May 9, 2018 - Matchplug Blog

Charlton v Shrewsbury Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

Lee Bowyer has done a good job in securing a top-six finish for Charlton after he was tasked to replace Karl Robinson with six weeks left in the season to play for. They have been around the top six all season and their win over eventual runners-up on matchday 37 has helped them reach the playoffs.

Shrewsbury spent most of the season flirting with automatic promotion. From the word go, it was clear for all to see that Shrewsbury were going to exceed their pre-season expectations. The hard-working and defiant Shrews carried out their workmanlike game-plan to perfection for most of the campaign. They may have ultimately failed to go up automatically, but Paul Hurst’s men can be proud that they kept pace with two teams who frankly have greater resources.

Charlton would come into this game with one thing on their mind – build a healthy first-leg lead ahead of the return leg, but that would be easier said than done. The Addicks are obviously the better side when it comes to creating chances, but Shrewsbury have been one of the toughest sides to score against in the division this season. As a matter of fact, only champions Wigan conceded less goals, while only the top two and Rochdale kept more clean sheets than Hurst’s men, who shut their opponents out in 35% of their matches during the regular season.

Atlanta United vs Sporting KC Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

Atlanta United are finally at the top of the MLS Eastern conference league table after their 2-1 win over Chicago Fire in Illinois. They had been threatening the dominance of NYCFC over the past couple of weeks, and after NYCFC’s loss to New York Red Bulls the last time out, they are now two points ahead with a game in hand on City.

Atlanta are now unbeaten in 8 games heading into this encounter. Ezequiel Barco and Jozef Martinez were the scorers in their game against Chicago Fire, and although the Fires did try to get back into the game late on, Atlanta were able to hold on and claim the three points.

Sporting have lost just once in their last nine and just two in ten overall, amassing twenty-one points compared to Atlanta’s twenty-three. The visitors have a four points lead at the top of the Western Conference ahead of new boys LAFC.

Sporting’s games have been action packed and a thrill a minute too – their matches have averaged 3.3 goals per ninety minutes this season. In total, there were thirty-three goals scored across their ten matches, which is exactly the same total that has been scored in Atlanta’s fixtures so far.

Atlanta United and Sporting KC have played each other just once before. In August of last year, Atlanta left Kansas with a point after a 1-1 draw with Sporting.

West Ham United vs Manchester United Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

West Ham’s 2-0 win over Leicester City in their last league game has strengthened their bid to escape the drop this season. That win has helped them to build a five points cushion on the drop zone with two games left to play, so they can start planning for next season.

The Hammers were on a run of four games without a win before that win over the Foxes, and two of those games ended in 4-1 losses, their fans wouldn’t be overly confident ahead of this game.

Stoke City are the only team to have conceded as many as 67 goals that David Moyes’ side has conceded this season, and 14 of those goals have been netted against them at home by the top seven, Manchester United would be delighted to hear that.

Manchester United should secure second place by the end of this game as they are currently five points ahead of Liverpool and have a game in hand on the Reds. Tottenham are the only team that could stop them from finishing 2^nd, but that would require them to lose their next two games.

Their loss to Brighton last weekend highlighted just why Jose Mourinho keeps playing Romelu Lukaku, and with the Belgian still injured, the Red Devils’ fans