Sport
Paul’s Asian Handicap Pick 20 Preview
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Preview the Asian Handicap Pick 20 they said, well assuming that everyone knows what an Asian Handicap is and we all understand that nobody, not even Harry Kane can score half a goal, then we will begin. Learn how Asian Handicap pools work.
We need to predict 20/20 to scoop the Jackpot here with consolations starting at 15/20 – so we are looking for a minimum of 15 correct selections to get in the money.
With just the 2 of the Pick 20 games included on Friday evening, the most sensible strategy seems to be to cover all possible outcomes. We all have better things to do on a Friday night than to be thinking about what is going on in Wolfsburg or Girona.
We can relax until Saturday with 2 correct results in the bag and keep the dream alive until Saturday lunchtime.
There are plenty of tough games to predict on Saturday and Sunday so it is important to find some ‘bankers’ that along with a judicious use of Passes (Double Results) will help us in our quest to register the minimum of 15 results required to get a return.
Below is a brief preview of some of the key games that could make or break our Weekend:
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Southampton v Chelsea – Saturday 12:30
But for the heroics of Joe Hart, Chelsea would have comfortably beaten West Ham instead of having to settle for a 1-1 draw and the handicap here would have been more than +0.5 of a goal.
Yet being unlucky to draw at home to West Ham is hardly something to get excited about for the reigning champions. They are drifting towards the beach, with little to play for under a manager who won’t be around next season – so it is hard to put 100% faith in the Blues from a betting perspective.
There were signs of life from Southampton at Arsenal on Sunday after their own horror show against West Ham, but the appointment of Mark Hughes has not had the desired impact on Southampton’s league form.
The ailing Saints have not won at home for 8 matches and look porous at the back having conceded 3 goals in each of their last 3 matches.
Chelsea should have too much quality here with the likes of Hazard, Willian and Morata still playing for an escape route back to a Champions League club and I would expect them to get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Chelsea -0.5
Middlesbrough v Bristol City – Saturday 15:00
Middlesbrough slipped out of the top 6 after their midweek defeat at Sheff Utd, but having played much of the game with 10 men, i’m prepared to give them another chance as they take on play off rivals Bristol City on Saturday.
Despite the loss at Sheff Utd, there are signs that Tony Pulis has started to sort out Boro’s home form (won 3 out of last 4) and I expect them to get the job done against a City side that has not travelled well in recent weeks (no away win in 8).
Time is running out for both teams to secure a play off berth, so I would expect a few goals at the Riverside but am keen to support the home side here with Bamford and Traore helping to push Boro’ back towards the top 6.
Prediction: Middlesbrough -0.5
Fulham v Brentford – Saturday 17:30
The Fulham juggernaut continues to roll on, with Reading the latest to leave the Cottage empty handed.
A club record 20 match unbeaten run has catapulted the Whites into the second automatic promotion spot after a relentless chase. But nothing is decided yet and pressure may change now that Fulham are in the box seat for automatic promotion.
Clean sheets have started to come with much more regularity , and Fulham have only conceded 2 goals at Craven Cottage in the last 8 matches (and both of them came in one game).
Many will will have this down as a home banker, but Brentford have a decent record against Fulham in recent years and still have a chance of making the play offs themselves.
A lot of xG students believe that Brentford should be much higher in the table and i’m taking the Bees to dent Fulham’s promotion push by grabbing a point in this West London derby.
Prediction: Brentford +0.5
Las Palmas v Real Sociedad – Saturday 17:30
Las Palmas are almost dead and buried in their battle against relegation, 10 points adrift and without a win in 9.
After a toothless display last time out against Levante – a must win game, that they lost, it is hard to see Las Palmas turning round their fortunes.
They average less than one goal a game at home and don’t have the firepower to overly trouble free scoring Real Sociedad.
Sociedad, fresh from smashing 5 past Girona last time out ,will be looking to break a 13 match streak without winning away from home.
I am taking Real Sociedad to register a rare away win here against a Las Palmas see who have to go all out for a win and may leave themselves exposed at the back.
Prediction: Real Sociedad -0.5
Spurs v Man City – Saturday 19:45
Spurs have made themselves more than at home at Wembley with 7 ‘home’ wins out of 8 and are firing on all cylinders at the moment.
They will be well up for inflicting more damage on a Man City squad that has endured a bruising week.
Pochettino certainly has the players and tactics to knock City off their stride and Harry Kane is still more than desperate for goals – but it is Christian Eriksen who has been the star in recent weeks.
After the events in the Champions League and the Manchester derby a trip to play Spurs is probably the last thing that City need. Spurs are going to get right in their faces and could make this another uncomfortable evening for Pep Guardiola.
Without doubt City will go on to win the League but may have to wait until their next home fixture to put the maths to bed.
Prediction: Spurs -0.5
AC Milan v Napoli – Sunday 14:00
Napoli’s dramatic victory against Chievo kept their Serie A dreams alive and they look more than capable of securing an away win against AC Milan.
AC Milan looked short of confidence and lacking in ideas as they struggled to break down Sassuolo at the San Siro last time out and their season is in danger of fizzling out.
Napoli have a fantastic away record – they have won 80% of all away games and registered a clean sheet in 60% of those games, they almost always score.
Their counter attacking strengths could be perfect against a Milan side urged forward by impatient home fans.
Prediction: Napoli -0.5
Montpellier v Bordeaux – Sunday 14:00
Montpellier have one of the strongest defences in Ligue 1 (only PSG have conceded fewer than Montpellier’s 26) and they look capable of another shut out when they ‘entertain’ Bordeaux.
Too many draws has been the problem for Montpellier this season and they are on a run of 3 successive home draws. That is a slight concern, but means that they may only need the one goals to take all 3 points here and cover the 0.5 goal handicap.
Bordeaux are safely ensconced in mid-table and have little to play for, they have lost their last 3 on the road and look vulnerable again here.
Prediction: Montpellier -0.5
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