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Dave’s Saturday Evening Pick 4 Preview
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Dave goes on the hunt for £7,500 in this Pick 4 featuring the game of the week on Sunday as Champions League finalists Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge.
Juventus v Bologna
Juventus were on the brink of a crisis – and then they remembered who they were.
After losing 1-0 at home to nearest rivals Napoli the week before, Juve were 2-1 down at Inter late on and about to see their lead at the top of Serie A become just a single point with three matches to play.
However, two goals in the last three minutes saw them snatch a 3-2 victory and that’s the context we have to remember ahead of this one. In short, Juve have snatched triumph from a mini-disaster, are back on track and can kick on by cruising past mid-table Bologna.
The visitors have lost five of their last nine but, notably, four of those were by 1-0. They struggle for goals but are fairly tight so I think 2-0 Juve is the sweetspot.
Prediction: 1-0, 2-0, 3-0
Villarreal v Valencia
As well as local pride, there are other dynamics to this game with Valencia boss Marcelino heading back to the club where he did such a good job between 2013 and 2016.
On a simpler level, it’s sixth v fourth and Valencia know they need just a point to ensure a place in next season’s Champions League although results earlier in the day could mean they have that in the bag before kick-off.
Valencia are stuttering a little but their last six away games show three wins, two draws and a narrow 2-1 defeat at Barcelona. They’re good for an away goal (scored in last six on the road) while BTTS has landed in five of Villarreal’s last six games.
The hosts have won their last two at home by 4-1 and 2-1 scorelines and also edged out Atletico Madrid 2-1 in mid-March. A win by the odd goal in three looks a likely scoreline while I want to get Over 2.5 with most predicitions too.
Prediction: 2-1, 3-1, 1-1, 1-2
Birmingham v Fulham
Birmingham need a point to be sure of safety while Fulham must better Cardiff’s result against Reading to gain automatic promotion. Much to play for at St. Andrews then.
Blues have taken 10 points from the last possible 12 at home but all three wins were against sides now outside the top 10.
Fulham are a completely different kettle of fish and the visitors are the division’s highest scorers on the road with 38 from 22 matches.
Fulham’s last three away wins have been achieved with clean sheets so they’re a well-drilled unit on the road and, although Cardiff should beat Reading, I think the Cottagers can keep up their end of the bargain by winning this one.
Prediction: 1-1, 0-1, 0-2, 1-2
Chelsea v Liverpool
Liverpool are on a high after booking their place in the Champions League final and a big match like this might be a better for them than last week’s home game with Stoke when they clearly struggled to get the blood pumping and were held 0-0.
A draw here gets the Reds back into next season’s Champions League and Jurgen Klopp has won this Stamford Bridge fixture for the last two campaigns.
Chelsea can keep their top four hopes alive with a win but have stuttered in their last two home games, drawing 1-1 with West Ham and losing 3-1 against Tottenham.
I think it’s a BTTS game, with Liverpool perhaps just having enough in the tank to nick the win although a narrow Chelsea victory is also worth covering.
Prediction: 2-1, 1-1, 1-2
