Football Tips & Predictions – 1/02-2/02
The first big event of the weekend is without a shadow of a doubt the early afternoon clash between Leicester (2.60) and Chelsea (2.70) at the King Power Stadium. Later on there is nowhere else to look apart from ‘El Derbi Madrileño’ in Spain, between Real Madrid (1.88) and Atletico Madrid (4.30), with Los Colchoneros looking to make amends for the loss in the Spanish Super Cup Final against their hated cross town rivals. On Sunday, the big one to focus on will take place in London as Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham (5.90) host Pep Guardiola’s Man City (1.54), a clash that always provides an array of good betting opportunities.
01.02.20 – Leicester vs Chelsea – EPL
Market: Result + Both teams to score // Home Wins + No (5.30)
Chelsea have lost their last away match against Newcastle whilst only managing a draw against a 10 men Arsenal team last time around at Stamford Bridge. Lampard’s boys have been inconsistent all season and facing Leicester away from home will not be easy. The Foxes had a tough midweek encounter against Aston Villa which will play a part on their fitness in the later stages of the match, but as a unit they are better than Chelsea as the 8 point difference in the table shows. With both Vardy and Abraham struggling to be fully fit for this one, it is not far fetched to envisage a low scoring win for the home side here. At that price, it is definitely worth a punt.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // Kelechi Iheanacho (2.64)
With Jamie Vardy’s presence from the 1st minute doubtful as he is still struggling to be fully fit after his injury, the Nigerian striker will most likely get the nod from the start on Saturday. He has been in fine form this season, always producing goals when called upon like in midweek against Aston Villa. A born goalscorer.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // James Maddison (4.20)
Leicester’s no.10 has been in scintillating form all season with many calling upon Gareth Southgate to make him a regular starter for England going forward. His performances and penchant for scoring important goals has attracted the interest of the likes of Manchester United, and I would not bet against him to rise to the occasion against Chelsea and deliver yet another important win for his team.
01.02.20 – Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – La Liga
Market: Match Result // Draw (3.55)
Real Madrid have not beaten Atletico Madrid in the league at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium since the 2012/13 season, with this fixture ending in a draw in the last 3 seasons. The last time these two faced each other, in the Spanish Super Cup Final played in Saudi Arabia, the match went to extra time and then penalties. Given this evidence, the odds of the draw are very appetizing, even though Atletico are going through a bit of a dry spell offensively.
Market: Result + Both teams to score // Draw + No (9.40)
The last two Madrid derbies ended in a scoreless draw, if extra time and penalties are not taken into consideration. That alone should make the high odd worth thinking about, especially considering that combined these teams only conceded 27 goals. In comparison Barcelona’s goal alone was breached 25 times. A risk worth taking.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // Karim Benzema (2.45)
If you are absolutely positive that at least a goal is going to be scored during this clash, then your money should go nowhere else but on Karim Benzema. Since Cristiano Ronaldo left the frenchman has taken the lead role in Real Madrid’s attack as is currently their leading goalscorer in La Liga with 12 goals to his name. Assurance.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // Alvaro Morata (3.60)
Atletico Madrid have had a tough time in front of goal and the fact the Alvaro Morata leads the goal scoring list for the club with only 7 goals epitomises their struggles perfectly. Still, with Diego Costa and Joao Felix struggling for form and injuries respectively, he is their main threat and designated penalty taker. If you’re gonna go for an Atletico Madrid player to score, he is the one to put your money on.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // Sergio Ramos (5.50)
Given the tight encounter expected, the likeliness of a goal being scored from a set piece rises considerably. Add the fact that Sergio Ramos has a history of scoring crucial goals, especially against Atletico Madrid and that he is his team’s designated penalty taker, and the odd here suddenly becomes very tempting. Big man for the big occasion.
02.02.20 – Tottenham vs Man City – EPL
Market: Result + Both teams to score // Away wins + Yes (2.70)
Pep Guardiola has played 22 times against Jose Mourinho, winning 11, drawing 6 and losing only 5 times. A record he will hope to improve further on Sunday evening as his Man City team take on Spurs. With the return of Laporte the Citizens look like a completely different proposition defensively, which has helped to free up the likes of De Bruyne and Silva going forward. Their striking force is as potent as ever as they seem to be hitting form as we head into the second part of the season. In big games Spurs miss Kane massively and will most definitely opt for a low block and try to hit Man City on the counter. They will most likely catch Man City wrong footed at some point, but given Spurs’ defensive deficiencies Man City will outscore them in the end. Win number 12 for Pep is on the cards.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // Sergio Aguero (1.74)
Despite missing a few games with injury, Aguero still managed to score 16 goals and become the highest goal scoring foreign import in the EPL, eclipsing a certain Thierry Henry. Quite a feat. Factor in the Spurs’ defensive issues and the lack of pace of the likes of Vertonghen and Alderweild and the Argentine forward is as close as it gets to a sure bet in this match. Guarantee.
Market: Anytime goalscorer // Heung Min Son (3.40)
Since the injury to Kane, Jose Mourinho has opted to deploy a low block and try to catch teams on the counter using the pace on Son and Moura on the flanks. The South Korean has adapted like duck to water to this tactic as he enjoys running at defenders with the ball at his feet. Given his pace and finishing qualities he will be Jose Mourinho’s main danger man heading into this game as they target the space left by Kyle Walker when City bomb forward.
