Arsenal v Manchester United: Mourinho can thwart Wenger again

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Arsenal v Man Utd</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Sunday 07 April, 16:00<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Arsenal</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />After the flame flickered again with a late win over Leicester and a slightly unexpected FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City, Arsenal <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">returned to phone-in-fury mode</span> with a limp 2-0 loss to Spurs.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />That result ended Arsenal's 22-year run of finishing above their North London rivals but, more than that, put another <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">huge puncture</span> in the Gunners' bid to make the top four.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Arsenal scored their <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">first win over United in 11 tries</span> when cruising to a 3-0 win over the Red Devils in this fixture last season. It's no surprise that the game was played in October i.e. before the Gunners had faded from the title race.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />However, Arsene Wenger has <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">never beaten Jose Mourinho</span> in 12 Premier League showdowns so the Portuguese has always found a way to counteract Arsenal's main strength, their forward line.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />If Wenger is to end that run, he'll have to do it against a United side <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unbeaten in 25 Premier League matches</span> this season.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Manchester United</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Firstly, this could be a <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">difficult game</span> to bet on because of its timing.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />It falls between United's two-legged Europa League semi-final and, although they appear to have done the hard part against Celta Vigo by winning the away tie 1-0, Mourinho is still <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">threatening to play a weakened side</span> at the Emirates.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"The players that have accumulated lots of minutes are not going to play next weekend," said Mourinho after the Celta win. Then again, it's all relative.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />United's bench in Spain on Thursday night was de Gea, Mata, Rooney, Martial, Smalling, Carrick and Young.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Mourinho has <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">plenty to pick from</span> and even if he tries to make a point by throwing in a young player or two, he'll have them that <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">well organised</span> that it might not make a whole lot of difference.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Although he now views the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Europa League</span> as by far the clearer path to a place in next season's Champions League, the devil in him will still want to <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">put a spanner in the works</span> for Arsenal, just as he did when Chelsea boss and winning 2-0 at Anfield to thwart Liverpool's title hopes when it mattered little to the Blues.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />If Liverpool have beaten Southampton earlier in the afternoon, that could also subdue the atmosphere a little for both teams. Then again, a slip-up for Jurgen Klopp's men and it's game on again for this pair.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />That's why it's <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hard to call</span> until nearer kick-off although the one guarantee is likely to be that Mourinho will make United <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hard to beat</span>. That unbeaten run means more to him that he might let on.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Match Odds</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Arsenal are <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="20/21"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.96</span></span> to take all three points and give Wenger his first win over Mourinho. I wouldn't be taking that given the way the Gunners <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">so often fold</span> in these big matches. Man Utd are <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/2"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">4.40</span></span> while the draw is <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/4"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">3.75</span></span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />None of the options really jump out at me. If forced I'd play the draw but there is a <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">better option</span> below.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Historically, this fixture seen plenty of goals down the years and before the start of this season over 2.5 would have landed in four of the previous five head-to-heads.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />But this is a Manchester United managed by Mourinho and <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">all this season's evidence screams 'Unders' to me</span>. That's priced at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="20/21"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.95</span></span> in a market that is basically a pick 'em with over 2.5 at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="20/21"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.94</span></span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Mourinho's <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lack of ambition in tough away games</span> has been staggering in some senses but predictable in others. History and financial muscle says United should be going out to win but the Portuguese has made it blindingly clear that not losing and denying the opposition is his <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">very first thought</span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Hence 0-0 at an in-form Liverpool. Hence 0-0 at local rivals Manchester City. After a 4-0 drubbing at his former club Chelsea, he made sure it didn't happen again in the FA Cup, United being edged out by a single goal.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Thursday night was another chalked up for Unders backers and six of United's seven away games in Europe - matches in which <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mourinho's caution naturally comes to the fore</span> - have featured under 2.5 goals.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Whatever team he sends out will be well organised and hard to break down and, without Zlatan, the goal count from either side is likely to be <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">kept in check</span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />As they hang on - grimly at times - to this long unbeaten run, the goal count has suffered. The bottom line is that <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">eight of United's last 10 games in all competitions have featured under 2.5 goals</span>. I expect that trend to continue.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Both Teams To Score</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The 0-0s at Anfield and the Etihad are <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">obvious pointers</span> to going 'No' at a tempting <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">2.10</span></span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Another goalless draw is well within the realms of possibility, as is either side just doing enough to nick it 1-0. 'Yes' is <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/5"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.78</span></span>.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">To Score</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Without seeing United's starting XI, this is tricky to assess from their point of view.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />One stat to consider is that <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wayne Rooney</span> has scored more Premier League goals (11) against Arsenal than anyone in the history of the competition.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />We all write him off and yet he's scored in his last two games so <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/5"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">3.20</span></span> may not be the worst bet. How much action does he see though?<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />For Arsenal, <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alexis Sanchez</span> at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/8"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">2.36</span></span> is the obvious play but just six of his 19 Premier League goals have come at home this season. He prefers the freedom of the road.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I'm <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not expecting many goals</span> so, naturally, it isn't a market I'm keen to get involved in.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ref watch</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"He doesn't want to be the star, he is a good man and an honest ref. He tries always to be a referee with a lot of balance. I had a good feeling with <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Andre Marriner</span>, he is the kind of referee that when he makes mistakes against my team he has no intention."<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />That was Mourinho being unusually diplomatic when Marriner denied Man Utd a huge penalty shout when this pair drew 1-1 at Old Trafford earlier this season. Or was he buttering him up for future matches?!<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />On the stats, Marriner is far from 'Mr Laidback' and no top-flight ref has shown more red cards (7). He averages just under four yellows (3.91) per game although he booked six players (three from each side) when taking charge of the 1-1 draw between this pair.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Opta stat</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Jose Mourinho has faced Arsenal without losing more times in the Premier League than the has any other side (12 - W5 D7 L0).</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bet</span></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">2pts Back Under 2.5 goals at</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" title="20/21">1.95</span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" title="20/21"><br /></span></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrBbiqiaasjqt2dYx4SqQujl6wsIthJPk0Fdsnr0xGs6peWUWzM2xOiyDbny7NYfTwfTUmvbQJR3Cq0S-Jb2d1kFBBFZCeqH3USEPOvujUN2w2GUlEfEwFMqwXBHbVoCi2LargnlhQLI/s1600/munarsenal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrBbiqiaasjqt2dYx4SqQujl6wsIthJPk0Fdsnr0xGs6peWUWzM2xOiyDbny7NYfTwfTUmvbQJR3Cq0S-Jb2d1kFBBFZCeqH3USEPOvujUN2w2GUlEfEwFMqwXBHbVoCi2LargnlhQLI/s640/munarsenal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />

Arsenal v Manchester United: Mourinho can thwart Wenger again

Arsenal v Man Utd Sunday 07 April, 16:00 Live on Sky Sports Arsenal After the flame flickered again with a late win over Leicester and a ...

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Liverpool v Southampton: Reds to take a big step towards the big time

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Liverpool v Southampton</span></span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday May 07, 13:30</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on Sky Sports 1</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liverpool</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />It feels like Liverpool have taken an important step forward in the last few weeks. Usually, a sequence of away games including Stoke, West Brom and Watford would strike fear into Reds' fans far more than trips to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City. However, Liverpool came back from a goal down to win in Stoke, and eked out <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hard-fought 1-0 victories</span> at West Brom and Watford.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />In winning those games, they challenged another narrative, because they were without <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sadio Mane</span> on all three occasions. Many people thought Liverpool's hopes of a top-four finish would fade once the Senegalese speedster was ruled out for the rest of the campaign, but others have stepped up. Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and even <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Emre Can</span> have scored wonderful goals in the last few weeks. At the other end, the oft-derided <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Simon Mignolet</span> has made some huge saves.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Monday's win at Vicarage Road means Champions League qualification is now in the hands of Jurgen Klopp's side, and after three wins in their last four games, they are at least in <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fine form.</span> The spectre of their shock home defeat to Crystal Palace looms large, but it's worth remembering that defeat is the only one they have suffered in the last nine games.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Klopp says the trio of recent away wins shows the development of the club, and now is the time to push hard for a Champions League spot. He insists his players can <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">handle the pressure</span> of the run-in, and that the Anfield crowd must play their part.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />If Klopp does deliver a top-four finish, there are statistics that tell you he will have done a fine job. LFC have the fifth-highest wage bill in the Premier League, and have qualified for the Champions League just once since 2009.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The big team news for Liverpool concerns talismanic playmaker <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Philippe Coutinho,</span> who was forced off at Vicarage Road with a dead leg. The leg has been resurrected, and the Brazilian is fit to start on Sunday.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Southampton</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />This weekend, Southampton return to the scene of their <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">greatest achievement</span> this season. Saints' 1-0 win at Anfield secured a place in the EFL Cup final, and even though the club ultimately lost the Wembley showpiece against Manchester United, it was still an excellent cup run.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />After years of overachievement under Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman, it's hard to judge just how well Saints have done this season in their first campaign under French boss <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Claude Puel.</span> Failure to reach the knockout stage of the Europa League was a bitter blow, especially as a home win in the final game against Hapoel Beer Sheva would have been enough to book a place in the last 32. A run of five wins in 16 Premier League games has ended any hopes to returning to European competition next season, but the club is safe in mid-table.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />After recent reports suggesting a dip in form and a player revolt were edging him towards the exit door, Puel has <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">come out fighting,</span> insisting he will be in charge next term. He says he has improved a clutch of young players at the club, and is in the midst of an exciting project.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Striker Charlie Austin has been out since December, but has an outside chance of playing. Matt Targett continues to struggle with a hamstring problem.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Match Odds</span></span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />It's easy to be distracted by Liverpool's 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, but the fortitude the Reds have shown in their recent away matches suggests to me that they are up for the fight and are <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fully focused.</span> The Opta stats tell us Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have failed to score in all three of their meetings with Saints this season, and while that's an eyebrow-raising statistic for home backers, I can't get away from the fact that I believe Liverpool will win this.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Saints have suffered big defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea recently, and almost every time they have visited one of the top clubs in the Premier League, they have lost. They've been beaten at Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Everton.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Liverpool are trading at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/8"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.62</span></span>, and given the fact the hosts are usually a lot shorter than that for a home game, I think that's a <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">decent price.</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span></span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />There have only been two goals across three meetings between the clubs this season, so you may find the odds of <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/4"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">2.28</span></span> on offer for <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Under 2.5 Goals</span> quite tempting. However, Liverpool's last five Premier League home games have featured three goals or more, as have 12 of their 17 league games at Anfield.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />An unders bet is always risky with Liverpool - Opta tell us that since Klopp took charge in October 2015, there have been 208 goals scored in PL games involving Liverpool, more than any other team.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I'm going for a Liverpool win, and Over 2.5 Goals.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bet</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Back Liverpool/Over 2.5 Goals double at [2.25]</span></span> </span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjZ1AqzUk30aHuLcnUsKaD3_-y_SsCCsGBFPhj1M97AYqGClUnRSx5qs0IHlHPIJdDB8Ic_ZWUCeEDX3WaLv83hKgUopdnAzV0PMQW_cVkljLPQed05_9wyyD0IuSt2fYZ_2GBjQdrYo/s1600/liverpool-dang-co-duoc-loi-the-trong-cuoc-dua-top-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjZ1AqzUk30aHuLcnUsKaD3_-y_SsCCsGBFPhj1M97AYqGClUnRSx5qs0IHlHPIJdDB8Ic_ZWUCeEDX3WaLv83hKgUopdnAzV0PMQW_cVkljLPQed05_9wyyD0IuSt2fYZ_2GBjQdrYo/s640/liverpool-dang-co-duoc-loi-the-trong-cuoc-dua-top-4.png" width="640" /></a><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>

Liverpool v Southampton: Reds to take a big step towards the big time

Liverpool v Southampton Sunday May 07, 13:30 Live on Sky Sports 1 Liverpool It feels like Liverpool have taken an important step forward ...

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AFL Preview: Dockers v Bombers

<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fremantle v Essendon<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sunday 4:40pm at Domain Stadium</span></b><br /> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Round 7 concludes with a fascinating affair between Fremantle and Essendon with a Top 8 berth likely on the line with each going into this with a 3-3 record.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Form</strong></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fremantle had put together three straight wins before a disappointing 41-point loss in the Derby last Saturday. The Dockers uncharacteristically have conceded 100-plus in four games this season while they are averaging just 77ppg with scores above 73 just twice. Freo rank 17<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> in attack and 14<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> in defence.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Essendon opened the season with wins against Hawthorn and Brisbane but have since won just 1 of 4, the Anzac Day classic with Collingwood. Sandwiched around that were hammerings against Adelaide and Melbourne. The Bombers rank 11<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> in both attack and defence in 2017. Essendon have posted 100 in three of their six matches.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stats That Matter</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Fremantle have won 6 of their last 8 against Essendon with three straight wins of 28 or more.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Essendon have been held to 72 or less in 6 of the last 7 Dockers-Bombers clashes.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Three of the last five Freo-Essendon games have gone over the total.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Dockers are 43-25 under at Subiaco since 2012.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Freo have covered just 6 of their last 18 at Subiaco.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Fremantle are 4-10 ATS at Subiaco off a loss of 40-plus.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Dockers have covered 6 of 8 when a single digit favourite at Subiaco since 2012.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Essendon have covered just 1 of their last 5 trips to Perth.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Bombers have covered just 2 of their last 11 interstate games.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The over has hit in 7 of the last 9 Essendon interstate games.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Interstate outsiders who conceded 110 or more last start cover at just 44%.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Interstate outsiders of less than two goals cover at just 39% with the under 57%.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Betting Data</strong></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2017 Line: Fremantle 2-4, Essendon 3-3<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2017 Over-Under: Fremantle 3-3, Essendon 3-3</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">What To Expect</strong></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The toughest betting game of the week is the get out which is no favour to punters. Essendon are an absolute no bet interstate while Fremantle aren’t playing with any conviction. Fremantle are typically big under bets at home and that is the strongest angle here, supported by the under hitting big when there is a small interstate outsider.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fremantle by 14</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bet<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Under 172.5 ($1.87)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Player Markets</strong></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nat Fyfe has been in the papers this week with rumours rife that he is looking for a move to St Kilda. Players of his ilk typically respond on the field after such scuttlebutt and with Fyfe coming off a quiet game, the situation is primed for him to dominate. Fyfe has 28-plus touches in three games this year.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bet<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Nat Fyfe 30+ Disposals ($1.95)</span> </span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZX5txEQqynFu0OPvomWOk0GWQJ7iCWgo7lPX8yR_p4lTipaSApFQ-liT866zvdZ7CNt3H3MPxLj4RUKp-m7SrUyIrSyKMI1jWDjb0Z07XrrC77DDF8VctpPQSLG4JewskDjhNLQn6xo/s1600/9fea9756de49618df8a07bc5319d744e_M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZX5txEQqynFu0OPvomWOk0GWQJ7iCWgo7lPX8yR_p4lTipaSApFQ-liT866zvdZ7CNt3H3MPxLj4RUKp-m7SrUyIrSyKMI1jWDjb0Z07XrrC77DDF8VctpPQSLG4JewskDjhNLQn6xo/s640/9fea9756de49618df8a07bc5319d744e_M.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong></div>

AFL Preview: Dockers v Bombers

Fremantle v Essendon Sunday 4:40pm at Domain Stadium Round 7 concludes with a fascinating affair between Fremantle and Essendon with a T...

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Nottingham Forest v Ipswich: Forest fancied to secure Championship safety

<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nottingham Forest v Ipswich<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 7th May, 12:00<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports</span></span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Nottingham Forest</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Two-time European Cup winners<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Nottingham Forest</span> are bracing themselves for something close to a sell-out as they bid to secure Championship safety with a win at home on Sunday at the City Ground.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The Tricky Trees fell to another away loss last weekend at QPR and now their <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dismal road record is their worst on their travels for almost 90 years</span>. But the Reds performed admirably at Loftus Road, only lacking in confidence and composure.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Boss <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark Warburton</span> has spoken frequently about the need to play with belief and confidence -they are qualities Forest have had in abundance on home soil since the ex-Rangers manager took charge.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Warburton doesn't believe there's a need for sweeping changes or new-look approach here with the Tricky Trees' three-man defence allowing young stars <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben Brereton and Zach Clough</span> plus Jamie Ward and David Vaughan to flourish.</span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ipswich</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Ipswich manager <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mick McCarthy </span>admitted that his side lacked a competitive edge in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road despite naming the same side that produced an impressive 3-1 home win over Newcastle on Easter Monday.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />That victory was built upon a high press, keeping the ball on the floor and utilising pace with dynamic attacks. However, the Tractor Boys got nowhere near matching that performance in a forgettable match with the <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blues reverting to long-ball tactics </span>towards lone striker David McGoldrick.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Town are still <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in danger of their lowest league finish since 1959 (16th)</span> and with speculation linking Dutch manager Maurice Steijn to the role, the club's support are losing faith ahead of a 16th successive season in the second-tier.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Meanwhile, goalkeeper <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bartosz Bialkowski </span>was named the 'Supporters' Club Player of the Year' for the second season running in the week, another indication of the lack of progress at Portman Road over the past two years.</span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Match Odds</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nottingham Forest</span> could and should have ensured their Championship status against Blackburn last month but froze on the main stage. But I wouldn't expect the Tricky Trees to fall back into a similar trap here on Sunday.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The Reds have <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">played with style and verve </span>for the majority of their matches under Warburton and were impressive winners when dispatching Huddersfield here before Good Friday.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Boasting a <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">W5-D1-L1 home record against the bottom-nine </span>and having beaten five of the top-seven teams in the division, Forest have proven they're capable of producing the goods but <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/7"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.59</span></span> odds are unappealing.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ipswich</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/2"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">5.70</span></span> might be stuck in stagnation but McCarthy is too professional not to prepare properly for this game. However, whether his players can lift themselves after<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> discouraging defeats to Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday </span>remains questionable.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The visitors have<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> W5-D7-L10 of their away days</span> and been beaten in four of their seven trips to teams below them in the standings. Three losses in four games as guests also indicate a home win is the likeliest scenario here.</span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Over 2.5 Goals </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.68</span></span> has landed in 13/22 (59%) of City Ground encounters this term with 15 (68%) also providing profit for Both Teams To Score hunters. But with both markets too short to consider, there's room for manoeuvre elsewhere.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Nottingham Forest have scored at least twice in 12/22 (55%) games here and have an excellent recent W10-D5-L6 record when entertaining the bottom-half in Robin Hood county. If we combine the two markets we can support the Tricky Trees in a game involving three goals or more at <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">13/10</span></span> on the<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">sportsbook</span></span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Ipswich have seen both sides score in six of their last seven outside of Suffolk whilst four of their seven visits to clubs below them in the standings have also produced at least three goals.</span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bets</span></span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back Nottingham Forest to win and Over 2.5 Goals @ [13/10]</span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXKNYR_uQu50niDZy0gA9fIBE_yoZtcqaMqisMQ32iez0vv0X9m198JxWhXo-gYpkDI55s0tzzWdcQT_oKUAZTfePxLiNxDKyyt6Ipc_TUxs36jkONNsmeMl9sdT0kibNoiUvcJmEr_E/s1600/skysports-britt-assombalonga-nottingham-forest-goal-celeb-championship-brighton_3903022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXKNYR_uQu50niDZy0gA9fIBE_yoZtcqaMqisMQ32iez0vv0X9m198JxWhXo-gYpkDI55s0tzzWdcQT_oKUAZTfePxLiNxDKyyt6Ipc_TUxs36jkONNsmeMl9sdT0kibNoiUvcJmEr_E/s640/skysports-britt-assombalonga-nottingham-forest-goal-celeb-championship-brighton_3903022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </h2>

Nottingham Forest v Ipswich: Forest fancied to secure Championship safety

Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Sunday, 7th May, 12:00 Live on Sky Sports Nottingham Forest Two-time European Cup winners  Nottingham Forest...

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Sunday Championship Tipsheet: Back the Bees to relegate Rovers

<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brentford <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/5">2.56</span> v Blackburn <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/5">2.80</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/4">3.70</span></span></span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to the last day of the regulation season, in my opinion the toughest round of fixtures of the whole campaign. Most of the games are dead rubbers, and those are devilishly hard to predict, while the markets <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">favour heavily</span> the clubs that need a win in the games with something riding on them.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />In recent weeks I've stuck to games that have had some meaning, and I've largely been with the teams that had something to play for. But I think it's a bit different on the very last day of the season. Those clubs that need to win will be <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">under enormous pressure</span> and I actually think there's some merit in opposing them given how unusually short they are in the Match Odds market.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Take Blackburn for example. They are trading at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/5"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">2.80</span></span> simply because they have to win to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Given the form of Brentford at <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Griffin Park</span> then on a 'normal' match day Dean Smith's men would be odds-on at home to a club in the relegation zone.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />So let's back the Bees at an extremely generous <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/5"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">2.56</span></span>. In fact, let's make them our <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">best bet of the day</span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Brentford have enjoyed a terrific campaign and could finish as high as eighth with a victory over Rovers, and they go into the game on the back of <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">four straight home wins</span>, scoring 11 goals in the process which included a 4-0 thrashing of Derby, and a 2-0 win over then play-off contenders Leeds.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Last weekend the Bees travelled to in-form Fulham with effectively nothing to play for, but they put in a very good performance to draw the match so I have no worries about their motivation and desire ahead of Sunday's final game of the season.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bets<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Back Brentford to Win @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/5">2.56</span></span> (best bet)</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sheff Wed <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/8">2.38</span> v Fulham <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="85/40">3.10</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="13/5">3.60</span></span></span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm absolutely fascinated by this game because I genuinely believe neither of the sides will be too fussed about busting a gut to win it.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Fulham are sixth in the table and will finish sixth regardless of Sunday's result at Hillsborough, so I'm pretty confident <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Slavisa Jokanovic</span> will rest a huge chunk of his usual starting XI ahead of the play-offs.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />With a draw or a win - depending on the Reading result - Sheffield Wednesday could finish third in the table, and that would mean they face the Cottagers again in those play-offs, but I'm not sure they'd want that. I'm pretty confident both Fulham and the Owls will see Reading and Huddersfield as <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">slightly easier semi-final opponents</span>.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Of course, Fulham's fringe players - should Jokanovic indeed rest his usual starting XI - will want to put in a performance good enough to catch their manager's eye, so if I was going for any result in the Match Odds I'd just favour the away team at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="85/40"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">3.10</span></span>. I'm pretty confident Sheff Wed would be happy with that outcome also!<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I think Owls boss <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Carlos Carvalhal</span> will be more than satisfied to finish fourth or fifth in the table meaning his men will avoid Fulham in the play-off semi-finals.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />It's a really fascinating contest which I believe will start in a <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">very pedestrian fashion</span>. I'm certain both sets of players and staff will have eyes and ears on the games featuring the other play-off contenders, and if everything is going to plan then these two will be happy to just play out a lifeless game.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I could be completely wrong of course; this game might easily finish 4-4 just as much as it will 0-0, but I just can't back <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Over 2.5 Goals</span> at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">1.66</span></span>. Quite the opposite in fact, Under 2.5 Goals has to be the call.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bets<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Back Under 2.5 Goals @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/4">2.30</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brisol City <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/4">2.70</span> v Birmingham <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/4">2.70</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="14/5">3.80</span></span></span></span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is another game where I have to back the home team purely because they're a <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">bigger price than they would be</span> if this wasn't the last game of the season.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The reason of course is that Birmingham are not yet safe from relegation; should they fail to win and both Blackburn and Forest collect three points then <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry Redknapp</span>'s men will be playing League One football next season.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />But just because you need, and set out, to win doesn't mean you will get the victory, and it certainly doesn't mean you should almost be <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">trading as favourites</span> when you're playing away to a bang in form team.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Bristol City have taken 13 points from the last 15 available and last weekend - when they were already guaranteed Championship safety - they won 1-0 at title contenders Brighton. <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lee Johnson</span>'s men have also been superb at Ashton Gate recently, scoring 12 goals in recording four consecutive victories over Huddersfield, Wolves, QPR, and Barnsley.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Birmingham on the other hand have won just one of their last 10, that coming against a <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">much weakened Huddersfield</span> team, so I just can't back them to win this match at their current price.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />You also have to factor in that Birmingham are by far the most likely club of the three - Blackburn and Nottm Forest being the others - to survive. They can only go down if those other two clubs both win, so if at any point during this match they learn that either Rovers or Forest are losing - and remember we've napped Brentford to beat Rovers - then their own performance levels <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">might drop considerably</span> knowing that they're safe.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />All things considered then I simply have to back the home win.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommended Bet<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;">Back Bristol City to Win @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/4">2.70</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/4"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLvWyg6KQZVD0v9oQmojOkzC3LrgrkO54YmgKrKfgYtjogr4_2RFsOZHpyTrA3m2eqpHejVegmxQmGdLXhzMRVcW_P9BEccJxk-jvbkBv5APX9oD6FytUSYQ6mU0Gdh27y0cQKMewT_M/s1600/C-6MoyxWAAIS4Nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLvWyg6KQZVD0v9oQmojOkzC3LrgrkO54YmgKrKfgYtjogr4_2RFsOZHpyTrA3m2eqpHejVegmxQmGdLXhzMRVcW_P9BEccJxk-jvbkBv5APX9oD6FytUSYQ6mU0Gdh27y0cQKMewT_M/s640/C-6MoyxWAAIS4Nz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Sunday Championship Tipsheet: Back the Bees to relegate Rovers

Brentford  2.56  v Blackburn  2.80 ; The Draw  3.70 Welcome to the last day of the regulation season, in my opinion the toughest round ...

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