It’s a weekend full of football action, as the English FA Cup makes a semi-final return, while the last round of matches for this season takes place with Real Madrid already crowned champions.
With football matches come the chance to win money and Soccernet.ng brings you betting tips on games that can boost your purse.
Arsenal vs Man City (FA Cup)
It’s master against apprentice on Saturday evening at Wembley Stadium when Mikel Arteta leads the FA Cup’s most successful team to take on Pep Guardiola’s Man City, the competition’s current holders.
A place in the 2020 final of the world’s oldest cup competition is at stake with The Citizens the clear favourites. It would be unwise, though, to underrate an Arsenal team that has lifted the FA Cup in three of the last six seasons.
Match Facts
Man City have won each of their last seven meetings with Arsenal.
Man City scored three goals in six of those seven wins.
Arsenal scored at least once in 14 of their last 15 matches in all competitions.
Over 2.5 goals were scored in 11 of the last 12 meetings between Arsenal and City.
Prediction: It’s a cup game at the Wembley between two attack-minded sides, so goals should flow. (Over 2.5 goals)
Manchester United vs. Chelsea (FA Cup)
The other semi-final game pits Manchester United against Chelsea in what should be a cracking game of football at Wembley on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has got the Red Devils playing fast and furious once again, and with a record of 19 games unbeaten under their belts, they should fancy their chances against an inconsistent Blues side.
Any team in the semi-finals of the FA Cup can win the competition, though, and Frank Lampard will be looking for ways to lift his men past a side that has already defeated them three times this campaign.
Match Facts
Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine matches (FA Cup).
Chelsea have won eight of their last nine matches (FA Cup).
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Chelsea’s last ten games (FA Cup).
Man Utd have been winning at both half time and full time in their last three matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
Prediction: The two teams have had little trouble finding the back of their opponents’ nets; it is keeping the goals out that has been the recurring issue. (Both teams to score)
Tottenham vs Leicester City (Premier League)
It’s Game Week 37, and every single point becomes even more valuable as teams take stock of their league standings.
Tottenham host Leicester City on Sunday, with Jose Mourinho’s men fully aware that there is no Champions League football for them next season.
But for their guests, everything is on the line as anything short of a victory can see United leapfrog them when the Reds return to league duties.
It remains to be seen if Mourinho can do his old employers Manchester United a massive favour on Sunday by masterminding a victory over top-four hopefuls Leicester City at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Match Facts
Both teams scored in six of the last seven meetings between Tottenham and Leicester.
Both teams registered in 100% of Leicester’s last four away assignments.
Both teams found the net in three of Spurs’ last five games.
Leicester drew 50% of their last six away matches.
Prediction: Another game for Spurs, a do-or-die for the Foxes. (Leicester win or draw).
Besiktas vs. Fenerbahce (Super Lig)
It’s a shame that when these two Turkish giants meet this weekend in the penultimate round of games of the Super Lig, it will be for pride and not the league title.
Both Besiktas and Fenerbahce have fallen way behind the title-chasing duo of Instabul Basaksehir and Trabzonspor. However, the reward of a Europa League ticket still gives the tie a resemblance of importance.
A defeat for Fenerbahce would see them miss out on European football once again, and it’s an ugly prospect that should fire them up against their eternal rivals.
Match Facts
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of the last seven meetings between these two clubs.
Four of Besiktas’ last six matches have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals.
Four of Fenerbahce’s last six matches have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals.
Prediction: Four of the hosts’ and four of the visitors’ last six league games have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals (Both teams to score)
Verona vs Atalanta (Serie A)
It’s another teacher against pupil face-off in Italy’s top division this weekend when manager Ivan Juric prepares his high-flying Verona for the visit of his former boss Gian Piero Gasperini, who leads the Serie A’s most exciting side, Atalanta.
Verona have been impressive this term, sitting comfortably in 9th place and clear of any relegation worries. But it’s had to see how Saturday’s hosts will contain a la Dea attack that has hit 93 goals in just 33 matches.
Match Facts
Atalanta have won 10 of their last 11 games
The visitors have scored 93 times in the league this season (2.8 per game)
Verona have lost four of their six home meetings with sides above them this season
Over 2.5 goals have landed in 79% of Atalanta’s games
Prediction: There are five rounds of matches still to play in Italy, and with just seven points separating Atalanta and league leaders Juventus, Gasperini’s men are not thinking of letting up. (Atalanta win and over 2.5 goals)
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