shell 3.02/1 v Stoke 2.588/5, the drawing 3.3512/5
12:00
Live on Sky Sports Football
Relegation-threatened Hull host Stoke, who are chasing the play-offs, on Sunday for our Championship action live from the MKM Stadium.
Mark O’Haire says: “Hull and Stoke have crossed paths regularly this century, with the Tigers picking up just four wins across the duos 21 league matches (W4-D6-L11) on all sites. Even so, Hull have won honors in each of the last two contests at their base at MKM Stadium, with the away side having actually only succeeded once in the last 13 renewals in this game.
“Hull have made positive progress this season. The hosts have gone from looking like relegation fodder to possible mid-table marvels as injury-forced abandonment of the club’s preferred 4-3-3 system to a three-man defense has given the group a more robust and resolute framework. The Tigers have had W4-D2-L2 in league action since early November.”
Mark’s bet: Flip both teams to score “No” @ 1.855/6
As the tournament enters its second week, the race for the last 16 places becomes more and more thrilling. James Eastham looks back at the four matches on Sunday, with the first kick-off at 1:00 p.m….
Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea (Group E)
Sun, 19:00 GMT
James says: “Algeria should be too strong for Equatorial Guinea, though. Latest reports suggest manager Belmadi can line up his the strongest composition, we therefore expect better from the defending champions.
“Algeria is 1.351/3 to collect the three points. In search of better odds, we prefer to bet them on the Asian Handicap. With our selection, you will make profits as long as Algeria win by two or more goals.“
James’ bet: Back Algeria -1.0 & -1.5 Asian Handicap vs Equatorial Guinea @ 2.0521/20
West Ham 1.684/6 against Leeds 5.49/2, the drawing 4.47/2
14:00
Live on Sky Sports main event
For the second Sunday in a row, Leeds travel to London to take on West Ham and odds indicate that it will be the Hammers who emerge happiest again.
said Ben Steele: “David Moyes holds a unique record against Leeds United, and Sunday afternoon could well see him extend that record. Throughout his career, he is unbeaten against Yorkshire men, winning six of their seven matches and also boasts the best winning percentage among Premier League managers who have faced Leeds at least five times.
“Strangely, Moyes’ counterpart also struggled on his trips to the capital, picking up just one win from eight trips to London, so all signs are certainly pointing to a home win. With the hammers almost back at full power and seemingly recovered from a dip in form in December, it could be a long day for Bielsa and his coaching staff.
“Leeds do not have at least 11 first-team members and apparently have to call up an ever-increasing number of youth squad players in order to build a matchday squad. While those players are certainly able and willing to work hard in Bielsa’s high pressing system, their inexperience sometimes manifests itself. I would expect Wes Ham, who have a number of crafty operators in their squad, to place the Leeds keeper Ilan Meslier under a lot of pressure at the London stadium.”
Ben’s bet: Back West Ham and more than 2.5 goals @ 2.1511/10
Troyes 5.14/1 against Lyon 1.748/11, the drawing 4.03/1
16:05
Live on Betfair Live Video
Lyon are looking at a smart bet to build on an encouraging performance against PSG last weekend by picking up an important win at Troyes.
says James Eastham: “Hosts Troyes are one of the most constrained teams in Ligue 1. They made a bold move by sacking the manager Laurent Batlles last month. The new boss is Bruno Irles, the highly regarded former director of Monaco’s youth academy. Irles has done a great job in the French second and third divisions, but this is the first time he has worked in the top flight.
“Away from home, Lyon should enjoy a bit more of the space their best technical players enjoy. Troyes will also be crippled by a lack of support: a national attendance limit of 5,000 was placed as part of a set of anti covid measures. Normally, Troyes would have expected three times as many supporters for the visit of one of the best teams in Ligue 1.”
James’ bet: Back Lyon @ 1.910/11
Tottenham 2.47/5 against Arsenal 3.412/5, the drawing 4.03/1
4:30 p.m.
Live on Sky Sports main event
UPDATE: The match was postponed on Saturday afternoon due to Arsenal’s successful Premier League bid on the grounds that they do not have the required number of players available.
Exhausted Arsenal travel to their local rivals as Antonio Conte takes charge of Spurs for their first North London derby.
Stephen Tudor says“These two historic local rivals have faced each other 59 times in the Premier League and remarkably, 38.9% of them even finished honors.
“To put this into context, the Manchester derby ended in a draw 18.3% of the time over the same period and if the excessively high volume of loot sharing is relevant, so is the number of returns seen in that match.In 17% of contests, the team that conceded first won the match.
“It makes sense then to move towards the in-game market the moment when the deadlock is broken and returns a draw or a dramatic twist in history.
“More so, it is possible to predict who will emerge happiest from the deadlock. Tottenham have accumulated seven points this season losing positions, so have the courage to do so. Arsenal, meanwhile, have scored 10 goals in 25 minutes this season but conceded exactly twice as many goals in the second half as in the first half.”
Stephen’s bet: Back the Draw @ 3.412/5
Dan Fitch believes Real Madrid will narrowly win against Spanish Super Cup holders Athletic Bilbao and also backs Karim Benzema to get on the scoresheet.
real Madrid 1.75/7 against Athletic Bilbao 5.24/1; The Draw 4.1
Sunday, January 16, 6:30 p.m.
Live on BT Sport 1
Dan says: “There’s not much value in backing Real to win in 90 minutes at this price. Bilbao have proven how difficult it is to beat in punctual games and come into this game in good shape.
Athletic have lost just one of their last six games (W4 D1) and that was a narrow 2-1 loss to Real Madrid just before Christmas. Although it is expected that Bilbao will try to stay tight, goals have actually flowed in on both sides in those last six games.
In the game against Madrid, all three goals were scored in ten minutes and with 17 goals scored in total in Bilbao’s last six games, that’s an average of 2.83 goals per game. If you back a Madrid win, adding a disclaimer that there are also over 1.5 goals raises the price to 2.0521/20.
Dan’s bet: Back Real Madrid to beat Athletic Bilbao and over 1.5 goals to go 2.0521/20
Venice 2.89/5 against Empoli 2.68/5, the drawing 3.711/4
14:00
Live on BT Sport Extra 2
Our top-flight Italian pundit expects goals when 11th-placed Empoli travel to Venice – one of the teams in a relegation battle – on Sunday.
Chloe Beresford says“There should be plenty of entertainment at the Stadio Penzo, where Venezia have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven Serie A home matches.
“In the meantime, there have also been over 2.5 goals scored in nine of Empoli’s last 11 games in Serie A, with the Tuscan side having conceded three or more times in each of their last three games.
“Yet where Venezia have failed to win any of their last seven games, Empoli also boast an impressive away record, with five of the eight wins they have recorded this season on their travels.”
Chloé’s bet: Back Empoli and more than 2.5 goals @ 3.7511/4
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