Club Brugges v Manchester United Wednesday, 26th August 2015.

Club Brugges v Manchester United

• 26 August
 
• Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Manchester had some nervy moments in last weeks Champions League qualifying encounter with Club Brugges . It took a very late goal by Fellani to restore their two goal advantage for this second leg. United were well in command last week and could have won by a lot more.

Memphis Depay scored two great goals and he should again be in the thick of things tonight. Manchester United could only manage a scoreless draw with Newcastle over the weekend - a performance which has led many critics and fans alike to question Louis Van Gaals tactics.

The fact that Rooney hasn't scored in a long time has only provided them with ammunition saying that the lone striker role doesn't suit him. Mata's deployment to the wing seems to have cut out a lot of the supply that Rooney so clearly thrives on. However, I am willing to take a chance that he will score tonight and end his barren spell in front of goal.

Wayne Rooney will be looking to end his goal drought tonight.

Club Brugges will be chasing this game and need to score goals so expect an open game with plenty of opportunities for Manchester United to counter attack. This should be a professional performance from the Reds and I confidently expect them to finish the job off tonight. United will want to improve on Saturdays drab 0-0 with Newcastle by beating tonight's opponents and securing a place in the |Champions League group stages.

Betting Tip:
Wayne Rooney to score anytime and Manchester United to win @ 23/10 Paddy Power

Malmo v Celtic

Malmo v Celtic

Tues August 25th 2015 K.O 19.45 p.m (UK Time)

A late goal by Malmo's Jo Inge Bernet saw them claw back a two goal deficit to get beaten 3-2 by Celtic in Glasgow last week. They also  have a great record of overcoming first leg defeats in their home games. Last season Malmo overcame first leg defeats to the likes of Sparta Prague and Salzburg to win their home legs and they did likewise to Salzburg in the third qualifying round this season. That will give them confidence of beating Celtic and securing a place in the Champions League group stages.

Celtic meanwhile have only themselves to blame, a  3-1 lead would have made them strong favorites for this tie but a late Malmo goal means it is going to be very difficult for them tonight. Celtic have already negotiated two rounds in the Champions League but it was at this stage last season when they were eliminated by Maribor. There is every chance that we could see a repeat today. Celtic have won their last three out of five away games this season scoring at least two goals in each. I predict an exciting game with goals from both sides.

It is a match that could go either way but the price on a Malmo victory with both teams scoring looks too good to ignore.


Betting Tip : 

Malmo to win and both teams to score @15/4 Bet365

Christy's Weekend Acca (August 22nd-23rd 2015)

Manchester United V Newcastle

August 22nd, 2015 K.O. 12.45 p.m (UK)

Manchester United have won their opening two Premier League games of the season and should make it three here. This game will come four days after their Champions League qualifier against Club Brugges which they win 3-1. Memphis Depay netted two and if you had been following my match betting preview - you would have backed him to score anytime. Newcastle on the other hand have only the one point from two matches - drawing to Southampton then losing to Swansea City. McClaren  has a big job on his hands since he took over the job and is still getting to know his squad. Manchester United have decent depth in their squad and may rest some of their players from mid week. This should be another routine victory for the reds and I see them scoring a couple of goals here.

Betting Tip: 

Manchester United handicap betting -1 (evens @ Paddy Power)

West Brom v Chelsea

23rd August 2015, K.O. 14.30 p.m

West Brom have a great record against Chelsea, in their last four encounters West Brom have managed to win three and draw once. They won their last game 3-0 but that game was a dead rubber as Chelsea had already won the title. Chelsea meanwhile have had a bad start to their season only getting one point from 2 games including a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing by Manchester City last time. They will desperately want to get a win here. West Brom will be up for this match but I just feel that Chelsea will get the upper hand this time.

Betting Tip:

Chelsea to win (8/13 @ Paddy Power)

West Ham v Bournemouth

22nd August 2015 K.O. 15.00 p.m

West Ham started their season well with a shock 0-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates but that was followed with a defeat 1-2 defeat to Leicester and another defeat Astra in the third round of the Europa League. The hammers will be hoping to bounce back here against Bournemouth but it won't be easy. Bournemouth have lost both their opening games 1-0 both to Aston Villa and Liverpool but that doesn't tell the whole story. They were very unlucky not to convert a host of chances against Villa and had a perfectly good goal disallowed against Liverpool last Monday. In both those games Bournemouth played attractive attacking  football and deserved to at least come away with a share of the spoils. I was impressed with them and believe that if they play the same way against West Ham they can pull of their first win of the seaon.

Betting Tip:

Bournemouth to win (23/10 @ Paddy Power)

Everton v Manchester City

22nd August 2015 K.O. 17.30 p.m.

Everton came back twice to draw with Watford on the opening day of the season before following that up with an impressive 3-0 victory over Southampton. Manchester City have started most impressively winning both their games decisively including a 3-0 demolition of arch rivals Chelsea Both sides like to play attacking football and this is a game where I see goals at both ends

Betting Tip

Both Teams To Score (4/7 @ Paddy Power)

€10 stake on fourfold accumulator returns €167.54

Malaga v Sevilla Betting Preview Friday August 21st 2015 KO 19.30 p.m (U.K)

Malaga v Sevilla

Friday August 21st 2015 KO 19.30 p.m (U.K)

    

Malaga had decent year after finishing ninth in La Liga last season. They briefly threatened to break into Europe after a run of eight victories from ten matches. They continued that good form with a shock 1-0 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou until their form began to drop off, eventually finishing ninth. New manager Javi Garcia has injected new confidence and self belief into his team but they face a stern challenge tonight against double Europa cup winners Sevilla.  A number of their key players have also departed for different clubs including the likes of Juanmi, Samuel, Samuel Castillejo, Francisco Portillo and Sergio Sanchez.

Sevilla had another highly successful season winning back to back Europa League titles and were unlucky to just miss out on automatic Champions League qualification; finishing fifth just behind Valencia. That didn't matter as a place was guaranteed in the groups stages of the Champions League after they beat Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Europa League final. That victory allowed them to contest the UEFA  Super Cup final were they were beaten 5-4 by Barcelona in a pulsating match that went to extra time. Sevilla have lost their main talisman Carlos Bacca who joined AC Milan after scoring 49 goals during two seasons in the Primera League. However, they have  signed the likes of Adil Rami, Mariano, Steven N'Zonzi and Michael Krohn-Dehli while Ciro Immobile and Yevhen Konoplyanka should add quality to their attack.

Betting Tip:

I think this game will have a few goals in it, Sevilla will be regarded as favorites but they have been leaking goals. Malaga have home advantage and were beaten by these opponents 3-2 last time they met last May. I think Malga can at least get a point here.

Betting Tip:

Both teams to score and a draw @7/2 Bet365

Manchester United v Club Brugge 

Tuesday, August 18th 2015 K.O. 19.45 p.m

This is arguably Louis Van Gaal's most important game since he took charge of Manchester United last season. The Red Devils will be looking to secure a place in the Champions League group stage so a victory tonight will vital. The last time Manchester United were in the Champions League - they lost to Bayern Munich 3-1 in the quarter finals of the 2013/14 season. Domestically they have started strong winning both of their Premier League matches to sit third in the table. They also have a good record in the Champions League qualifying ties winning their last back in the 2005/6 season against Debrecen 6-0.  It will be a major shock if they were not to win this tie and secure their place in the group stages. This has been Van Gaal's primary target for his first season in charge - failure to qualify would be disastrous for a club who have won this competition three times in their history.

Meanwhile Club Brugge beat a decent Panathinaikos side to progress to the play off stage of the competition. This will be the first time that they have reached the play-offs but their record in England is abysmal, losing 9 of their 11 trips to the country. Furthermore, Belgian sides have only won once out of 31 attempts against English sides in Europe. I see no reason why this should not be defeat number 32 . Manchester United are one of the biggest teams in world football and boast an array of World class talent. Players like Wayne Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger,  Memphis Depay and Juan Mata are all capable of scoring goals. Club Brugge did well to get to this stage but this should be a step too far for the plucky Belgian side.

Memphis Depay

Manchester United will be in confident mood after winning both their Premier League matches and will be looking to continue that hot streak here. They will be looking to settle the leg as soon as possible so expect plenty of chances for the home side. Memphis Depay  who was the Dutch leagues top scorer last season was unlucky not to score against Aston Villa last weekend. Tonight's opposition look like an ideal opportunity for him to break his duck. This is a game that I fully  expect United to win comfortably and by at least two goals.





My Betting Tips:

Manchester United -2 Handicap Betting @13/5 Paddy Power (Nap)

Memphis Depay to score anytime @ 6/4  PaddyPower (NB)

Liverpool V Bournemouth

Monday August August 17th 2015

This will be the Cherries first way fixture as a Premier League club and I am sure that their manager Eddie Howe was wishing his side had easier opposition. Bournemouth were beaten by Aston Villa after wasting a host of goal scoring opportunities in the first half of their home fixture last weekend..

They can ill afford to do that against a strong Liverpool team boasting an array of new talent including Firmnho (who could be making his full debut tonight) and Christian Benteke. Liverpool will be pleased to have come away from a difficult away fixture against Stoke to bag all three points.

Bournemouth have met Liverpool six times already, failing to beat them in any of those matches, losing four and drawing two. Liverpool are stronger in every department and with confidence high after their Stoke victory, I fully expect a comfortable victory here. Brendan Rodgers may well decide to play Can who was so effective last Saturday in a holding role. That will allow Milner and Couthinho freedom to roam and supply Benteke with plenty of chances. Christian Benteke will be itching to score tonight and I fully expect him to do so.


My Betting Tips:

Christian Benteke to score first. 10/3 @ Bet365

Liverpool -2 Handicap result 10/3 @ Paddy Power

Christy's Weekend Acca

Southampton v Everton

Southampton have an excellent defensive record against Everton who have failed to find the net against this opposition in three trips. They boasted an excellent home record last season and were close to getting a top four finish.  Everton were lucky to come away with a draw against Watford last week after being behind twice in the match.

Verdict: Southampton victory.

Sunderland v Norwich

Sunderland were awful against Leicester last week going behind by three goals in the first half before eventually losing 4-2. Norwich meanwhile, were unlucky against Crystal Palace last week losing 3-1 in the end. Norwich dominated large parts of that game but were profligate in front of goal. I think Sunderland will be much tighter in this game but not enough to concede a goal.  Norwich will create chances too but Sunderland can nick a goal against them.

Verdict: Both Teams To Score

Swansea City v Newcastle

Both teams got off to a great start last week., Swansea getting a 2-2 draw against Chelsea and likewise for Newcastle against Southampton.  This has  all the hallmarks of being a high scoring encounter with plenty of opportunities at both ends.

Verdict: Both Teams To Score

Spurs v Stoke

Both teams suffered opening 1-0 defeats at the start of the season last week. Stoke will feel aggrieved to have lost to a stunning  late strike by Philip Couthinho after holding Liverpool to a stalemate up till the 86 minute. Spurs meanwhile looked lightweight for most parts against Man Utd before dominating the last 15 minutes with a flurry of attacks. Stoke are a diificult opponent at home but they not as strong against the top teams away.

Verdict: Spurs victory.

 Christy's Weekend Acca Selections: 

Southampton (win),

Sunderland v Norwich (both teams to score), 

Swansea v Newcastle (both teams to score),  

Spurs (win)