Chelsea v Manchester United Preview

Not long left now until the big kick-off between Chelsea and Manchester United from Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United announced yesterday, that there were injury concerns for Phil Jones, Daly Blind, Michael Carrick and Marcos Rojo, and that's far from ideal, especially since Carrick's come back into the team, United have looked much more composed in the middle of the park. 

Chelsea have Diego Costa missing with his hamstring problem, but have no other injury problems.

United come into the game off the back of a 4-2 win in the Manchester derby, and have won their last 6 Premier League games.
Van Gaal now look to have confirmed their top 4 placing for this season, and will be looking to dent Chelsea's hopes of landing their hands on the trophy, for just the 4th time. The blues need just 11 points from the remaining 7 games to secure the Premier League Title.
Chelsea haven't lost in 11 Premier League games, since their New Year's Day defeat to bitter rivals Spurs, losing 5-3 at White Hart Lane (W8 D3), but their scoring rate at present isn't great, and have only manage 2 or more goals in a game, twice in their last 7 league games. 

STATS

Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Barclays Premier League home games against Manchester United (W7 D4 L1).

Chelsea have scored 100 goals in 47 games this season (2.13 per game) while United have 68 in 38 matches (1.79).

United have scored 3 or more goals in 5 of their last 10 Premier League games, including 3 of the last 4.

Juan Mata has three goals and an assist in his last three Premier League games.

There have been OVER 2.5 goals in United's last 4 league games

PREDICTION

With Costa missing, and United suffering the injuries they have, I think it'll be a very tight game. Had United not lost the likes of Carrick and Blind, I'd have edged United to take the three points. But, with those injuries, I'm going for a draw.

DRAW 1-1

Horse Racing UK - What The Stats Say

A gorgeous day for racing across the country today, and there's plenty of meetings to look forward to, including Ayr featuring the Coral Scottish Grand National at 3:45, and flat racing from Newbury and Nottingham.

So, here's a few of the key stats and best bets for a couple of those cards;


NEWBURY

- When Jim Crowley and trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis have teamed up, they have an impressive 43% strike-rate and a level stakes profit of +£72.50 (£1 stakes) - Davis runs JELLY MONGER in the 2:15 - 50/1 BetVictor




- Dane O'Neill has a 100% strike-rate when riding for trainer John Gosden at Newbury - O'neill rides FANNAAN in the 2:50 - 11/1 BetVictor 



AYR

- Paul Nicholls has a 24% strike-rate this season, and a level stakes profit of +£59.06 - Nicholls also has a 37% strike-rate at the course over recent seasons - He runs SOLAR IMPULSE in the 2:00 - 4/1 across the board




- Jim Goldie-trained TOO COOL TO FOOL has 3 wins from 5 in Jumps races at Ayr, with anoverall 35% strike-rate at the course. He runs in the 4:55 - 16/1 Boylesports




- Jockey Sam Bowen has been in great form over the last couple of weeks, with 10 winners from 25, a 40% strike-rate - He takes the ride of SIR WILL in the 5:30 - 5/1 Boylesport

Horse Racing Stats - Bath

A couple of the stats from this afternoon's horse racing came in positive (check here), so lets have a look at some of the stats for this evening's card at Bath, and see if we can weed out some more winners.

It's going to be quick underfoot at Bath with the ground officially reported as firm, good to firm in places.

Clear, sunny weather is expected with the temperature dial set to hit 14C or 15C.

- Franny Norton has a 67% strike-rate when riding for Jo Hughes at Bath. He's on-board FROSTMAN in the 5:10 - 2/1 with SkyBet

- Martin Dwyer has a 20% strike-rate at Bath, with 18 wins from 90 rides. He rides PIXELEEN in the 5:40 - 16/1 with BET365

- Martin Dwyer has a strike-rate of 43% when riding for trainer Marcus Tregoning, at Bath. FAST GOLD is his ride in the 6:45 - 9/1 Coral

- Declan Bates shows a level stake profit of +£ 43.50 when riding for David Evans this season. He climbs aboard CABUCHON in the 7:15 - 7/1 Boylesports


TOP JOCKEY (Bath)

Most Wins - Dane O'neill 17 wins from 107 (16% strike-rate)

TOP TRAINER (Bath)

Most Wins - Mick Channon 24 wins from 203 (12% strike-rate)

FAVOURITES AT BATH

Non-Handicap - 56 wins from 139 (40% strike-rate)

Handicaps       - 131 wins from 418 (31% strike-rate)

Premier League Preview - The Stats

C Palace v W Brom

Palace have won both of their previous Premier League games against West Brom at Selhurst Park, scoring three goals on both occasions.

Glenn Murray is on-fire at the moment, scoring six goals and assisting three more in his last six Premier League appearances.

West Brom conceded seven goals in Pulis's first nine Premier League games in charge but have conceded 10 in the last three.

Everton v Burnley

Everton have won more points in their last four Premier League games (10) than they had in their previous 12 (7).

Burnley have failed to score in five of their last six league matches, netting once against Man City in the other.

Everton have conceded only two goals in their last five Premier League home games.

The Clarets have only ever won two of their 34 Premier League away games.

Leicester v Swansea

Swansea have taken 10 points from their last four Premier League games in April (W3 D1).

Bafétimbi Gomis has three goals in his last three Premier League appearances.

The home side has won the last seven competitive meetings between Leicester City and Swansea City.

Stoke v Southampton

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Southampton's last 10 games in the Premier League.

Southampton are undefeated in their last 6 games against Stoke in all competitions.

Stoke are looking to end the run of 4 games without a win in the league (L3 D1), where they've managed just 3 goals, and conceded 6. They haven't lost two home league games in a row, since the beginning of the season.


There will be a separate post for the Chelsea v Manchester United Preview, so keep a look out over the next 24 hours. 

Horse Racing Stats

There's quite a few meetings across the UK today, including Ayr, Bath, Newbury, and Southwell, so here's some stats to get you thinking, and put you in control today.

AYR

- Nicky Richards has a 25% strike-rate this season, from 182 runners, with a level stakes profit of +£34.55 (£1 stakes) - He has SIR VINSKI in the 2:30, and WICKED SPICE in the 4:45 - Back the double on BET365 @ 32/1

- Martin Todhunter-trained PRESENTING JUNIOR has won 3 from 4 jumps races at Ayr - Currently 11/2 - Runs in the 3:05

- James Reveley has a 67% strike-rate when riding for owner Exors of the Late John Hogg - He takes the ride on AYE WELL in the 3:35, and is currently 7/2 with BET365


NEWBURY

- Saeed bin Suroor has a 30% strike-rate this season from 82 runners, with a level stakes profit of +£43.32 (£1 stakes) - He sends out WINTERS MOON in the 2:50 - Currently 9/4 

- James Doyle has an impressive 35% strike rate over the last fortnight, with 9 wins from 26 rides. He's on-board STRONG CHEMISTRY in the 3:25, and is currently best-priced 9/2


Back, STRONG CHEMISTRY, WINTERS MOON, PRESENTING JUNIOR and SIR VINSKI, in a 4-fold @ 461/1 

Horse Racing - Stats for Newmarket

A few Newmarket stats for you, for this afternoons card, which starts at 1:45, and includes the Fillies Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes

TOP JOCKEY

Most Wins             Richard Hughes 31 wins from 206 (15%)
                           Paul Hanagan    30 wins from 204 (15%)

Best Strike-Rate     Andrew Mullen    2 wins from 10   (20%)
                           De Sousa          20 wins from 120 (17%)

Best LSP (£1 stakes) De Sousa      20 wins from 120 (17%) +84.07
                             Kieren Fallon 16 wins from 126 (13%) +67.09


TOP TRAINER

Most Wins            John Gosden           31 wins from 203 (15%)
                         Mark Johnston        25 wins from 200 (13%)

Best Strike-Rate   Martyn Meade           3 wins from 8     (38%)
                         Michael Appleby        5 wins from 20   (25%)

Best LSP (£1 stakes) Martyn Meade     3 wins from 8     (38%) +63.00
                             Richard Hannon 14 wins from 78   (18%) +51.41


BEST 2 TIPS FROM THE STATS

2:20 - RAVENHOE 6/4 Coral                     Danger; City Of Stars 10/1 SkyBet

4:05 - MURAAQABA 13/2 Sporting Bet      Danger; Marsh Hawk 7/1 SkyBet

Premier League Football - Leicester v Swansea Preview – Draw Written All Over It!?

There are just five Premier League games this Saturday, with the FA Cup games being played, with Chelsea v Manchester United the stand-out game, in the evening kick-off. Hull City have the luxury of a two week break until their next fixture against in-form Crystal Palace, although it will surely be an anxious watch of the teams around them, and how they get on, with Hull slipping slowly towards that relegation zone, and with the toughest of remaining fixtures to come.

So, a look at the game which sees Swansea travel to Leicester, and after quick analysis of the stats and teams, it has draw written all over it for me!

Leicester managed to complete back-to-back league wins for the first time since the beginning of the season last weekend, but have failed to win back-to-back home games in the league all season.

And it’s similar when you look at Swansea’s away record this season, without two straight wins all season, in all competitions.

Swansea however, have won 4 of their last 7 league games, and are unbeaten in 3 (conceding just 3 goals in their last 4 games), while Leicester have won their last 2 league games, and scored 8 goals in their last 3 games.

I’d be shocked if Leicester could pull off a third consecutive league win, and believe the last few games will have taken too much from them, to get all three points here.

The last six meetings between the sides, in all competitions, has seen each team win 3, and lose 3. The winning team in those 6 meetings, was always the home side.

PREDICTION

So, looking through the stats and analysis a bit more thoroughly, I still haven’t come to a clear conclusion to this game. My head says draw – 1-1 (11/2 bet365) and I think that’s what I’ll stick with.

Check back soon for the preview for Chelsea v Manchester United, and also more stats, tips and opinions on premier league football and horse racing. 

Free Horse Racing Tips - Tuesday

We had a couple of winners yesterday from our three picks, including 6/1 shot Lear's Rock in the 4:10 Handicap at Windsor, as the bay gelding made nearly all, before drawing clear 1 furlong out, to take the win for trainer Ralph Beckett. So, onto Tuesday, and we'll look to continue yesterday's success, with picks from the all-weather card at Southwell.

LUCKY 15

2:20 - LAZY SIOUX          15/8 bet365

2:50 - QUEEN OF SKIES    9/4  bet365

3:20 - SPITFIRE               5/2   bet365

5:30 - HAINES                 8/11 bet365

£1 stakes (£15 total) RETURNS £201.12

Horse Racing - Stats For Kelso

KELSO STATS - MONDAY'S RACING 

TOP JOCKEY - Strike-Rate %

Mr C Dawson        3 from 6 - 50%

Diarmuid O'Regan 4 from 11 - 36%

James Cowley       1 from 3 - 33%

Joe Colliver           4 from 14 - 29%

Dale Irving           5 from 17 -29%

Tony Kelly            7 from 45 - 16%


TOP JOCKEY (Most Wins at the Course) - Brian Hughes 29 from 211 (14%)


TOP TRAINER - Strike-Rate %

Katie Scott         4 from 13 - 31%

Mark Walford      3 from 10 - 30%

Donald McCain  40 from 155 - 26%

Keith Reveley     7 from 32 - 22%

Karen McLintock 4 from 18 - 22%

TOP TRAINER (Most Wins at the Course) - Donald McCain 40 from 155 (26%)


IN-FORM JOCKEY (LAST FORTNIGHT) - David Bass 8 wins from 23 (35%) - Rides Brian Ellison-trained PRESENTED in the 4:30 Handicap Chase (12/1 - bet365)


HORSES - COURSE WINS

2:30
ENDEAVOR           5 from 19 (26%)
SOME LAD            1 from 7 (14%)
KAI BROON          2 from 7 (29%)

3:00
HUNTERS BELT     3 from 5 (60%)
MO ROUGE 1 from 2 (50%)

4:00
TOTAL ASSETS     1 from 3 (33%)
IVAN BORU          1 from 1 (100%)
LANDECKER         3 from 5 (60%)

4:30
ISLA PEARL FISHER 3 from 11 (27%)
MISTER MARKER     1 from 6 (17%)
BIG SOUND            1 from 1 (100%)
LORD BRENDY        1 from 3 (33%)

5:30
BEIDH TINE ANSEO 1 from 8 (13%)
BALLYVOQUE          1 from 4 (25%)
BLACKWATER KING 1 from 1 (100%)

I hope you enjoy the blog, please share it around and follow me on Twitter and Google+ and check back soon for more chat, tips, stats from the UK horse racing and football world.

Free Horse Racing Tips - Monday

It's back to normality for the racing world after a great Crabby's Grand National, which saw Leighton Aspell win for the second successive year, this time aboard Many Clouds, who had been written off by many due to recent poor form and gallop.

So, onto Monday's racing, and who to back, on the flat, with our free horse racing tips;

WINDSOR 2:10

SUGAR LUMP       10/3 BET365 LOSE

WINDSOR 4:10

LEAR'S ROCK        6/1 BET365  WIN




REDCAR 4:20

SECOND WAVE    11/8 CORAL WIN