Sport

Guide to the next £1,000,000 1X2 Pick 15

Watford vs Manchester Utd

Head-to-Head: WAT 4-5-15 MUN

Watford’s record over Manchester United makes for bleak reading. The Hornets have lost their last nine meetings with the Red Devils, dating all the way back to 1987. However, Watford are enjoying life back in the Premier League this season and have produced 16 points from their opening 12 games. Manager Quique Sanchez Flores has his side playing with a great fluency which makes them a serious threat on the counter-attack. On the other hand, Manchester United have lost just 1 of their last 12 games in all competitions. Their defensive set-up are proving hard to break down and I expect that to continue this weekend.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Newcastle vs Leicester

Head-to-Head: NEW 51-27-40 LEI

Newcastle’s recent victory over Bournemouth should give Steve McClaren’s side plenty of confidence as they host Leicester on Saturday afternoon. They are unbeaten in their last three home games and will know the threat that the Foxes boast ahead of this meeting. Claudio Ranieri’s team have been a revelation thus far this season, in particular, striker Jamie Vardy who has scored in nine successive league games. They sit in third place – one point behind Manchester City – and have been renowned for winning from losing positions in recent weeks. The Magpies will need to be aware of their oppositions lethal attacking threat though I believe it will be too strong for them come five o’clock on Saturday.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Swansea vs Bournemouth

Head-to-Head: SWA 23-10-20 BOU

Recent reports suggest that Swansea manager Garry Monk does not have long left in the Liberty Stadium hot-seat, and it’s not hard to see why. The Swans have produced one victory in their last nine games, in all competitions, dating back to August. As a result, they are sliding quickly down the league table and seem to be playing with no confidence. They host a Bournemouth side this weekend who themselves are in a bad patch of form. Five straight defeats have seen the Cherries drop inside the bottom three and in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory. Both teams are showing no form whatsoever which makes it’s difficult to predict the outcome. If Swansea can somehow return to their early season home form then they should prove to have too much for the visitors.

Selection: HOME

Birmingham vs Charlton

Head-to-Head: BIR 20-20-22 CHA

Birmingham are very difficult to catch on song at home due to their inconsistencies in performance. The Blues have won two of their last six home games in the league and seem to perform better on the road. They host Charlton this weekend who are yet to win an away game in the league this season. However, they did produce a good display to secure a 3-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago. If replicating that performance then Charlton should prove to be competitive at St Andrew’s on Saturday afternoon.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest

Head-to-Head: BRE 6-8-9 NFO

Brentford are another team that have been inconsistent on their own turf this season. However, they boast four victories from their last six games and possess the necessary artillery to be involved in the promotion mix come next May. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, have not won an away league game since September. They sit 18th in the Championship and just four points off of the relegation zone. Recent games involving Forest have been quiet in terms of goals, and I expect this to be a similar affair.

Selection: HOME

Ipswich vs Wolves

Head-to-Head: IPS 29-21-27 WOL

Ipswich will be buoyed by convincing back-to-back victories over Cardiff and Rotherham, respectively, in recent weeks. Mick McCarthy’s men have been rock-solid on home turf this season where one defeat, against Brighton, in nine games has helped the team to 10th in the Championship. They host Wolves on Saturday afternoon who have lost five of their last eight away games, in all competitions, and could be vulnerable to further disappointment. The home team look to boast strong claims this weekend as they look to make further inroads towards a Premier League promotion place.

Selection: HOME

MK Dons vs Fulham

Head-to-Head: MKD 2-2-5 FUL

MK Dons are lingering closely around the Championship relegation zone, meaning victory over Fulham here is crucial in helping them regain some kind of momentum. Their home form recently has mustered a pair of back-to-back victories at the Stadium MK. The opposition on this occasion, Fulham, have been very inconsistent in the last number of weeks. Two victories followed by two defeats have seen the London side be without a manager. Reports suggest Steve Clarke may be on his way to Craven Cottage, but that has yet to officially materialise. I see this playing out into a fairly exciting encounter between two teams who enjoy an eye for goal.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Preston vs Blackburn

Head-to-Head: PRE 39-28-30 BLA

Preston are unbeaten in their last six league games but are still just four points above the relegation zone. Four stalemates in those encounters have not helped Preston’s cause who are being referred to as the league draw specialists. Simon Grayson’s side are proving to be very strong in defence but their lack of goalscoring threat is not ensuring a fine balance. Blackburn have won only one away game this season which is not the greatest statistic when preparing for Preston here. They will need to improve upon recent performance to break through the stern defence of the home side, and I see this playing out into a closely fought draw.

Selection: DRAW

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

What a game. The match that forces the world to stop as the two Spanish giants do battle in another El Classico. Three points separate these two Goliath’s which makes it crucial that Real Madrid sees out a victory to maintain their challenge towards the La Liga title. Their home is predictably perfect with seven victories and one draw from eight, in all competitions. Barcelona, likewise, are enjoying yet another fantastic spell of form and sit atop of the Spanish league with 27 points from 11 games. They have, however, lost two away games this season and have not looked consistently exceptional away from the Nou Camp. On that basis, I have to side with Rafa Benitez’s side, but it really is very difficult to predict with both sides in such good form.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Head-to-Head: MCI 52-51-98 LIV

Manchester City look the team to beat this season under Manuel Pellegrini. The Blues have won their last five consecutive games at the Etihad Stadium, following a blip against West Ham, and are difficult to topple when playing with such momentum. Liverpool are set to welcome back talisman Daniel Sturridge to play his former team which will come as a great boost to Jurgen Klopp’s men. The Merseyside team were outplayed by Crystal Palace a fortnight ago and will be seeking an immediate response from that disappointing result. January will be a crucial point in Liverpool’s season as their new manager is set to be active in the transfer market. At present, however, I feel City are too strong in every department for the Reds and should run out comfortable winners.

Selection: HOME

Espanyol vs Malaga

Espanyol are an inconsistent side and tough to predict. Their league form is nothing special and they are without a victory in their last three games. They host Malaga this weekend who could find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle next May if their recent form continues. The visitors are without an away win this season and arrive at Espanyol following two consecutive league defeats. Back the home side here to return to winning ways.

Selection: HOME

Sporting Gijon vs Levante

Sporting Gijon host bottom side Levante on Sunday knowing that a repeat of their recent performance against Malaga should see them prevail. Levante are in desperate need of a win this weekend to lift themselves from the foot of the La Liga table but they have just one victory in 11 games this season, including six defeats. Their away form has been poor with four consecutive losses in their last four trips on the road and I struggle to see them improving upon that record here.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Burnley vs Brighton

Head-to-Head: BUR 9-8-10 BRI

Do not be surprised to see this encounter between Burnley and Brighton develop into the meeting of the weekend as both sides will be hungry for the full three points to strengthen their claims for an automatic promotion place. Burnley are unbeaten in their last seven league games and sit in third place, just two points behind this weekend’s rivals Brighton. The Clarets will host the Seagulls knowing that the away side are yet to taste defeat in the Championship this season. Chris Hughton’s men have showcased immense consistency in recent weeks and boast a real winning mentality. It’s difficult to see both side lose based on their recent momentum and for that reason it is crucial to cover the draw at least.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Tottenham vs West Ham

Head-to-Head: TOT 90-51-60 WHU

Tottenham’s Premier League form has been superb in recent weeks. You will have to go to the opening day of the season to recall Spurs’ last defeat. In the 11 games since, Tottenham have performed with real credit which includes a 4-1 victory over title favourites Manchester City. They host West Ham on Sunday who, prior to their recent Watford defeat, were electric away from Upton Park. The Hammers have taken the scalps of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on the road this season and will, therefore, have no worries when arriving in North London. Tottenham, though, are proving very difficult to beat in the league and with striker Harry Kane back in form, I see Spurs prevailing with all three points.

Selection: HOME

Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid

Real Betis will take confidence from a recent victory over Malaga but will need to improve all-round to trouble Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening. Atletico are unbeaten in their last seven games, in all competitions, and in need of the three points here to maintain their pace with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top end of the La Liga. A concerning statistic for Diego Simeone’s side is that they have just one victory in their last four away games, however, I feel the former Champions League finalist’s will prove too strong come Sunday night and squeeze through with the win.

Selection: AWAY