Pages

Wednesday 27 April 2016

Manchester United versus Leicester City, Sunday, May 1

Fred Done, co-owner of Betfred, made the decision to pay out on Leicester City as Premier League champions when the Foxes beat Southampton 1-0 on April 3. Having been 5,000/1 to win the Premier League title at the start of the season, Claudio Ranieri’s side are now 1/20 and will cost bookmakers over £10 million if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Even without top scorer Jamie Vardy, suspended after being sent off during the 2-2 against West Ham, the Foxes thrashed Swansea City 4-0 at the King Power Stadium last Sunday, with Argentinian striker Leonardo Ulloa proving an able deputy for Vardy.

The Foxes only need three points from their three remaining games to be certain of winning the Premier League, but look good value at 29/10 with BetVictor to get the job done against a United side that has failed to convince in recent weeks, despite reaching the F.A. Cup final. For a spot of extra value, though, let’s try Leicester City to win 1-0 at 10/1 with BetVictor.

Selection: Leicester City to win 1-0 (10/1 with BetVictor)

Monday 18 April 2016

Liverpool versus Everton, Wednesday, April 20

Liverpool are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions since surrendering a two-goal lead against Southampton at St. Mary’s in the Premier League last month and go into Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield on the crest of a wave. The Reds made a dramatic comeback against Borussia Dortmund to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League at Anfield last Thursday and, despite ten changes, beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Dean Court last Sunday.

Everton, minus Romelu Lukaku, James McCarthy and four other regular first-team players, could only draw 1-1 with Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday, taking their winless run to five. Toffees’ boss Roberto Martinez will, no doubt, have one eye on the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday evening, so a comfortable Liverpool victory would be no great surprise. The Reds have scored 11 goals in their last four games, nine more than their Merseyside rivals, so let’s try Liverpool -2 at 5/1 with Sky Bet in the handicap betting market.

Selection: Liverpool -2 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

Thursday 14 April 2016

Rotherham United versus Nottingham Forest, Saturday, April 16

Nigel Pearson heads the betting to pick up the poisoned chalice that is the manager’s job at Nottingham Forest in the summer but, in the meantime, caretaker manager Paul Williams is tasked with keeping the Reds in the Championship. Admittedly, Forest are currently nine points clear of the relegation zone with five games to go, but the odds against them playing League 1 football next season have shortened to 25/1, in places, from 100/1 a couple of games ago and, having earned a single, solitary point from the last 33 available, the club is clearly in dire straits.

By contrast, the Millers took a huge step towards retaining their own Championship status by beating relegation rivals MK Dons 4-0 at Stadium:MK last Saturday. In fact, Neil Warnock’s side has won six and drawn two of its last eight Championship fixtures and, at 6/4 with Betvictor, looks fantastic value to compound the misery for the Forest faithful. Forest have conceded seven goals in their last three games, two of which were at home, so let’s try a punt on Rotherham to win 2-0 at 11/1 with Betvictor.

Selection: Rotherham United to win 2-0 (11/1 with Betvictor)

Monday 4 April 2016

Sunderland versus Leicester City, Sunday, April 10

The Leicester City bandwagon rumbles on, slowly, but unmistakably, inching its way towards the Premier League title. The Foxes play early on Sunday so could, if they beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, have the luxury of a 10-point lead at the top of the table by the time Tottenham Hotspur kick-off against Manchester United at White Hart Lane later in the day.

Sunderland’s main problem has been their inability to keep a clean sheet. The 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light last Saturday was the first time the Black Cats had failed to concede a goal in 17 Premier League outings and they had been pegged back from winning positions against Newcastle, Southampton and Crystal Palace in their three previous matches.

Leicester’s centre-back pairing of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth looked as solid as ever against Southampton at the King Power Stadium last Sunday, so Black Cats’ leading marksman Jermain Defoe will have to make the most of his chances, something he failed to do against the Baggies last week. Defoe and striking partner Fabio Borini were slated by Sunderland fans on social media for their wastefulness, which left their side 18th in the table, four points from safety. The Foxes seem to have found goals from a few unlikely sources lately so, all things considered, let’s speculate on a 2-2 draw at 18/1 with Bet 365.

Selection: Draw 2-2 (18/1 with Bet 365)