Can Atletico sneak under the radar?

on November 12, 2019 None comments

After Real Madrid’s spending spree in the summer and Barcelona’s dominance last campaign, Atletico Madrid have barely had a mention as potential title contenders this time around.

Having lost just once in the first 12 La Liga matches, Diego Simeone has once again built a side which are very hard to break down. However, his team are guilty of one too many draws which could end up costing them dearly, having drawn half of their league matches to date.

Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico’s lack of goals is an area in which Simeone’s side is struggling this season, having only scored twelve in twelve games. With the likes of Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa and Joao Felix among their ranks, Atletico will need at least two of them to score 10+ goals if they are to knock Barcelona off their perch. Having said that, their defence has been superb, only conceding seven in the league. Jan Oblak is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, and Atletico will always have a chance with him between the sticks.

Despite the three attackers named above, it is evident to see the loss of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona in the summer was a huge loss, having contributed 15 league goals for Atletico last campaign. However, Griezmann hasn’t had quite the same impact at Camp Nou this season, with certain fans believing Lionel Messi is purposely avoiding passing to his new teammate.

La Liga betting shows Atletico Madrid are complete outsiders to win the title at 18/1, despite being on the heels of both Barcelona and arch-rivals Real. Barcelona remain heavy favourites at 1/2, while Zinedine Zidane’s side are 2/1 after a fairly promising start, especially after integrating plenty of new signings. Simeone’s side are also priced at 25/1 to win the Champions League, so it’s safe to say the bookmakers aren’t confident in Atletico winning a trophy in 2020.

It is worth noting, however, that Barcelona have lost three games already this season, having only lost the same amount in the entire of the previous season when they ran away with the title, nine points clear of Atletico. Barcelona were desperate to bring back Neymar this summer, but the deal never materialised and, at present, it is looking more and more likely this missed opportunity could cost them their title.

Despite the odds, Atletico hold every chance of challenging both Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, if they are unable to improve their finishing ability, it could prove costly. But with Morata and Diego Costa within their ranks, both are proven goalscorers around the world and if either can burst into life, there is every chance Atletico can continue to go about their business and continue to sneak under the radar.

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Will Barcelona breeze to another title?

on August 12, 2019 None comments

All summer, the focus has very much been on Barcelona’s arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane hasn’t been afraid to throw Real’s money about, as he looks to re-energise a side who failed to land a blow last campaign. The obvious starting point is the addition of Eden Hazard from Chelsea, who will no doubt be their star player next season.

Real Madrid have strengthened in every area, but it was obvious they needed to. After finishing 19 points off Barcelona and eight points off Atletico Madrid, it is fair to say Real Madrid were embarrassed several times last season.

But with all the focus on Real Madrid, are people forgetting Barcelona’s dominance in domestic football? They may have been dumped out of the Champions League with their tail between their leagues for a second year in a row, after being smashed by Liverpool at Anfield, but they have dominated La Liga for years. La Liga betting shows Barcelona are the favourites to retain their title, with Real Madrid second favourites at 13-8. Despite finishing second, Atletico Madrid are third favourites at 12-1 with Bet365.

Atletico Madrid have lost a large chunk of their defence, with Diego Godin heading to Inter Milan, Lucas Hernandez moving to Bayern Munich, Juanfran joining Sao Paolo and Filipe Luis returning to Brazil to see out his final few years before he retires. Joao Felix has been brought in for a record fee of 126 million euros from Benfica, with a lot of expectation to deliver this season. However, he is just the poster boy of what has been a large rebuild for Atleti over the summer.

Last year, Barcelona secured their eighth title in 11 seasons, and with ease. Not only did they win La Liga in style, but they have brought in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who has been Atletico’s star man for several years. Griezmann is one of the most talented attackers in world football, so his arrival adds to an already potent forward line. The additions of Frenkie de Jong and Junior Firpo strengthen two key areas of the squad, while Neto ensures they have depth in the goalkeeping position, and they have been able to move on a number of players who were surplus to requirements.

Barcelona’s star player, Lionel Messi, took to the pitch after their 2-1 pre-season friendly against Arsenal to address the Camp Nou crowd. The Argentine told the sell-out crowd that Barcelona’s success in the domestic league was not to be sniffed at, despite failing to win the Champions League the past two seasons.

Barcelona will probably prefer the attention to be away from them after their disappointing defeat to Liverpool. But they have nothing to prove on home soil and are likely to once again show why they are the best team in Spain come May next year. It will take an awful lot to prevent Messi and co. from securing their ninth title in twelve seasons, that is for sure.

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The five Premier League sides most likely to ‘do a Leicester’ in 2019/20

on May 14, 2019 None comments

The 2019/20 Premier League season promises to be an intriguing one. Sheffield United and Norwich City are returning to the top flight for the first time since 2006-07 and 2015-16 respectively and Manchester United are in a period of uncertain transition, while their rivals Liverpool and Man City keep going from strength to strength.

The title race is usually fought out between the same predictable few but in 2016 Leicester City conquered odds of 5000/1 to win the Premier League and, in doing so, gave hope to every other side in the top flight.

It is unlikely that this will happen again given the strength of the current top two but there is nothing wrong with daring to dream. With that in mind, we take a look at five sides that are most likely to pull ‘a Leicester’ in 2019/20.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves fans are probably still pinching themselves after finishing in the top half of the Premier League this season. They have been building something for a couple of years and it proves that planning for the longer term will be more successful than the kind of short-termism that has become common place.

They are expected to continue spending in order to build on an excellent season in which they have beaten the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal proving they can mix it with the big boys.

West Ham United

The Hammers started 2018/19 really badly but have since recovered to have a comfortable season in the top flight. Problems with the new stadium aside, West Ham should be a club looking to progress to the very top of the English game. Their supporters have been long-suffering and expect to watch a team playing entertaining football.

Manuel Pellegrini has certainly got the pedigree to take them further but a lot will depend on a solid recruitment spree over the summer.

Norwich City

The Championship title winners come into the Premier League in a similar manner to how Wolves did a season ago. Full of confidence after romping to the second tier title, Norwich will be looking to make sure they avoid the drop first and foremost but they have an exciting front line that could be in their element in the Premier League.

They would be massive outsiders with football betting markets having them at 10/1 to finish in the top half but the Canaries may surprise even themselves under the superb Daniel Farke.

Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth are another side that have had a very good 2019/20. They have some good players and with one or two additions they could challenge higher in the division. In Eddie Howe, the Cherries have an excellent boss who won the Manager of the Decade Award back in 2015 and he has utilised the likes of Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson and David Brooks to perfection.

Leicester City

The Foxes could be the side to repeat their own feat. They have had an excellent finish to the 2018-19 campaign and with Brendan Rodgers in charge, they will only get better. The Northern Irish manager has certainly made a good impression and if he recruits the right players over the summer next season will be another exciting campaign.

The potential is there for the English football landscape to be turned on its head once again – stay tuned and see if any of these teams can do it.

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Can a Fit and Firing Harry Kane Lead Spurs to the Title?

on February 19, 2019 None comments

When Harry Kane limped from the pitch after defeat against Manchester United with an ankle injury on January 13, it was widely thought that Tottenham’s title ambitions were over. However, with Son Heung-min returning from the Asia Cup in blistering form, Spurs remain right in the title race as we head to crunch time in the season. Kane is due to return towards the end of February, with the striker’s recovery ahead of schedule. So, can he fire Spurs to the title?

The Current State of Play

With under a third of the season remaining, Tottenham lie third in the Premier League table, a long way clear of the teams below them. The title is now a three horse race between Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, with only five points separating the top three teams.

Do Spurs Have a Chance?

Following Kane’s injury, Spurs were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the semi-finals and the FA Cup in the fourth round by Premier League opponents Crystal Palace. Since his injury, however, Spurs are unbeaten in the Premier League.

For Spurs, even though they remain five points behind their title rivals, their destiny remains in their own hands. By the time Kane returns from injury at the end of this month, they will still have to play both Liverpool away (March 31) and Manchester City away (April 20). Should they win both of those games, the title could be within reach.

However, before then, they also face stiff challenges against Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as the second leg of their clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Recently, Tottenham have become very reliant on striker Son Heung-min for goals. With their other striker Fernando Llorente misfiring, the South Korean could do with some help.

The good news for Spurs is that, should he return in time, Kane has a phenomenal goalscoring record against Arsenal and, at the start of the season, he had only failed to score in one game he’d ever played against their north London foes. Likewise, Kane had also scored 21 goals in 32 Premier League London derbies, which bodes well for the Chelsea game, too.

Kane’s Other Commitments

Tottenham aren’t the only team who are relying on Kane to return and produce goals. Tottenham will be wary that Kane will resume his commitments with the England national team (who also play at Wembley) in March, when they begin their UEFA Euro qualification campaign against the Czech Republic and Montenegro. In the fixture with Montenegro particularly, where England are heavy favourites in the international football betting markets, Spurs will be hoping that Kane is rested so he can help their Premier League title tilt.

Immediately following the conclusion of the Premier League, Kane will also return to international duty as England take part in the finals of the UEFA Nations League. As a result, both Spurs and England will be hoping that the star striker remains fit and fresh throughout the rest of the season.

With Kane due to return shortly and Spurs well-positioned behind Manchester City and Liverpool, the North London side will be positive about the title run in. However, for Spurs to have any chance of overhauling the five-point gap to the leaders, Kane must hit the ground running.

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Who’s up for the drop?

on November 20, 2018 None comments

The Premier League season is now in full swing and no surprises that defending champions Manchester City and Liverpool sit at the head of the table. They have squads stacked with talent so are expected to fight it out for the title until the end of the season. But what about the other end of the Premier League table? Which clubs are looking most likely for the drop even at this early stage?

Typically each season the newly promoted clubs start as the favourites for the drop and it was a similar story on https://www.betfair.com/exchange/plus/football/today. Wolves, however, have started with high expectations following their dominant campaign in the Championship last season that saw them runaway with the title. Money has been pumped into the club and they now have a very exciting squad on their hands with expectations growing with each positive result. You only have to look at what can be done in a similar scenario such as at Leicester.

It will be a huge shock were Wolves to face the drop and it is difficult to call at present. Newcastle, Burnley and Fulham are all potential sides who are in danger of the drop looking at the current odds at Betfair. Fulham are 2/1 as they sit near the bottom of the table with just one victory from their opening seven fixtures. Burnley have started slowly with just two victories and are 15/8 for the drop. They achieved incredible things last season so possibly came in to this season with expectations too high but it would still come as a surprise if they were to be relegated this season.

Newcastle are one of three sides yet to win a Premier League game this season. They continue to struggle with the troubles of ownership so is it just a matter of time before they face the drop? Betfair make them 7/4 to do so. A club of Newcastle’s size with their incredible fan base need to remain in the Premier League so they need to find a way out of their troubles and find their form again on the pitch.

As things stand there are two sides who have an ominous task on their hands in order to remain in the league. They are Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City. Both sit at the bottom of the table without a victory as pressure continues to pile on both clubs. Huddersfield at present are 1/3 to face the drop and with just three points at present you can see why. They have had a difficult run of fixtures to start the season,with heavy defeats to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, so it could just be matter of time before their fortunes change.. Huddersfield now have a run of fixtures that includes several of teams around them in the table so it will become much clearer where they stand. They must begin to pick up points before the pressure continues to pile on the squad.

The favourites to go down at present are Cardiff City who also have just two points following the opening seven fixtures. They had started the season as the favourites to face the drop following their promotion back to the Premier League, with their odds now as short as 1/5 with Betfair.They are really struggling for goals which is resulting in their failure to pick up points. They are another side to face heavy defeats against Chelsea and Manchester City. They now have a run of fixtures that includes tough games against both Liverpool and Leicester City. At present it looks like it is going to take a miracle for Cardiff City to extend their stay in the Premier League to next season.

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