reaction since shipping six goals against Manchester City suggests that wasn't the body blow it might have been interpreted as. Yes, the Hornets were outclassed that day, but overall the story of the season so far has been one of gritty achievement, typified by late goals in away games against Swansea (2-1) and West Brom (2-2).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marco Silva is clearly determined to build on his promising stint at Hull and has whipped a fairly bloated squad into shape over the last few months. The defence, despite a number of key absences, has remained solid, while Brazilian youngster Richarlison is winning plenty of new admirers up front.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hornets will again be without Nathaniel Chalobah, Sebastian Prödl, Younes Kaboul and Craig Cathcart this weekend, but there could be a return for Miguel Britos, last seen committing a horror foul on Brighton's Anthony Knockaert a few weeks ago. The Uruguayan can be a liability with his indiscipline, but he offers an upgrade on Adrian Mariappa, who has been deputising at centre-back.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Changes likely for Arsenal</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The international break is rarely kind to Arsenal, who always seem to be the unlucky recipients of frustrating injury news. So it is again this week: Shkodran Mustafi will be out for a few weeks after picking up a hamstring injury on Germany duty and Sead Kolasinac is nursing a hip problem. That will do the defence no favours, although Laurent Koscielny could be in line for a timely return.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Further forward, Alexis Sánchez is only due back from Chile duty on Friday, which means he may not be risked in the starting XI, but both Danny Welbeck and Mesut Özil are back in full training and are options. It could be a changed line-up this weekend, then, but the squad is deep enough that Arsène Wenger will still be naming a strong side here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recent displays have been broadly positive: the Gunners have won six of their last seven in all competitions, with the sole draw coming away to Chelsea. That sequence of results has nudged Arsenal up to fifth at the start of the weekend, and they will be keen to take advantage of the game at Anfield to gain ground on Manchester United or pull away from Liverpool.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value with the hosts</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has traditionally been a tough fixture for Watford, who have lost seven of the last meetings. But they did win the last game between the sides, back in January at the Emirates, and are a stronger proposition this season than they have been in recent years: this is their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign (12 points after seven games).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly, most of the Hornets' best work has come on the road, with two draws and that City shellacking at Vicarage Road. But one of those came against Liverpool - a good result - and the other, against Brighton, was achieved with ten men. Arsenal are nowhere near the attacking force that Pep Guardiola's side are, so odds of 5.50 for the home win and 4.40 for the draw look approachable.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arsenal are in good nick, but they have yet to win away from home in the Premier League. In fact, three games have yielded no goals at all, with that Chelsea deadlock preceded by losses to Stoke (1-0) and Liverpool (4-0). With question marks over their side, taking Watford +0.5 & +1.0 on the Asian handicap at [2.17] could be a wise play.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goals could be at a premium</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Arsenal goalless on the road and Watford having drawn consecutive blanks at home, it's a surprise to see the unders at 2.48 here. True, the hosts have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 games against the Gunners in all competitions, but there's a decent chance that Wenger's men will take some time to rediscover their rhythm after a fortnight off.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No goalscorers jump out</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The goalscorer options are not great here. Troy Deeney is back in the Watford side after a lay-off, but he hasn't scored in 13 league games - his longest Premier League goal drought. For Arsenal, Sánchez has a fine record against Watford (three goals and three assists in four games) but the Chilean hasn't scored in five league games and may only be on the bench.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With so much uncertainty in the Arsenal side it's probably best to wait until the line-up is announced, but Olivier Giroud may be an option at 2.50. The Frenchman scored for his country earlier in the week and could be a handy option against such a physical team.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Watford +0.5 & +1.0 at [2.17]</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back under 2.5 goals at 2.48</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-779jDTSyk/WeB5Kl4CjGI/AAAAAAAADzQ/a1LF0s8O5ncHqkQnMDZLagX3CXlgZh0sgCLcBGAs/s1600/skysports-mesut-ozil-arsenal-watford_3881884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-779jDTSyk/WeB5Kl4CjGI/AAAAAAAADzQ/a1LF0s8O5ncHqkQnMDZLagX3CXlgZh0sgCLcBGAs/s640/skysports-mesut-ozil-arsenal-watford_3881884.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Watford v Arsenal: Hornets no pushovers at Vicarage Road

Watford v Arsenal Saturday, 17:30 Live on BT Sport 1 Hornets buzzing with intent It's always dangerous to read too much into a sing...

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Crystal Palace v Chelsea: Another Palace defeat as nightmare schedule continues

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crystal Palace v Chelsea</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 15:00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Timing poor for Hodgson coronation</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of the many poor decisions made by the owners of Crystal Palace, the timing of Frank de Boer's sacking may prove to be the biggest of all.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having lost the first four games of the season without scoring, De Boer was replaced by Roy Hodgson, but the expected bounce that a club can often benefit from when they appoint a new manager, has failed to come.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hardly surprising considering the difficulty of the fixtures since Hodgson took charge. His first match at home to Southampton was winnable but hardly easy for a team short on confidence. This opening loss was followed by a nightmare run of games that has seen them visit Manchester United, Manchester City and now host Chelsea. These are matches that Palace would struggle to take points from, even if they were at the top of their game.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's worse, Hodgson has a number of key players missing. Christian Benteke, Connor Wickham and Wilfried Zaha are all out injured, while Scott Dann and James Tomkins are doubts. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also ruled out against his parent club.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Europe taking toll on Chelsea</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea benefitted from not having to play in Europe last season as their well-rested squad won the Premier League, but now they are struggling to juggle their commitments.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the week before the international break the Blues pulled off a great result in the Champions League as they beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 away from home, only to then lose to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his post-match comments after the City defeat, Antonio Conte laid the blame on Chelsea's schedule, stating that it was impossible to press such talented opposition in two games so close together. Chelsea certainly looked meek against Pep Guardiola's team, as they sat back and were dominated by the away side.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As if the loss wasn't bad enough, Chelsea suffered a further blow when their top score Alvaro Morata limped off with an injury. Morata seems set to join Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante on the sidelines.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eighth straight defeat for Palace</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea are the heavy favourites at 1.40, with the draw at 5.10 and Crystal Palace the big outsiders at 10.00.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Crystal Palace having not scored all season, an obvious alternative is the 2.20 for Chelsea to win to nil. Conte's team have only conceded once in their last three Premier League games.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another option is for Chelsea to win half-time/full-time at 2.10. They have been leading at half-time in all four of their league victories this season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unders could deliver</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.84, with unders at 2.08.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering that Crystal Palace are missing Benteke, while Chelsea are without Morata, unders looks a little overpriced, but this is a market that is probably best avoided.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who will replace Morata?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Morata out, Michy Batshuayi could lead the line. The Belgian has done well when called upon this season, scoring five goals in seven appearances and can be backed to add to his tally at 2.08.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another option for Chelsea is to start Eden Hazard in Morata's place. Hazard is still finding his fitness after coming back from his own injury, but scored two goals for Belgium in midweek as they defeated Cyprus 4-0. In early betting on the Betfair Exchange, Hazard is 2.30 to find the net. That price should get a little bigger closer to kick-off.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Chelsea to win to nil at 2.20</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Chelsea to win half-time/full-time at 2.10</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8uH_K7xxNo/WeB4dHHusfI/AAAAAAAADzE/miz1c5Hoj9wgeRnxKqtgtV68KShp6oCYQCLcBGAs/s1600/crystal-palace-v-chelsea_ow0fsk2r5c3y1fsv8wecs2uov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8uH_K7xxNo/WeB4dHHusfI/AAAAAAAADzE/miz1c5Hoj9wgeRnxKqtgtV68KShp6oCYQCLcBGAs/s640/crystal-palace-v-chelsea_ow0fsk2r5c3y1fsv8wecs2uov.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Crystal Palace v Chelsea: Another Palace defeat as nightmare schedule continues

Crystal Palace v Chelsea Saturday, 15:00 Timing poor for Hodgson coronation Of the many poor decisions made by the owners of Crystal Pal...

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