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CL Match Preview : Benfica vs Borussia Dortmund

Benfica have won eight of their last nine on home soil and have scored 23 goals in the last six of those. Not only that, but they have kept 11 clean sheets in their last 15 competitive matches Estadio da Luz.

Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, have been poor away from home all season. They have only won one of their last six on the road and haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road since September.

Dortmund are favourites to come through this tie but they may only get it done when they return to home soil in the return leg. Tuesday’s encounter should be a much closer affair than many may anticipate.

Team News

Benfica – Ederson was sent off on Friday night but his league suspension does not carry over into European competition. Predict on NaijaBet.com

Eduardo Salvio failed to shake off an injury to feature last time out and he will start on the right of midfield should he recover in time to face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

Pizzi and Andreas Samaris are a booking away from a ban, while Andrija Zivkovic is ruled out through suspension.

Borussia Dortmund – With Marcel Schmelzer and Lukasz Piszczek still doubts for Borussia Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel has some big decisions to make on the formation and players used against Benfica on Tuesday night.

Mario Gotze has not recovered from injury in time to make the trip and joins Sven Bender, Nuri Sahin and Sebastian Rode on the sidelines.

Raphael Guerreiro is one booking away from a one-game suspension in the competition.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Borussia Dortmund’s last 8 games (UEFA Champions League).

Borussia Dortmund have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 UEFA Champions League matches.

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Borussia Dortmund are undefeated in their last 6 matches in UEFA Champions League.

NaijaBet.com

As at this post Benfica Lisbon has 3.20 odd to win the match on Naija and Bet while Borussia Dortmund has 2.37 has odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.41.

Which team will you choose to win this match?

Match Preview : Swansea vs Leicester

Swansea were desperately unlucky not to come away with a positive result at Manchester City having come unstuck late on. The Swans, though, have won three of their last five Premier League outings and come into the welcome of the Premier League champions as favourites.

Leicester’s title defence has been nothing short of a shambles. The Foxes are yet to score a league goal in 2017, and have the second worst away record in the Premier League this season, winning three of a possible 36 points on their travels this term.

Swansea, then, should be confident of back-to-back home wins in this massive fixture in their bid to stave off relegation.

Team News

Swansea – Luciano Narsingh could start in place of Wayne Routledge after impressing from the bench at Manchester City. NaijaBet.com

Other than that, Paul Clement could name a familiar side to the one that fell to a late 2-1 loss last Sunday.

Match Preview : Burnley vs Chelsea

Chelsea are arguably set for a tougher task this weekend when they travel to Burnley compared to their match against title rivals Arsenal last time out.

Burnley have turned Turf Moor into a fortress this season, winning each of their last five on home soil. In fact, only Chelsea (33) and Tottenham (32) have picked up more points on home soil this season than the Clarets (28).

Chelsea have won both of their previous two meetings away to Burnley but they would be foolish to underestimate Sean Dyche’s side this weekend. Antonio Conte would allow for standards to slip here, however, and the Premier League leaders should at least maintain their lead at the top of the table, although it will be hard fought.

Team News

Burnley – Jeff Hendrick starts his three-game ban this weekend, while St- even Defour, Dean Marney and Kevin Long are also absent. Naija and Bet

Deadline day signings Robbie Brady and Ashley Westwood are still waiting to make their full debut for the club and with Hendrick absent there will be a spot free in central midfield this weekend.

Chelsea – Antonio Conte has no reason to make changes as Chelsea continue their charge towards the title.

Pedro and Willian are the only two players that look to be competiting for a place in the team.

Match Facts

Chelsea have won 16 of their last 18 matches in Premier League.

Chelsea have been winning at both half time and full time in 7 of their last 9 matches (Premier League).

Burnley have won their last 5 home matches in Premier League.

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Chelsea are undefeated in their last 6 matches against Burnley in all competitions.

NaijaBet.com

As at this post Burnley FC has 8.37 odd to win the match on Naija and Bet while Chelsea FC has 1.42 has odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.27.

 

Match Preview : Liverpool vs Tottenham

Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at Hull means they have failed to win a Premier League game in 2017 and have won just once in all competitions this year. The Reds, though, are unbeaten in their last six against Spurs at home, winning four.

Tottenham fell to a 2-1 loss when these two teams met at Anfield in the EFL Cup earlier in the campaign, but will field a stronger XI here. They are unbeaten in the last four Premier League away games, winning two.

The north London side, though, could be held to a draw, prolonging Liverpool’s winless start to 2017 in the process.

Team News

Liverpool – Danny Ings, Marko Grujic and Ovie Ejaria are all sidelined for the hosts. Place your bet with the Champion on NaijaBet.com

Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren are both doubts, though should be fit to feature, with the latter set to replace Lucas in defence.

Match Preview : Manchester United vs Watford

Manchester United are now only two points outside the top four after making it 15 league games without defeat at the weekend. With Liverpool and Tottenham set to face off this weekend they have the chance to move even closer to those currently above them in the Premier League.

Watford have won back-to-back games for the first time since January and their new signings have really made an impact for the Hornets. They will be looking to do their first league double over United for the first time in their history after beating them 3-1 in the reverse fixture back in September. Place Bet on Man United to win on NaijaBet.com 

United have only lost one game at home all season and have kept four clean sheets in their last four matches at Old Trafford, although they will be tested this weekend. Watford haven’t beaten United at Old Trafford since 1978 and that run should be presevered here.

Team News

Manchester United – Phil Jones missed Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester at the weekend with an ankle injury and remains a doubt here, while Marcos Rojo came off at half-time in Sunday’s win and will need time to recover from his knock.

Illness kept Wayne Rooney out of action this weekend but he should recover in time for Saturday’s welcome of Watford.

Other than a possible change at left-back, Jose Mourinho may not feel the need to change the starting XI that beat Leicester when United welcome Watford on Saturday.

This means that Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney continue to miss out.

Watford – Watford’s new signings have made a real impact and Walter Mazzarri may not feel any need to make changes from the side that beat beat Burnley 2-1 when they go to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Jose Holebas missed training at the start of the week with a calf injury suffered as a result of Jeff Hendrick’s red card tackle at the weekend. He is a doubt this weekend.

Costel Pantilimon is expected back in training later this month unless he suffers a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. Christian Kabasele, however, is back in full training, while Nordin Amrabat is training on his own as he steps up his recovery from an ankle problem.

Match Facts

Man Utd are undefeated in their last 15 matches in Premier League.

Man Utd have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Watford in all competitions.

Man Utd have won their last 3 home matches against Watford in all competitions.

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There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Watford’s last 3 Premier League games.

Watford have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches (Premier League).

NaijaBet.com

As at this post Manchester United has 1.24 odd to win the match on Naija and Bet  while Watford FC has 14.74 has  odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 6.39.

Match Preview : Arsenal vs Hull

Arsenal are now in danger of falling out of the top four following their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last time out. Arsene Wenger’s side are only one point clear of Liverpool and two ahead of Manchester United heading into the final stretch of the season.

Hull’s incredible resurgance under Marco Silva continued at the weekend when they pulled off a fantastic 2-0 win over Liverpool to follow up from the 0-0 draw they managed with Manchester United the game before.

Surely they cannot record three positive results in a row against three of the biggest teams in the league?

Even if the Tigers are not able to come away from their trip to the Emirates with some points, they will not make it easy for an Arsenal side that desperately need a win here to balance the ship. Place your Bet on NaijaBet.com

Arsenal have scored four goals in each of their last two matches against Hull but will do well to enjoy a repeat scoreline here.

Match Preview : Manchester City vs Swansea

Manchester City are level on points with fourth place Liverpool but are outside the top four on goal difference after thrashing West Ham 4-0 on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s side have only lost one home game all season but have only managed to keep two clean sheets in 11 matches at the Etihad in the league.

Swansea have won consecutive matches in the league for the first time this season since Paul Clement took charge but this is a huge test and one they aren’t expected to overcome.

Both teams have scored in each of their last six encounters and it could prove another high scoring affair. NaijaBet.com

Team News

Manchester City – Pep Guardiola has a full squad to pick from other than long-term absentee Ilkay Gundogan.The Manchester City manager perhaps gave a glimpse of the future in Wednesday’s 4-0 win away to West Ham after dropping Sergio Aguero to the bench in favour of 19-year-old Gabriel Jesus. Guardiola has hinted the pair could play together in the future.

Match Preview : Hull vs Liverpool

Hull gained a valuable point from their trip to Manchester United on Wednesday and are now only four points adrift of safety.

Marco Silva’s side have started a horrible run of fixtures that will now see them host Liverpool before travelling to Arsenal next and they have already done well to get one point from this tricky spell.

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Tuesday night but have only won one of their last nine competitive matches and will have earmarked this fixture as a must win match in order to keep pace with their top 4 rivals.

They are now only in the top four on goal difference and will hope the return of Sadio Mane will kick start their season again.

Silva’s side did well to get a point from their trip to Old Trafford but it seems unthinkable they can get at least another here even if Liverpool are stuttering at the moment. It may not be easy for Liverpool, but an away win should be on the cards. NaijaBet

Team News

Hull – Lazar Markovic is ineligible to face off against his parent club but Hull do have deadline day signings Alfred N’Diaye and Kamil Grosicki available to make their debuts this weekend. Both may be eased into first-team action rather than handed debuts from the off here.

Match Preview : Chelsea vs Arsenal

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Chelsea managed to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League despite only managing a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Tuesday and they should all but secure the title if they avoid defeat at home to Arsenal on Saturday.

Arsenal failed to gain ground on Chelsea in midweek after slipping to their home league defeat since August at the hands of Watford and they could finish the weekend outside the top four if they lose at Stamford Bridge. NaijaBet.com

The Gunners recorded their first league win against Chelsea in nine attempts when the two sides met earlier in the season but things have changed dramatically since their September clash and Chelsea are firm favourites to win their fifth home league game in a row against Arsene Wenger’s side, in which Arsenal haven’t even managed to score in their last three attempts.

Team News

Chelsea – David Luiz is still struggling with a knee injury picked up earlier in the season but Antonio Conte cannot risk taking him out of the team just yet. The same is true of Eden Hazard.
Pedro started the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the bench and could come into the team here at the expense of Willian.

Match Preview : Cameroon v Ghana

Ghana will seek another Africa Cup of Nations final appearance when they clash with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Thursday at the Stade de Franceville, Franceville.

The Black Stars lost in the last finals in Equatorial Guinea to Ivory Coast on penalty kicks and will look to bury the ghosts of Malabo.

They will be up against a Cameroon side who have surprised many by making it all the way to the semi-finals. A new look Indomitable Lions squad barely scrapped through the group stage but seem to get better with each passing game. NaijaBet.com

Two draws and a win in the group stage meant they came second in Group A behind Burkina Faso to set up a clash with the Teranga Lions.

Team News

Ghana – have a poor record against Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations but Asamoah Gyan is determined to seize another chance to reach AFCON glory by defeating Cameroon in Thursday’s semi-final.