Sport
£1,600,000 PICK 15 PREVIEW – K.O. JAN 21ST
Alex McMahon offers a helping hand for this weekend’s £1,600,000 Pick 15…
Queens Park Rangers vs Fulham
There’s nothing like a local derby to kick off a pool, right? Unfortunately, I think this one could be a tedious affair. QPR have won three in a row whilst Fulham are unbeaten on the road since November… a draw awaits.
Selection: Draw
Middlesbrough vs West Ham United
The Dimitri Payet news may have affected West Ham’s preparations this week and Aitor Karanka’s side look well placed to snatch an important victory in their bid for survival. With one defeat in their last five home games, Boro will be tough to beat.
Selection: Middlesbrough
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Everton have come into a bit of form as of late and the Toffees will be full of confidence after beating Manchester City 4-0 last weekend. Meanwhile, Palace have lost three in a row and Sam Allardyce’s men will need to raise their game to stand any chance in this clash.
Selection: Everton
Aston Villa vs Preston North End
Preston have won two games in a row without conceding a goal but I fancy Villa to continue their ascent up the Championship table. Steve Bruce’s men have lost back-to-back games for the first time since he arrived at the helm but they can get back to winning ways here.
Selection: Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest vs Bristol City
Both sides are struggling at the rear of the Championship table and I’m going with the result that neither team will really want. The visitors will snap their seven-match losing run whilst Forest will miss out on victory for the eighth game in a row.
Selection: Draw
Norwich City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich have failed to keep pace at the top of the table after their fast start to the season and Wolves could snatch a point if they play at their best. The visitors held off Steve Bruce’s Villa in their most recent encounter and a draw might be on the cards.
Selection: Draw
Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City
Blackburn defied the odds to beat Newcastle United in their last home game but the hosts could struggle to break down this stubborn Birmingham outfit. At the end of the day, a draw wouldn’t be a bad point for both sides and it could be a relatively low-key affair.
Selection: Draw
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
I fancy Spurs to make it seven wins on the bounce this weekend. Pep Guardiola is struggling to inspire confidence at the Etihad Stadium and the visitors could take advantage of City’s poor form. Tottenham look well placed for the three points in my mind…
Selection: Tottenham
RB Leipzig vs Eintracht Frankfurt
The hosts have slipped behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race but they can get back to winning ways in the first match back after the festive break. Frankfurt have played well at times this season but this may be a step too far for the visitors.
Selection: RB Leipzig
AC Milan vs Napoli
A typical Serie A stalemate could be on the cards here. AC Milan are far too inconsistent to mount a title challenge whilst Napoli don’t have the quality to beat their rivals on a regular basis. With that in mind, a share of the spoils looks like the best bet.
Selection: Draw
Villarreal vs Valencia
Villarreal are on the rise and they should have enough to beat troubled Valencia on Sunday afternoon. The visitors are struggling at the rear of the table and this could get ugly if the hosts grab an early goal.
Selection: Villarreal
Southampton vs Leicester
A tough one to call. Leicester did the unthinkable last year when winning the title but the Foxes have struggled to inspire confidence for the most part of the current campaign. The hosts aren’t in fantastic form either but Southampton will snatch a draw at the very least.
Selection: Draw
Empoli vs Udinese
Empoli and Udinese aren’t in fantastic form right now and this could be a typically tight-knit Italian contest. The hosts recently won two home fixtures and may push for the victory but Udinese should have enough class to secure a point.
Selection: Draw
Pescara vs Sassuolo
The hosts are rock bottom of the Serie A table and they will be up against it in this particular contest. Sassuolo put four past fellow strugglers Palermo in their most recent league fixture and they may net a few more on Sunday evening if they play at their best.
Selection: Sassuolo
Atalanta vs Sampdoria
Atalanta have lost just once in four league games and the hosts will be quietly confident of climbing the table in the coming weeks. Sampdoria have gone with games without a win and the visitors may find it tough going on the road once again…
Selection: Atalanta
Fancy your own chances at £1,600,000? Play now.
