Championship Betting Recap: Promotion, play-offs and relegation

<h1 class="entry_header__title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Championship Betting Recap: Promotion, play-offs and relegation</span></h1> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">With the Championship set to make its long-awaited return on June 20, Jack Critchley takes a look at how things stand ahead of the final nine fixtures...</span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP884KeSZ0HI4FiilLTt2Kz3WFRVJfmKCajOlOkU78Lru1SeCmssKIgHpEF_AC0HM9S7cpAhO02wYJZVt9X268Mw8qWDgAKnWub74qWiYxrr6Rt_lObkX0_ZpCdC6R10K9s7S31QrkvE/s640/0_leeds-vs-villa-3.jpg" width="640" /></span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Leeds <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="1/9">1.11</span> and West Brom <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="2/15">1.13</span> will both be expecting to play Premier League football next season, and heading into the final nine rounds of fixtures, the high-flying duo are separated by just a single point at the top of the Championship table.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Following a festive wobble, <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leeds</strong> rediscovered their form throughout February and managed to keep five consecutive clean sheets. Despite the lack of full contact training sessions, Marcelo Bielsa has been working his players extremely hard throughout the break and that could be bad news for Sunday's opponents Cardiff.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">The fixture list has been relatively kind to the West Yorkshire outfit with <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">four of their remaining nine matches against relegation-threatened sides</strong>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Leeds are</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/9">1.44</span> to finish as champions this season</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">West Brom</strong> have a six point cushion on the sides below them, although the Baggies have won just two of their last five Championship fixtures. Slaven Bilic's side have been defensively sound with <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">just one goal conceded in their last four outings</strong>. However, they still have to face West London duo Fulham and Brentford.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Top Six Challengers</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fulham</strong> are <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/4">2.54</span> to secure promotion back to the Premier League this season, although with a six point gap to bridge, many are predicting them to just fall short. However, the Cottagers could be the side to beat in the play-offs this summer.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Scott Parker's men began the season with a shock defeat to newly-promoted Barnsley, although they quickly put that behind them with three consecutive victories in mid-August.<strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They have suffered just a single defeat since January 1</strong>, and will be expected to continue where they left off this weekend.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Fulham's issues have mainly come on the road this campaign with just six away victories. They still have to travel to Elland Road, the Hawthorns and the City Ground, and a final day visit to the DW Stadium may not be entirely straightforward either.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Aleksandar Mitrovic</strong> remains the Championship's top goalscorer with 23, and the Serbian will be key to their chances of success this season.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Near-neighbours <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brentford</strong> have a little more work to do, although the Bees looked extremely sharp during a recent friendly success over Arsenal. At <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/4">2.54</span> for promotion this season, Thomas Frank's side have been extremely easy on the eye, particularly at Griffin Park. However, even Premier League football next year may not be enough to keep hold of much-coveted duo Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nottingham Forest</strong> may be the lowest scorers in the top six, however, Sabri Lamouchi's side are extremely well-organised and have been superb on their travels, losing on just three occasions. Despite their good fortunes on the road, they've won just one of their last six Championship matches, although they do have a number of winnable games on the horizon.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Nottingham Forest are</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/9">1.45</span> to finish in the top six</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Preston</strong> are clinging onto the final play-off spot although their 2020 form is quite concerning. <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PNE have lost five of their 12 matches this calendar year</strong>, and have kept just a single clean sheet since mid-January. Despite this, the Lilywhite's home form is absolutely superb, with only Brentford, QPR and West Brom having scored more goals on their own patch so far this campaign.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bristol City</strong> are leading the charge for sixth spot with the Robins just a point behind Alex Neil's side. They have been one of the more unpredictable sides in the Championship, and have the worst defence in the top half. However, Lee Johnson's troops have some incredible talent in their squad, with Niclas Eliasson proving particularly effective this season. The enforced break has also allowed the men from the West Country to get a number of key players back to full fitness, with striker Benik Afobe amongst those who could return to first-team action before the end of the campaign.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cardiff </strong>are <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/1">4.90</span> for a top six finish this season, and sit level on points with Neil Harris' former employers Millwall. The pair will be looking to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from the two sides directly above them.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Battle to Avoid the Dreaded Drop</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">At <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="2/11">1.19</span> for relegation this season, <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Barnsley</strong>'s Championship future is starting to look extremely bleak. The Tykes were buoyed by the arrival of <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gerhard Struber</strong> in November but the Austrian was unable to maintain that momentum, and his side drew consecutive blanks at the beginning of March. The South Yorkshire side are seven points adrift of safety, and with visits to Elland Road and Griffin Park still left on the schedule, they look nailed on for an instant return to League One.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Luton</strong> used the break to make a managerial switch with <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nathan Jones</strong> returning to Kenilworth Road at the end of May. Outgoing boss Graeme Jones had overseen a mini-resurgence throughout February and March, with the Bedfordshire outfit <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">losing just one of their last six matches</strong>, however, it wasn't enough to save his job and it may not be enough to preserve their Championship status either. With comfortably the division's worst defence, the returning Welshman must ensure that his side keep things tight during the run-in.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Charlton</strong>'s problems are beginning to mount up. Lee Bowyer's side have had their fair share of off-the-field issues to contend with, and they won't be able to call upon the services of three first-team players during the final stretch. <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chris Solly, David Davis and Lyle Taylor</strong> have all refused to play in the remaining fixtures in a bid to stay fit ahead of the summer transfer window. It's a huge blow for the Londoners, and with <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Taylor having netted 25% of their goals this season</strong>, the Montserrat international is likely to be the biggest loss.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">The Addicks are just two points from safety. They have lost eight of their last 13 Championship matches and haven't found the net in any of their last three games.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Charlton are</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/7">1.56</span> to be relegated from the Championship</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hull</strong>'s form has nosedived since the January sales of Jarrod Bowen and Kamil Grosicki. Grant McCann's side <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are without a win in their last 11 matches</strong>, but do have some winnable games left on the fixture list. The East Yorkshire side will face four of their relegation rivals during the run-in, although things may be tougher when they visit the Hawthorns and Ashton Gate at the beginning of July. They are <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/4">2.70</span> to drop into the third tier.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wigan</strong> were one of the form sides in the division throughout February and March, and Paul Cook's men will be hoping that the break hasn't killed their momentum. <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They've kept four clean sheets in a row</strong>, although as the Championship's second-lowest scorers, they will need to offer more in the final third when the season gets back underway. The Latics won just four times between August and December, yet they've managed five since the turn of the year.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sheffield Wednesday</strong> are in dire straits financially, and have several key players out of contract this summer. The Owls have struggled to recapture their 2019 form this year, and have clocked just a single victory since beating Leeds on January 11th. Despite having a nine point cushion over the bottom three, they cannot take their foot off the gas just yet.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Sheffield Wednesday are</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/2">5.70</span> to be relegated from the Championship</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Other sides in danger include <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Middlesbrough, Stoke and Huddersfield</strong>, although the latter's home form could be enough to save them from the drop. Danny Cowley's side have won three of their last four games in West Yorkshire, whilst Stoke have also improved since <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Michael O'Neill</strong>'s arrival in the Potteries. Boro have a two point safety cushion, and the Championship's weakest attack has failed to fire in three of their last five matches. Jonathon Woodgate's side have a relatively easy run-in with seventh-placed Bristol City the highest ranked opponents left on the fixture list.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Any Other Business</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">A number of players are refusing to play during the remaining games with the aformentioned Lyle Taylor arguably the most high-profile. Middlesbrough's <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Daniel Ayala</strong> will also sit out the rest of the season with the Spaniard heavily linked with a move to West Brom this summer.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Birmingham have announced that Pep Clotet will be leaving his position as head coach this summer</strong>. Brum's campaign has been a mixed bag, although under the guidance of the outgoing Spaniard, they have become extremely tough to beat, losing just one of their last 11 Championship matches. Chris Hughton, Slavisa Jokanvoic and Nigel Clough have all been linked with the vacancy at St. Andrews.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>The Blues are </b></span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="2/1">3.00</span><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>to finish in the top half this season</b></span></span></div> </div>

Championship Betting Recap: Promotion, play-offs and relegation

Championship Betting Recap: Promotion, play-offs and relegation With the Championship set to make its long-awaited return on June 20, Jac...

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Andy Brassell on European Football: Cristiano Ronaldo looks for lift-off

<h1 class="entry_header__title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Andy Brassell on European Football: Cristiano Ronaldo looks for lift-off</span></h1> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to step up his game in the Coppa Italia final, writes Andy Brassell, as the relegation struggle in the Bundesliga and the chase of the Champions League in Spain both heat up...</span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div> <div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ronaldo searching for form in Coppa final</strong></h2> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">After feeling as if we saw most of <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cristiano Ronaldo</strong>'s season pause routine via social media (the indoor workouts interrupted by his kids, the gradient sprints with his partner, the endless crunches), not to mention his workout at local club Nacional while at home in Madeira, we might have expected a little more in his first game back. Of all the players that might have actually benefitted from an unscheduled break in the season, Ronaldo would have been near the top of the list.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">As the years have rolled by, there has been a science to making sure he peaks at the right time, carefully managed by Real Madrid and now <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Juventus</strong> in recent seasons. It seemed like it was paying off, with reports from Juve's training sessions suggesting a man possessed ready to go again. In the event, it was a flat display from the Portugal legend in the Coppa Italia semi second leg against Milan, capped with his first-half penalty hitting the post.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">One would assume that he will be going all out for reparation in Wednesday's final against <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Napoli</strong>. There are few more dangerous things in football than Ronaldo with a point to prove. Factor in Gennaro Gattuso's team having had a day less rest - and having to hang on grimly against a dominant Inter in their semi return - and the case for Ronaldo finding an extra gear is strong.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 184, 12); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Back Juventus to be winning at half-time & full-time at</b></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 184, 12); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/5">3.20</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qrcApSpldWOuOTGgkLeaC7CP2TyJeh7LzanEqHB-pIKJ-cS01B6vp5SnydyZXpIoKYUmgmtLKrKZM-6dN4OSrDkpYYMy-G9OnBxdQu_BziPxqsqIPF8bt47UEhPr1aTuM3Umr61Zh3A/s640/Ronaldo+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Straight shootout between Werder and Fortuna</strong></h2> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">It's now that time of the season in Germany where teams at the bottom will be cocking an ear to events elsewhere, even if they insist that they aren't, and that was certainly the case on Saturday afternoon. <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fortuna Düsseldorf</strong> were grinding their way to a positive result against Borussia Dortmund, before a last-gasp Erling Haaland goal snatched it away from them, with <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Werder Bremen</strong>'s growing tally at Paderborn at the same time heaping further pressure on Uwe Rösler's team.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Werder's 5-1 win was crucial not just for confidence, nor for the scoring return of <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Niclas Füllkrug</strong> after a serious knee injury. It closed the goal difference gap with Fortuna to just one, with Saturday's results bringing Florian Kohfeldt's side now level on points with the current occupants of the relegation playoff spot.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">It takes a bit of imagination to envisage Werder getting something out of a <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bayern Munich</strong> side that are only one win away from securing the title on Tuesday and have Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller returning - that's before we get to Werder's awful form in Bremen, where they are winless in the Bundesliga since early September - but if you're looking for a surprise, it could be on the other side of the fence. Leipzig have drawn four successive Bundesliga games at home (with at least three of those against weaker opposition) and Rösler's side have the doggedness to make their lives difficult on Wednesday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Back Leipzig and Fortuna Düsseldorf to draw at </b></span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/1">7.00</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Getafe facing déjà vu</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">If Sevilla laid down a gauntlet to their <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Champions League</strong> chasing opposition with their excellent performance in the derby with Betis on Thursday night, their competitors were largely unable to respond. Atlético Madrid's draw at Athletic Bilbao might end up looking like a valuable point but Real Sociedad being held at home by Osasuna on Sunday night looked like a chance wasted.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Then there's <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Getafe</strong>. It was all going to plan for José Bordalás' side when David Timor gave them a first-half lead at Granada on Friday, but the concession of two cheap goals in the last 20 minutes sent them back to the outskirts of Madrid with nothing. Having narrowly missed out on Champions League football last term, they could do with nipping the negativity in the bud.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">There's far less pressure on them than the rest of the pack, of course. Getafe are a smaller club with less expectations and getting a top four spot would simply be a massive bonus. They face a tricky task against <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Espanyol</strong>, who were aided by an early Fernando Pacheco red card for Alavés on Saturday, paving the way for a win which reignited their survival hopes. With confrontations with Atlético, Real Madrid Real Sociedad and Villarreal yet to come, Bordalás doesn't have too much room for manoeuvre.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Lay Getafe against Espanyol at </b></span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10">2.10</span></div> </div>

Andy Brassell on European Football: Cristiano Ronaldo looks for lift-off

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Premier League Betting: Five players to watch as the season is reshaped

<h1 class="entry_header__title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Premier League Betting: Five players to watch as the season is reshaped</span></h1> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Alex Keble picks out a quintet of Premier League players who could play important roles across the final nine rounds of matches...</span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">The Premier League gets <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">back under way</strong> this week following a three-month suspension, and although the table has been frozen it would be wrong to assume the final nine rounds of the season will continue the trajectory set by the first 29.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Empty stadiums in Germany and Spain have seemingly <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">eradicated home advantage</strong>, while the extended break has provided struggling clubs with a chance to reset and injury-hit sides with the opportunity to recover.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">What's more, new managers have had extra time to get their ideas across as the Premier League prepares for the technical and <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tactical shift</strong> of football played in training ground conditions.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Here's a look at five players who, as a result of the <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">changing dynamics of the 2019/20 season</strong>, are worth keeping an eye on in the weeks ahead.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tammy Abraham</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Young players generally lack consistency because they are more vulnerable to the psychological aspects of football, which explains why Frank Lampard's Chelsea won 23 points from their first 11 games of the season and 25 from the next 18. His team will have particularly benefited from an extended break and the opportunity to <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">start afresh</strong>, and as such are <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>worth a bet on finishing in the top four for games between June 17 and the end of the season, at 15/8</b></span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Chelsea's youthful naivety - hard running and blind optimism - carried their players through the opening third of the season, and none more so than Tammy Abraham, who scored <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">seven goals in his first five</strong> Premier League games of the season but just two in his most recent 11.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">With Timo Werner set to join this summer, and perhaps Kai Havertz too, Abraham is <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">playing for his future</strong>. The cold, emotionless venues for the next nine rounds offer the 22-year-old the chance to refocus and rediscover his verve.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">John McGinn</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">The relegation battle looks likely to go down to the wire, especially if empty stadiums and the increased risk of injury sees mid-table clubs - struggling for motivation - get sucked into the fight. Not unlike Chelsea, Aston Villa can be the beneficiaries of the opportunity to <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">reboot and recapture</strong> the performances that characterised their first 13 games of the campaign.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Villa played assertive attacking football in those early days, frequently falling just short of toppling the big clubs thanks to the brilliant displays of Jack Grealish and John McGinn. It is no coincidence the Scotland international's injury in mid-December <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coincided with the club's collapse</strong>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">As results worsened and Villa lost their confidence, Smith's progressive formation looked far too expansive; they badly missed McGinn's incredible tenacity, drive, and technical ability. He is the beating heart of the Villa team and, now back from injury, can be the catalyst for change. <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Back Villa to stay up at 15/8</b></span></span>.</span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry Kane</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Seemingly the only person who can't see the damage being done by rushing Harry Kane back from injury is Harry Kane. This time, he has been <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">forced into a slower rehabilitation</strong> period, which could mean a return of the sharpness that has been missing from his game recently. It is perfect timing, too, for Kane to become the driving force behind Jose Mourinho's second chance at a first impression.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Tottenham were in free-fall when the league was suspended in March, losing five of the previous six games in all competitions. But there is a good reason why Mourinho hasn't taken a job mid-season since Porto in 2002: he makes use of pre-season like few other coaches in world football. The three-month hiatus has given Mourinho a chance to impart some wisdom, <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">form cliques, and settle on a first 11</strong>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Kane has all the attributes of a classic Mourinho centre-forward. If the Portuguese can finally get rid of the lingering Mauricio Pochettino muscle memory, installing compression between the lines and fluid counter-attacks, then Kane can make headlines this summer and lift Spurs <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>into the top five, priced at 5/1</b></span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Mikel Arteta's highly structured tactics are slowly revolutionising Arsenal. Like Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta is coaching positional play in <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">microscopic detail</strong> in order to spread the team evenly across the pitch to create neat triangles for attacks.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Arsenal's main problem is that they remain emotionally volatile, and so empty stadiums should <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">favour Arteta's methodical approach</strong>. Pretty much every Arsenal player stands to benefit, but none more so than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is finding more space in the penalty box by arriving later in the move from the left wing.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">He has seven goals in nine games starting from the left, and 11 in his last 17 in all competitions. With yet more time dedicated to Arteta's tactical training, the Gabonese striker, on 17 for the season, should be able to overtake Jamie Vardy and <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>claim the Golden Boot, at 7/2</b></span></span>.</span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Paul Pogba</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Manchester United are an unknown entity, and as such the <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">most intriguing Premier League team</strong> ahead of the return. No Old Trafford crowd could mean Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can afford to sit back and counter-attack more often, as he would like, or it could mean the fear factor has gone and - playing the team rather than the badge - opponents expose his side's tactical flaws.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">The conundrum, and the <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">crossroads</strong>, facing United is symbolised in what happens with Paul Pogba over the coming weeks. He is set to warm the bench for their opener against Tottenham, according to the Athletic, but long-term is expected to form a midfield partnership with Bruno Fernandes.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Can United remain competitive in midfield with two creatives here? Will Pogba step on Fernandes's toes? Does the Frenchman's style fit Solskjaer's preference for speed and energy across the pitch? And can he afford to sideline the club's star attraction? These are all <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">existential questions</strong> that get to the heart of what Man Utd means as a club and where they are heading.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Solskjaer has been able to avoid these tough calls while Pogba was injured. Now, he has to make decisions that will define his tenure. If they start badly, then it might be worth <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>betting on United to finish outside the top six at 7/2</b></span></span>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd0NUfwgv8dKPOosnipLGa9uG9cAj8ElUOwKoAftGiJfG-xe-05VwxkN7KGN9hDFxgmqIVKVBBa1RjJRbDKZazKQGe96bqyEXckxv5O1XzjUwQUKcWveZDPZ2o-85PhHU2O7Ad8bcFmI/s640/pogba+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></div> </div>

Premier League Betting: Five players to watch as the season is reshaped

Premier League Betting: Five players to watch as the season is reshaped Alex Keble picks out a quintet of Premier League players who coul...

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Bundesliga Tuesday Betting Tips: Bayern to clinch title glory

<h1 class="entry_header__title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Bundesliga Tuesday Betting Tips: Bayern to clinch title glory</span></h1> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">The Bundesliga has a rare midweek round this week, and Kevin Hatchard believes Bayern Munich will be crowned as champions once again on Tuesday.</span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div> <div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bayern to nail down another crown</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Werder Bremen v Bayern Munich</span></span></strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 16 June, 19:30</strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on BT Sport 1 and Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">In April last year, on a warm Wednesday evening in Bremen, Bayern Munich won a pulsating DFB Cup semi-final 3-2 at the Weserstadion against a Werder side that was playing thrilling football. Since then, <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">so much has changed,</strong> on and off the field.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Bremen saw themselves as Europa League qualification contenders at the time, and now the only thing on their agenda is staying in the top flight. Saturday's <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">remarkable 5-1 win</strong> at Paderborn (they had only scored 30 league goals all season before the game at the Benteler Arena) has boosted their survival hopes. Florian Kohfeldt's side is now behind third-bottom Fortuna Düsseldorf on goal difference, and fourth-bottom Mainz are only three points better off. Werder visit Mainz this Saturday, so an incredible piece of <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">football escapology</strong> is within reach.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Since that balmy April evening, Bayern have changed their coach, with spectacular results. Although Niko Kovac won a domestic double in his only full season in charge, he never enjoyed the support and belief in his ability that his successor <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hansi Flick</strong> does. Flick has earned that bond with his players, getting the best out of them with astute tactical adjustments and a demand for more intensity. Bayern have won 21 of their last 22 games in all competitions, and another victory on Tuesday will secure an <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unprecedented</strong> eighth straight Bundesliga title.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Robert Lewandowski</strong> and Thomas Müller are back after suspension and raring to go, and they face a Werder team that has the <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">worst home record</strong> in the division. Werder have scored one goal in their last nine home games, and they haven't won a Bundesliga match at the Weserstadion since September. With that massive showdown against Mainz on the horizon, one wonders whether Kohfeldt will pick his strongest team for a game that is unlikely to yield any points. After all, Werder have lost their last 18 league matches against the Bavarian giants. In the reverse fixture, they were smashed 6-1 at the Allianz Arena.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">You can use the <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Same Game Multi</span></span></strong> to back a double of Bayern to win by two goals or more, and Lewandowski to score at any time at <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/6">1.84</span>. The Polish international has scored in 12 of his last 14 appearances, and has 30 league goals this season.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="640" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6m9lrVZ6oqkAA_5O5tXKKZ7DrRebliYaQUzyJK1F_iVg077tehf7AhEqMpmUHPedKAUhMtzrPwvLOeWcM6s_VIHEIkIxePXUaDmd9zSXHQKOfw3DJrCkPY1bspmVE4B8ze8bp0lV4Ao/s640/leverkusen.jpg" width="640" /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hertha to bounce back</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Freiburg v Hertha Berlin</span></span></strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 16 June, 19:30</strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Hertha Berlin's outside chance of securing a Europa League spot have receded dramatically in the last two matchdays. First, they lost a tight game 1-0 at Borussia Dortmund, and then they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Eintracht Frankfurt. It's worth noting that the capital club were 1-0 up at half time, but the sending-off of defensive behemoth <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dedryck Boyata</strong> proved critical. Given that Hertha have spent most of a chaotic season battling the drop, they'll just be pleased to be safe from automatic relegation.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">A win at Freiburg could reignite their hopes of snatching seventh, and the Europa League spot that now comes with it. Freiburg are just a point off the top seven, after taking four points from their last two matches. However, it's worth noting that they conceded lots of chances in a 1-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, and had to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Wolfsburg on Saturday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Christian Streich's team has only won one of the last six league games, and at home they have lost five of their last eight. I'll back Hertha <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Draw No Bet</span></span></strong> here at <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="10/11">1.89</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Paderborn to produce gesture of defiance</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Union Berlin v Paderborn</span></span></strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 16 June, 19:30</strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Although Paderborn finished above Union Berlin in last season's Bundesliga 2. table, it's perhaps no surprise that their positions have been reversed in the top flight. Union spent money on experienced recruits like <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christian Gentner</strong> and Neven Subotic, while Paderborn stuck to a budget of 11 million euros, and relied largely on the players who had won promotion.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Union had been on a bad run before Saturday's win at Köln, a result that significantly eased their relegation fears. They defended diligently, and worked incredibly hard. Their dominion at set plays came to the fore once again, as both of their goals came from corners.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Paderborn were smacked 5-1 at home by second-bottom Werder Bremen, but that result was out of keeping with their general form. Although they are on the brink of relegation, Steffen Baumgart's team have been fiercely competitive recently, and on the road they have <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ground out three straight draws.</strong></span></div> </div>

Bundesliga Tuesday Betting Tips: Bayern to clinch title glory

Bundesliga Tuesday Betting Tips: Bayern to clinch title glory The Bundesliga has a rare midweek round this week, and Kevin Hatchard belie...

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La Liga Betting: Barcelona can get job done early again

<h1 class="entry_header__title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">La Liga Betting: Barcelona can get job done early again</span></h1> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Barcelona scored within seconds of their return and Dan Fitch is backing them to get off to another fast start against Leganes...</span></div> <div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div> <div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">La Liga leaders will win again</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Barcelona</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="1/6">1.17</span> v Leganes <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="20/1">21.00</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="15/2">8.40</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 16 June, 21:00</strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">The season restart saw <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Barcelona</strong> get off to a flyer and they will now hope to build on their weekend result when they host Leganes.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Barca travelled to Mallorca on Saturday and ran out as easy 4-0 winners. <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Arturo Vidal</strong> gave Barcelona the lead after just 66 seconds to ensure that nerves would not be an issue and after that they never looked remotely likely to drop points.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Martin Braithwaite</strong> scored his first goal for Barcelona to make it 2-0, which is not a sentence that Middlesbrough fans would have been expecting to read a couple of years ago. The Dane was a dangerous presence throughout the game and Barcelona's attacking options were further strengthened when Luis Suarez came off the bench.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Following a spell out with injury that was expected to keep him out for the rest of the season, Suarez looked more fit than he had any right to be. He came close to adding a fifth following further goals from Jordi Alba and <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lionel Messi</strong>, and will soon be starting games on this evidence.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Regardless of who Barca decide to start with, their forwards looks set to have an enjoyable night against Leganes. The struggling visitors remain 19th in La Liga after a 2-1 defeat at home to <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Real Valladolid</strong> and saw rock bottom Espanyol move level on points with them, after they beat Alaves.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Leganes conceded in both halves against Valladolid and Barcelona should be able to repeat that feat. You can back <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Barcelona to win both halves against Leganes</b></span></span> at <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/4">2.30</span>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0Um9p808aPU0dxXyp1jXjoosnGllQo2AeRMRLwmpjjOflB8SmRVD4Xl1gFHVz-6YlyjuZlGZyNRfVs6WWUBv4EXRH9Dqdz3Qd8aFEN4Px7i-4R84Z-WIuUl0X-S6O9Nl8cD6pwKo6fU/s640/Barca+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Getafe can recover after shock result</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Getafe</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10">2.10</span> v Espanyol <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/2">4.60</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/5">3.20</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 16 June, 18:30</strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Getafe</strong> suffered a setback in their quest to finish in the top four, when they threw away a lead at Granada and suffered a surprise defeat.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Timor</strong> gave Getafe the lead in the first-half and they looked to be cruising to a win, but a howler from the goalkeeper David Soria allowed Granada to equalise late on and Getafe would go on to concede a second. The result means that Getafe have only won one of their last five La Liga games (D1 L3).</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">They are fancied to beat Espanyol, who have only won one of their last nine La Liga games on the road (D1 L7). Despite Getafe's poor form and Espanyol's victory at the weekend, we're going to put faith in the <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>home side to get back to winning ways</b></span></span> at <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10">2.10</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Relegation strugglers can push Villarreal</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Villarreal</b></span></span> <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/7">1.56</span> v Mallorca <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/1">6.80</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/2">4.50</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 16 June, 18:30</strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Live on Betfair Live Video</strong></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Villarreal</strong> ended a run of three straight defeats when they grabbed a last-minute winner to beat Celta Vigo 1-0 on Saturday. The win moved them up to eighth in the table and they are now only two points behind seventh placed Valencia. European qualification is not out of the question if the win over Celta Vigo can inspire some consistency.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mallorca</strong> were not as bad as their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona might suggest, in what was hardly an ideal fixture to mark the relegation threatened side's return. Overall their recent record is pretty decent (P5 W2 D1 L2), but they may still need to improve if they are to survive.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Villarreal should win this, but Mallorca have the ability to make the game competitive. <span style="color: #161616; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Both teams to score</b></span></span> is <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/6">1.86</span>.</span></div> </div>

La Liga Betting: Barcelona can get job done early again

La Liga Betting: Barcelona can get job done early again Barcelona scored within seconds of their return and Dan Fitch is backing them to ...

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