Sport
£1,600,000 PICK 15 PREVIEW: 1ST APRIL
League football returns this weekend and Alex McMahon is here to look at fixtures from around the continent with his £1,600,000 Pick 15 preview. Search 686RCTHT to join his syndicate:
LIVERPOOL vs EVERTON
Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost just once in five league games and it may be sensible to stick with the hosts here. Liverpool have a decent record against Everton at Anfield and this is enough for me to side with the Reds on home soil.
Selection: Home win
BARNSLEY vs SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
The Owls have lost two in a row but I still fancy them to come out on top here. Barnsley are languishing in mid-table and Wednesday should be strong enough to get back to winning ways at Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.
Selection: Away win
HULL CITY vs WEST HAM UNITED
Slaven Bilic’s men have lost three on the spin but the Hammers will be determined to stop the rot when they visit Hull this weekend. The Tigers have shown signs of improvement but they are inconsistent at best and I fancy West Ham to pick up the win.
Selection: Away win
LEICESTER CITY vs STOKE CITY
Leicester are back. The defending Premier League champions have been sublime in recent weeks and it would take a brave man to back against the Foxes here. Stoke are a solid outfit but the hosts should prevail if they perform well.
Selection: Home win
WATFORD vs SUNDERLAND
Both sides are struggling right now but home advantage could prove crucial. Watford are clear of the relegation battle at the moment and victory over lowly Sunderland will help their chances of steering clear of the bottom three.
Selection: Home win
ASTON VILLA vs NORWICH CITY
It is difficult to back up-and-down Villa right now so I’m going with a Norwich win or draw in what could be a tight-knit affair. The hosts have potential but they are very inconsistent and I’m siding with the Canaries here.
Selection: Away win OR Draw
IPSWICH TOWN vs BIRMINGHAM CITY
With seven draws in their last nine league games, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Ipswich drop more points this weekend; although they could snatch a much-needed win. On paper, they should be strong enough for a weak Birmingham unit.
Selection: Home win OR Draw
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs CARDIFF CITY
Three wins on the spin have helped to ease the pressure on Paul Lambert and Wolves will be keen to maintain momentum this weekend. Cardiff are no slouches but the Bluebirds may find winning at Molineux a step too far.
Selection: Home win OR Draw
PRESTON NORTH END vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Never back against Preston at Deepdale, especially against a poor Forest side. I’ve got a bad feeling that the hosts could drop points here but they shouldn’t lose – the visitors have won just once in eight league games.
Selection: Home win OR Draw
READING vs LEEDS UNITED
This is a toughie. Leeds and Reading are both in the playoff hunt but I’m going to side with the visitors; Garry Monk’s men have been incredible in recent months and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Leeds back in the Premier League next season.
Selection: Away win OR Draw
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Take your pick in this game; it is almost impossible to call. For me, I’ve got to go down the middle with a draw. The Bundesliga is difficult to predict at the best of times so why not opt for both sides to avoid defeat?
Selection: Draw
TORINO vs UDINESE
Torino’s home form this season has been solid and that is enough to tempt me to go with Joe Hart and co here. The visitors are poor on the road and I’ll be backing Udinese to suffer another disappointing away defeat in this contest.
Selection: Home win
SWANSEA CITY vs MIDDLESBROUGH
The hosts have raised their game since Paul Clement’s arrival and another Welsh victory at the Liberty Stadium could be on the cards. Middlesbrough have struggled for form after a solid start and the form guide suggests to go with Swansea.
Selection: Home win
ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER CITY
Away teams rarely win in the big games but such is the negativity surrounding Arsenal right now, I’ve got to go with Manchester City. Arsene Wenger is under intense pressure and he appears to have lost the dressing room; go with the visitors on Sunday.
Selection: Away win OR Draw
CELTA VIGO vs LAS PALMAS
A nice way to end this week’s pool. Celta Vigo are usually solid on home soil whilst Las Palmas struggle on the road. Simply put, the hosts are the team to back in this clash and hopefully we will be £1.6 million richer come Sunday night!
Selection: Home win
Join Now
You can join Alex’s Colossus Syndicate on the Pick 15 by searching for his Syndicate HERE.
To do so, simply search 686RCTHT as the reference code.
