Sport
PREVIEWING THE PICK 15
Kicking off with a big game in the Championship on Friday night, this week’s Pick 15 is not to be missed! Alex McMahon offers his thoughts on the £1,600,000 Pick 15.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY vs Birmingham City
Wednesday have lost just once in their last six contests against Birmingham and it may prove prudent to side with the hosts here. Birmingham’s away form leaves a lot to be desired and the Owls will be confident of a victory at Hillsborough.
Pick: Home win
REAL BETIS vs Valencia
Neither side heads into this one in great form but I’ll be backing the hosts to win OR draw on Saturday afternoon. Betis have won each of their last two fixtures against Valencia and it will take some turnaround for the visitors to collect the three points here.
Pick: Home win OR Draw
STOKE CITY vs Crystal Palace
Palace have won the last five against Stoke but I’ll be backing the Potters to buck that trend this weekend. Mark Hughes’ men have found their feet at home in recent weeks and they should have too much for the struggling Eagles.
Pick: Home win
SUNDERLAND vs Southampton
Southampton’s league form is worrying and the Black Cats can take full advantage at the Stadium of Light. David Moyes’ side were rampant when beating Palace 4-0 last weekend and Sunderland look well placed to continue their decent run on Saturday afternoon.
Pick: Home win OR Draw
LEEDS UNITED vs Cardiff City
It is impossible to bet against Leeds right now and I’m siding with Garry Monk’s men once again when Cardiff visit. The Whites are in fine form and their recent record against Neil Warnock’s side is excellent; back Leeds to claim a fourth straight win over the Welsh outfit.
Pick: Home win
PRESTON NORTH END vs Brentford
Brentford have won the last six head-to-head’s between the two sides but I’ll be backing the hosts to get one over on their Championship rivals here. Preston’s home form is solid and the Bees may struggle to get a point at Deepdale on current form.
Pick: Home win
Queens Park Rangers vs HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
All signs point towards a Huddersfield victory here. The visitors have won five of their last six Championship games whilst Rangers have picked up all three points just once in 2017. With that in mind, I have to go with an away win.
Pick: Away win
Reading vs Barnsley
Had this game taken place three weeks ago, I’d have been all over a Reading win. Barnsley’s recent resurgence has tempted me to back a draw here – and with both sides drawing in their respective encounters last weekend, another stalemate could be on the cards.
Pick: Draw
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool have struggled since the turn of the year but they tend to raise their game when it matters most of all. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are in great form but would probably settle for a point at Anfield; it is still a very difficult place to go and win.
Pick: Draw
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs NEWCASTLE UNITED
Both sides are in decent nick and this is a pretty tough one to call. Wolves have plenty of potential but lack the consistency to challenge whilst Newcastle’s credentials have been called into question in recent weeks. Despite that, I’m backing the Magpies here.
Pick: Away win
VILLARREAL vs Malaga
It is hard to back either team with any confidence and I’m siding with home advantage in this one. Villarreal have won just one of their last six whilst Malaga are winless in the same spell. The hosts might just about scrape the win in a pretty tame affair.
Pick: Home win
Rennes vs NICE
Nice have a solid recent record against Rennes and I fully expect the Ligue 1 challengers to claim another crucial win in the title race. With the visitors battling at the top and Rennes in mid-table, the need for three points is much greater for the away side.
Pick: Away win
Sassuolo vs CHIEVO
Three of the last six head-to-head’s have ended in a draw and that looks quite likely again this weekend. However, Chievo are arguably the stronger of the two sides and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the visitors snatch all three points.
Pick: Away win OR Draw
SWANSEA CITY vs Leicester City
Swansea have found their feet since Paul Clement’s appointment and the Welsh side were very unfortunate to lose at Manchester City last weekend. With Leicester failing to inspire confidence, I have to side with the hosts to continue their ascent up the table.
Pick: Home win
Lazio vs AC Milan
Lazio have been in decent form as of late but Milan will provide a much sterner test than anything they’ve faced since losing to Juventus in January. The visitors have struggled for form at times this season but recent improvement suggests this could end in a draw.
Pick: Draw
