Leeds vs Man City: Predictions, Betting Tips and Odds: Goals galore guaranteed at Elland Road! (03/10/20)

1 October 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Premier League

Leeds are looking to gain their first big scalp of the season against Pep Guardiola’s Man City. Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan previews this master vs apprentice managerial match up, a meeting of minds that has been pencilled in since the announcement of the fixtures in August.

Event Details

Who is playing?

Leeds United vs Manchester City

What competition is it?

Premier League Matchweek 4

What time is Leeds vs Man City?

17:30 GMT, Saturday 3rd October 2020

Which stadium is hosting Leeds vs Man City?

Elland Road, Leeds, England

What channel is Leeds vs Man City on?

Sky Sports Main Event

Leeds vs Man City Summary

Leeds are back in the Premier League, and back with a bang. If people weren’t intrigued by United’s return after a 16-year absence they will be now. Missing out on an opening day point at Anfield to a late Mo Salah penalty, Marcelo Bielsa’s outfit have since won against fellow promoted side Fulham and then against Sheffield United.

Man City had a delayed start to the season because of going on a deep European run in the latter part of last season, meaning City have only played two games. A convincing 3-1 win at Molineux set the Blues on the right path, but a shocking 5-2 defeat at home to Leicester has put the cat amongst the pigeons ahead of another tough fixture in west Yorkshire.

Leeds Team News and Form

Marcelo Bielsa’s unorthodox and demanding management style earned Leeds their long-awaited return to the promised land of the top flight last season. The Argentine’s squad boasted a host of talent of varying ages, including a crop of home-grown players such as Kalvin Phillips and Luke Ayling.

Bielsa is not resting on his laurels, adding a plethora of players such as Rodrigo and Robin Koch to strengthen the depth of his squad in the Premier League. The aforementioned two wins from their first three is a continuation of their title winning form, losing just 19% of their league games last season.

Along with Pablo Hernandez being sidelined, long-term absentee Adam Forshaw shows no signs of returning soon in what is an otherwise clean bill of health going into the match.

Man City Team News and Form

The Citizens had just the League Cup to show for their efforts last time out making it their fifth in the past seven seasons. Missing out on the league to Liverpool and crashing out of Europe to Lyon has prompted a typical summer spend seen at the Etihad in recent times.

The signatures of Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres (amongst others) have taken the total spend to £140 million as Guardiola seeks vengeance and silverware. However, his men are looking to bounce back from a frankly embarrassing showing at home to Leicester last week.

In contrast to Leeds, Manchester City’s injury list is rather extensive. Star strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are out for the foreseeable, with Bernardo Silva (muscle), Aymeric Laporte (fitness), Joao Cancelo (foot) and Ilkay Gundogan (coronavirus) all sidelined.

Head-to-Head

Leeds’ Last Five Matches (All competitions)

Sheffield United (A) 0-1 Premier League win
Fulham (H) 4-3 Premier League win
Hull (H) 1-1 (8-9 p) League Cup defeat
Liverpool (A) 4-3 Premier League defeat
Charlton (H) 4-0 Championship win

Man City’s Last Five Matches (All competitions)

Burnley (A) 0-3 League Cup win
Leicester (H) 2-5 Premier League defeat
Bournemouth (H) 2-1 League Cup win
Wolves (A) 1-3 Premier League win
Lyon (H) 1-3 Champions League defeat

Source: FootyStats

Top Goalscorers

Leeds Top Goalscorers

Patrick Bamford (3 Premier League goals this season) – The former Chelsea striker has found his shooting boots in 2020/21, having faced criticism for under performing in his xG last season. He finally looks like a Premier League striker.
Helder Costa (2 Premier League goals this season) – The Portuguese international winger strikes fear in every full back he faces with his clinical pace. Costa confirmed his stay in Leeds after a loan spell last season from Wolves.

Man City Top Goalscorers

Raheem Sterling (2 Premier League goals this season) – The young England star has had to adapt and overcome since the season’s beginning, often covering as a false nine with Aguero and Jesus out.
Phil Foden (1 Premier League goal this season) – The ‘Stockport Iniesta’, as he is known, has seen his stock rise in the eyes of boss Pep Guardiola, featuring more heavily in the absence of other midfield counterparts. He will feel he has a point to prove after his controversial rule breaking on international duty with Mason Greenwood.

Source: Transfermarkt

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man City‘s last 7 Premier League games.
Leeds have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches against Man City in all competitions.
City have only kept a clean sheet in 1 of their last 4 Premier League games.
Man City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 7 Premier League matches.

Source: WhoScored

Previous Meetings

17th February 2013	MCI 3-0 LEE	FA Cup
22nd March 2004	LEE 2-1 MCI	Premier League
22nd December 2003	MCI 1-1 LEE	Premier League

Ryan’s Betting Tips

With an average of five goals a game so far for each team. Get Over 2.5 goals at 4/11* is a sure bet.

Both sides have started the season in hot goal-scoring form, with City only losing once against promoted teams last season. Both Teams To Score and To Win Manchester City is 13/10*.

Patrick Bamford is firing on all cylinders in the league (five goals in three games) and will fancy himself against a shaky City defence. Bamford Anytime Scorer is 23/10* with Mark Jarvis.

*Odds as of the time of writing (Wednesday 30th September 2020) are subject to change.

For more content, head to the MJ Sport Betting Guide Home.

We continue to climb the Feedspot Top 50 Betting Blogs thanks to your support. Thank you.

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NBA Finals 2020: When do they begin? Betting favourites for the NBA Championship? Surprise Finals MVP candidates?

30 September 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Basketball

It’s crunch time in the Bubble. Will LeBron clinch his fourth championship, or will Erik Spoelstra’s Heat have something to say about it in the 2020 NBA Finals? Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan tells all ahead of Game 1 this Thursday.

When do the NBA Finals begin?

The NBA Finals will begin on Thursday 1st October with the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Miami Heat for the first time ever in the NBA Finals.

How are games being scheduled for the NBA Finals?

Beginning on October 1st, the best-of-seven series will have two-day intervals between each game. Should either side ‘sweep’ the other with four straight wins in the opening fixtures, the series will conclude on Wednesday 7th October. The latest possible date the Larry O’Brien trophy could be lifted would be Wednesday October 14th in Game 7.

Are teams playing at their own arenas for the NBA Finals?

Unfortunately, not. The NBA’s solution to getting on with the season amidst the Coronavirus pandemic is a ‘bubble’ of three venues in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, with only select family members of players and coaches allowed in. Players are contained and living in the ‘bubble’ for the season’s rest to prevent an outbreak across the league. Fans will tune in to the action on TV or by streaming live online.

What time will tip off be for the first game in the NBA Finals?

The first game of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat (1st October), tips off 2:00am BST. Tip off times throughout the series will vary from 00:30am and 2:00am BST.

What is the state of play ahead of the NBA Finals?

The Los Angeles Lakers make their first NBA Finals birth in ten years, taking on an unfamiliar foe in the Miami Heat. Overcoming the Denver Nuggets in a routine 4-1 series, the Lakers’ success can be attributed mainly to possessing two of the top five players in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Miami’s journey to the NBA Finals has been far from customary. As fifth seed and 70/1 pre-season favourites to take the crown, the Erik Spoelstra and co. have taken down the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.

The obvious topic of conversation would be LeBron winning his first Championship in LA against Spoelstra, with whom he won his first two pieces of silverware. But how did we get to this point?

The NBA returned on 30th July with a reduced number of teams and fixture schedule in wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. All matches since then have taken place in the ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex in Disneyland, Florida, and will continue to do so for the season’s remainder.

The pre-bubble standings in the league saw little to play for at the top end of each conference, with only a matter of a few wins needed for the likes of the Bucks and the Lakers to secure their respective seeds. Shocks in terms of final finishes in the league were few, with the injury-stricken Golden State Warriors missing out on the NBA playoffs for the first time in five years. The tail end of the seedings, particularly in the Western conference, is where most attention was drawn.

All the way back in July, the ‘Play-In’ game for eighth seed saw Bubble MVP Damian Lillard and his Portland Trail Blazers triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies and qualify for the Playoffs. The likes of the Phoenix Suns missed out on the postseason despite an unblemished 8-0 record. The Oregon outfit were soon to meet their demise when encountering the Lakers, despite taking a game off Frank Vogel’s team.

The first round offered very few shock results, with the Heat continuing their impressive three regular season wins against the Pacers in a swept series, while Game 7’s were forced with the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious from their respective ties.

Another brace of Game 7’s took place in the semis, none of them involving the Lakers or Heat, as the former defeated an unassuming Rockets in five games while a shock 4-1 series win over the Bucks brought attention to Pat Riley’s project. A Gordon Hayward-less Celtics did their best to make a series against a team with much greater depth in Miami, as the Nuggets couldn’t strike gold thrice and fell in five games.

And there you have it. Miami was the surprise ticket from the East. Lakers tipped as the red-hot favourite hailing from the West. The one guarantee? It will be a scintillating series for the neutral.

What have been the big talking points in the NBA this season?

Dynamic Duo: ‘It’s exciting to have such a beautiful young mind and beautiful player’ exclaimed LeBron James upon Anthony Davis Jr’s arrival from New Orleans at the season’s beginning. The strength of the pairing, both in differing stages of their careers, have formed the bedrock of many milestones so far this season for the Lakers, including their 17-2 start. Both will hope they can reach the ultimate peak with a Finals victory.
Contenders’ Disappointment in Both Conferences: The Bucks and the Clippers. Two of the best led by some of the best ballers in the league, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard, respectively. What happened? Both went out in their Conference’s semi-finals, in a year where both could have faced off for the ultimate prize- the Bucks falling to a 4-1 loss to the Miami Heat, while the Clippers choked a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets.
Cream of the New Crop: Ja Morant is looking to take the Rookie of the Year crown after a scintillating first campaign for the Memphis Grizzlies. The point guard, who played the last stretch of the season with a broken thumb, notching 18 PPG in the said time period. His competitor for the title, Zion Williamson, too garnered plaudits but had a season-stunting operation on the night before the first throw in of the season that prevented his true impact being realised over the course of the season. Luka Doncic is already thinking of throwing his name into the hat for potential future MVP candidates and has been the driving force to the Dallas Mavericks’ first postseason berth in four years.
Just not their year… yet: Both of the losers in the Conference Finals look to have promising futures. But this postseason was a step too far. The Nuggets couldn’t pull off an unprecedented three peat of 3-1 comeback series wins against the Lakers, and the Heat’s strength in depth and consistency in a 4-2 loss undid Boston. The Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics boast a plethora of future MVP candidates in the likes of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Jayson Tatum.
Small Ball: The bastions of the new evolution of basketball, known as ‘Small Ball’, comes in the form of the Houston Rockets. The key principle is of sacrificing height and power for speed and three point ability. The success of the philosophy has been none more so clear than in the recent Golden State Warriors dynasty, but with the ‘Splash’ brothers out for this season, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and co. have adopted the title, particularly in the bubble.
Kobe Bryant RIP: The game lost one of its brightest stars in January. Kobe Bryant and eight others perished in a helicopter accident, including his daughter Gianna. The LA derby game, originally scheduled for the day Bryant passed, was postponed and played five days later. Tributes in the form of 8 and 24 second violations, in remembrance of Bryant and his shirt numbers, were enacted all over the league.
Black Lives Matter Movement: The tragic murder of George Floyd has stirred a yearning for social justice around the world, highlighting inequalities within society and need for change. The NBA and its players have used their platform to give the movement a voice, from player donations to personalised messages on the back of shirts.

Who are the top players in the running for NBA Finals MVP?

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – The four-time MVP is in the hunt for his fourth NBA Championship, with lieutenant Anthony Davis Jr. by his side in LA. Injury plagued his first season with the franchise, and with the help of the aforementioned Davis, LeBron is back to his best – with the veteran leading the league in assists for the first time in his career (10.2). LeBron’s Lakers are favourites to pick up the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers – The other half of the terrific twosome at the Staples Center this season is the former New Orleans Pelicans big man. Davis hit a game-winning buzzer beater against the Denver Nuggets to double their lead to 2-0 in the series, with coach Frank Vogel describing it as ‘a shot Kobe Bryant would hit’. Davis, who has hit 26 points and 9 rebounds this season, takes on what pundits believe as the biggest test yet in Bam Adebayo. The clashing styles of the counterparts is billed as the ultimate on-court battle in the war that will be the NBA Finals.
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat – The controversial swingman arrived from the Philadelphia 76ers last summer in a sign and trade deal. Butler has fit like a glove in Erik Spoelstra’s system, adapting well in a roster of varying ages and experience. Butler, with the help of Andre Iguodala and coach Spoelstra, have all played a part in the last nine NBA Finals.
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat – Arguably the Heat’s best and literally biggest player in their run to the finals, Adebayo is looking to be the future of the South Beach franchise at the tender age of just 23. The centre notched a career-high 32 points in the decisive Game 6 against the Celtics, along with 14 rebounds and five assists. Adebayo’s ability as a two-way player, along with his defending in the perimeter and the paint will have him in with a shout of MVP, especially if he comes out better off against the might of Davis.

Can I bet on NBA Finals with Mark Jarvis?

Yes, you can bet on the NBA Finals. At Mark Jarvis, we provide over 15 different NBA markets for the NBA Finals. We also have our NBA Finals Outright Winner market, in which the Los Angeles Lakers are currently the favourites at 1/4* ahead of the Heat at 3/1* to go all the way. For NBA Finals markets, click here.

*Odds as of time of writing (Monday 28th September 2020) and subject to change

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Liverpool vs Leeds: Predictions, Betting Tips and Odds: Bielsa’s Whites to challenge champions Liverpool at Anfield? (12/09/20)

10 September 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Premier League

Liverpool welcome back Leeds United from the cold after a 16-year absence from the top flight. The Reds themselves are looking to get their campaign off to the best possible start in the quest to retaining their Premier League crown. Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan tips this box-office opening day encounter, having landed seven tips in his last three prediction posts.

Event Details

Who is playing?

Liverpool vs Leeds United

What competition are Liverpool and Leeds playing in?

Premier League Matchweek 1

What time is kick off between Liverpool and Leeds?

17:30 BST, Saturday 12th September 2020

Which stadium is hosting Liverpool vs Leeds?

Anfield, Liverpool, UK

What channel is the Liverpool vs Leeds match on?

Sky Sports Main Event

Liverpool vs Leeds Summary

The title defence for Jurgen Klopp and his men begins with a stern task against Leeds United, arriving back into the Premier League champions of their respective EFL Championship.

Marcelo Bielsa triumphed in what was eventually a significant margin of 10 points over nearest rivals, West Brom, while the Merseysiders took their first title in 30 years at a canter of 18 points.

The meeting of the German and Argentine is one for the football purists, one of holistic footballing minds and tactical innovators. It’s set up to be an opening weekend cracker and is not to be missed.

Liverpool Team News and Form

Jurgen Klopp and co. done the impossible and banished the Premier League hoo-doo, carving their names into Anfield folklore forever more in the process.

Anything that accompanied the illustrious title last season was a bonus, but the challenge for the Reds is to kick on and go again- and do so against sides pulling out the big bucks, even in unprecedented times such as these. Liverpool have only forked out £11 million on backup left back Kostas Tsimikas, and it will be perhaps more impressive if Liverpool go on and win it this season without a burnout from a very settled starting eleven.

Two wins, a draw and a Community Shield loss against Arsenal at Wembley in pre-season will hardly ring alarm bells for the Kopites. There are records to chase and the current crop are looking to beat the record at L3 of 63 unbeaten home matches set by Bob Paisley’s side in the late seventies, with 59 the current standing.

In their pursuit of three points, the return to training of captain Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip will bolster Liverpool. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) and Kostas Tsimikas (Coronavirus) will miss the opening day.

Leeds Team News and Form

A baptism of fire comes to mind when Leeds travel up the M62 to Merseyside this weekend. A tougher start couldn’t have been scheduled for the newly promoted outfit, who will also face Man City, Sheffield United and Wolves in their opening five fixtures.

Marcelo Bielsa’s famed notorious training regimes payed dividends in the 2019/20 season after exiting the playoffs in disastrous fashion in the Argentine’s sophomore season.

Quick-fire friendlies against Stoke (L 3-0) and Pacos de Ferriera (W 3-1) will not paint a full picture, despite many first team players sitting out the victory over the Portugues side. Instead, the momentum built at the tail end of last season’s promotion bid will be the source of inspiration on Saturday. The title lift in July capped off a final eight games unbeaten, five with clean sheets

Kalvin Phillips, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas look to all play their part in the trip to Anfield, after doubts were cast on the latter in particular after sitting out the Nations League game against Romania.

Head to Head

Liverpool Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Blackpool (H) 7-2 Friendly win
Arsenal (N) 1-1 (5-4 on pens) Community Shield defeat
Red Bull Salzburg (A) 2-2 Friendly draw
Stuttgart (N) 3-0 Friendly win
Newcastle (A) 3-1 Premier League win

Leeds Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Charlton Athletic (H) 4-0 Sky Bet Championship win
Derby County (A) 3-1 Sky Bet Championship win
Barnsley (H) 1-0 Sky Bet Championship win
Swansea City (A) 1-0 Sky Bet Championship win
Stoke City (H) 5-0 Sky Bet Championship win

Top Goalscorers

Liverpool Top Goalscorers

Mohamed Salah (19 Premier League goals, 23 goals in all competitions in 2019/20) – Salah reached the 100 league goal contributions mark last campaign in just 116 appearances for the Reds. It was also his third consistent 20+ goal haul in all competitions for three seasons, as the Egyptian and his striking counterparts remain in their ever reliable form.
Sadio Mane (18 Premier League goals, 22 goals in all competitions in 2019/20) – The Senegal international is likely to remain one of Jurgen Klopp’s mainstays for this season despite whispers of a move to one of the Spanish giants. Mane’s striking ability has really come into it’s own in the last few seasons, matching the 20+ goals scoring feats of his partner.

Leeds Top Goalscorers

Patrick Bamford (16 EFL Championship goals in 2019/20)- Bamford topped the scoring charts at the second time of asking for the Yorkshire outfit. The striker’s hold up play seemed to attract plaudits in the second tier, but his finishing would seem the require work. Under performing by 18 goals compared to his xG at the start of the season, the big-money arrival of Rodrigo may spur on the mainstay to hold on to his place.
Pablo Hernandez (9 EFL Championship goals and 9 assists in 2019/20)- Age seems to be but a number for the Spaniard, who has been a key figure in Marcelo Bielsa’s time at Elland Road. The 35-year-old only started 27 of the 46 Championship games last season, but such was his impact that saw him being named the club’s Player of the Year.

Source: Transfermarkt

Match Facts

Liverpool’s last home loss on the opening day came in 2003/04 against Chelsea, the season Leeds United were last in the Premier League.
Leeds have only beaten the Reds once in their last nine attempts, with their last victory coming twenty seasons ago courtesy of a Lee Bowyer winner in a 2-1 win.
Mohamed Salah has netted in every one of his three opening day fixtures for Liverpool.
Leeds opening fixture back in that final season in the top flight came against Bobby Robson’s Newcastle United, which saw an entertaining 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
Ben Woodburn and Divock Origi were on target for Liverpool when the sides last met in a 2016 League Cup game in what was Jurgen Klopp’s infancy as manager, while Leeds had Garry Monk at the helm.

Source: 11 vs 11, LFCstats

Previous Meetings

29th November 2016	LIV 2-0 LEE	League Cup
22nd September 2009	LEE 0-1 LIV	League Cup
29th February 2004	LEE 2-2 LIV	Premier League
25th October 2003	LIV 3-1 LEE	Premier League
23rd March 2003	LIV 3-1 LEE	Premier League

Ryan’s Betting Tips

Liverpool are 4/9* as the Match Winner and Over 1.5 goals, being clear favourites to continue the unbeaten home run, along with Anfield not hosting a Premier League game with under 1.5 goals since December 2019.

Mohamed Salah’s consistency in front of goal on the opening day in each of the last three seasons means the Egyptian forward is 8/11* Anytime Scorer with Mark Jarvis.

Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in six previous competitive matches. The Reds are 7/4* win plus BTTS with Mark Jarvis.

*Odds as of the time of writing (Tuesday 8th September 2020) and subject to change

For more content, head to the MJ Sport Betting Guide Home.

We continue to climb the Feedspot Top 50 Betting Blogs thanks to your support. Thank you.

NBA Playoffs 2020: When do they begin? Surprise MVP candidates? Betting favourites for the NBA Championship?

17 August 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Basketball

The most wonderful time of the basketball year returns this Monday (17th) with the NBA Playoffs. We provide a rundown of the state of play, schedule, players, and more…

When do the NBA Playoffs begin?

The NBA Playoffs will begin on August 17th after a series of regular season ‘seeding’ games, that began on July 30th, were completed to determine the NBA playoffs brackets for each conference. Monday (17th) provides a bumper four fixtures to kick off the NBA playoffs, with sixth seed Utah Jazz taking on the Denver Nuggets, the Brooklyn Nets play the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers take to the court against the Boston Celtics, while Kawhi Leonard’s LA Clippers match up against the Dallas Mavericks.

How are games being scheduled for the NBA Playoffs?

The first round of the NBA playoffs will have just under two weeks to complete (30th August), pending on whether all ties go to seven games. There will be at least one fixture every day between the 17th-30th to keep the NBA faithful entertained all around the world. The conference semi finals will begin on August 31st and run through till September 13th, with the conference finals played between September 15th and 28th. The hotly anticipated NBA Finals begin on September 30th and could conclude as late as October 13th.

Are teams playing at their own arenas for the NBA Playoffs?

Unfortunately, not. The NBA’s solution to getting on with the season amidst the Coronavirus pandemic is a ‘bubble’ of three venues in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, with no fans allowed in. Players are contained and living in the ‘bubble’ for the season’s remainder to prevent an outbreak across the league. Fans will tune in to the action on TV or by streaming live online.

What time will tip off be for the first game in the NBA Playoffs?

Tip off times will vary from 6:30pm, 9:00pm, 11:30pm and 2:00am BST, with fixtures set to be held most days of the week. The first game of the NBA playoffs, between Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets (17th August), tips off 6:30pm BST.

What is the state of play in the NBA?

Six teams in the Western Conference were in contention for one of the last eight places, but it was the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers that had to battle for a ‘play-in’ for the eighth seed, with the Grizzlies finishing within four games of their nearest counterparts. Damian Lillard rightly stole media hype with his 154 point haul in the final three seeding games, but it was teammates Jusuf Nurkic, CJ McCollum and stalwart Carmelo Anthony. The former of the three posted a double double, including a 21 rebound game that aided the Blazers’ endeavour for the NBA playoffs.

Bubble MVP went to Lillard considering his awe-inspiring performances, but a close second came in the form of Devin Booker. The 23-year-old averaged 31 PPG with 50% field goal percentage and was solidity personified for the Phoenix Suns. Despite the unrivalled 8-0 run in Florida, the Suns could not make the NBA playoffs for the tenth consecutive year, after relying on the likes of Portland to lose.

Pundits have long foreseen the 2020 Championship as a three-way shootout between the LA franchises and the Giannis-led Milwaukee Bucks. Each champion could solidify an argument for the G.O.A.T., put one on the pedestal as the best to do it, and the other usher in a new era of NBA superstar.

What have been the big talking points in the NBA this season?

Dynamic Duo: ‘It’s exciting to have such a beautiful young mind and beautiful player’ exclaimed LeBron James upon Anthony Davis Jr’s arrival from New Orleans at the season’s beginning. The strength of the pairing, both in differing stages of their careers, have formed the bedrock of many milestones so far this season for the Lakers, including their 17-2 start. Both will hope they can reach the ultimate peak with a Finals victory.
Dynamic Duo 2.0: Another new arrival to the Staples Center came in the form of reigning champion Kawhi Leonard. Coach Doc Rivers has done well to get a roster of players, of which has only been fully fit 11 times, to second seed. Injuries, suspensions and the pandemic halted on-court squad chemistry, but Leonard and teammate Paul George have met up with the squad to bond and build chemistry ahead of their run in the NBA playoffs.
Cream of the New Crop: Ja Morant is looking to take the Rookie of the Year crown after a scintillating first campaign for the Memphis Grizzlies. The point guard, who played the last stretch of the season with a broken thumb, notching 18 PPG in the said time period. His competitor for the title, Zion Williamson, too garnered plaudits but had season-stunting operation on the night before the first throw in of the season that prevented his true impact being realised over the course of the season. Luka Doncic is already thinking of throwing his name into the hat for potential future MVP candidates and has been the driving force to the Dallas Mavericks’ first postseason berth in four years.
Small Ball: The bastions of the new evolution of basketball, known as ‘Small Ball’, comes in the form of the Houston Rockets. The key principle is of sacrificing height and power for speed and three point ability. The success of the philosophy has been none more so clear than in the recent Golden State Warriors dynasty, but with the ‘Splash’ brothers out for this season, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and co. have adopted the title, particularly in the bubble.
We The North: The loss of Kawhi Leonard to the LA Clippers has not deterred the Raptors, who are shaping up to be the dark horses in the run-in to the championship. The Canadian outfit have been all about consistency this term, and the talent from last year’s success will look to make light work of the Brooklyn Nets, who are missing superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Kobe Bryant RIP: The game lost one of its brightest stars in January. Kobe Bryant and eight others perished in a helicopter accident, including his daughter Gianna. The LA derby game, originally scheduled for the day Bryant passed, was postponed and played five days later. Tributes in the form of 8 and 24 second violations, in remembrance of Bryant and his shirt numbers, were enacted all over the league.
Black Lives Matter Movement: The tragic murder of George Floyd has stirred a yearning for social justice around the world, highlighting inequalities within society and need for change. The NBA and its players have used their platform to give the movement a voice, from player donations to personalised messages on the back of shirts.

Who are the top players in the NBA this season? Who is in the running for MVP?

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (MVP Candidate) – The four-time MVP is in the hunt for his fourth NBA Championship, with lieutenant Anthony Davis Jr. by his side in LA. Injury plagued his first season with the franchise, and with the help of the aforementioned Davis, LeBron is back to his best – with the veteran leading the league in assists for the first time in his career (10.2). LeBron’s Lakers are favourites to pick up the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (MVP Candidate) – Or the ‘Greek Freak’, as we know him across the league, is out to retain the best in show for the NBA after picking up the MVP gong last season. Playing in *technically* the best team in the league (The Bucks are 56-17), Antetokounmpo could join prestigious company by being only the third player ever to pick up both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. The Championship however eludes the forward, and whispers of a move away from the Midwestern franchise to taste silverware will intensify should the Bucks miss out this year.
James Harden, Houston Rockets (MVP Candidate) – Harden has made the All Bubble First Team, and it’s not surprising given the output of the 30-year-old. An average of 34 points and an eye-watering 54% shooting from the field since the restart has caught the eye of many. ‘The Beard’ won the MVP award back in 2018, but a deep run into the NBA Playoffs will be made much more difficult with the absence of a partner in crime Russell Westbrook (thigh strain), who will sit out the first few games of the first round match up against their old side, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers – Leonard arrived in LA this season after leading former side Toronto Raptors to their first ever Championship, his personal second. The two-way player has worked his magic again and guided the Clippers to the second seed in the Western Conference for the first time in their history. He has best displayed his versatility in the bubble with a career high 39 points against the Brooklyn Nets, along with four steals. Leonard and the Clippers will take on the Dallas Mavericks in the first round on Tuesday (18th).
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers – Somewhat of a cult hero, the point guard has lead his Trail Blazers to the NBA playoffs via a play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Lillard’s form since resumption in Orlando has been inspired with an average of 38 PPG, including a 61 point haul against the Dallas Mavericks in the penultimate seeding game. It’s no wonder Dame was unanimously voted Bubble MVP. However, the mighty LA Lakers await Lillard and co. in the first round.

Can I bet on NBA Playoffs with Mark Jarvis?

Yes, you can bet on the NBA Playoffs. At Mark Jarvis, we provide over 15 different NBA markets for NBA Playoffs. We also have our NBA Outright Winner market, in which the Milwaukee Bucks are currently the favourites at 5/2* ahead of the Lakers at 13/5* to go all the way.

* Odds as of time of writing (Sunday 16th August 2020) and subject to change

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Inter vs Shakhtar: Predictions, Betting Tips and Odds: Will Donetsk add to crazy shock results in Europe so far? (17/08/20)

16 August 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Europa League

Inter go into this clash as firm favourites, but Shakhtar are a free scoring side with a tinge of Brazilian flair running through it. Having landed 7 tips in his last three games, Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan previews this box office European semi final.

Event Details

Who is playing?

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk

What competition are Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk playing in?

UEFA Europa League Semi Final

What time is kick off between Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk?

20:00 GMT on Monday 17th August 2020

Which stadium is hosting Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk?

Merkur Spiel- Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany

What channel is Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk on?

BT Sport 1

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Summary

As the Europa League reaches it’s boiling point, it spoils neutrals for choice. A Shakhtar Donetsk upset? Sevilla to make it their fourth Europa League this decade? Or a battle of the favourites, where old Manchester United teammates return to take on their former club?

Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan will do their best to not make it a trophyless season. Unrest on the future of the Italian at the club has plagued much coverage of I Nerazzurri recently, all the while when doing the job on the pitch when it matters, in Europe at least.

Shakhtar have picked up their third Ukrainian Premier League in four years and come off the back of convincing defeats of Wolfsburg and Basel, but come into the tie at the as firm underdogs.

Inter Milan Team News and Form

Antonio Conte’s Inter earned a respectable second place finish in Serie A this season, running Juventus down to the last day. The Europa League however offers their only chance to fill the trophy cabinet after early exits from both the Champions League and Coppa Italia.

The Italian side have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, maintaining a consistent ten match unbeaten run in the wake of a dip in form that eventually cost them domestic glory. Conte has set his side up in typical fashion of the Italian, a flexible three or five-man back line (dependent on whether in attack or defence), spearheaded by a formidable striking partnership made up of Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku.

I Nerazzurri go into the game without Matias Vecino, who misses out with a knee injury. They will look to deploy their lethal attacking partnership of Lukaku and Martinez, both of whom have accounted for 49% of their side’s goals this season. Inter will also have ex- Manchester United duo Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young to set up a possible mouthwatering encounter against their former club for the final.

Shakhtar Donetsk Team News and Form

Shakhtar are hunting for their second UEFA Cup/ Europa League triumph since 2009, when they picked up the trophy in Istanbul against Werder Bremen. With the then man of the match Darijo Srna in the dugout, they will look to find inspiration in a squad littered with experience and tenacity.

The Ukranian’s run to this year’s semi final came in the wake of a group stage exit in a group made up of Manchester City, Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb, where they conceded 13 goals over a lapse of six games. Their recent form however will be grounds for encouragement, too unbeaten in ten and won by two clear goals in half of their games.

Junior Moraes starred in recent victories over Wolfsburg and Basel, netting three times in the convincing wins. Shakhtar will be without long-term absentees Ismaily and Vladyslav Vakula, but have no fresh concerns before travelling to Dusseldorf on Monday.

Head to Head

Inter Milan Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen (H) 2-1 UEFA Europa League win
Getafe (H) 2-0 UEFA Europa League win
Atalanta (A) 2-0 Serie A win
Napoli (H) 2-0 Serie A win
Genoa (A) 3-0 Serie A win

Shakhtar Donetsk Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Basel (H) 4-1 UEFA Europa League win
Wolfsburg (H) 3-0 UEFA Europa League win
Veres Rivne (H) 2-0 Friendly win
Oleksandria (A) Ukrainian Premier League draw
Kolos Kovalivka (H) 2-0 Ukrainian Premier League win

Source: SofaScore

Top Goalscorers

Inter Milan Top Goalscorers:

Romelu Lukaku (23 Serie A goals + 6 European goals)- Lukaku has remained the Milan club’s lighthouse throughout the season, starting strong and netting over thirty goals in his first season in Italy.
Lautaro Martinez (19 Serie A goals + 5 European goals)- The young Argentine is looking the stake his claim as his countries number one striker in years to come, with his physical presence and ball control the primary attributes that are attracting eyes all over world football.

Shakhtar Donetsk Top Goalscorers:

Junior Moraes (17 Premier Liga goals + 6 European goals)- The 33-year-old shows no sign of stopping, leading his side to a league title after joining from rival Dynamo Kyiv in 2018.
Marlos (9 Premier Liga goals)- The Brazilian connection at the Ukranian outfit is epitomised with the winger, the longest serving member of the current squad.

Source: Transfermarkt

Match Facts

Both teams are on a ten match unbeaten run (Inter: W7, D3; Shakhtar: W8, D2)
Romelu Lukaku has scored in nine consecutive Europa League games
Inter have scored in each of their last 9 European games
Inter are unbeaten against Ukranian opposition (W5, D3)
Shakhtar have won four of the last five Europa League games

Source: UEFA

Previous Meetings

24th August 2005	INT 1-1 SHA	UEFA Champions League
10th August 2005	SHA 0-2 INT	UEFA Champions League

Ryan’s Betting Tips

Unbeaten in their last ten games and with a win percentage of 60% in Europe this season. Inter Milan or Draw is 2/9* with Mark Jarvis.

Inter Milan have failed to score at least twice in only one of their last ten matches. Inter Milan are 7/10* to score over 1.5 goals with Mark Jarvis.

Inter Milan and Over 2.5 goals is 6/4* with Mark Jarvis, after only 23% of both team’s games in Europe this campaign have ended in under 2.5 goals.

*Odds as of the time of writing (Thursday 13th August) and subject to change.

For more content, head to the MJ Sport Betting Guide Home.

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RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Predictions, Betting tips and Odds: Dominant Atleti to supercharge Simeone to promised land? (13/08/2020)

12 August 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Champions League

Leipzig clash with Atletico Madrid in this heavyweight European tie for a place in the Champions League Semi Finals. Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan tips this game, having landed all tips in his last two Europa League previews.

Event Details

Who is playing?

RB Leipzig vs Atletico de Madrid

What competition are RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid playing in?

UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

What time is kick off between RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid?

20:00 GMT on Thursday 13th August 2020

Which stadium is hosting RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid?

Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal

What channel is Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid on?

BT Sport 1

RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid Summary

With either side eighth and fifth respective tournament favourites, both will fancy their chances on Thursday before facing the cream of European football. Neither the Germans nor Spaniards are unfamiliar with scalps. Both sides progressed via eliminating both of last year’s finalists (Leipzig vs Spurs, Atletico vs Liverpool).

The contrast in footballing philosophies will make for scintillating viewing, with Diego Simeone’s defend-at-all-costs tactics holding off Leipzig’s quick passing and pace in behind the lines. It will weaken the latter after Timo Werner’s departure for Chelsea.

Simeone’s selection headaches instead fall elsewhere on the pitch after two players tested positive for Coronavirus. The winners of the tie, where both teams finished third best in their divisions, will play one of Atalanta or Paris Saint Germain.

RB Leipzig Team News and Form

Leipzig’s charge to the helm of German football was halted effectively after Bayern’s inspired appointment of Hansi Flick as head coach, falling away from the title race not long after the festive period.

Julian Nagelsmann is one to buck the trend, however, as one of Europe’s most promising coaches, he has guided the Saxony side to their best finish in Europe already. In what has only been their second Champions League campaign, a win percentage of 63% and a top of the group finish will garner the attention of all remaining clubs in the competition.

The aforementioned absence of former star striker Timo Werner, who chose not to take part in the rest of Leipzig’s push for silverware, delivered a parting blow to the club and fanbase in doing so. Striker Yussuf Poulsen will look to be in contention, but Ibrahima Konate will miss out with a recurring hip issue, in a side that has not played since June 27.

Atletico Madrid Team News and Form

Confidence, and maybe even ‘Cojones’ seems to be the sticking word for Los Rojiblancos at present, who are on eye-raising 18 match unbeaten run, spanning before lockdown. The resilience shown in the match against Liverpool that got them here was said to have been the primary source of inspiration for the amazing showing in the season’s rest, according to manager Diego Simeone.

The apparent frustration that got the better of the reigning European champions all the way back in March could prove to be the winning formula for conquering the continent this time out. This is now Atletico’s fifth last eight appearance in seven seasons, and with the determination on display this season you wouldn’t bet against Simeone and co. to be playing come 23 August in Lisbon.

The news of two positive Covid-19 cases in Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko left Simeone and UEFA alike with much to think about going into the game, and obviously both will miss out and isolate. The rest of the squad are fit and available for the quarter final clash.

Head to Head

Leipzig Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Wolfsburg (H) 1-1 Friendly draw
Augsburg (A) 1-2 Bundesliga win
Borussia Dortmund (H) 0-2 Bundesliga loss
Fortuna Dusseldorf (H) 2-2 Bundesliga draw
Hoffenheim (A) 0-2 Bundesliga win

Atletico Madrid Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Real Sociedad (H) 1-1 La Liga draw
Getafe (A) 0-2 La Liga win
Real Betis (H) 1-0 La Liga win
Celta Vigo (A) 1-1 La Liga draw
Real Mallorca (H) 3-0 La Liga win

Source: FlashScore

Top Goalscorers

Leipzig Top Goalscorers:

Emil Forsberg (5 Bundesliga goals + 4 Champions League goals) – With Timo Werner no longer a Leipzig player, the goals will need to come from elsewhere. The Swedish attacker has four Champions League goals this season, scoring against the likes of Spurs and fellow quarter finalists Lyon.
Marcel Sabitzer (9 Bundesliga goals + 4 Champions League goals) – Leipzig’s midfield lieutenant has not been shy in front of goal this term, bettering his season tally by ten from last season.

Atletico Madrid Top Goalscorers:

Alvaro Morata (12 La Liga goals + 3 Champions League goals) – The big target man has led the charge for Atletico since he returned, confirming he will be at the Wanda Metropolitano for the next few seasons after joining permanently.
Joao Felix (6 La Liga goals + 2 Champions League goals) – Glimmers of world class ability have been shown in parts for the young Portuguese, but is yet to start strongly and justify the hefty price tag he was bought in for.

Source: Transfermarkt

Match Facts

Leipzig have won seven of their 14 UEFA Champions League fixtures (D3 L4).
Leipzig’s record outside Germany in this season’s competition is therefore W3 D1; they had previously won only three of their 12 European away matches (D4 L5).
Atlético have lost lost just five of their last 17 European fixtures outside Madrid, winning seven, although four defeats have come in their last seven matches (W2 D1).
Despite defeats on Matchday 4 and 5 this season, Atlético have lost only five of their last 30 matches in continental competition (W19 D6).
Atlético’s overall record against German clubs is W21 D7 L16, although this season’s loss at Leverkusen made it five defeats in their last six matches against Bundesliga clubs outside Spain.

Source: UEFA

Previous Meetings

This is the first time Leipzig and Atletico Madrid are facing each other.

Ryan’s Betting Tips

Only once has either side failed to score in a game since lockdown (Leipzig 0-2 Borussia Dortmund). Over 1.5 goals is 4/9* with Mark Jarvis

This is Leipzig’s first venture into the knockout stages proper in the Champions League, while Atletico have reached the quarter finals 5 times in the last seven years, including two runs to the final. Previous experience and a Simeone tactical masterclass should prevail here. Atletico Madrid To Qualify is 4/6* with Mark Jarvis.

Los Rojiblancos have scored over 2.5 goals once in their last nine games, losing none of them. Atletico Madrid + Under 3.5 goals is 9/5* with Mark Jarvis.

*Odds as of the time of writing (Tuesday 11th August) and subject to change.

For more content, head to the MJ Sport Betting Guide Home.

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Man City vs Real Madrid: Predictions, Betting Tips and Odds – Confident City to march to European glory against Spanish giant Real Madrid? (07/08/2020)

6 August 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Champions League

Zinedine Zidane is in the hunt for an unprecedented fourth Champions League trophy as Real Madrid manager. Pep Guardiola needs the elusive piece of silverware that could save Man City and their season. We preview a tie where the Mancunians are firmly in the driving seat.

Event details:

Who is playing?

Manchester City vs Real Madrid (2-1 agg.)

What competition are Man City and Real Madrid playing in?

UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 2nd leg

What time is Man City vs Real Madrid?

20:00 GMT on Friday 7th August 2020

Which stadium is Man City vs Real Madrid being held at?

Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Where can I watch this game?

BT Sport 1

Man City vs Real Madrid Summary

Man City turned around a 1-0 deficit courtesy of two late goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne, putting the Blues in pole position to qualify to the next round.

Sergio Ramos’ late dismissal compounded Madrid’s hopes of progression as the stalwart will miss the return leg in Manchester.

A quarter final place is at stake against either Lyon or Juventus, as the tournament format changes to one-legged knockout from then onwards.

Man City Team News and Form

Pep Guardiola’s men have the chance to win their first Champions League in what has been an otherwise underwhelming season. A routine defence of the Carabao Cup will lift spirits after conceding the title to Liverpool long before the season’s conclusion.

Defensive issues have plagued City this season, with the ever reliable Aymeric Laporte missing most of the season. They have allowed 12 more goals in this season in the Premier League compared to last.

In their last ten games, they have kept a very impressive six clean sheets. Expect their defensive acumen to be tested as Madrid look to to rack up the away goals in hope of progression. City will be without a suspended Benjamin Mendy and long-term absentee Sergio Aguero, who is recovering after a knee operation in June.

Real Madrid Team News and Form

Los Blancos are on a formidable streak that has seen them pick up their first La Liga title in three years. An unbeaten run of ten proved too much for Catalonian rivals Barcelona, after netting sixteen times post-lockdown.

The Madrid outfit are still in with a shout of securing their fourth Champions League with club legend Zinedine Zidane on the touchline. The sticking point however will be how history won’t be on their side, with only four teams ever overturning a first leg deficit in knockout European football.

Along with Ramos’ absence, the away side will be without Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez (both left out of the travelling squad), and Mariano Diaz, who tested positive for Coronavirus.

Head-to-Head

Man City Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Norwich (H) 5-0 Win
Watford (A) 4-0 Win
Arsenal (N) 2-0 Loss
Bournemouth (H) 2-1 Win
Brighton (A) 0-5 Win

Real Madrid Last 5 Matches (All competitions)

Leganes (A) 2-2 Draw
Villarreal (H) 2-1 Win
Granada (A) 2-1 Win
Deportivo Alaves (H) 2-0 Win
Athletic Bilbao (A) 1-0 Win

Source: SofaScore

Top Goalscorers

Man City Top Goalscorers

Raheem Sterling (20 Premier League goals + 5 Champions League goals) – An under-the-radar season for the England winger that put up some impressive numbers this season. He has seven goals in his last six appearances in all competitions.
Gabriel Jesus (14 Premier League goals + 5 Champions League goals) – The Brazilian has done well in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero throughout this season. Still only 23-years-old, he has scored in four of his last six matches for City.

Real Madrid Top Goalscorers

Karim Benzema (21 La Liga goals + 4 Champions League goals) The Frenchman picked up the top scorer in La Liga and has been instrumental in their domestic success. He matched his domestic goal tally from last season and scored four goals in his last four appearances.
Vinicius Jr. (3 La Liga goals + 1 Champions League goal) The downside to this Real Madrid side is if they don’t have captain Sergio Ramos, who will miss this game, they do not have many goals in their team outside of Benzema. Vinicius scored in the group stage match away at Club Brugge, and last scored in late June in La Liga.

Source: Transfermarkt

Match Facts:

Madrid have won 16 of their last 25 European away matches, losing just five.
Man City have not lost a two-legged knockout tie to a non-English club since going out on away goals to Monaco in the 2016/17 round of 16 (5-3 h, 1-3 a).
In the round of 16, the Cityzens’ home record is W2 D1 L3.
City’s record against Spanish clubs in two-legged knockout ties is W1 L4, with defeats in each of the last four.
Only five times in the UEFA Champions League era has a team turned round a tie after a home first-leg defeat, although three occurred in 2018/19; Tottenham against Ajax in the semi-finals (0-1 h, 3-2 a) and, in the round of 16, Manchester United against Paris-Saint Germain (0-2 h, 3-1 a) and Ajax against Madrid themselves (1-2 h, 4-1 a).

Source: UEFA

Previous Meetings

26th February 2020	RMA 1-2 MCI	Champions League
27th July 2017	MCI 4-1 RMA	Friendly
4th May 2016	RMA 1-0 MCI	Champions League
26th April 2016	MCI 0-0 RMA	Champions League
24th July 2015	MCI 1-4 RMA	Friendly

Ryan’s Betting Tips

*Odds as of time of writing (Wednesday 5th August 2020) and subject to change

For more content, head to the MJ Sport Betting Guide Home.

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Inter vs Getafe betting tips: Italian runners up to overcome disappointing Getafe side in Germany?

4 August 2020

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan

Europa League

Inter Milan are coming off the back of losing Serie A to a single point. With the pressure on manager Antonio Conte to line the trophy cabinet, we preview the one off tie against a team with something to prove.

Event details:

Who is playing?

Inter Milan vs Getafe CF

What competition is it?

UEFA Europa League Round of 16

What time is Inter Milan vs Getafe?

20:00 GMT, Wednesday 5th August 2020

Where is Inter Milan vs Getafe being played?

Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Where can I watch this game?

BT Sport 2

Thoughts on Inter Milan vs Getafe

The tie is only one of two in the remaining last 16 games in the Europa League to be one legged. The match will therefore take place in a neutral venue, the home of Schalke. Neither of Inter’s matchup with Getafe nor Roma and Sevilla’s tie could play their first legs before lockdown, and will level the playing field for both sides. Getafe however could see the set of circumstances as a negative. The Madridians will miss out on the benefit of a home leg against challenging opposition, who overcame last season’s Champions League semi finalists Ajax in the previous round of 32.

Antonio Conte’s outfit completed the Serie A season with a more than credible second place finish, but will rue the missed opportunities to capitalise and take home what would have been their second Scudetto in ten years. Getafe are in torrid form since football’s resumption, slipping away from a European place. The winner will face either of Bayer Leverkusen or Rangers. Both sides with a lot to prove and play for, but the quality disparity between the sides will tell in this one.

Conte’s Milan swan song?

Behind the scenes turmoil seems to grab much of the headlines concerning the San Siro club of late. Antonio Conte’s Inter crashed out of a difficult Champions League group containing Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, all the while effectively surrendering the league in a July where only 18 points from and available 27 were picked up.

Notwithstanding this, the Italian has said that he will hold out to see how his side fares in the UEFA’s second competition before making a call on his future. With I Nerazzurri second favourites to lift the trophy and rumours circulating of new big money incomings for next season, exit talk may just hold fire for the moment.

The disappointing conclusion of the domestic season can’t overshadow Inter’s ability to win, and do so convincingly. 6 of their last 7 wins have been by two clear goals or more, and with no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, Conte will have his key players at his discretion in hope of convincingly sweeping aside the Spanish team.

Getafe and what could have been

Jose Bordalas’ side have regressed since the completion of last season. From narrowly missing out on Champions League football to missing out on Europe all together this campaign, Getafe’s hope of a continental road trip next year lies in reaching the final and overcoming Inter Milan, and in doing so would equal their best finish in Europe since 2007/08.

Los Azulones have only attained the one victory since lockdown, but won’t go out without putting their stamp on the game. Getafe will do well to stop the might of the Romelu Lukaku/ Lautaro Martinez strike force, but have the fourth best defensive record in La Liga, conceding only 37 goals. A giant killing cannot totally be out of the question either, having eliminated European giant Ajax in the round of 32.

Bordalas and his men fortunately have a clean bill of health going into this challenging fixture against one of the tournament favourites.

Head-to-Head

Inter Milan last five matches:

Atalanta (A) 2-0 Win
Napoli (H) 2-0 Win
Genoa (A) 3-0 Win
Fiorentina (H) 0-0 Draw
Roma (A) 2-2 Draw

Getafe last five matches:

Levante (A) 1-0 Loss
Atletico Madrid (H) 2-0 Loss
Deportivo Alaves (A) 0-0 Draw
Villarreal (H) 3-1 Loss
Osasuna (A) 0-0 Draw

Top Contributors

Inter Milan top contributors:

Romelu Lukaku (Forward)- 4 goals and 3 assists in 7 European appearances this season: The former Manchester United man has adapted to Italian football brilliantly and had a stellar first season. His overall season total is 29 and has struck up a partnership with Lautaro Martinez, to the envy of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Lautaro Martinez (Forward)- 5 goals in 7 European appearances this season: ‘The Bull’ as Inter colloquially refer him to has been on the transfer hit list of the pride of Europe. His natural and physical presence in the eighteen yard area will ensure it will be a long evening for Getafe.

Getafe top contributors:

Jaime Mata (Forward)- 3 goals and 1 assist in 6 European appearances this season- The ‘Spanish Jamie Vardy’ was the coined term given to Mata given his meteoric rise from non-league football to the top tier of the Spanish game, including a cap for the national team. The striker was vital in last season’s attempt in getting to the Champions League and has come up with the goods this term with his direct style.
Jorge Molina (Forward) 1 goal in 5 European appearances this season- The theme of the ‘everyman’ player continues with Molina. The 38-year-old only started in professional football at 25 and has very much been the experienced voice in the dressing room.

Previous Meetings

This is the first time the sides have met

Ryan’s Betting Tips

*Odds as of time of writing (Tuesday August 4th) and subject to change

For more content, head to the MJ Sport Betting Guide Home.

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