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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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It is not every game week that two teams that have won three consecutive top division titles play each other. Only four teams have achieved this feat – Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal are the easily identified of those four. The fourth team to have achieved this is Huddersfield Town. This Saturday will see Huddersfield host Manchester United after a very long time – more than 46 years.
Huddersfield are no longer the force that won those three league titles consecutively. That history is 90+ year old and this team has just been promoted back to the top division after 45 years. After a spirited start to this campaign David Wagner’s team seems to have faltered recently. After beating Crystal Palace and Newcastle United in their first two matches, the Terriers have not won a single league game out of six (D3L3). Coming up against Manchester United who were in a rampaging form till recently would have been a daunting challenge.
Manchester United however have had an indifferent week. They did prevail versus Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but the performance was not upto the standards the Red Devils had set themselves at the beginning of the season. Similarly, last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Anfield also showed United’s vulnerability against attacking teams. Jose Mourinho is nothing if not predictable and as expected he did cite his side’s numerous injuries as the reason for this drop in performance. Whatever be the reasons for the last two performances but Mourinho has to ensure that his team steamroll Huddersfield, just like they did in games prior to the Liverpool match.
INTERESTING STATS
Huddersfield and Manchester United are playing each other after 45 years, 7 months and 10 days. This is the longest wait after which two sides are playing each other in England’s top division.
The Terriers have a respectable record versus the Red Devils, having won 10 and drawn 15 out of their 45 meetings in all competitions so far.
Manchester United are undefeated in their last eleven matches against Huddersfield having won eight and drawn three. Their previous loss to Huddersfield was a 3-2 away loss in March 1952.
TEAM NEWS
Philip Billing had to be taken off against Swansea and is very likely to miss out on Saturday as well. Mooy started on the bench against the Swans but should start against the Red Devils. Steve Mounie remains a doubt due to his heel injury.
After a relatively injury-free start, Manchester United are now depleted by different injuries. Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are closer to a return but are almost definitely going to miss out on Saturday’s game. To make matters worse, Marcus Rashford injured himself versus Benfica and is doubtful for Saturday. Mourinho will need to rotate to ensure that the injuries do not pile up further. Any such rotation will help Darmian and Jesse Lingard. Eric Bailly is also expected to miss Saturday’s game but Phil Jones should be back in defense.
THE VERDICT
This match offers Mourinho the much-required chance of breaking out of the defensive mindset his team seems to have entered in the last two matches. Wagner’s team will press like Liverpool but they lack the quality upfront for Mourinho to worry too much. Manchester United should be able to win Saturday’s game easily.
Huddersfield 1 – 3 Manchester United
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10-21-17 10:20 AM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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After a disappointing loss to bottom side Crystal Palace at the weekend, Chelsea will look to rebound against this year’s early surprise package Watford, who softened the blow of Chelsea’s loss by beating Arsenal on Saturday.
Chelsea have had an inconsistent start to the season. They have grabbed some fantastic results such as their 2-1 win away to Atletico Madrid and their 2-1 win at Wembley against Tottenham, but they have also had some bitterly disappointing losses, like the 3-2 loss to Burnley on the opening day and the 2-1 loss to Palace on Saturday. After their nutty 3-3 draw at home against Roma on Wednesday, Chelsea will have to pick themselves up and be prepared to face a Watford side that is unbeaten away from home and currently above the Blues in the table.
Watford continued their strong start to the season with a last minute winner against Arsenal. This was surprisingly Watford’s first home win of the season, but they’ve more than made up for that poor home form on their travels. They have won 10 points from their four away matches and have outscored their opponents eight to three in those matches. While they are yet to face a real challenge away from home, they’ll hope to catch this already out of form Chelsea side tired, as this will be the Blues third match in seven days.
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea lost more than just two points against Roma on Wednesday as both David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko picked up knocks and are doubts for the game on Saturday, according to Physioroom.com. Along with those two, N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater, and Victor Moses are all likely to miss out, according to Physioroom.com.
Watford are putting their large squad to work early in the season. According to Physioroom.com, Isaac Success, Nathaniel Chalobah, Younes Kaboul, Craig Cathcart, Sebastian Prodel, and Tommie Hoban are all expected to miss out on Saturday.
PREDICTION
Chelsea have shown they can bounce back from disappointment under Antonio Conte and will likely do so again here. Watford have started well away from home, but this is their first test against a top six side and it is hard to see Chelsea allowing the Hornets unbeaten away record to continue.
Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea
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10-21-17 10:24 AM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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Valencia vs. Sevilla betting: Challenging the top three
For the past five years, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have dominated the top three positions in La Liga. During that time, Valencia and Sevilla have largely played the part of also-rans. After their encouraging starts to the current campaign, however, can either side dare to dream of breaking into Spanish soccer's top three?
We are only eight games into the La Liga season but, already, there is a healthy competitiveness about the division. Barcelona have won seven of their eight games yet are just four points clear of in-form Valencia. In turn, Los Che are a mere point ahead of Real Madrid and two ahead of both Atletico Madrid and this weekend’s opponents, Sevilla.
Following Valencia’s recent struggles in La Liga, their impressive start under ex-Villarreal manager Marcelino will be music to supporters’ ears. They are one of only three unbeaten teams in the league (alongside Barca and Atletico) and have won their last four in a row. This has helped sway the Valencia vs. Sevilla odds in their favour ahead of Saturday’s mouth-watering clash.
The case for Sevilla
With the gap between the teams so small, though, there is still a strong case to be made for Sevilla this weekend. Eduardo Berizzo has guided the Sevillistas to a strong start in both the Champions League and La Liga, with Sevilla achieving an almost-identical record to Valencia’s in home games. Their only two defeats, meanwhile, have come at difficult venues: Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
What is most impressive about Sevilla this term is their defensive strength. Indeed, in eight league matches, Berizzo’s men have conceded just four goals. This is only bettered by Barcelona and Leganes and is the perfect counter to Valencia’s free scoring (only Barca have scored more than Los Che). This fixture was drawn 0-0 last season and Sevilla may look to keep it similarly tight on this occasion.
alencia vs. Sevilla betting: Head to head & home advantage
Nevertheless, one factor bettors must be aware of is home advantage, especially in this fixture. In the last 15 La Liga meetings between Valencia and Sevilla, there have been three draws, six Valencia wins and six Sevilla victories: a very even spread. Yet the majority of victories have all come at home; in Sevilla’s last eight visits to Valencia, they have won once, drawn once and lost six times.
Valencia and Sevilla are two of the three best-performing home teams in the league so far this term, which may well continue throughout the course of the season. Away from home, however, Sevilla have won twice and lost twice, certainly making them susceptible against a strong Valencia team.
Valencia vs. Sevilla odds: The impact of European soccer
Elsewhere, another important consideration is Sevilla’s trip to Russia on Tuesday night. Valencia have risen to second in La Liga without the added pressure of European soccer. Sevilla have so far juggled both. Their results directly after both Champions League group games did not suffer but they did only manage a 1-1 draw with Espanyol in between their two European qualifiers earlier this term.
Their trip to Liverpool was not as taxing as the flight east was to face Spartak Moscow, reducing preparation time for what is an important league clash on Saturday. Marcelino’s Valencia side will no doubt utilise the extra days’ training, potentially working on their service to Simone Zaza (seven goals) and Rodrigo (five goals), who account for the majority of their attacking threat thus far.
Although Wissam Ben Yedder has netted seven times for Sevilla in all competitions, their top scorers in La Liga – Ganso and Luis Muriel – have just two goals to their name. In fact, Sevilla have totalled no more than nine league goals this season, relying on their defensive austerity to win matches.
That defensive austerity went missing in Moscow, however, with an eye-catching 5-1 defeat now prompting even shorter odds for Valencia.
Valencia vs. Sevilla betting: Where is the value?
Overall, Saturday’s game offers a fascinating proposition. It is almost a case of attack vs. defence, with Sevilla’s previously watertight backline coming up against a Valencia side who won their last game 6-3. Valencia’s last four games have all included at least five goals, as opposed to Sevilla’s low-scoring approach.
Judging which team will impose themselves best may be the key to finding value in the Valencia vs. Sevilla odds. If bettors are tempted by home advantage and Valencia’s favourable head-to-head record against Sevilla at the Mestalla, over 3 goals is priced at 2.060*. Conversely, any bettors rating Sevilla’s defence higher than Valencia’s attack - discounting their heavy defeat to Spartak Moscow - may see value in under 3 goals
Due to the competitive nature of La Liga this season and the form of both sides, the Valencia vs. Sevilla betting does present numerous opportunities. The strength of either team means there is a good price on each Money Line outcome. And Saturday’s result may also teach bettors a lot about Valencia and Sevilla moving forward, ahead of the crucial run-up to the winter break.
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10-21-17 11:28 AM |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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The top two sides in the Serie A league table meet in this weekend’s highlight fixture. Inter Milan will be hoping to put a halt to Napoli’s winning run and take top spot. Ahead of the fixture, analysing statistics can help bettors find value in the Napoli vs. Inter Milan odds.
Will Napoli’s dream start continue?
When Napoli face Inter Milan this weekend, they will be looking to become only the second Serie A team to win their first nine games of the season since 1929/30 - Roma achieved this feat and went on to win the first ten in 2013/14.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have certainly impressed since the start of the season but their winning record stretches back to the last five games of 2016/17 - the third longest winning run in Serie A history behind Inter Milan (17 in 2006/07) and Juventus (15 in 2015/16). In fact, Napoli haven’t lost in the league since February 25.
Inter Milan, the only other unbeaten side in the league, are also enjoying a solid start to the season - the last time they had 22 points after the opening eight games was back in 2002/03. It might still be early in the season but a win for either side will be a massive edge in winning the Serie A title.
Napoli dominate Serie A in terms of statistics - they’ve scored the most goals per game (3.25), conceded the joint-fewest (0.625), had most shots per game (19.4), faced the fewest (7.6), had highest average possession (60.2%), the highest pass success rate (89.5%) and averaged over 100 more passes per game (732.4) than any other team in the league.
It’s safe to say that Inter Milan won’t be looking to beat Napoli by committing people forward or out-passing them. Instead, I Nerazzurri will have to contain their opponents and try to ensure the little chances they will be able to create are of high quality (and that they take advantage of them when these chances are created).
One area that Inter Milan have matched this weekend’s opponents is at the back. Luciano Spalletti’s side have conceded just five goals in eight Serie A games this season (the same as Napoli) with Skriniar and Miranda forming a stable partnership in front of Handanovic.
Sitting second in the table and three points clear of their closest rival, Inter Milan haven’t drawn plaudits for an attractive style of play this season. That said, they have consistently found a way to beat their opponents (a draw away at Bologna is the only blot on their season record so far) - something that has been missing in recent years.
Spalletti will be fully aware of the threat Napoli pose down the left-hand side (50% of Napoli’s attacking play has come from the left). Ghoulam, Hamsik and Insigne offer a blend of pace, power and technical ability that as of yet, no side in the league has been able to cope with. It’s no secret that Napoli are strong down the left, and if Inter can find a way to limit them on that side of the pitch they will certainly have a better chance of taking all three points.
Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk are the only sides to expose the flaws in the Napoli side this season - both away defeats in the Champions League. However, both took a very different approach. Shakhtar soaked up the pressure and hit Napoli on the counter, while Manchester City simply outplayed them for the majority of their game - I Nerazzurri will most certainly take the same approach as the former as opposed to the latter.
Napoli posses one of the most lethal attacking forces in European soccer at the moment - only Manchester City have averaged more goals per game in the top five leagues in European soccer this season. However, as shown by Lazio last weekend, it is possible to restrict the current Serie A leaders (despite winning 1-0, Napoli produced 0 clear cut chances).
Luciano Spalletti is known for his meticulous attention to detail when it comes to tactics, as well as ensuring his teams can adapt when needed. Napoli are in free-scoring form (they’ve scored at least once in the last 20 league games) but if the Inter Milan manager gets his tactics right, the under 3 goals at 2.060* could be a value bet.
Alternatively, if you think that Napoli’s domestic dominance won’t slow down and that Inter Milan will get found out after a fairly easy start to the season then Napoli -1 could be the bet for you.
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10-21-17 11:36 AM |
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