Barclays Premier League - Who Will Finish In The Top 4?

Just 2-3 weeks ago it was all set in stone; United were firing on all (well, most) cylinders and would certainly finish in the top 4, and Liverpool were disappointing, lacking goals, and would be lucky to finish 5th, with Spurs and Southampton breathing down their necks. Oh, how football can change so quickly!

Having lost their last 3 games, United are now just 4 points ahead of 5th placed Liverpool, with three games remaining of the 2014-15 season, having been 8 points ahead after the 4-2 victory over City at Old Trafford.

It's fair to say, United are still some way off where they want to be, having struggled in away games this season, with just 5 league wins from 17 on the road. De Gea has been key to them this season, and they'll hope they can keep hold of him in the transfer window.

Falcao and Di Maria haven't really worked out this season, but I'm a big fan of giving players a chance, and that means more than one season, their first in the English Premier League. They are people at the end of the day, and moving to new countries, everyday stresses and constant media attraction, can have an impact, and can take time to adjust to.

The summer transfer window will certainly be interesting to watch for United fans, especially with rumours surrounding De Gea, Bale, Dempay, and Hummels, to name a few. 

LVG's side have a couple of tough games to end the season, but you fully expect them to pick up the points to finish in that fourth spot.
First up is an away trip to Crystal Palace, who, like United, have lost their last 3 Premier League games, with defeats against West Brom, Hull and Chelsea, after winning 4 consecutive games before that.
Both teams have won 4 and lost 3 in their last 7 league games. Despite scoring 12 goals in those 7 league games, United have failed to find the net in the last 3, which is no surprise when Rooney has to cover in midfield.
Again, similarly, Palace have scored 11 goals in the last 7 games, but have also failed to score in the last 3. But I can't use the Rooney excuse here........I could use the no Falcao or Van Persie excuse though...

Next for United will be the welcome (albeit not very warm) of Arsenal to Old Trafford, the toughest of the 3 remaining games, and the last home game of the season for Van Gaal's team, and hopefully it should be an entertaining one!

Arsene Wenger's side hasn't lost in the league since February, when losing to Spurs at White Hart Lane, and have won 9 of the 10 played since, averaging 2.1 goals a game, and conceding a total of just 6.

United's final game of the season is the trip to relegation fighting Hull City, which again, may not be the easiest games, especially if Steve Bruce's team are still playing to stay up!

Hull managed to grab two vital victories in a row, beating Palace away, and Liverpool in front of their own fans, before defeat to Arsenal most recently. Those two wins boosted their chances of survival significantly, but they still have a lot to do, with remaining games against Burnley and Spurs, before the final game of the season.


As it stands, United need 5 points from the last 3 games to guarantee that top 4 spot, but will also have confidence knowing Liverpool still have two tough away games against Chelsea and Stoke to play, so 4 points should be enough, and should be more-than achievable!

Brendan Rogers' men have struggled for goals at times this season in the Premier League, as the signings of Lambert and Balotelli haven't really worked out, and there main man, Danial Sturridge, constantly injured.

It says it all when your top league scorers are midfielders, with Sterling 7, Gerrard 7, Henderson 6, and Coutinho 5. Rickie Lambert and Markovic have double the amount of League goals of Balotelli this season, with 2 each.

They can't keep replying on Sturridge, and now Sterling, and they have to buy a quality striker in the Summer, to finally replace Suarez, plus a bit extra! 

Liverpool did manage to go unbeaten in the league from the end of December through to the middle of March, with 10 wins from 13 games. Since that run, they have only won 2 of 6 league games, and failed to score in 2 of the last 3.

The Reds face Chelsea next at Stamford Bridge, with Liverpool most probably hoping Chelsea players have been partying quite heavily this week, and won't be as organised (or boring as some call it ;)  ) as usual.

Their next game comes from Anfield, as they host Crystal Palace, before ending the season with an away trip to Stoke. 


Also hoping for the chance of European football next season, and sitting just

Free Horse Racing Tips - Tuesday's Selections

Brighton  2:20	Fujiano	9/4 - PP
2:50	Chevallier	9/4  -bet365
4:20	Puzzle Time	5/1 - Coral
4:50	Flying Bear	7/2 - Ladb
Fakenham  2:00	Camachoice	11/4 - bet365
2:30	Waddington Hero	6/4 - bet365
3:00	Hunt Ball	6/5 - bet365
4:00	Neverownup	5/4 - bet365

Monday Night Football | Hull City v Arsenal Preview

Hull City head in to the Monday Night Football, looking to make it three consecutive league wins, and climb further above the looming relegation places.

Hull hadn't won a game since February, when also claiming back-to-back wins, over Villa and QPR, and they should be in a confident mood, having seen off Liverpool last time out, and having kept 2 consecutive clean sheets, something they hadn't done all season in the league.
And that's given The Tigers a huge boost towards Premier League survival, but there's still tough games ahead, beginning tonight.

Another big plus for Steve Bruce and his team, is the potential return of Nikica Jelavic, who returned to training this week, following a recent knee injury.

With Chelsea clinching the title yesterday, it leaves Arsenal chasing a second-placed finish, which I'm sure they'll be aiming for. They're now 3 points off City, who occupy second place, but have 2 games in-hand.

Wenger's side have won their last 4 away games in the league, although it has been against the lower sides, most of which are struggling to stay up; Burnley, QPR and Newcastle, as well as Palace.
Arsenal are unbeaten in the league since the loss to bitter rivals Spurs in February, winning 8 of the last 9, with the 0-0 draw against Chelsea last week.

Out of the last 6 Barclays Premier League games between the two sides, Hull City have lost 5, and drawn 1, including defeats in all three of the games played at the KC Stadium, and it's sure to be another difficult game here tonight, even with a confident mood in the camp.


KEY STATS

ARSENAL

4 clean sheets in their last 7 league games

Only managed 3+ goals in an away league game once this season (vs Villa in September 0-3)

Olivier Giroud has scored 6 goals in his last 7 away games in the league

Arsene Wenger's side haven't conceded a first-half goal in their last 13 Premier League games

Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 9 matches against Hull City, in all competitions, and are undefeated in all those 9


HULL CITY

Hull City haven't won 3 consecutive Premier League games since 2008, the only time they have done so (won 4 consecutive games)


Hull have kept 2 consecutive clean sheets, and have 9 clean sheets in total so far in the league this season

The Tigers have scored at least once in 6 of their last 7 home league games (at least 2 goals in 4 of the 7)


PREDICTION

Hull have given themselves a great chance of remaining in the Premier League next season, with their hard-fought victories against Palace and Liverpool, but the visit of Arsenal will prove too much. Hull will be high on confidence, and Arsenal are in great form, so hopefully we'll see an entertaining game at the KC Stadium, but I can see Wenger's side taking all 3 points.

ARSENAL WIN 2-0               15/2 bet365

Monday's Racing - Free Tips

Bath 1:55	Emily Davison	4/1 - PP
Bath 2:30	Harley Rebel	11/4 - PP
Bath 3:05	Full Day	11/4 - W Hill
Bath 4:15	Mister Musicmaster	3/1 - bet365
Bath 4:45	Red Words	7/1 - PP
Beverley 1:00	Majestic Bond	9/2 - bet365
Beverley 2:10	Where's Tiger	5/2 - bet365
Beverley 2:45	Rousayan	2/1 - W Hill
Windsor 1:40	Mia San Triple	7/2 - PP
Windsor 3:25	Bold Lass	2/1 - Coral

Premier League Football | Manchester United v West Brom

Less than an hour to go until kick off at Old Trafford for the Premier League game between Manchester United and West Brom.

STATS

Rooney has scored 7 goals in his last 6 league starts against West Brom, scoring in each of the 6

West Brom have only won one of the last 21 league matches against United, losing 16

West Brom have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, and have scored more goals from corners than any other Premier League side this season. However they do concede from corners too!

PREDICTION

Robin Van Persie First Goalscorer & United Win 3-1 - 35/1 bet365

United Win & Both Teams To Score (Yes) - 2/1

Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes - Best Bet

Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes - Best Bet

ESTIDHKAAR

Close second in the Greenham, and a strong finish there, so should stay the trip no problem; ground no issue, and expect to be  right up there

Free Horse Racing Tips - Newmarket

A packed day of football and horse racing once again this Saturday, my perfect day! 

There's plenty of top class racing from Newmarket and Goodwood, plus the action from the final day of the Punchestown Festival, which sees the impressive Annie Power going for her third Grade 1 win of her career, and consecutive Irish Mares Champion Hurdle victories. 

Willie Mullins, has of course, been on-fire, which is obvious when you think of the number of horses he trains, and brings to the festival. So how many will he finish with?

But, the focus for now, is some free tips from the Newmarket meeting, in the form of a Lucky 15, so here it is;


Newmarket Lucky 15

2:00 TOP TUG

2:30 WATCHABLE

3:05 TELESCOPE

4:20 TWILIGHT SON

If All Selections WIN, £5 Could Return £1,599.57 

Friday's Racing UK | Positive Market Movers

Positive Market Movers

Bangor

6:25 Mor Brook              4/1 > 11/4

7:30 Tekthelot              11/4 > 2/1

         Helium                14/1 > 13/2


Chepstow

2:10 Mambo Rhythm       7/1 > 5/1

3:15 Secret Millionaire   12/1 > 8/1


Fontwell

4:30 Stars Royale         11/1 > 7/1

5:40 Watt Broderick       8/1 > 9/2

6:50 The Selector         10/1 > 7/1


Lingfield (AW)

2:30 Berkeley Vale        16/1 > 11/1

4:10 Journey                  7/2 > 5/2


Musselburgh

2:55 Soul Brother          8/1 > 5/1

4:00 Lazarus Bell         16/1 > 7/1

4:35 Atreus                 12/1 > 13/2


Punchestown (IRE)

4:55 Indian Fairy         14/1 > 10/1

7:10 Avichi                 10/1 > 6/1

        Regal Empress    26/1 > 16/1

Barclays Premier League | The Fight For Survival

The fight for survival in the Premier League really hots up as we enter into May, and the final 4 weeks of the season. There are 7 Premier League games on Saturday, starting with the early kick-off (12:45) and a huge game from the bottom of the table as Leicester host an out-of-form Newcastle. Could Newcastle really slip into the bottom 3 over the next few weeks!?
The 3pm games see Villa take on Everton at Villa Park, QPR travel to Anfield to play Liverpool, Southampton make a long trip to the North East to play Sunderland, Swansea host Stoke, and West Ham at home to Burnley. All this is topped off by the evening fixture as Manchester United look to get back on track against West Brom at Old Trafford.

The key games regarding the relegation battle come from the King Power Stadium with Leicester and Newcastle, Villa and a tough home game against a rejuvenated Everton, QPR taking their poor away record this season to Anfield, the Stadium of Light as Sunderland take on Europe-chasing Southampton, and Burnley's away trip to West Ham. It could be a very interesting day at the Bottom.

Hull City don't play until Monday (at home to Arsenal) and will have a chance to see how all 5 teams below them get on, on Saturday, but still can't drop in to the bottom 3 just yet.

Newcastle head to Leicester looking to avoid an 8th consecutive league defeat. The Magpies last away win in the league, came against Hull City in January, the only away league win in their last 11 (L8 D2).
Newcastle have lost the last 4 away game, without scoring a single goal, and conceding 11, though they were games against City, Everton and Liverpool amongst the derby at Sunderland. They've failed to score in 9 of their 17 away league games this season.

Of course, with Leicester, their fortunes have changed for the better, despite the midweek defeat to Chelsea, which they still put in a great effort, and led at half time.
Leicester are undefeated in their last 5 home games against the Magpies, in all competitions, and I can see that being extended, as I struggle to see a Newcastle victory here today.

Both teams will be desperate for the win, and it should provide a bit of entertainment to get the Saturday football underway. We may know a lot more, or a lot less regarding the relegation battle, come the end of the days games. 

PREDICTION - Leicester WIN 2-1

Friday's Horse Racing UK | Stats

Plenty of racing once again on Friday, and I'm going to take you through what the stats are telling us, and which selections to make from those stats, with a focus on the flat meetings from Chepstow and Musselburgh.


Chepstow

1:40 Jockey Pat Dobbs has a 32% strike-rate at Chepstow over the last few years, and is teamed up with trainer Ralph Beckett, who also has a good record here, with a 26% strike rate over the same period, and a 31% strike-rate on all runners here.
This combination has won 7 flat races from 23 over the last 5 years (30% SR), with a LSP of +£15.28 - £1 stakes.

Back AIR SQUADRON @ 9/2

Beckett also has PERRAULT in the 2:45 (6/4)


3:50 Danny Brock has 2 wins from 11 this season when riding for trainer Jonathan Portman, with a massive LSP of +£106.50 - £1 stakes. He stakes the ride of BUCKLEBERRY, who won on the all-weather last time out a month ago. 

Back BUCKLEBERRY @ 11/1


4:25 Trainer Malcolm Saunders is having a good season so far, and has been in good form over the last fortnight, with a 30% strike rate and an LSP of +£54.00 - £1 stakes
He has PIXELEEN and SPIRIT IN TIME in the 4:25 handicap.

Back PIXELEEN @ 16/1

        SPIRIT IN TIME @ 33/1


Musselburgh

2:55 FREDRIKA is 3 from 8 on the predicted 'going', and all 4 wins have come at this trip. Won by a head last time out, and should be right up there again here.

Back FREDRIKA @ 9/2


3:25 Trainer Philip Kirby has a very good 25% strike rate at this course over the last few years (15 wins from 60 runners) - LSP +£46.56 - £1 stakes
Joe Fanning takes the mount of ROCKY TWO, who is a course winner over 13f
The Kirby/Fanning partnership has a 19% strike-rate over the last 5 seasons - 3 wins from 16 - 2 of those wins in last season in 2014

Back ROCKY TWO @ 15/2


4:00 and 4:35 Trainer David O'Meara has been in fine form over the last fortnight with a 24% strike rate (LSP +£18.77), and has a 19% strike rate at Musselburgh over the last 5 seasons. He, and jockey Tudhope combine for 3 rides at Musselburgh on Friday.
Tudhope also been in good form with a 21% strike rate with 7 wins in the last 33 runs. 

Back REGAL DAN & TAKAFOL @ 7/2



And finally, just a quick mention of the Punchestown Festival in Ireland, with just 2 days left now.

Willie Mullins heads into the fourth day with 10 winners so far in the festival, from 43 runners (23% SR), with 6 of those wins in Grade 1 races. A further 8 have placed, either second or third. 

Once again, the trainer takes another lorry load of horses, and it'll be interesting to see how many more winners he'll get, and how many he'll finish with come the end of the festival on Saturday. 


BEST BETS FOR DAY 4

4:20 BISHOPS ROAD (EW) 14/1

4:55 BURN AND TURN 5/1

6:40 ALTON BAY (EW) 13/2