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Traderpro
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Mar 2009
Posts: 4375
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Gush, nice work on Rennes.PSG in French League 1 and Bayern in Bundesliga gift wrapped a couple for some lucky bettors.
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05-13-18 04:09 AM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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Arsenal at Huddersfield
Moneyline odds: Arsenal -167, Huddersfield +472, Draw +348
This will be the final match for Arsene Wenger as manager of Arsenal, and they’ll be looking to send him out on a high note. Unfortunately the Gunners have been atrocious on the road in 2018, losing seven straight league games including, 3-1, at Leicester City on Wednesday night. They’ll also be missing key players due to injury, including defender Laurent Koscielny and midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Despite the Gunners’ woes, the line has moved toward Arsenal since opening at -152. They’re now up to -167 at Pinnacle and -178 at Bookmaker while getting about only 50% of moneyline bets. Public bettors are liking Huddersfield (+472) to pull off an upset, but sharper money has shifted the odds toward Arsenal.
Huddersfield are officially safe from relegation after earning draws at Manchester City and Chelsea, so there’s no more desperation for points. However, public bettors believe they’ll finish the year strong with another result against a top team.
I just can’t pass up the chance to bet on Arsenal in Wenger’s last game, especially when it’s a bit of a contrarian play, so let’s go Gunners -167.
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05-13-18 08:34 AM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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Chelsea at Newcastle
Moneyline odds: Chelsea -164, Newcastle +496, Draw +322
In order to sneak into a top-four spot, which would ensure a Champions League berth next season, Chelsea need to beat Newcastle and hope Liverpool lose to Brighton. All the action has been on Chelsea so far with the Blues’ odds increasing from -147 to -169 at Bookmaker.
However, it’s important to remember that they also have an FA Cup Final next Saturday against Manchester United, so I can’t see them taking too many risks in this one.
After four straight wins, Newcastle have now lost four straight, all by one-goal margins. They’ve been shut out in three of four, and managed to score only one goal in that span.
This is very much a “buy-low” scenario on Newcastle, and they fit into two profitable Bet Labs systems, both with historical ROIs of more than 60%. It’s always a good idea to shop around the market to get the best line possible, which right now is +550 on Newcastle (via BetUS). At anything +450 or higher, I love the value on Newcastle to pull off the home upset.
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05-13-18 08:36 AM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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The Premier League season has been a disappointing one for Chelsea, but they go into the last day with a chance of a top-four finish. They have to travel to Newcastle and pick up three points to have any chance. Meanwhile, Liverpool will have to lose at home to Brighton. It seems unlikely that both results will go in favour of last season’s Champions, but stranger things have happened on the final day before.
Rafa Benitez will be pleased with his team this season, as they stayed up with comfort. Although they have lost their last four matches, they go into the last day with a chance of finishing in the top ten and that would be a huge achievement. They will likely need a win against Chelsea, but previous home victories against Manchester United and Arsenal will give them hope that they can get another famous three points.
It is normal for Chelsea to be entering a summer with more questions than answers and that will be the case once this season ends. Antonio Conte hasn’t looked happy for a long time and it would be a surprise if he is leading the rebuild after the FA Cup final. Their failure to beat Huddersfield Town during the week underlined the problems they have faded this season. The Blues haven’t been able to kill games off and have been too sloppy at the back. That is why they are unlikely to finish in the top four on Sunday.
INTERESTING STATS
Newcastle have only scored once in their last four matches. Benitez will point towards this as proof that he needs to be given funds to sign a striker this summer.
Chelsea have won their last three away Premier League matches. They will be favourites to make it four this weekend.
KEY MEN
Diame
Mohamed Diame has emerged as one of the best Newcastle players during the second half of the season. He and Shelvey have formed a formidable partnership, which has been one of the key reasons why the Magpies have been able to secure survival with a number of matches to play. Chelsea will look to dominate the central areas on Sunday and it will be up to the Senegalese midfielder to make sure that the home side has a chance of getting a positive result. He averages 2.48 tackles won and 2.37 interceptions per ninety minutes, which underlines his worth to the team. There have been few better in the league at winning back possession and he will need to be at his best on Sunday to give his team opportunities to attack.
Hazard
There have been plenty of rumours regarding the future for Eden Hazard, as Real Madrid continue to be mentioned as a possible destination for the attacker this summer. It hasn’t been a superb season for the Belgian international, but he consistently influences games in a positive manner and he deserves credit for that. Newcastle will look to set up deep to frustrate the visitors and the trickery of Hazard could be crucial in gaining the three points. There are few better at creating space both for himself and his team-mates when dribbling with the ball. This season, he has contributed 12 goals and four assists. This weekend, he will want to add to his tally and go into the FA Cup final with momentum.
TEAM NEWS
Kenedy won’t be available for the home side as he is on loan from Chelsea. Newcastle fans will be hoping he hasn’t played his final game for the club. Islam Slimani is suspended, while Ciaran Clark and Christian Atsu won’t feature as both are suffering from injuries.
Thibaut Courtois is likely to start this weekend after recovering from a back injury. Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud are both set for recalls to the starting eleven.
VERDICT
Chelsea will have to go to St James’ Park with the intention of winning and that will make for an interesting game. Newcastle are much better at playing without the ball and will look to sit deep and soak in pressure. However, they will be looking to win the game and their pace on the counter-attack could hurt the visitors. Jonjo Shelvey has been very impressive in recent weeks and his passing range could prove key in the match. I’m predicting a score draw and sorry end to the season for Chelsea.
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05-13-18 02:28 PM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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As the Premier League draws to a close, Manchester United welcome Watford for the final game of 2017/18 as they look to finish with more than 80 points on board for the first time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
In the end, it has been a drawn-out season of nothingness for United in the Premier League – particularly in the last four weeks, where the club failed to kick on to get as many points as they can. Mourinho’s men have taken their eye off the ball – with defeats to West Brom and Brighton and a tepid draw against West Ham United depriving the team of any real momentum ahead of their biggest game of the season – the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 19. Yet, there are still some things to play for in the final game of the campaign – where 3 points could see them hit the 80-point mark for the first time in five years.
But Sunday will be all about the departing Michael Carrick – the unassuming number 16 who played a vital role in United’s title-winning teams of 2008, 2009, 2011 and more recently 2013 – when he was awarded the Player’s Player of the Year award for his outstanding contribution on the pitch.
From next season, however, his work will benefit players off the pitch – as the 36-year old will join the coaching staff of United – and as several players in the first team squad would attest – Manchester United will be better with an experienced and level-headed individual like Michael Carrick involved in some capacity at the club than not.
Watford have been a mixed bag this campaign. After a decent start to the season, they failed to put together good results (only 3 wins between game-weeks 9 and 25) and as a consequence, they went through a period of adjusting to new ideas with the new manager coming in, right in the middle of the season to shake things up at the club.
The Hornets did survive in the end without much of a struggle and could still finish as high as 10th, provided they beat Man United away from home and the other results fall their way. They will go into this game on the back of a home win against Newcastle – their first in the last eight fixtures.
TEAM NEWS
For the Red Devils, forward Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini will miss the last league game of the season through injury while veteran midfielder Michael Carrick is set to make his final appearance in a red shirt.
Richarlison and Gerard Deulofeu will hope for recalls after being left out of the starting XI for their last match. Watford could be without nine players for the trip to Old Trafford.
INTERESTING NUMBERS
Manchester United have won 13 of their last 14 meetings with Watford in all competitions, losing only at Vicarage Road in September 2016.
Troy Deeney has scored three PL goals against Man Utd, all from the penalty spot. Only Steven Gerrard, with four, has scored more spot-kicks against the Red Devils in the competition.
The Red Devils have won more final fixtures in a Premier League campaign than any other side, with 17. They have only finished with a loss twice, against Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 and West Ham United in 2007.
KEY MEN
MICHAEL CARRICK – MANCHESTER UNITED
He needs no introduction. Carrick has had a remarkable career over the years at United – from playing a supporting role in midfield to the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, he really came into his own in 2012/13 as he, alongside Robin van Persie and David De Gea were instrumental in United winning the Premier League for a record 20th time.
His intelligence and the natural ability to read the game and anticipate opposition patterns of play is an asset to any successful team but on Sunday – will serve as a reminder as to what United are going to have to replace if they are to get back to the very top of the table.
ETIENNE CAPOUE – WATFORD
Capoue, after the heights he hit last season, especially early on in the season – has failed to light up Vicarage Road in 2017/18. The midfielder has made 18 starts (23 apps) in the Premier League – with a solitary goal to his name. His partner Doucoure has stolen the limelight in the centre of the park – yet Capoue, on his day can be dangerous with his late runs into the box – the like of which he scored from in 2016/17 at home against Mourinho’s United.
PREDICTION
Carrick to score perhaps? Would not rule that out.
Manchester United 2-0 Watford
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05-13-18 02:30 PM |
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