Cardiff v Wolves
Another weekend means another weekend of football. Here are our Premier League 1st & 2nd December betting tips.
Game 14 of the Premier League season gets started on Friday night in Wales as Cardiff City take on Wolves live on Sky Sports from 8.00pm. The home side find themselves in desperate need of the win following a horrible start to the season; this has left them stranded down in 19th, level with bottom side Fulham and one-off Burnley in safety. A record of two wins, two draws and nine defeats is to blame. However, thankfully for followers of the locals, they are one of six or seven teams who have made a bad start, so all is not lost heading towards winter.
They did bag a win on their penultimate start but were beaten last time out when going down to Everton at Goodison Park. They may have left empty-handed, but a few positives can be taken from their display, going down by a single goal. Sigurdson struck on the hour mark to separate the sides; that was enough to grant The Toffees their fourth win on the bounce as they continue to slide towards the major places after a rocky start. Cardiff must learn to hold on for something to show for their efforts.
Wolves are Struggling
Wolves can be found in midtable; however, their recent form is just as bad as that of their opponents, if not worse. They started well enough but have taken just one of the last 15 points that has been available to them. They are rushing towards a place in the relegation zone if they aren’t able to arrest that slump, and fast. The spare draw came on their penultimate start when holding on for a share with Arsenal at the Emirates, a match they were expected to get nothing from.
Cavaleiro had The Terriers ahead that day, scoring on 13 minutes; however, that advantage was eventually cancelled out by Mkhitaryan on 86. A brave effort, and one fully deserving of credit, but they returned to losing ways last time, beaten 2-0 by Huddersfield in front of their own fans. Mooy scored a double to seal the day, including the first inside six minutes. That went down as a bit of a shock result, with the teams looking evenly matched on paper before kick-off. That sent out a real warning shot.
No both teams to score
It is difficult to make a strong case for either of these sides winning; this is sure to be a tense, nervy affair with both managers and sets of players knowing the dangers that come with slipping up and losing to a relegation rival heading in to the busiest month of the season. Cardiff enjoy home advantage. Having said that, it hasn’t done them any real favours so far this season; there is little reason to expect they are going to turn it around on Friday.
Bookies have Wolves as favourites for the win and, although we can’t really argue with that, their recent form does nothing to support it. They are 21/20 with Unibet and that’s not enough to attract our stake money. Cardiff have been chalked up at 14/5 with Coral and the draw is 21/10 with the same firm. We are happy to avoid the match winner market and go ‘no’ in the both teams to score, which will be paid out at 4/5 by Bet365 if we are right.
Southampton v Man Utd
Saturday evening live football comes to us from St Marys where Southampton and Man Utd meet from 5.30pm on BT Sport. The Saints are stuck on a winless run that has pulled them down into the relegation zone; they now have eight points on the board, leaving them level with bottom club Fulham. An important few months lies ahead; however, they have a testing fixture list heading towards the New Year. They have drawn three and lost two of their last five and were beaten last time out when going down to Fulham in London.
In what was a fascinating match. The Cottagers claimed a long overdue win thanks to the odd goal in five, Mitrovic netting a double while Schurrle added the decider. Southampton kept things competitive thanks to a brace from former Celtic player Armstrong; however, they were unable to get themselves level to claim a point for their efforts. A fine start for Ranieri, opposite number Hughes knows he has work to do.
United Struggle for Goals
Man Utd continue to struggle for consistency this season and stats reading 6-3-4 places them seventh in the pecking order, already seven points off Chelsea and the top four. They are winless in their last two, with their five most recent efforts reading draw, win, win, lose, draw. One point from six isn’t the form of contenders and Mourinho will know that. It will be interesting to see how United get on in the second half of the season as, at present, they are looking like a side who will end with nothing.
They got no more than a point last time out when being held to a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace last Saturday as they continue to struggle for goals. Jose didn’t hold back in his post-match interview, accusing his players of lacking the heart needed to win games. He will be hoping that outburst results in a response from his boys, but that remains to be seen. Despite having a dozen shots at goal and the lion’s share of possession, they couldn’t get themselves in front.
Away Win Favourite
Despite their rocky form, Manchester United have been priced as favourites for the away win with all major bookmakers. That will come as no real surprise to punters or followers of the league, but their form alone tells us they are not worth a bet in the match winner market, especially at 5/6 with Bet365. Tight, but that is one of the better quotes available. The draw is 11/4, top price with the same firm, while a home win will net you 16/5 at 888Sport.
As followers of the value we really can’t back Man Utd to win at their price; so we will, instead, look elsewhere for our value. They have struggled for goals in recent starts and that pushes us towards a low scoring afternoon. Under 2.5 goals is our bet at 10/11 with 888sport, or a 1-0 win goes in at interest stakes, 7/1 Bet365.
Arsenal v Tottenham
What a Super Sunday we have in store this weekend as Arsenal take on Tottenham in a north London derby before Liverpool and Everton do battle. The Gunners are a much-improved side under Unai Emery; however, they still remain outside of the top four. There is not a lot in it however, with Chelsea in fourth just a point better off heading into the weekend. Arsenal’s form reads eight wins, three draws and two defeats, but each of their three level finishes have come in their last four.
They drew three games on the bounce before finally battling their way back on track with a victory over Bournemouth on the road last time. Lerma knocked the ball into his own net on 30 minutes. Although King was able to fire The Cherries back into it before the break, Arsenal eventually pushed themselves over the line with a winning goal on 67, Aubameyang having the final say. Emery told members of the press he expects more from his side, but fans will be happy with the result. Home win is 6/4 with Bet365.
Spurs on Form
Tottenham have fired themselves to third in the table on the back of a three-match winning run. The Wembley based side have been amongst the most impressive teams in the division of late, beating Wolves, Crystal Palace and, most recently, Chelsea. The latter was, by far, the pick of the bunch and it was a result that ended The Blues unbeaten record. Having beaten Wolves 3-2, PSV 2-1 and Palace 1-0, they invited Chelsea to Wembley with confidence sky high.
It showed too as Tottenham blasted their way to a 3-1 win over their neighbours, thanks to goals from Alli, Kane and Min. Giroud hit back for the beaten side but that response came on 85 minutes with the result long since dead and buried. Few followers of English football’s top division predicted either the result or the performance that accompanied it, with Chelsea left battered and bruised by a quality side who wanted it more. Away win is 17/10 at Bet365, but we are on the draw at 12/5.
Liverpool v Everton
Two on-form sides of the division and this will be a cracker. Liverpool are your betting favourites but that has a lot to do with the fact they are at home. Backers looking to get their stake money down will find Bet365 trading 4/11 and that is worth a spot in your accas. The draw appeals at 4/1 with 888Sport, the away win a chunky 8/1 in places. Both teams to score will be popular at 4/5.