La Liga Betting: Barcelona unlikely to be troubled by Sevilla

<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;">Barcelona v Sevilla</span><br />Saturday, 19:45<br />Live on Sky Sports Football and 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;">No team can keep winning ad infinitum and Barcelona can be pleased that <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the two blips in their season so far have been minor disturbances</strong>. The first, that draw away to Atlético Madrid in mid-October, was actually a good result. The second, the midweek draw with Olympiakos in the Champions League, is unlikely to disrupt their serene progress to the knockout stages.</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;">Barça did not play badly in Greece and might have scored two or three on another day. The only slight worry for Ernesto Valverde will be the continuing struggles of Luis Suárez, although the former Athletic Club coach was at pains to show his faith in the Uruguayan after the game. "<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I like this version of Suárez a lot</strong>," he said. "Sometimes the goal depends on one more centimetre to the left or to the right. I like that they have chances to score."</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;">You fear for opposition teams when Suárez does locate his shooting boots, for <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Barcelona have now compiled a 15-game unbeaten run</strong>, with their home form particularly commanding. The Blaugrana have won their five league games at Camp Nou by an aggregate scoreline of 18-1, which is bad news for a shaky Sevilla outfit.</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 Andalusians have picked up much-needed home wins over Leganés and Spartak Moscow in the last week, but <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Eduardo Berizzo knows he still has much work to do</strong> if he is to win over his new public. Since a trio of handy results against Getafe, Liverpool and Girona to start the season, Sevilla's away form has been shoddy: trips to Atlético Madrid, Athletic, Spartak and Valencia yielded no points, one goal scored and 12 conceded.</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;">Barcelona have won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the sides at Camp Nou, scoring 38 times in that run. <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="2/9"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>1.23</b></span></span> isn't much of a price, however, so we'll take a chance on them winning without conceding. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They have conceded just three times in 10 Liga games</strong> - a record for them at this stage of the season - and Sevilla haven't exactly been firing on all cylinders in the final third.</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 to win to nil at 3/2</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 Sociedad v Eibar</span><br />Sunday, 17:30<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;">It seems a bit contrary to side with Real Sociedad at home, given they haven't won at Anoeta in the league since seeing off Villarreal in August. Your eyes may narrow even further when you note that they've conceded 11 in four on their own patch since then. But context is key here: <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">La Real have had a tough fixture list early on</strong>, with Real Madrid, Valencia, Real Betis and Espanyol all having visited.</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;">They'll be desperate for a positive result in front of their fans and should find local rivals Eibar to be obliging opponents on Sunday night. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">José Luis Mendilibar's overachievers are in miserable form</strong>, with a run of just one win in nine pushing them towards the relegation zone. They have always struggled to match the division's more expressive sides on the road and things appear to have worsened this term: trips to Sevilla, Barcelona, Villarreal and Real Madrid have all ended in heavy defeats.</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;">Real Sociedad are not at the level of Barça or Madrid, 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 have more than enough attacking tools to damage Eibar</strong>, not least because the away side are missing midfield guard dog Dani García, who is suspended. Having built up a bit of momentum with a 3-0 Europa League win over Vardar in midweek, Eusebio Sacristán's charges could cut loose.</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 Bets<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">1.5pts Real Sociedad to win and over 2.5 goals at 3/2</span><br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">0.5pts Real Sociedad to win both halves at 10/3</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 Madrid v Las Palmas</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;">No, I'm not worried</strong>, and never will be worried this season, whatever happens." Zinedine Zidane's stoicism is admirable, but this is probably not quite the reaction that Real Madrid's fans - and directors - were hoping for after Wednesday night's Wembley meltdown. There was more, too: "We saw things we're not used to... How can you explain it? The answer: this is life. You have to accept things are not always going to go your way."</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;">Acceptance isn't usually a pillar of the Madrid vocabulary, of course, and deep down Zidane will surely know this. The defeat to Tottenham wasn't just a defeat; <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it was a footballing lesson</strong>, the type that Los Merengues are used to dishing out rather than receiving. Managers with less credit in the bank than Zidane would probably be in a fair bit of trouble at this point.</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;">A Champions League defeat would be less of a big deal were things going well in the league, but they aren't. Last weekend's defeat to Girona left Madrid eight points adrift of Barcelona, and Valencia don't look to be going anywhere soon, either. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It could be a long old season at the Bernabéu</strong> if things don't pick up in the weeks ahead.</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;">At least this weekend there should be some solace: if Madrid could have picked any opponent, it surely would have been Las Palmas. The Canary Islanders have lost six on the spin, have shipped more goals than any other side in the league (25), and are <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">notoriously poor travellers</strong>: they have claimed a pathetic six points from their last 23 away games in La Liga.</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;">Madrid are <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="1/10"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>1.10</b></span></span> favourites and should win. 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 markets are skewed towards a goal fest</strong>, perhaps because the two games between the sides last term produced 10 goals (2-2, 3-3), which looks overly ambitious given Madrid's struggles in front of goal. Las Palmas did manage to keep things relatively tight against Valencia and Sevilla (both 1-0 losses) and may do similar 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 Bets<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">1.5pts Under 4.5 goals at 9/10</span><br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">0.5pts Under 3.5 goals at 2/1</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vtN6NnSlPNHz_6I_NIToZVy5-tmd-vl496ooY_MoHEosz0joQ_E3WD6dlz7_C3osEwlzx_gfWI-UrvA1EybQVD7jMluQUgN8I52FUn9-JhJ3wkdSAb68lQAa3XBHfCJM9cT27bZ7dIs/s1600/43016252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="961" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vtN6NnSlPNHz_6I_NIToZVy5-tmd-vl496ooY_MoHEosz0joQ_E3WD6dlz7_C3osEwlzx_gfWI-UrvA1EybQVD7jMluQUgN8I52FUn9-JhJ3wkdSAb68lQAa3XBHfCJM9cT27bZ7dIs/s640/43016252.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 style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div> <div> <br /></div>

La Liga Betting: Barcelona unlikely to be troubled by Sevilla

Barcelona v Sevilla Saturday, 19:45 Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video No team can keep winning ad infinitum and Barcelon...

Read More

Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich: Klassiker can spark BVB revival

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday November 4, 17:30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on BT Sport and Betfair Live Video</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under-fire Bosz has questions to answer</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Football doesn't stand still, and Peter Bosz's stock as Borussia Dortmund coach has dropped through the floor in recent weeks. Having led BVB to their best ever start to a Bundesliga campaign, he has overseen a dreadful run of results that has seen Die Schwarzgelben lose top spot in the league, and slide towards the ignominy of an early Champions League exit.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dortmund squandered a host of chances in their 1-1 draw against APOEL in midweek, and they have now won just one of their last six games in all competitions, a 5-0 drubbing of lower-league Magdeburg in the German Cup.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like a shipwrecked sailor clinging to a life-raft, Bosz is adamant that his tactics, which include an incredibly high defensive line, will be successful in the long run. While many coaches would quail at the thought of facing a resurgent Bayern, Bosz insists the fixture is coming at the right time, as a win would restore confidence among both players and fans.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He may have a point. Dortmund have generally looked better at home than they have on their travels, and they pushed Bayern all the way in the German Supercup at the start of the season, twice leading before Bayern were victorious on penalties. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will hope to maintain his fine recent form against the champions - he scored the winner in the 1-0 home win in the league last season, and netted in the Supercup.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ancelotti angst now a distant dream for Bayern</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having made the unusual step of firing a coach before the season was even a quarter of the way through, Bayern have shown just why they needed to jettison Carlo Ancelotti. The return of Jupp Heynckes to Sabener Strasse has brought the squad together, it has upped the intensity of the champions' displays, and it has returned the club to where it feels it belongs - the top of the Bundesliga table.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, Bayern aren't simply breezing past teams. They needed penalties to see off RB Leipzig in the German Cup, and the rather controversial sending-off of RBL defender Willi Orban killed the teams' Bundesliga encounter as a contest before it had really begun. In midweek at Celtic, Bayern were far from their fluent best, even if they did come away with a 2-1 win.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bavarian giants are aided by the return of attacking fulcrum Robert Lewandowski after injury, while former BVB captain Mats Hummels should return after a rest. Interestingly, Heynckes has been keen to underline the threat that Dortmund pose, suggesting that Bosz's tactical issues are simply to do with the lack of time the Dutchman's been able to spend with his players. It's worth remembering that the teams had two victories apiece from last seasons' meetings, and Bayern have only won twice inside 90 minutes in the clubs' last seven clashes.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bayern on the charge, but too short for Klassiker victory</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given the recent form of the two sides, you may think that Bayern's price of 2.08 for the victory is entirely fair, and maybe even a little generous. However, I believe this is by far Bayern's biggest test since Jupp Heynckes returned, and I think Bosz is onto something when he says that this game is coming at the right time for Dortmund. The atmosphere will be amazing at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund have plenty of firepower with Aubameyang, Maximilian Philipp and Andriy Yarmolenko, and there's no doubt that BVB caused Bayern problems in the Supercup. I think this will be the most accurate measure of how far Bayern really have come under Heynckes, and I'll back Home and Draw in the Double Chance market at 1.90.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Auba to make his mark on yet another Klassiker</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robert Lewandowski's price of 1.70 to score in 90 minutes makes perfect sense given that he almost always scores against BVB, but I'm going for a slightly bigger price, and will back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instead. He's scored in all but one of his home games so far, and he's already whacked in 15 goals in all competitions.</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;">Back Home and Draw in the Double Chance market at 1.90</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score at 2.08 </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4-gEK6uMfvuZa_5JhEfj64VMGA8G8ayTGy6aBKT2O5js_oKOmyxMjxA05XNTHvBZko3gFCO6yt6RKYUbY2yTMQP1kPeo5FbWEep7a3kAg-EQqWH0eC6RqXGQSFCdm-XCThs0HOyRrBA/s1600/Borussia-Dortmund-v-Bayern-Muenchen-Bundesliga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4-gEK6uMfvuZa_5JhEfj64VMGA8G8ayTGy6aBKT2O5js_oKOmyxMjxA05XNTHvBZko3gFCO6yt6RKYUbY2yTMQP1kPeo5FbWEep7a3kAg-EQqWH0eC6RqXGQSFCdm-XCThs0HOyRrBA/s640/Borussia-Dortmund-v-Bayern-Muenchen-Bundesliga.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich: Klassiker can spark BVB revival

Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich Saturday November 4, 17:30 Live on BT Sport and Betfair Live Video Under-fire Bosz has questions to an...

Read More

Bundesliga Betting: Sparkling Swabians to spring another surprise

<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;">Augsburg v Bayer Leverkusen</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 04 November, 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;">Bayer Leverkusen have certainly hit a purple patch, beating Rhineland rivals Borussia Monchengladbach and FC Koln in the space of two games to become undisputed kings of the region (at least for now). The 5-1 win at Gladbach was truly extraordinary - Bayer were totally outplayed in the first half and were 1-0 down, but an incredible second half saw them score five times without reply. Jamaican starlet <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leon Bailey</strong> is showing just why he was so highly-prized when Bayer signed him, and the likes of Kevin Volland and Julian Brandt are also performing 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;">However, I reckon<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> the market has overreacted </strong>ahead of Saturday's trip to Augsburg. It's worth noting that Bayer have only won once on their travels in the league under new coach <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heiko Herrlich,</strong> and they are coming up against the team that I believe is overperforming more than any other Bundesliga outfit. Augsburg have been superb this term, and this is my official apology to coach <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Manuel Baum,</strong> who I didn't think was up to the job.</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;">As it turns out, Baum is a very astute coach who is maximising the potential of an unfashionable squad. FCA waltzed to a 3-0 win at Werder Bremen last weekend, and they've only lost three games all season. I believe Bayer's recovery could be a fragile one, so let's back the hosts to get something from the contest.</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 Home and Draw in the Double Chance market 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">1.84</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;">Borussia Monchengladbach v Mainz</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 04 November, 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;">Borussia Monchengladbach are a curious outfit, a team that has swung wildly between the sublime and the ridiculous this season. Crushing defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have seen the heat turned up on 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> but last Saturday's 3-1 win at Hoffenheim was superb. The Foals went behind to a stunning Kerem Demirbay opener, but came roaring back in the second half to inflict the hosts' first Bundesliga home defeat since May 2016.</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;">Gladbach's flair players really shone in Sinsheim, with Thorgan Hazard and new signing <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vincenzo Grifo</strong> really catching the eye. The key for Hecking will be providing a stable defensive platform which will allow his more technically gifted stars to strut their stuff. This weekend, the Foals shouldn't have too many problems against a Mainz side that is struggling on the road.</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 Die Nullfunfer have really missed striker <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jhon Cordoba</strong> since the Colombian went to FC Koln. Cordoba gave Mainz a crucial focal point in attack, an outlet to release pressure on the defence and midfield, especially away from home. While small and speedy forwards like Yoshinori Muto, Pablo De Blasis and Levin Oztunali can thrive at home when the team has more possession, none of them are capable of really holding the ball up.</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;">Mainz have taken just one point from their four away games so far, and they have only scored once on their travels. Against physically dominant centre-backs like Jannik Vestergaard and Matthias Ginter, I'm not sure Mainz's pocket rockets will be able to get lift-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;"><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 Borussia Monchengladbach -1.0 on the Asian Handicap 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="21/20">2.04</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;">Eintracht Frankfurt v Werder Bremen</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;">Friday 03 November, 19:30</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;">Live on BT Sport 1</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;">After failing to win their first ten Bundesliga games of a campaign for the first time in their history, Werder Bremen have fired 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> Sunday's abject 3-0 home defeat to Augsburg was the club's heaviest loss since Nouri took the reins thirteen months ago, and it was clear that the coach's message was no longer getting through. The shadow of Werder legend <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thomas Schaaf</strong> still looms large - since he ended his long spell as coach, none of his three predecessors have lasted two years, and none of them have had a positive 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;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, it isn't all doom and gloom. Star striker and reigning Werder Player of the Season <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Max Kruse</strong> is back fit, the team has only lost once on the road this season, and has only conceded three goals away from home. There may be a slight emotional bounce from the installation of caretaker coach Florian Kohfeldt, who is hoping to impress and wants to become the third Werder coach in a row to have been permanently promoted from the Under-23 team.</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;">Eintracht Frankfurt are unbeaten in four games in the league, and came back from 2-0 down in their last home game against Borussia Dortmund. However, they have <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">only won once at home</strong> this season, and an injury to rampaging right-back Timmy Chandler is a big issue. The Eagles have won just two of their last 12 home games in the league, and on that basis I'm finding it tough to support them at odds-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;"> <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;">Lay Eintracht Frankfurt 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; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/6">1.84</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMnuVxaNOJu0LZ5ukg1CWxFLbBUT_1RYb8kJ9XjgF35WZIEozFH9XeqjbzfyzmkTwEt-qX39vQK-j5ohGLn0s5UBZPHEDHQEu9ILZHv1_lSZKRi3y6L3hiG4xicaV9xsFabwPPi8mjww/s1600/bayer-leverkusen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="594" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMnuVxaNOJu0LZ5ukg1CWxFLbBUT_1RYb8kJ9XjgF35WZIEozFH9XeqjbzfyzmkTwEt-qX39vQK-j5ohGLn0s5UBZPHEDHQEu9ILZHv1_lSZKRi3y6L3hiG4xicaV9xsFabwPPi8mjww/s640/bayer-leverkusen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Bundesliga Betting: Sparkling Swabians to spring another surprise

Augsburg v Bayer Leverkusen Saturday 04 November, 14:30 Bayer Leverkusen have certainly hit a purple patch, beating Rhineland rivals Boru...

Read More

Graeme Le Saux on Man City v Arsenal: Expect goals but City to triumph

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manchester City v Arsenal</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday, 14:15</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;">Of the two big games on Sunday, this for me is definitely the more exciting. You've got two very open sides who play expansive and entertaining football which should hopefully make for a great game for the neutrals.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought Arsenal's performance against Everton last time was one of their better this season. They continue to show that they're comfortable playing their usual brand of football but they do leave themselves vulnerable at the back on occasion.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I commentated when they played Watford a few weeks ago and despite looking imperious in the first half, their 'Jekyll & Hyde' side came out after the break as they sat back and invited Watford pressure on, eventually dropping three points - albeit from a poor penalty decision.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to be fascinating to see how they set up against Manchester City, they put in a really disciplined performance when they met at the Emirates last season. And with the way that City are playing at the moment they'll be focusing on the challenge of how to defend against them first and foremost.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest concern that City will be having at the moment is not becoming complacent as they continue to put up cricket scores against their opponents. They need to be really careful of the 'we'll score one more than you' attitude as there was clearly a lapse in concentration from their back four against West Brom last week.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you're a side like them, playing at the peak of your powers, it's so easy to let your mind drift in a game where everything is happening in front of you. But what sets the best players aside from the ordinary is the ability to operate at the highest level when you're not centrally involved in a match.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said, this will be a very different test to last week for City with Arsenal commanding a much higher percentage of possession. If the Gunners continue to line up with a back three, Pep Guardiola could employ similar tactics to those that he used to devastating effect against Chelsea earlier in the season. This involved pinning their wing-backs back and suffocating the defence; working the ball to Sane, De Bruyne and Jesus at any available opportunity.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I definitely expect both sides to score but think City will have too much bite up front for an Arsenal defence that still have a certain frailty to them.</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;">Manchester City to beat Arsenal 3-1 @ 11.50</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE2YL8twEajCauRKEZvIID63KGslWck-FR_7xayUUTfiGuAyJneYqFJUUCzCZ7-Tt_O7uoykkU34Wd-vj32oqTFb4c4UqHItIDrDY7poCy62ZnD6rHkPUWwFHM2cIgeeCVX6b7KKBdw4/s1600/skysports-manchester-city-arsenal-premier-league_4145043.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE2YL8twEajCauRKEZvIID63KGslWck-FR_7xayUUTfiGuAyJneYqFJUUCzCZ7-Tt_O7uoykkU34Wd-vj32oqTFb4c4UqHItIDrDY7poCy62ZnD6rHkPUWwFHM2cIgeeCVX6b7KKBdw4/s640/skysports-manchester-city-arsenal-premier-league_4145043.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /> <br />

Graeme Le Saux on Man City v Arsenal: Expect goals but City to triumph

Manchester City v Arsenal Sunday, 14:15 Live on Sky Sports Premier League Of the two big games on Sunday, this for me is definitely the ...

Read More

The Big Match Tactical View: Chelsea v Man Utd

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea v Man Utd</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday, 16:30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports Main Event</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Match Odds: Chelsea 2.60, Man Utd 3.20, The Draw 3.30.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho to park the bus?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This feels like the showpiece game of the weekend on a genuine Super Sunday - but big matches involving Jose Mourinho's Manchester United have generally been somewhat tedious, and unfortunately this has all the ingredients for a slow, attritional game of football.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho's Manchester United are generally highly negative away from hoe against the big boys, while Antonio Conte's Chelsea defended atrociously away at Roma in midweek, and he is likely to respond by becoming more cautious here. This might be another contest where the two sides wait for the other to take the initiative, depending primarily upon the counter-attack.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both managers have a series of selection dilemmas. Conte, having been very consistent with his starting XI last season, now finds himself with various problems across the pitch, and is likely to opt for a defensive, no-nonsense XI here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problems at Roma were primarily in the back three, with Antonio Rudiger making an awful mistake and the trio of he, David Luiz and Gary Cahill dragged across the pitch in comical fashion in the second half. Rudiger is likely to be omitted, with Cahill returning to the left of the trio and Cesar Azpilicueta reverting to right-sided centre-back after a poor showing at wing-back.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marcos Alonso will continue on the left, with Davide Zappacosta in line for a start in the continued absence of Victor Moses. In midfield, Conte will be desperate for N'Golo Kante to be fit for a return, which seems likely. Cesc Fabregas' positional indiscipline was a problem in Rome, so expect Tiemoue Bakayoko to return alongside him.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Formation dilemmas</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then comes Conte's other dilemma - should be play the 3-4-3 system that has been Chelsea's default for the last year, or give the 3-5-2 another outing? The latter would allow him to use Fabregas in a floating role between the lines, and could give Eden Hazard greater license to drift across the pitch away from Manchester United's man-marking. Alvaro Morata will lead the line.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho has a formation dilemma of his own, having played both 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 in recent weeks. The 3-5-2 would more effectively 'match' Chelsea's system, but Mourinho successfully deployed a very defensive-minded 4-2-3-1 against Chelsea last season and may try something similar here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That would involve playing a narrow back four, with the fullbacks, possibly Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young told to track Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez if Chelsea play 3-4-3. There would then be two defensive-minded wingers following Chelsea's wing-backs all the way into the defensive line, effectively forming a back six. Marcus Rashford might be used on one flank, with Ashley Young potentially playing on the opposite side with Matteo Darmian coming into the side at full-back.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Herrera to man-mark Hazard?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho's midfield duo will surely be Nemanja Matic, keen to show his former employers what they're missing, and Ander Herrera, who did an excellent man-marking job on Hazard in these clubs' last meeting, and will be likely tasked with marking him again.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourinho may be able to count upon the return of Paul Pogba - it would be a surprise, but he was coy on the Frenchman's fitness levels when asked at a press conference on Thursday. He would slot in at the top of the midfield trio, probably in place of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Romelu Lukaku will lead the line - another keen to put on a show against his former club - although he'll frequently be outnumbered three-against-one, and isn't in good goalscoring form.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It feels like this game might be won and lost down the flanks, with both sides filling the centre with combative players and possibly omitting their most creative players. But with Mourinho probably attempting to nullify Chelsea's wing-backs rather than attacking them, it could be pretty dire. The game should open out after the break, but I'll back a half-time 0-0 at 2.10.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Betfair Trader's View - Alan Thompson</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s obvious that all is not well at the Bridge, rumours around the manager’s position and speculation about dressing room unrest, let alone a midweek hammering at the hands of Roma in the Champions League. It certainly isn’t the best preparation heading into a massive home game against title rivals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">United’s preparation though will also be hindered by the fact that their manager will be in court in Madrid on Friday. Last season United were swept aside by the would-be Champions 4-0, a game that Jose Mourinho was less than impressed with the touchline antics of Antonio Conte.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea know they are already a little bit off the pace in the title race and defeat to a title contender would be a major blow. Add to that, we have seen Mourinho’s attitude in tough away games lately, where he makes it a priority not to lose the game. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A draw wouldn’t be a bad result for either side but they will be conscious (depending what has happened at the Etihad earlier) that they may lose further ground to title favourites Manchester City.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea look a little too big to me priced at 2.60, I had them nearer 2.30 but I think the draw looks a major player today. However, I’m not too keen on backing that outcome in the Match Odds market at a lowly 3.25. Instead I would rather take on the higher priced score draws and dutch back 0-0 at 9.40 and 1-1 @ 7.00, that should give approx odds of 4.00.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNvf-x7LYlCiTDnFUDEjm2tjvCj9q_ZuPFGZWDmkJuQSDaDH5qZq3c4ZptOaB-ig6ZyyxCQz5A8WPds14zcI93Lz3pgQH2Qi1t4R4Z4kJ9WcyZ0LOBAh4BFoVu0gAap5W655KvxiLDa0/s1600/148940593538156-chelsea-mu-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="748" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNvf-x7LYlCiTDnFUDEjm2tjvCj9q_ZuPFGZWDmkJuQSDaDH5qZq3c4ZptOaB-ig6ZyyxCQz5A8WPds14zcI93Lz3pgQH2Qi1t4R4Z4kJ9WcyZ0LOBAh4BFoVu0gAap5W655KvxiLDa0/s640/148940593538156-chelsea-mu-01.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

The Big Match Tactical View: Chelsea v Man Utd

Chelsea v Man Utd Sunday, 16:30 Live on Sky Sports Main Event Match Odds: Chelsea 2.60, Man Utd 3.20, The Draw 3.30. Mourinho to park ...

Read More

Ligue 1 Betting: Marseille to kick on after Evra's karate drama

<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;">Monaco v Guingamp</span> (2nd v 11th)<br />Sat, 19:00 GMT<br />Live on BT Sport 3 and 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;">Monaco may not be blazing a trail in quite the same way they did last season but they're still one of France's top sides and should <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">win comfortably</strong> this weekend.</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;">To some degree the Ligue 1 champions are still absorbing the summer departures of Benjamin Mendy, Timeoue Bakayoko, Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe but they're a cut above all Ligue 1 sides other than PSG and have run into good form.</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;">Monaco are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions (W2-D1-L0) and have generally impressed at home this season. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They're W4-D1-L0 at Stade Louis II and have a +11 goal difference</strong> across those five 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;">Visitors Guingamp are an unremarkable side likely to finish in mid-table this season. They've won just one of their last six 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 away record is a disappointing W1-D0-L4</strong>. Their sole away victory came at bottom club Metz (3-1) so there's nothing to suggest they'll trouble Monaco this weekend.</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 Monaco short-priced favourites (<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="2/5"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>1.40</b></span></span>) we prefer the hosts on the Half Time/Full Time market. Monaco have scored more than half their Ligue 1 goals in the first-halves of games this season so we can expect the hosts to get off to a speedy start.</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;">Monaco-Monaco Half Time/Full Time @</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;">Metz v Lille</span> (20th v 19th)<br />Sun, 16:00 GMT<br />Live on 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;">This is Frederic Hantz's first game as Metz manager and his shrewd apppointment ought to inspire an improvement in Ligue 1's bottom club.</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;">Metz are rooted to the foot of the table after losing 10 of their opening 11 Ligue 1 matches so it was no surprise Hantz's predecessor Philippe Hinschberger was given his marching orders a couple of weeks ago.</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 decision to appoint Hantz should prove a smart one as the 51-year-old has a fine track record. In 2012, he led Bastia back into Ligue 1 via consecutive promotions and then secured two solid mid-table Ligue 1 finishes while in charge of the Corsicans. A couple of seasons ago he took on a firefighting role at Montpellier, saving the club from relegation in impressive fashion.</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;">Metz are a limited side but not quite as poor as results have suggested. There is room for improvement, and we should see more intense, motivated performances from the players now that they'll be enjoying better leadership on a daily and weekly basis.</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;">Lille's <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">winless streak grew to 10 matches in all competitions (W0-D4-L6) when they lost 1-0 at home to Marseille last weekend</strong>. Lille played well on the night, but their glaring lack of quality in front of goal is a massive problem. The squad lacking a single rleiable goalscorer, and until this issue's addressed Marcelo Bielsa's side will continue to drop points.</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;">Metz are <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">clear underdogs</strong>, which presents a betting opportunity. With our selection you'll make a profit if Metz win or the game ends in a draw.</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 a full guide to Asian Handicap betting, click <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>here</b></span>.</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;">Metz +0&+0.5 Asian Handicap @</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="4/5">1.80</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;">Marseille v Caen</span> (4th v 7th)<br />Sun, 16:00 GMT<br />Live on BT Sport 3 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;">Marseille's preparations for this game have been overshadowed by <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patrice Evra's karate kick</strong> on a Marseille fan before their Europa league fixture at Vitoria Guimaraes on Thursday night but Rudi Garcia's hosts are still <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 bet</strong> to overcome the Asian Handicap and enjoy a comfortable win on Sunday afternoon.</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;">Evra landed a kick on the jaw of a Marseille supporter after arguing and clashing with fans that were barracking him during the warm-up ahead of the game in Portugal. He's now likely to be handed a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lengthy ban</strong> and may be sacked by Marseille, and it's not surprising the incident has dominated the news pages ahead of this game.</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;">Yet Evra's antics shouldn't cloud the fact that Marseille go into the game in <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">good domestic form</strong> and stand a very good chance of winning. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They're unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 outings (W4-D2-L0)</strong>, have good team news and will be confident of overcoming limited visitors.</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;">Caen have lost two of their last three Ligue 1 fixtures without scoring a goal and were a bit lucky to beat Troyes (1-0) last weekend. They're riding high in the table but that position's false as their good run of results in late August and September included a couple of lucky wins.</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;">Marseille are <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="2/5"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>1.42</b></span></span> to win so we prefer the Asian Handicap. With our selection you'll get your stakes back if Marseille win by a single goal and make a profit if the hosts win by two or more goals.</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;">Marseille -1 Asian Handicap @ </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="10/11">1.90</span></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;"><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="10/11"><br /></span></span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNvzWZB0Ly0qqMDVvsYigMUsY7n2vUKKbepPj0pOA_hlZArtCutDFucM-N3g3m3mJJDQj7VIndDwMtE8UME-2rzmtuYlGRzuqi_6KCFN6FsLJcnG5Ym7Y1bGlbR-hKBQlBE8Vi1XA3xQ/s1600/7-0551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="455" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNvzWZB0Ly0qqMDVvsYigMUsY7n2vUKKbepPj0pOA_hlZArtCutDFucM-N3g3m3mJJDQj7VIndDwMtE8UME-2rzmtuYlGRzuqi_6KCFN6FsLJcnG5Ym7Y1bGlbR-hKBQlBE8Vi1XA3xQ/s640/7-0551.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="10/11"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

Ligue 1 Betting: Marseille to kick on after Evra's karate drama

Monaco v Guingamp  (2nd v 11th) Sat, 19:00 GMT Live on BT Sport 3 and Betfair Live Video Monaco may not be blazing a trail in quite the s...

Read More

West Ham v Liverpool: In-form Reds attack should make hay in London

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Ham United v Liverpool</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;">Tough times for Bilić</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-0 up at half-time, West Ham looked on course to record a much-needed win against Crystal Palace last week. Even as the Eagles mounted a siege on their goal, buoyed by Luka Milivojević's response just after the interval, the Irons held firm, Joe Hart preserving their advantage. Then, deep into injury time, Michail Antonio opted to cut inside towards goal instead of taking the goal into the corner, allowing Palace one more attack. One swoosh of Wilfried Zaha's boot later, the ball was in the back of the net.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a sickening way to let two points slip away, and not the first time that West Ham have been denied late on in away games this season: Southampton and Burnley both caught them with last-gasp haymakers. Just three days after the morale boost of a League Cup win over Tottenham, Slaven Bilić and his charges were back feeling sorry for themselves, hovering just a point above the relegation zone.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, for the visit of Liverpool, Bilić has to reshuffle his pack. Antonio is out with a minor knock and no fewer than four defenders will be missing: Pablo Zabaleta is suspended, with Sam Byram, José Fonte and James Collins injured. That means a midfield player will likely have to stand in at right-back - hardly ideal given the attacking potency of their opponents this weekend.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Injuries stacking up for Liverpool</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They didn't reach seventh heaven this time, but Liverpool had little trouble brushing Maribor aside in the Champions League in midweek. With Mo Salah, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge on the scoresheet, the Reds recorded a 3-0 win over the Slovenians at Anfield, maintaining their place at the summit of Group E with two rounds to go.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's now four clean sheets in five for Jürgen Klopp's charges, although the odd one out - that shellacking at the hands of Spurs - continues to cast a shadow. Wins over Maribor are all well and good, but they probably need a big performance in a big game to set the record straight. The Chelsea match later this month could be that chance.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then, it's just a matter of building momentum, which would be easier if Liverpool's injury list wasn't lengthening at such an alarming rate. Georginio Wijnaldum is the latest name on it, joining Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne. At least Sadio Mané is back in full training, although chances are he won't be risked in east London.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reds favourites for three points</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Ham have been something of a bogey team for Liverpool recently, winning three of the last six meetings between the sides. But Klopp's charges recorded a 4-0 victory on their first trip to the Olympic Stadium in May, meaning this trip is unlikely to hold any great fear for them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Irons have been wildly inconsistent in their new home and tend to struggle against the top sides: their record against the big six (Arsenal, Man United, Man City, Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool) at this ground is W1 D0 L6, with 20 goals conceded. Liverpool have been shaky on their travels this term, but it's no surprise that they're 1.68 favourites here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool can be relied upon for goals</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is probably slightly on the short side for us, but we can supplement it with a goal angle. 11 of Liverpool's 17 games so far this season, including four of five away in the Premier League, have gone over 2.5 goals. Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals is the play at 13/10, with over 3.5 goals also worth a look at 2.66.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sturridge deadly against West Ham</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel Sturridge has scored five goals in seven Premier League appearances against West Ham, including the opening goal at this stadium last season. The England man should start, having scored in his last two appearances, and is priced fairly at 2.18.</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 Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals at 13/10</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back over 3.5 goals at 2.66</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5IkTzDWI7eM-3ZlEAg7z9HCI8lK6JsyYDZSz6OljM9KfLbcFyKC-_0U34rdS3bsRxjrPD1DZ2v5zxaDwbtEDp1oVvKchM1hEb9Vn-CP50DA5W2M35I6Ia6Xvwh1bc1mxrheL9ZgfBNw/s1600/liverpool_reuters-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5IkTzDWI7eM-3ZlEAg7z9HCI8lK6JsyYDZSz6OljM9KfLbcFyKC-_0U34rdS3bsRxjrPD1DZ2v5zxaDwbtEDp1oVvKchM1hEb9Vn-CP50DA5W2M35I6Ia6Xvwh1bc1mxrheL9ZgfBNw/s640/liverpool_reuters-m.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

West Ham v Liverpool: In-form Reds attack should make hay in London

West Ham United v Liverpool Saturday, 17:30 Live on BT Sport 1 Tough times for Bilić 2-0 up at half-time, West Ham looked on course to...

Read More

Stoke v Leicester: Puel's side can claim positive result from Potters

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stoke v Leicester</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;">Stoke struggling for consistency</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a tough start to the season for Stoke City although Mark Hughes' side claimed a much-needed 1-0 win at Watford last weekend. The Potters adopted a defensive gameplan which paid off at Vicarage Road with Darren Fletcher's first-half strike separating the sides. But it was only Stoke's third victory of the Premier League season and the side are only three points above the relegation zone in 14th place.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hughes will point towards a tough fixture list in the opening months of the campaign, as they were thumped 7-2 at leaders Manchester City recently, but their inconsistency has been a frustration for supporters having managed to take four points off Arsenal and Manchester United. Their last home game resulted in a 2-1 defeat to struggling Bournemouth and the pressure will be back on Stoke if they slip up again this weekend against Leicester.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Puel off to promising start with Foxes</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Leicester boss Claude Puel enjoyed an excellent first game in charge after steering the side to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Everton last weekend. The former Southampton manager only lasted a season with the Saints despite guiding them to eighth place and the League Cup final. The Foxes moved quickly for him to replace Craig Shakespeare and the Frenchman has plenty in his favour moving forward.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leicester have won their last three games in all competitions and the side have lost just one of their last eight matches. The Foxes are up into mid-table and with players such as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez still at the club there is every chance of a top-half finish this season. Puel made a promising start at the King Power Stadium and a reasonable fixture list over the coming weeks suggests more progress is possible.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potters hard to trust at prices</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stoke are considered favourites for this game and are trading at around 2.64 but this does not appeal at all. The hosts are difficult to trust and have gone four games without beating Leicester. Their last three home clashes against the Foxes have also resulted in just two points for them so this is a fixture which has proved troublesome. It is too early to get carried away by their win at Watford and their overall form suggests the price is too short on a Stoke win.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leicester come in off a winning run and there is much more interest in backing the visitors to prevail at 3.00. The Foxes have the momentum of a new manager on their side and have won two of the last three meetings between the teams. With confidence high, having only lost to Arsenal and Manchester United away this season, Leicester are a tempting bet to win at Stoke.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The draw is available at 3.45 and this is also worth strong consideration. The last two clashes at Stoke between the sides have ended level so the two sides could easily cancel each other out. Both games finished 2-2 and this scoreline can be backed at 15.50. Another draw would be no surprise but Stoke have not been held in their last seven games.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leicester more tempting bet than hosts</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leicester look worth backing for this game but it could be worth taking the safety net of draw no bet. As mentioned, this fixture has produced a number of draws in recent years so it certainly cannot be ruled out. The visitors can be supported at 2.12 in this market with money back if it is a draw and this looks a strong wager.</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;">Vardy has found the net in three of his last four Premier League appearances against Stoke. The Leicester striker can be backed at 2.48 to add to this tally in the televised clash.</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;">Bobby Madley takes charge of this weekend's clash and the referee has sent off four players in nine matches this season. He has also dished out 39 yellow cards in this campaign including six in Southampton's win at Crystal Palace.</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;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Leicester to win draw no bet at 2.12</span><br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1yj4x1dfqsxN5R8ARFkQPtjGCA8UMTSdoIfDzte9Zii6GLIaHh98mSxIMr6qsFoHLNUe-6Agn_9XsJGvt9fkWm7oeXMKYGkCZVlWL2-tkY2DHuT_oALyPcya7_2867O8Avy2QqOCIYE/s1600/Jamie-Vardy-Celebrating-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1yj4x1dfqsxN5R8ARFkQPtjGCA8UMTSdoIfDzte9Zii6GLIaHh98mSxIMr6qsFoHLNUe-6Agn_9XsJGvt9fkWm7oeXMKYGkCZVlWL2-tkY2DHuT_oALyPcya7_2867O8Avy2QqOCIYE/s640/Jamie-Vardy-Celebrating-1.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Stoke v Leicester: Puel's side can claim positive result from Potters

Stoke v Leicester Saturday, 12:30 Live on Sky Sports Premier League Stoke struggling for consistency It has been a tough start to the s...

Read More

Everton v Watford: Hornets can pile more misery on Merseysiders

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton v Watford</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday 5th November, 16:30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton preparing for a "cup final"</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton's caretaker boss David Unsworth says he's preparing his side for a "cup final" when Watford visit Goodison Park on Sunday. The Toffees have suffered five successive defeats in all competitions and won just twice in their opening 10 Premier League games to remain rooted to the bottom-three.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unsworth opted to leave experienced heads such as Wayne Rooney and Leighton Baines at home for Thursday night's trip to Lyon in the Europa League as the Merseysiders fell to a 2-0 defeat. That result eliminated Everton after only four group games, the worst start by an English club in the competition.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Toffees remain without Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori and Yannick Bolasie but can otherwise select from a fully fit and available squad.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watford suffer first major disappointment</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite enjoying over 70% of possession, Watford failed to muster a single shot on-target as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Stoke last weekend. It was the first time the Hornets have fallen to back-to-back Premier League losses under Marco Silva who now boasts exactly the same record W4-D3-L3 record as Walter Mazzarri after 10 fixtures.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The defeat to Stoke represented the first major disappointment for Silva who will now have captain Troy Deeney suspended. Not that it should effect Watford too much - the striker has not started any of the Hornets' victories this season and played a combined total of only 10 minutes in their three away triumphs.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andre Gray is likely to start in attack with Silva tinkering between 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 systems this season. Either way, the Watford boss will be looking for an improved defensive display, particularly from set-pieces where the Hertfordshire club have appeared particularly vulnerable.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard to find faith in the Toffees</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton 2.22 have W5-D2-L1 in their last eight Premier League meetings with Watford and can boast a terrific W9-D1-L0 return when the two teams have locked horns at Goodison Park in the Premier League.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Toffees are bidding to avoid three consecutive home league defeats for the first time since March 2016 and despite their traditionally strong record on Merseyside, appear too short for a team that's tasted victory just twice all season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watford [3.75 ] spurned a host of glorious opportunities to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and that's the Hornets' only loss on their travels under Silva (W3-D1-L1). The visitors have scored exactly twice in all five of their away days this term and look value at 1.79 in the Double Chance market.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goals on the agenda at Goodison</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Unsworth's commitment to "playing on the front foot" is admirable but his misfiring side have seen only Wayne Rooney and Oumar Niasse get on the scoresheet in Premier League action as the hosts have fired blanks in half of their league outings.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, three of Everton's five Goodison Park games have broken the Over 2.5 Goals barrier and with Watford following suit in three of their five games as guests, backing a repeat should appeal at generous 2.04 quotes on Sunday as the visitors haven't kept their sheets clean since early September.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richardlison value to grab a goal</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richardlison signed for Watford in a reported £13 million deal over the summer and the Brazilian forward hasn't disappointed. Having scored five goals and created three assists for former club Fluminense last season, the Hornets new boy has continued his fine form in the Premier League.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richardlison has been involved in more goals than any other Watford player this season (five), has attempted the most shots (35) and shots on-target (6) and no Hornets' player has created more chances for the club (13).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such strong stats suggest the 3.95 available on the young star scoring at anytime is worth a flutter this weekend.</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;">Back Watford double chance @ 1.79 in Everton v Watford</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.04 in Everton v Watford</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Richardlison to score at anytime @ 3.95 in Everton v Watford</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtollraqS9N5RiEvEePrKFHlgpvW-6o0DHs2n_VeFNj6qRwHw-F-6VOiKAKB81gjjXpXdcXqJdi0TcrAaGrSotIPFOfu7CtWkyXeOAGm016yQLK3xrA2M3K5QVf0Zvx1kwRylDOZN1Ig/s1600/5724d61c74e09c210a000001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="912" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtollraqS9N5RiEvEePrKFHlgpvW-6o0DHs2n_VeFNj6qRwHw-F-6VOiKAKB81gjjXpXdcXqJdi0TcrAaGrSotIPFOfu7CtWkyXeOAGm016yQLK3xrA2M3K5QVf0Zvx1kwRylDOZN1Ig/s640/5724d61c74e09c210a000001.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Everton v Watford: Hornets can pile more misery on Merseysiders

Everton v Watford Sunday 5th November, 16:30 Everton preparing for a "cup final" Everton's caretaker boss David Unsworth s...

Read More

Southampton v Burnley: Clarets can bolster much-improved away record

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Southampton v Burnley</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 4 November, 15:00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below the benchmark</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mauricio Pellegrino's reign at Southampton has been a slow-burner but his side are unbeaten in three matches now, the latest being a 1-1 draw at Brighton.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That leaves them 10th in the table on 13 points, although the benchmark for Pellegrino remains the top-eight position Southampton have occupied for the past four seasons.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Striker Charlie Austin and midfielder Mario Lemina could both be back in contention for a starting place after missing the Brighton match.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best outside the big six</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Burnley have started the season strongly and currently lie seventh on 16 points, with only the big six teams above them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Away form, which was their weakness last season, has been a strength this time with only one defeat in their first five road trips - and that was against rampant leaders Manchester City.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris Wood, who missed last week's 1-0 home win over Newcastle with a thigh problem, could return to lead the attack. Nahki Wells, signed in the summer from Huddersfield, could be ready for his debut after being among the unused subs last week.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saints look poor value</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The difficulty with both teams is that they are low-scoring - both have managed only nine goals in their first 10 games, which puts them among the bottom eight on that measure.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also have strong defences (Burnley have conceded nine goals, Southampton have let in 10), which indicates this will be a tight match.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Southampton have failed to score in three of their five home league matches and three of their six home goals have come from the penalty spot. Given Burnley's defensive organisation, the Saints do not look attractive at win odds of 1.69.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether Burnley can win is open to question due to their low-scoring nature, although their only blank on the road was at Manchester City (3-0) and they have taken positive results at Chelsea (3-2 win), Tottenham (1-1) and Liverpool (1-1).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The safe option might be something like Burnley off +0.5 & +1.0 on the Asian handicap, which provides a return if the visitors keep the match close. The bet wins in full with a Burnley win or draw, half of the stake is lost with a one-goal defeat and the full stake is lost for a defeat by two goals or more.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But at the odds it could be worth chancing the Burnley win at 6.40 as their improvement on the road seems genuine.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Low score on the cards</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is an obvious conclusion on the goals front and it is no surprise that under 2.5 goals is 1.64. Both teams rank highly for unders this season - Burnley are top with 80% and Southampton joint-next on 70%.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under 1.5 goals is 2.96 and both teams have had that outcome in half of their half of their matches this season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one caveat with Southampton is that on the couple of occasions when the goals have come at home this season they have really flowed, with a 3-2 win over West Ham and a 2-2 with Newcastle.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probert low on bookings</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the fourth Premier League match of the season for Lee Probert and he showed only two yellows in the previous three. The sample size is small but his Premier League stats put him among the more lenient referees.</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;">Back Burnley win at 6.40</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;">Seven of the eight goals scored in Premier League meetings between these sides have been scored after half-time, with the exception being Shane Long's 37th minute strike at St Mary's in March 2015. 0-0 at half-time is 13/8 with Betfair Sportsbook.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ324ZnRsULEb6rx4QA4GbvA_d7dOIhF9vwKmIaW2MQXyBLrj4wj687jxKa5_zdlLAfsc_DcCmB0wOewQzsQKdCruVD_whNhh6c4kWqYJJWSn3pabSoJtMNUbo3MjWwzOt4Nh7jYmzOY/s1600/59fb032cd915b2a50600002c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="912" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ324ZnRsULEb6rx4QA4GbvA_d7dOIhF9vwKmIaW2MQXyBLrj4wj687jxKa5_zdlLAfsc_DcCmB0wOewQzsQKdCruVD_whNhh6c4kWqYJJWSn3pabSoJtMNUbo3MjWwzOt4Nh7jYmzOY/s640/59fb032cd915b2a50600002c.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Southampton v Burnley: Clarets can bolster much-improved away record

Southampton v Burnley Saturday 4 November, 15:00 Below the benchmark Mauricio Pellegrino's reign at Southampton has been a slow-burn...

Read More