Six reasons why Leeds should fight back against Millwall

Leeds/Millwall, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Daniel Hambury/PA Wire

Best friends Leeds and Millwall meet for the second time in six days tonight and it is the Londoners who travel to Yorkshire with a 1-0 advantage. Leeds have suffered plenty of play-off heartache in recent years but getting to finals hasn’t been their problem. Here are five stats which suggest they will qualify:

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1. Leeds boasted the best home record in League One this season, winning 17 of the 23 games they have hosted.

2. Their home form has been ever better under Simon Grayson, the 2007 play-off winning manager. They have won 12 straight home games, conceding just once in their last six.

3. The Whites have won their last three clashes with Millwall at Elland Road.

Posted: May 14th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Arsenal should beat Man Utd tonight

Arsenal/Manchester United, 7.45pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal have underperformed in their two previous semi-final matches this season but Arsene Wenger is confident that his side will deliver tonight and the statistics support him. And if Emmanuel Adebayor can keep his head out of the Milanese clouds for just 90 minutes, his partnership with Robin van Persie could make the difference:

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1. Arsenal have won two and drawn one of their three home games against Manchester United at the Emirates.

2. The Gunners are currently enjoying their best home form of the season having won six straight matches there.

Posted: May 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Ten number-based stats to help you bet on tonight’s semi

Man Utd/Arsenal, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

0 - The number of losses Manchester United have suffered in their last 23 Champions League games.

1 - The number of victories Arsenal have claimed on their last six trips to Old Trafford. They have lost the other five.

2 - The number of times that Arsenal have faced fellow Premier League opposition in the Champions League prior to this - Chelsea in 2003-04 and Liverpool last season. On both occasions they were eliminated.

Posted: April 29th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Chelsea need to repeat their Anfield heroics to get a good result away to Barcelona

Barcelona/Chelsea, 7.45pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Whereas the thought of Chelsea and Liverpool clashing again in the Champions League this season was greeted gloomily, the fifth pairing of Barcelona and the Blues in ten years has been eagerly anticipated. Hopefully it won’t fail to match expectations like Barca’s semi-final encounters with Manchester United did last season:

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ADVANTAGE BARCELONA?
Chelsea haven’t won a Champions League game at the Nou Camp - losing two and drawing two - and Barcelona have a fantastic home record this season - winning 22, drawing three and losing just two of their 27 games there this season. They have scored in every home match since last year’s semi-final first leg against Manchester United. Chelsea haven’t won any of their last seven Champions League matches on foreign soil. Pep Guardiola’s side are generally available at 8/11.

Posted: April 28th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Derby have a toe in the final but a mountain left to climb

Manchester Utd/Derby, 8pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Despite heading to Old Trafford with a 1-0 advantage, Derby are 4/1 on Betfair to reach the Carling Cup final. Here are five reasons for Rams fans to be optimistic:

1. Only one of Manchester United’s last five home games have been won by more than one goal so if Derby can get on the scoresheet they stand a great chance of winning by away goals.

2. While Derby have won just two away league games in the last 22 months (excluding the play-offs), they are on a fantastic run of four straight wins on the road in cup competition.

3. Derby may have lost at home at the weekend in Nigel Clough’s first game but he knows how to pick up a result on the road. Burton won their last six away league games under his leadership.

Posted: January 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment