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Tom Carnduff's TV tips: Football best bets and predictions for Premier League, League One, National League & Bundesliga
By Tom Carnduff
09:24 · SAT April 27, 2024
Football betting tips: TV games
Saturday
1pt Ebou Adams to score anytime in Derby vs Carlisle (12:30) at 7/1 (Sky Bet)

0.75pt e.w. Danny Collinge to score first in Barnet vs Solihull Moors (17:30) at 28/1 (bet365 1/3 1-99)

1pt Ollie Watkins 2+ shots on target in Aston Villa vs Chelsea (20:00) at 6/4 (General)

Sunday
1.5pts Tottenham over 4.5 corners vs Arsenal (14:00) at 6/5 (General)

1pt Chris Conn-Clarke to score anytime in Bromley vs Altrincham (16:00) at 15/8 (bet365)

1pt Nottingham Forest over 3.5 corners vs Manchester City (16:30) at 7/5 (General)

0.75pt Patrick Mainka to score anytime in Darmstadt vs Heidenheim (18:30) at 14/1 (Sky Bet)

CLICK HERE to add the selections to your Sky Bet bet slip
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

https://m.skybet.com/lp/acq-bet-x-ge...=SL_ED_MASTERS
This is the first of a regular weekly column which puts focus on those televised fixtures across the course of the weekend.

That is pretty much the only rule: as long as it's on TV, you could find it here. It's not simply a case of exclusively covering the big games either – we'll be going across the continent and your TV guide to find selections that catch the eye.

Four leagues are in focus on debut because I simply couldn't ignore a huge north London derby taking place on Sunday, but outside of the Premier League, there's so much still to play for.

The promotion race in Sky Bet League One is yet to be decided, while four teams are battling to make it beyond the play-off semi-finals in the National League.

Seven games are included in total - feel free to get in touch with me @TomCarnduff with any thoughts. So, let's begin...

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Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid betting tips, BuildABet, best bets and preview
By Tom Carnduff
20:05 · MON April 29, 2024
Football betting tips: Champions League
1.25pts Rodrygo to score anytime at 10/3 (Sky Bet)

1pt Jude Bellingham to be shown a card at 5/1 (bet365)

0.75pt Raphael Guerreiro to score anytime at 10/1 (Sky Bet)

CLICK HERE to add the selections to your Sky Bet bet slip
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

BuildABet @ 18/1
Rodrygo 2+ shots on target
Jude Bellingham to commit 2+ fouls
Raphael Guerreiro 1+ shots on target
https://m.skybet.com/lp/acq-bet-x-ge...=SL_ED_MASTERS
Kick-off time: 20:00 BST, Tuesday
TV channel: TNT Sports 1
Home 7/5 | Draw 13/5 | Away 17/10
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid odds, form and stats in our new and improved live match centre
Real Madrid toppling current champions Manchester City in the quarter-finals has, rightly, seen them take favouritism in the outright market ahead of the final four meeting with Bayern Munich.

Opta give them a 38% chance of being the winner with 64% on them being finalists - the latter lining up with the 65% in the implied probability from the odds that they progress.

Bayern know the feeling of reigns coming to an end. The dominance of the Bundesliga was finally halted by Xabi Alonso's remarkable Leverkusen side - yet they're well short of it being anything competitive.

Although they're on course for what would usually be a title-winning tally, so the talk of a Bayern side miles off their usual pace is perhaps incorrect. The past three points tallies to win the title have been 71, 77 and 78 - they're on pace for 76.

Thomas Tuchel Bayern
So while some may consider their place in the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition a surprise, they haven't really been any worse now than they have in recent seasons.

But this is a remarkably strong Real Madrid outfit, a team charging towards yet another Spanish title. Any chance of Bayern progressing to the final depends largely on a positive outcome on Tuesday night.

What are the best bets?
Real Madrid's record inside 90 minutes in away contests is superb.

They're currently unbeaten in their last 20 in regular time - Atletico Madrid the last side to beat them (on September 24) and they also secured victory in extra-time of their mid-January cup meeting.

Jude Bellingham Real Madrid
So they should be full of confidence, which is natural for a Real Madrid side anyway. The Asian Handicap sitting at 0 shows the money isn't quite sure though so you could get rare value on a Real win (19/10 best price).

That though has impacted other markets and driven the odds out. One of those is RODRYGO TO SCORE ANYTIME, with Sky Bet going top price at 10/3 and 3/1 or 11/4 on offer with most others.

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Premier League Darts 2024: Night 14 predictions, betting tips, acca, order of play and Sky Sports TV time
By Chris Hammer
13:48 · THU May 02, 2024
The BetMGM Premier League Darts regular season continues in Aberdeen on Thursday so check out Chris Hammer's match-by-match guide to the action.

Darts betting tips: Premier League Night 14
1pt Michael Smith to win, hit most 180s and have highest checkout at 15/8 (Sky Bet, Ladbrokes)

1pt Luke Littler to win and hit most 180s at 5/4 (Sky Bet)

1pt Rob Cross to beat Michael van Gerwen at 6/4 (General)

SL Acca: 0.5pts Smith, Littler & Cross all to win at 7/2 with Sky Bet *Acca originally had Price but he's not withdrawn due to injury
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |


Thursday May 2: Night 14
TV Coverage: Sky Sports (1900 GMT)
Format: Quarter-Finals, best of 11 legs
Venue: P&J Live, Aberdeen
Peter Wright v Michael Smith
Head to Head: 33-17, 2 draws (TV: 21-8, 2 draws)
2024 PL Average: 92.42 - 96.96
2024 PL 180s per leg: 0.25 - 0.33
2024 PL checkout percentage: 33.54% - 38.79%
2024 PL legs won with 100+ C/O: 5.76% - 12.06%
Michael Smith knows he needs to 'cash in' on his match against the already-eliminated Peter Wright to stay firmly in touch with the play-off places.

Bully Boy suffered a damaging defeat to Rob Cross in last week's quarter-finals so he's currently four points behind fourth-placed Michael van Gerwen while Snakebite hasn't won a match since March.

Smith isn't playing at his best but he should have too much firepower for the hapless Wright, who can't wait for the season to be over.

The match treble should be a safe option in this opening match of the night.

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David Moyes to leave West Ham; Julen Lopetegui set to become new manager
By Sporting Life
18:58 · MON May 06, 2024
David Moyes will leave his role as West Ham manager by mutual consent at the end of the season.

The club announced the news on Monday evening amid reports former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has agreed a deal to take over in the summer.

“I have enjoyed four-and-a-half brilliant years at West Ham and the club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019,” Moyes said in a statement on the West Ham website.

“When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club was one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe.

“After leading the club to safety, we guided the team to finishes of sixth and seventh in the Premier League, and I was delighted when we won the Europa Conference League title last June – the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.


“I would like to thank all the players for their support, and all the success they have achieved, over the last four-and-a-half years.”

Moyes, 61, has been in charge at West Ham since 2019, but is out of contract at the end of the season and has refused to discuss his future at the club until after their final game, at Manchester City on May 19.

West Ham were thrashed 5-0 by Chelsea on Sunday to effectively end their slim hopes of earning European qualification for a fourth-straight campaign.

The heavy defeat comes on the back of a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and 5-2 loss at Crystal Palace and they now sit ninth in the Premier League table with two games to go.

The Hammers, Europa Conference League winners last season, were also knocked out of the Europa League last month following a quarter-final loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

In a statement, West Ham said the recruitment process for Moyes’ successor had begun, but they would be “making no further comment until a new appointment is confirmed”.

West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan offered “sincere thanks and gratitude” for Moyes’ efforts in the job.

“David has been responsible for a period of great progress and success in our history and we are extremely grateful for all of his hard work, commitment and dedication to the role,” Sullivan said.

“David has been an absolute professional to work with and he will leave with our greatest respect and good wishes – he deserves to be held in the highest esteem for the service he has given to West Ham United and we wish him every success in the future.

“By making this announcement now, it allows David to get the send-off he deserves from the West Ham supporters and for us all to show our appreciation to him at our final home fixture of the season against Luton Town on Saturday.”

Lopetegui has emerged as a reported target to take up the job at the London Stadium next season.

The Spaniard guided Wolves to safety last term, but left the club after nine months on the eve of the new Premier League campaign in August.

The former Porto and Sevilla boss lifted Wolves from the bottom of the table to a 13th-placed finish during his spell in charge.

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Alex Keble's Premier League match-ups: Can Man United sink any lower?
By Alex Keble
22:06 · SAT May 11, 2024
Alex Keble (@alexkeble) is a football journalist who specialises in tactical understanding, analysis and predictions of all aspects of the game.
Hudson-Odoi v Chelsea’s new back three
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
Sky Sports Premier League: 17:30 BST, Saturday
Home 13/2 | Draw 9/2 | Away 1/3
Chelsea’s 5-0 win over West Ham United was notable for Marc Cucurella’s new position as an inverted full-back, a first for Mauricio Pochettino. It seems unlikely a manager who has always relied on flying full-backs will stick with this long-term – not with Malo Gusto and Ian Maatsen his first-choice pair next season – but for now Cucurella will remain in midfield.

Cucurella
That might just work in Forest’s favour. There was no place for Gusto in the rejig because it required a centre-back, Trevor Chalobah, starting at right-back in order to tuck inside and become part of a back three. Without Gusto attacking down the right and pinning Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea are more vulnerable to being hit on the break.

Forest beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge back in September despite holding just 23% of the ball, their second-lowest possession share to date. Steve Cooper’s simplistic counter-attacking approach will surely be copied by Nuno Espirito Santo, with Hudson Odoi – brilliant in the 3-1 win at Sheffield United last weekend – the target for quick breaks down the left flank.

Chelsea
Hudson-Odoi didn’t play in the reverse fixture, although then-new signing Cole Palmer only made an anonymous cameo off the bench. A lot has changed in those eight months and Chelsea finally have some momentum. But their academy product Hudson-Odoi knows this ground well, is in top form, and might just have a free run of the left flank on Saturday.

CLICK HERE to Callum Hudson-Odoi to score anytime with Sky Bet
Casemiro-Evans v Havertz & Saka
Manchester Utd vs Arsenal
Sky Sports Main Event: 16:30 BST, Sunday
Home 13/2 | Draw 9/2 | Away 1/3
The reasons for Arsenal being favourites are too many to list. Indeed it is the cumulative effect of the crisis engulfing Manchester United that makes them so vulnerable at the moment, rather than one, two, three, or 20 problems on and off the field. A fresh wave of rumours about a new manager will not have helped preparations.

Tactically, it’s amazing to think there is an even bigger mismatch than in midfield, where Arsenal have world-class players and Man Utd have empty space.

Man Utd
The problem has been going on for so long it hardly feels worth mentioning anymore, but for one last time: The back four retreat, the forwards press, and astonishingly large gaps opens up in midfield, allowing any team capable of passing through the United forwards to simply walk into the final third.

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Kai Havertz dropping intelligently to bounce off them, will surely tear the hosts to shreds. But that isn’t the headline.

CLICK HERE to back Declan Rice to score anytime with Sky Bet
Instead it is Erik ten Hag’s injury crisis in defence, which means Casemiro and an injured Jonny Evans partner at centre-backs again. The lowlight in the Palace game was the first goal, when Michael Olise wandered into the penalty area without a single United player closing him down.


The worst-coached team in the Premier League face arguably the best-coached team in the Premier League, and the simple match-up of Casemiro and Evans versus Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard (with both Arsenal wingers surely cutting infield to stab at the heart) should seal an easy win for Mikel Arteta and probably an embarrassingly heavy defeat for Erik Ten Hag.

CLICK HERE to back Arsenal/Arenal HT/FT result with Sky Bet
Of course, there is always a chance that something strange will happen. United could sit ultra-deep, minimising space between the lines with a simple backs-to-the-wall strategy, and look to counter-attack through Alejandro Garnacho down Arsenal’s weaker left side. There is a slim chance of that working, especially if the scores are level at the break and nerves set in.

But it really isn’t likely. The Ten Hag era will surely end in ignominy. The 4-0 defeat to Palace was a new nadir – but United can sink lower.

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Premier League Darts 2024: Night 16 predictions, betting tips, acca, order of play and Sky Sports TV time
By Chris Hammer
14:15 · THU May 16, 2024
The BetMGM Premier League Darts regular season ends in Sheffield on Thursday so check out Chris Hammer's match-by-match guide to the action.

Darts betting tips: Premier League night 16
1pt Luke Littler to win, hit most 180s and the highest checkout at 11/10 (Sky Bet)

1pt Michael Smith to win and hit most 180s at 2/1 (Sky Bet)

1pt Rob Cross to beat Michael van Gerwen at 13/10 (General)

SL Acca: 1pt Littler (-1.5), Smith & Cross (+1.5) at 3/1 with Sky Bet
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

Thursday May 16: Night 16
TV Coverage: Sky Sports (1900 GMT)
Format: Quarter-Finals, best of 11 legs
Venue: Sheffield Arena
Luke Littler v Peter Wright
Head to Head: 2-0 (TV: 2-0)
2024 PL Average: 99.49 - 92.99
2024 PL 180s per leg: 0.33 - 0.26
2024 PL checkout percentage: 39.09% - 34.13%
2024 PL legs won with 100+ C/O: 11.04% - 5.26%
Luke Littler just needs a win over rock-bottom Peter Wright to finish the regular season as table topper and you'd expect him to do it as comfortably as last week's 6-1 drubbing.

On that has been an astonishing debut campaign, the Nuke is flying high with 38 points, 22 match wins and four nightly titles, while Snakebite's unofficial farewell to the Premier League couldn't have gone much worse.

Wright won't get invited back unless he somehow finds another major-winning wind at this late stage of his career but that's looking less likely with every passing week.

He did actually give Littler a scare in week four before losing a deciding leg but their encounter in Leeds was much more reflective of their contrasting campaigns.

Last week I successfully tipped him to win, hit most 180s and achieve the highest checkout and he should repeat the trick in Sheffield.

Verdict: 6-2

CLICK HERE to bet on Luke Littler v Peter Wright with Sky Bet
ALSO WATCH: NEW TOURNAMENT IDEAS IN DARTS

Do we need more variety in darts? Five new tournament ideas including Royal Rumble and Ryder Cup!
Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith
Head to Head: 11-13 (TV: 8-11)
2024 PL Average: 95.86 - 96.48
2024 PL 180s per leg: 0.26 - 0.33
2024 PL checkout percentage: 36.46% - 39.51%
2024 PL legs won with 100+ C/O: 11.42% - 12.30%
This is really the only match that matters on the final night of the regular season as the winner seals the remaining play-off spot at the O2 next week.

Nathan Aspinall's one-point lead is no advantage whatsoever while the fact that he's won more nights and has a superior legs difference also counts for nothing now.

Michael Smith's triumph over Aspinall in last week's quarter-finals in Leeds earned him this last-gasp crack at the play-offs and even if he'd gone on to reach the final or won the night it wouldn't have really made any difference to the scenario that both players face in Sheffield.

Statistically we probably have to give the slight edge to Smith due to his average, scoring power and finishing being higher this season but Aspinall's position is mostly down to his fighting spirit - and he'll need all of that against Bully Boy, who he'd beaten twice in the Premier League during this campaign prior to last week's 6-3 defeat.

I'll go with Smith and also expect him to throw the most 180s as well.

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The 23/24 Premier League season told by the best stats from each month
By Sporting Life
09:00 · MON May 20, 2024
The curtain has fallen on another thrilling Premier League season.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City were crowned champions for a fourth successive time - the first team in English football history to win the top-flight in four consecutive seasons - pipping Arsenal to top spot on final day.

Jurgen Klopp surprised us all with his announcement in January that he will be leaving Liverpool when the campaign reaches its conclusion - they would secure another top four finish and had involvement in that title race until the final few weeks.

Manchester City with the Premier League trophy
Manchester City won the Premier League again
Unai Emery guided Aston Villa to the top table of European football, while Oliver Glasner's late impact took Crystal Palace into the top half of the table.

It wasn't to be for the three promoted sides - Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United - who were relegated straight back down to the Sky Bet Championship.

There's a lot to digest and remember given the hectic last nine months in the top tier of English football.

So, sit back, and enjoy the stats of the season, taking into account the best post-match facts from across the campaign, courtesy of the team at Opta...

August
Newcastle 5-1 Aston Villa - match momentum chart
With his brace against Burnley, Erling Haaland became only the second player to score 2+ goals in a team's opening game of a Premier League season in consecutive campaigns (also two vs West Ham in 2022-23), after Didier Drogba in 2009-10 (two v Hull) and 2010-11 (three v West Brom) for Chelsea.
Vincent Kompany became the first Belgian to manage in the Premier League, while he became just the third manager to face a team he previously played for in the competition in his maiden fixture (also Roberto Di Matteo for West Brom v Chelsea in August 2010 and Scott Parker for Fulham v Chelsea in March 2019), with all three losing those games.
James Milner appeared in his 22nd Premier League season, equalling the competition’s record held by Ryan Giggs.
Luton became the sixth side whose first ever Premier League goal was a penalty, and first since Swansea in September 2011.
Aston Villa’s 5-1 loss at Newcastle on MD1 was the first time they had conceded 5+ in their first league match since 1951-52 (2-5 v Bolton Wanderers).
Sandro Tonali opening the scoring for Newcastle after six minutes, and Moussa Diaby levelling for Aston Villa after 11, was the earliest into a match in Premier League history that two different players scored on their debut.
Tottenham Hotspur registered their first ever Premier League win over Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the fifth attempt (D2 L2), with the 2-0 victory their first home win over the Red Devils since January 2018 at Wembley.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace was their 200th away clean sheet in the Premier League, the third side to reach the milestone after Manchester United and Chelsea.
Against Fulham Bukayo Saka set a new club record for Arsenal for consecutive Premier League games played in (83), with this run eventually reaching 87 before missing the Man City game in October.
Everton lost their opening three games to a league season for the first time since 1990-91, while it’s the first time they ever lost their opening three such games without scoring a single goal.
Nottingham Forest went 2-0 up just three minutes and 46 seconds into their game at Old Trafford, the earliest into a Premier League match that Manchester United have ever gone two goals behind. However, Forest became the first team in Premier League history to go 2-0 ahead inside 4 minutes and lose the game.
Taiwo Awoniyi scored in seven consecutive Premier League appearances, a record run by a Forest player. He’s only the third African player to score in seven consecutive Premier League appearances, after Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohamed Salah.
At Sheffield United, Man City earned their 200th win in 269 Premier League games under Pep Guardiola – the quickest any manager has reached 200 wins in English top-flight history.
Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Newcastle was Jürgen Klopp’s 11th consecutive Premier League win against Eddie Howe – the longest winning run in the competition by a manager against a specific opposing manager.

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Alex Keble's FA Cup final match-ups: Erik ten Hag to repeat past mistakes vs Man City?
By Alex Keble
17:25 · THU May 23, 2024
Last year was the first Manchester derby in FA Cup final history and a surprisingly well-contested game. The two clubs have diverged substantially since then.

Manchester City are going for yet another English record – the double double – and the opportunity to confirm, if there is any doubt left, that Pep Guardiola has built the best football team this country has ever seen.

Manchester United’s aims are a little more humble. Erik ten Hag desperately needs to win at Wembley if he is to cling onto his job after taking the club to their record low finish in the Premier League.

Ten Hag’s tactical approach to the game is easy to predict. He will use the same method as he did in the 3-1 defeat at the Etihad in March, which he described at the time as a ‘good performance’.

It wasn’t, but that’s the world Ten Hag lives in – and there is still a chance, though slight, that Man Utd can stifle Man City and counter-attack behind their high line for a smash-and-grab win.

If they are to do that, they need to block City’s attacks in two particular areas.

Casemiro & Mainoo vs Foden & De Bruyne
In their most recent meeting Ten Hag deployed a very deep 4-4-2 formation that was often a 4-6-0 and sometimes even a 6-4-0, with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes the two false nines dropping and dropping.

In a man-marking system, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were instructed to track the Man City number eights, pulling them out of midfield altogether and leaving gaps that, in theory, McTominay and Fernandes would fill.

In reality United were left with a wild and muddled shape, yanked about until Man City could easily create chances. They had a 2.73 xG figure in the first half alone and took 27 shots in total, missing countless opportunities before finally starting to turn a 1-0 deficit around on the hour mark.

Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo
Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne were deployed together as number eights in Man City’s final game of the season against West Ham, and although that is unlikely to happen again Foden will nevertheless venture in from the left to join De Bruyne and pull the United midfield out of position.

This is the game’s most important match-up.

Historically, Ten Hag’s United have been at their best when pushing up to a midblock, meaning their man-marking midfielders can sit on top of the number eights and disrupt City’s flow. But more recently Man Utd have dropped very deep, inviting pressure and forcing their players to track Man City attackers into wide areas or as they make runs beyond the defensive line.

It doesn’t work. Nevertheless it will probably feature heavily at Wembley.

Guardiola’s doubling up vs Wan-Bissaka
Even if Ten Hag’s system successfully blocks Guardiola’s path through the middle, he will struggle with the second issue: defending the flanks.

Throughout the campaign Man Utd have had a problem getting their wingers to track back into position after a counter-attack breaks down, which generally leaves the full-back exposed. Guardiola has managed to target this area in both their league meetings in 2023/24.

In the 3-0 at Old Trafford in October and the 3-1 in March, Man City accelerated away via doubling up on the left wing.

In the first meeting Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva effectively played as double left wingers, easily beating Diogo Dalot because Bruno Fernandes (at right wing that day) wasn’t getting back. Interactions between Grealish and Silva on the left wing created lots of opportunities prior to directly assisting the second goal.

In the 3-1, during the second half Foden and De Bruyne were repositioned out here to do a similar job on Willy Kwambala and Antony, the two substitutes now patrolling United’s right side. Again, it led directly to a crucial second Man City goal.

Injuries mean Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back with Amad Diallo in front of him, making that flank United’s weakest from a defensive standpoint. Foden and De Bruyne, or Jeremy Doku later in the game, will put serious pressure on that side.

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Alex Keble's FA Cup final match-ups: Erik ten Hag to repeat past mistakes vs Man City?
By Alex Keble
20:06 · FRI May 24, 2024
Last year was the first Manchester derby in FA Cup final history and a surprisingly well-contested game. The two clubs have diverged substantially since then.

Manchester City are going for yet another English record – the double double – and the opportunity to confirm, if there is any doubt left, that Pep Guardiola has built the best football team this country has ever seen.

Manchester United’s aims are a little more humble. Erik ten Hag desperately needs to win at Wembley if he is to cling onto his job after taking the club to their record low finish in the Premier League.

Ten Hag’s tactical approach to the game is easy to predict. He will use the same method as he did in the 3-1 defeat at the Etihad in March, which he described at the time as a ‘good performance’.

It wasn’t, but that’s the world Ten Hag lives in – and there is still a chance, though slight, that Man Utd can stifle Man City and counter-attack behind their high line for a smash-and-grab win.

If they are to do that, they need to block City’s attacks in two particular areas.

Casemiro & Mainoo vs Foden & De Bruyne
In their most recent meeting Ten Hag deployed a very deep 4-4-2 formation that was often a 4-6-0 and sometimes even a 6-4-0, with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes the two false nines dropping and dropping.

In a man-marking system, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were instructed to track the Man City number eights, pulling them out of midfield altogether and leaving gaps that, in theory, McTominay and Fernandes would fill.

In reality United were left with a wild and muddled shape, yanked about until Man City could easily create chances. They had a 2.73 xG figure in the first half alone and took 27 shots in total, missing countless opportunities before finally starting to turn a 1-0 deficit around on the hour mark.

Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo
Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne were deployed together as number eights in Man City’s final game of the season against West Ham, and although that is unlikely to happen again Foden will nevertheless venture in from the left to join De Bruyne and pull the United midfield out of position.

This is the game’s most important match-up.

Historically, Ten Hag’s United have been at their best when pushing up to a midblock, meaning their man-marking midfielders can sit on top of the number eights and disrupt City’s flow. But more recently Man Utd have dropped very deep, inviting pressure and forcing their players to track Man City attackers into wide areas or as they make runs beyond the defensive line.

It doesn’t work. Nevertheless it will probably feature heavily at Wembley.

Guardiola’s doubling up vs Wan-Bissaka
Even if Ten Hag’s system successfully blocks Guardiola’s path through the middle, he will struggle with the second issue: defending the flanks.

Throughout the campaign Man Utd have had a problem getting their wingers to track back into position after a counter-attack breaks down, which generally leaves the full-back exposed. Guardiola has managed to target this area in both their league meetings in 2023/24.

In the 3-0 at Old Trafford in October and the 3-1 in March, Man City accelerated away via doubling up on the left wing.

In the first meeting Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva effectively played as double left wingers, easily beating Diogo Dalot because Bruno Fernandes (at right wing that day) wasn’t getting back. Interactions between Grealish and Silva on the left wing created lots of opportunities prior to directly assisting the second goal.

In the 3-1, during the second half Foden and De Bruyne were repositioned out here to do a similar job on Willy Kwambala and Antony, the two substitutes now patrolling United’s right side. Again, it led directly to a crucial second Man City goal.

Injuries mean Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back with Amad Diallo in front of him, making that flank United’s weakest from a defensive standpoint. Foden and De Bruyne, or Jeremy Doku later in the game, will put serious pressure on that side.

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Europa Conference League final tips: Olympiacos vs Fiorentina best bets and preview
By James Cantrill
10:01 · WED May 29, 2024
Football betting tips: Europa Conference League final
1pt Ayoub El Kaabi to score anytime at 12/5 (Unibet)

*All bets 90 minutes only

CLICK HERE to add the selection to your Sky Bet bet slip
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

BuildABet @ 35/1
Both teams to score
Ayoub El Kaabi to score anytime
Cristiano Biraghi to be shown a card
Quini to be shown a card
Click here to back with Sky Bet

https://m.skybet.com/lp/acq-bet-x-ge...=SL_ED_MASTERS
Kick-off time: 20:00 BST, Wednesday
TV channel: TNT Sports 1
Home 19/10 | Draw 11/5 | Away 11/8
Olympiacos vs Fiorentina odds, form and stats in our new and improved live match centre
Vying to put last season's heartbreak behind them, Fiorentina pit their wits against Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League final but there is a catch. Wednesday’s match is in Athens, just a stone's throw away from the Greek giants’ home in Piraeus.

Having left Maccabi Haifa, Viktoria Plzen and Club Brugge in their wake, Fiorentina must now beat Olympiacos in their own backyard.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side were beaten in the first leg of their play-off round but have not lost in the 13 games since which goes a little way to explaining why the Italians are the favourites here. Given the logistics of this matchup, maybe it should be more of a pick’em though.

Olympiacos put six past ante-post favourites Aston Villa in the semi-final. With more than a week to prepare for the final and the backing of their fans, they will come into this brimming with confidence.

What are the best bets?
Olympiacos also have one of the hottest strikers on the continent.

No player has netted more goals in any European competition this term than AYOUB EL KAABI (13).

The Moroccan hit five across two legs in the semi-finals, doubling his total in the knockout stages alone.

At the prices available, backing him TO SCORE ANYTIME has to be the bet.

CLICK HERE to back Ayoub El Kaabi to score anytime with Sky Bet
With 30 goals across 45 appearances and a goals per 90 average of 0.88, El Kaabi’s price to score is simply too big.

Ayoub El Kaabi
Fiorentina’s tactical approach could also play right into the hands of the Moroccan.

Italiano’s side are possession based and try to keep the ball as deep into the opposition's half as possible. This has to be combined with a high and aggressive defensive line, not too dissimilar to the one Aston Villa deploy.

El Kaabi was devastating against the Villans as his pace and clinical finishing punished Unai Emery's side five times over.


Team news
With nine days in between Olympiacos' last game and the final, manager Jose Luis Mendilibar should have a fully fit squad at his disposal.

Ex-Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic is back available for the Greek side though he is unlikely to start against his former club. Ayoub El Kaabi will spearhead the attack with Daniel Podence and Kostas Fortounis operating behind.

Wolves loanee Podence was sent off in his side's last game but is eligible for the final.

Vincenzo Italiano
Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano
As for Fiorentina, second guessing manager Italiano’s next line-up is nigh on impossible. He has only named the same starting line-up in back-to-back games once in three years at the club.

M’Bala Nzola is vying for a spot up top against Andrea Belotti - with a goal and an assist in his last three starts the former should get the nod on Wednesday.

In Viola’s last Serie A match of the season Italiano started with Arthur, Lucas Beltran, Christian Kouama and Nico Gonzalez on the bench but I expect to see the big hitters from the off in Athens.

Predicted line-ups
Olympiacos: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Quini; Hezze, Iborra; Fortounis, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi

Fiorentina: Terracciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Arthur, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Beltran, Kouame; Nzola