Aston Villa vs Fulham Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

Although this game is worth the excess of £160 million to the winners, the fans of these teams would be less interested in the money than they are in their team getting back into the Premier League after two years and four years absence for Villa and Fulham respectively. Villa is the most popular club here, and these two teams may have to deal with losing most of their star players this summer if they fail to make the step up following this playoff final. However, Fulham are the form favourite after going unbeaten from December to May before falling to a final day defeat that denied them automatic qualification, they had been 23 games unbeaten at that time. Villa would be delighted that Fulham failed just when it matters, and their manager’s tactical success over Tony Pulis in the Playoff semifinals would have boosted their confidence that they can outplay their opponents in this game. Villa’s win may be decided on how well they can nullify the threat of Ryan Sessegnon and they may call on Allan Hutton here again after his excellent man-marking job on Adama Traore in the last round. Aleksandar Mitrovic is another player that Villa would have to worry about especially as Fulham can now play the ball to either his feet or cross from out wide. Fulham struggled against Derby County in the last round, and Villa are certainly a better opposition to them and this game could be headed for an unlikely stalemate here after 90 minutes. Since Villa dropped out of the top flight, all four Championship meetings between these clubs have produced home wins. Villa have actually lost their last four games against Fulham in London but clearly, all of those games were at Craven Cottage rather than the neutral turf of Wembley.

Read More »

Real Madrid vs Liverpool Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

This game offers Real Madrid the chance to further cement their place in history as the most successful team in Champions League history. This game is the 16th time they have appeared in the competition’s final, 12 of which have ended in wins for them. However, they face a Liverpool side that is one team that can upset the odds at the slightest opportunity and a thrilling final is definitely on here. Madrid came from two goals up to draw their last competitive game before this match. That was the 5th time they have failed to win a game in their last six competitive outings, one of which was their 2-2draw against Bayern Munich in their last Champions League game. They have now conceded at least two goals in four of their last five games and have kept a clean sheet in just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions. The question they would be asking of themselves is how can they stop the Liverpool trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino who have found the back of the net for a combined 31 times in this competition this season? Liverpool also do not have the best defence in the world right now as they have conceded 9 goals in their last 6 competitive games. They also have just two wins from their last six competitive games and allowed AS Roma to score them four goals in their last Champions League game. Liverpool and Real Madrid have scored a combined 70 goals in the Champions League this season, and the Liverpool front three in combination with Cristiano Ronaldo have scored 46 goals already. This game could turn out to be a goal fest. These teams have met twice in the Champions League before now and they both have two wins from the four matches.

Read More »

Gremio vs Defensor Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

Gremio play host to Uruguayans Defensor in this game as they look to end the group stages as the top team, they would need to claim all three points here to achieve that. Gremio have shown that they are worthy defending champions and they could go on and retain the trophy should they maintain their momentum. This season’s success has been achieved thanks in part to the fact that they retained all of the players who helped them win the competition last season. They remain unbeaten this season with eleven points from five games. They come into this game on the back of six matches unbeaten and they have been unplayable at home in this competition at times from last season. With 8 wins from their last 9 home games, their visitors would need to be more than their best to stop them from winning here again. Defensor come into this game already eliminated as they are currently third in the group, so they only have their pride to play for in this one. With the bottom of the table side, Monagas expected to lose their game, they would still compete in the Sudamericana no matter the outcome here. The 1-1 draw between the sides earlier on in the group was their first meeting since a clash in 2007 Libertadores, which Defensor won on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.  

Read More »

Atlanta United vs New York Red Bulls Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

This game offers Atlanta the chance to increase their lead at the top of the Eastern conference as they currently have a seven points cushion on their visitors, although the Red Bulls have played two games less. Red Bull could actually move to within four points of Atlanta if they can secure a win at the Mercedes Benz Arena in this game. If they win the two outstanding games they have that would take them ahead of the in-form Atlanta United, but that would be easier said than done. The last time these sides met the Red Bulls were the host, but in truth, it was a dull match as the game ended in a stalemate with the Red Bulls winning in overall possessions and shot on goal only. Ahead of this game, the two teams are identical in terms of form as they have both won four, drew one and lost one of their last six games in all competitions. They both drew a blank the last time both teams met, but this game should see at least a goal as lighting would find it hard to strike in the same place twice in this fixture. Atlanta are new to the MLS and as such have only faced New York RB twice in their brief history, and as things stand Red Bulls are unbeaten against United with one win and one draw to their name.

Read More »

Wolfsburg vs Holsten Kiel Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

Wolfsburg took a giant step towards playing the Bundesliga yet again next season when they won the first leg of this playoff 3-1 at home. Liverpool loanee, Dick Origi was the star of the show in that first leg as he scored one and set up two more goals to help the 2009 Bundesliga champions to a comfortable two goals cushion, but would that be too much for the impressive Bundesliga 2 side to overturn in this game? Keil goalkeeper,  Kenneth Kronholm helped a lot to keep this score respectable before the return leg, and the late sitter missed by their in-form striker Marvin Ducksch could become more expensive if they find chances had to come by in this game, but they gave a good account of themselves in the first leg and if they can just shut out the Wolves and break their defence down, they could win this game. Wolfsburg have kept a clean sheet in 35% of their away Bundesliga games this season and the difference in class between the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 should see them keep their host at bay here too. The hosts, however, are not the kind of team you want to give chances as they netted 71 times in the German second division this season and come into this match with 18 goals from their last six games in all competitions. Wolfsburg won 3-1 at home to Holstein Kiel in the 1st leg of the Bundesliga playoffs last Thursday. Wolfsburg’s 9-1 win over Holstein Kiel in 1986 is the joint-biggest in their history.

Read More »

Nordsjaelland vs FC Copenhagen Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

These two teams would be disappointed to be so far off the top of the league table at this stage of the season as Nordsjealland and Copenhagen are 24 and 25 points off the top going into this clash. This game is still a big one for both teams as the result would decide who finishes thrid and fourth on the league table heading into the Championship Playoffs. Copenhagen had gone five matches without beating their host in this fixture, but that all changed in the last fixture as they came from 2-1 down to beat Nordjealland thanks to a late winner from their striker, Santander. They would be looking for another win in this game. Both of these sides are not in great form heading into this game, but Copenhagen seems to be doing better as they have three wins, two losses and a draw from their last six competitive games. The hosts have just a single win from their last six games and have lost three of those games also. These two teams have met on 52 occasions before this game, and with an impressive 32 wins, 11 draws, and 9 defeats its Copenhagen who have dominated this fixture over the past few seasons. Nordsjaelland however, have a single loss from their last six matches against Copenhagen.

Read More »

Chelsea vs Manchester United Match Preview, Match Prediction and Betting Tips

This game offers Manchester United and Chelsea a last opportunity to salvage their season and end on a high after yet another disappointing showing from the two English giants. Chelsea have had the worst season with the Blues ending their campaign in a disappointing 5th place on the league table despite coming into the season as defending champions. With their Champions League season also ended early by Barcelona, this has been a disappointing season for Antonio Conte who would reportedly be sacked even if he wins this game and a defeat would see him leave Stamford Bridge with his reputation bruised. Manchester United have had a better season. They finished outside the top four last season, but their focus on the Europa League eventually paid off. They have had a better season this time, with the Red Devils finishing inside the top two, however, their disappointing exit from the Champions and occasional shocking losses to small teams have left their fans frustrated, but Jose Mourinho is a man for the big occasions and should deliver here again. Manchester United’s end of the season saw just two goals scored in Manchester United last three games as Mourinho refused to adopt a more attacking style of play. They defeated Watford, lost to Brighton, and then drew against West Ham. Chelsea drew their penultimate game 1-1 at home to Huddersfield before losing emphatically 3-0 to Newcastle in their last league game of the season. That result would not have done their confidence a world of good ahead of this match. Chelsea have three wins, two losses and two draws from their last seven games against Manchester United.

Read More »

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Match Preview, Match Prediction and Betting Tips

This is the final game of the domestic season for both of these teams, but Real Madrid have a Champions League final date with Liverpool next weekend and it would be interesting to see how they fair here. Zinedine Zidane would prioritise avoiding injuries in this game but they need a win to give them momentum ahead of the game against Liverpool and Villarreal are a team that can give them a tough time. Villarreal’s season has been an interesting one. The Yellow Submarines have rarely put together a run of wins all season, yet they have managed to get the points that place them inside the top six ahead of this last match of the season. They have entered top form ahead of this game also with 4 wins from their last five games, they would want to show the world what they are made of when they host Madrid in this game. 5 of Villarreal’s last 7 games have produced over 3.5 goals. Their last win was the 4-0 bashing of Deportivo La Coruna, while their last loss was a 5-0 defeat to Barcelona, Real Madrid would come here knowing there are defensive weak points they can exploit. Real Madrid have backed themselves to outscore their opponents in their last few matches as they have scored twice or more in their last six games, but have kept only one clean sheet in their last 10 games. Real have tended to struggle against Villarreal in recent years. The last 6 meetings have produced 2 wins each and 2 draws. Los Blancos have only won on 2 of their last 5 trips to play the Yellow Submarine.

Read More »

Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt Match Preview, Football Prediction and Betting Tips

After clinching their 27th Bundesliga crown, Bayern Munich would be heading into this game with a domestic double on their mind as they look to send off Jupp Heynckes in style yet again. This is their fifth DFB Pokal final in seven years, and while Heynckes would have loved to win yet another treble for them with the Champions League included, a domestic double is not bad for a team that had almost lost the Bundesliga crown under Carlo Ancelotti early in the season. The Bavarians have some injury concern ahead of this game, but they have the squad depth to see them through this match. This is Eintracht Frankfurt’s second consecutive DFB Pokal final and they would feel this one is more important as they need to win here to secure European football next season after their final day loss to Schalke 04.  Nico Kovac would be managing them for the last time as he takes over at Bayern Munich next season, he has a fully fit squad for this game and would hope his wards can give him the perfect sendoff. Bayern are unbeaten in 14 games against their opponents and all but three of those matches have ended in wins for the German champions.

Read More »

Boca Juniors vs Alianza Lima Match Preview, Match Prediction and Betting Tips

This Copa Libertadores game brings together Argentina’s Boca Juniors and Alianza Lima with the home side needing nothing but a win if they want to have a chance of competing at the knockout phase. Even if they win this game, they would need Palmeiras to avoid a  home defeat at the hands of Colombia’s junior for them to have a chance at the next round. Boca Juniors came into this competition as huge favourites, boasting some of the biggest players in the continent, yet they failed to win more than one of their five group games so far, and they now need Palmeiras to do them a favour before they can reach the next round. They remain favourites to win the competition, and their fans would expect nothing less. Boca’s form in this competition is made more shocking by the fact that they have been dominant domestically and just won the Argentine league title after a season spent dominating their rivals. They, however, have a solid home form ahead of this game with nine wins from their last twelve home games. It has been yet another terrible season in this competition for Alianza Lima who have now lost 14 of their last 18 games in this competition. They have collected just one point from this competition this season and that in a home draw against this same opponent, and they would be hoping they can frustrate their host here again as they have nothing to play for.

Read More »