O’Hara’s Hunch: Premier League Gameweek 7 Preview

The Premier League is back for its final round of action before the next international break and Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is on hand to preview this week’s key fixtures, with Crystal Palace versus Liverpool, Brighton against Tottenham and Aston Villa versus Manchester United put under the microscope.

 

Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Saturday 12:30

Crystal Palace have to sort themselves out. This is a tough game, but they need to get points on the board. When Oliver Glasner came in at the end of last season, everyone thought he was the second coming. Results improved and they were playing much better, but they lost two of their biggest players from the side in Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen and they look bang average again.

Liverpool are a step below Manchester City and Arsenal now for me, but you can’t get away from the fact that they still have several world-class talents in their team. That squad was left by a manager who wasn’t sacked or left on bad terms, so the club’s been left in a brilliant state. You’d be thinking they can challenge if Jürgen Klopp was still there, so why can’t Arne Slot? That group of players has done more than Arsenal’s achievements wise; I can see them having a massive say in the title race yet.

There are big fixtures coming up for Liverpool, which will tell us if they are truly title challengers. I can’t see anything but a win for the Reds here – I think it’ll be comfortable.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool – 13/2

 

Aston Villa v Manchester United – Sunday 14:00

Aston Villa have started the season well. I expected them to be battling it out for fourth – they don’t seem to have lost their form from last season and are fully in with a shout. They did lose to Arsenal but that wasn’t a poor performance by any means. The real test comes for Villa when their important Champions League games start to roll around during the tough winter months.

I still expect Villa to beat Manchester United here. Their squad is much better and Unai Emery is a far superior manager to Erik ten Hag, who Man Utd need to get rid of as soon as possible. United are just kicking the can down the road at this point – Ten Hag isn’t going to improve the team or get them back to where they should be. I can see him leaving in the international break if my prediction for this game is correct!

I’m going to go 3-1 Villa; I don’t see Man Utd getting anything out of this game unless they turn in a performance that surprises everybody.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United – 12/1

O’Hara’s Hotspots: Aston Villa v Manchester United Bet Builder

  • Aston Villa to win
  • Over 2.5 goals
  • Ollie Watkins to score

We’ve enhanced this from 7/2 to 5/1.

 

Brighton v Tottenham – Sunday 16:30

This is a tough one to call, Brighton are a good side despite their recent result against Chelsea – that was purely one of the best players in the world in Cole Palmer just doing what he does. Spurs never play well against Brighton, they’re a bit of a bogey team for Spurs in all honesty. The Amex Stadium is no easy place to go, and Brighton can hurt you.

I can see Spurs coming out and trying to dominate possession and create chances, but will they convert? Timo Werner, if he plays, needs five chances before scoring. Brennan Johnson looks like he’ll score in every game but he’s due a quiet one and that could easily happen here. That’s the nature of watching Spurs now, you really don’t know who’s going to turn up! They’re an exciting team to watch and they’ll play good football, it could be 3-0, 4-3 or 6-6!

I can see lots of chances and goals here, 2-2 is my prediction. I don’t feel like Spurs are great against Brighton but a draw away at the Amex isn’t an awful result.

Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Spurs – 17/2

Premier League Betting Preview: Who you got this weekend?

Liverpool and Man City picked up midweek wins to keep the Premier League title race extremely interesting.

With the Reds in EFL Cup final action on Sunday, City and third-placed Arsenal have the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead with wins this weekend.

City travel to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, while Arsenal host Newcastle a few hours later.

Elsewhere, there’s a huge game at the bottom as Crystal Palace host Burnley in Oliver Glasner’s first match in charge of the Eagles. Will he make a winning start?

As always, we’ll have great offers on all the action, including Nicole Holliday’s picks, Enhanced Odds and much more. And, if you’ve not used it already, don’t forget your Epic Boost is available before you get a new one on Sunday.

To get you ready, let’s look at three of this weekend’s Premier League matches… 

Brighton v Everton

Amex Stadium

Saturday, 24th February @ 15:00

Brighton crushed 10-man Sheffield Utd 5-0 last weekend. Will they be too strong for another struggling side when they host Everton? The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League home games (W5 D5).

Everton continue to look over their shoulders after a dreadful run of form. The Toffees are on the longest winless run in the division (8) and haven’t scored in their last three away games. Get 23/10 on a Brighton win to nil.

All might not be lost for Everton, though. The 11/4 odds on an away win could be worth a look. The home side hasn’t won any of the last six Premier League meetings between these two sides, with Everton winning on their last two visits to the Amex.

With Everton’s form and Brighton’s thirst for goals, it might be worth considering the 9/4 on the Seagulls scoring three or more. Nine of their 10 league wins this season have seen them score at least three times.

If Everton are to score in this one, a corner looks to be their best chance. Only Arsenal (11) have scored more from corners than the Toffees (10) this season. Dwight McNeil is their main corner-taker, registering three assists from them. Get 9/2 on the winger getting another.

Arsenal v Newcastle

Emirates Stadium

Saturday, 24th February @ 20:00

After their surprising late defeat to Porto in the Champions League, Arsenal will hope to bounce back and stay in touch with Liverpool and Man City in the title race.

The Gunners welcome Newcastle to the Emirates, a fixture they have dominated in recent years (W10 D1). It’s 8/5 Arsenal win and both teams score.

Newcastle got the better of Mikel Arteta’s side in November, winning 1-0 thanks to Anthony Gordon’s second-half strike. They’ve not done the double over Arsenal since 1994/95 and are 6/1 to do so this weekend.

Bukayo Saka is sure to play a key role for Arsenal. He’s been on fire recently. Get 5/4 on Saka to score at any time and 7/4 on him to get an assist. The England forward has scored six goals in his last four games, netting back-to-back braces against West Ham and Burnley.

Should Gordon net in this game he would become just the second player to score home and away against Arsenal in a single Premier League season after Peter Beardsley. Gordon is 8/1 to score the first or last goal.

Wolves v Sheff Utd

Molineux

Sunday, 25th February @ 13:30

Things are not looking good for Sheffield Utd. The Blades are rooted to the bottom of the table and don’t seem to be able to stop the goals going in.

It’s 9/1 on Wolves scoring over 4.5 goals in the match. No side has lost more Premier League games by a margin of 5+ goals in a single season than the Blades (5 – equal with Derby in 2007/08).

So, how will they fare at Molineux? Well, Wolves are unbeaten in their last eight home games against Sheffield Utd (W4 D4). They’re odds on to win, while the Blades are 5/1 to claim three points.

However, the Blades have only led for 183 minutes this season and Wes Foderingham has only kept one clean sheet, while conceding 63 goals. Wolves to win to nil is 6/4.

Joao Gomes netted twice in Wolves’ 2-1 win at Spurs last weekend. He’s 11/2 to score at any time. Pedro Neto set up Gomes’ second, his ninth assist of the season. We’ll pay out at 7/4 if he moves into double figures.

The post Premier League Betting Preview: Who you got this weekend? appeared first on William Hill News.

Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique’s Premier League Matchweek 23 Preview

The Premier League is back this weekend, with the Gameweek 23 fixtures including some belters from Saturday onwards.

Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique put two of the key fixtures under the microscope, giving their insights on Everton versus Tottenham, and Arsenal versus Liverpool.

Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique.

 

Everton v Tottenham

 

Jamie:

I think this will be a very even game. Tottenham did well to bounce-back against Brentford in the week, they started playing their free-flowing football again. I think Brentford striker Neil Maupay had something to do with the Tottenham awakening – he added fuel to the fire when doing James Maddison’s goal celebration and it injected some energy into the Tottenham team.

Everton desperately need to start winning games. They most recently drew to Fulham away 0-0, where Jordan Pickford had a cracker of a game. I’m going to go for a draw, I think that this will be a difficult fixture for Spurs, especially with the added motivation for Everton having just dropped into the relegation zone.

Tottenham 1-1 6/1

 

Jose:

Both of these teams played okay in their midweek games. Tottenham obviously came behind to win against Brentford, but I do think that they were very poor in the first half. If Tottenham start slow away at Everton in the early kick-off, they could be trailing before they know it. I expect Goodison Park to be up for this game and the fans motivating the team.

This game is a recipe to have lots of goals and I think it will be close come the final whistle. Out of the two teams, I think Everton showed more solidarity in the defensive third against Fulham than Tottenham did against Brentford. For that reason, I think Everton will just clinch it.

Everton 3-2 20/1

 

Arsenal v Liverpool

 

Jamie:

This is a massive game for both teams and a big moment in the Premier League season. I think if Liverpool put in a performance like they did against Chelsea, then they will win this too – they were fantastic. They have so much attacking threat, even without Mohamed Salah – Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are electric! Nunez is one of my favourite players to watch at the moment. If Liverpool win this decisively, I put them as my favourites to win the Premier League this year, But Arsenal over the last few seasons have a knack of showing up and putting in performances in big moments. This one is too close to call, so I’m going to have to sit on the fence.

Draw 2-2 11/1

 

Jose:

I am pretty confident that Liverpool will have too much t for Arsenal across the pitch. I don’t think Chelsea troubled Liverpool at all midweek, so it will be interesting to see how Liverpool fare against a more in-form and talented side. I expect Trent Alexander-Arnold will start but Conor Bradley has been superb. It will be a great game for the neutral with lots of intensity and I think Liverpool will nick it.

Liverpool 1-2 9/1

 

Predictions:

 

Everton v Tottenham

Jamie: Draw 13/5

Jose: Everton 19/10

 

Brighton v Crystal Palace

Jamie: Brighton 11/20

Jose: Brighton 11/20

 

Burnley v Fulham

Jamie: Fulham 13/10

Jose: Fulham 13/10

 

Newcastle v Luton

Jamie: Newcastle 7/20

Jose: Newcastle 7/20

 

Sheffield Utd v Aston Villa

Jamie: Sheffield Utd 22/5

Jose: Aston Villa 13/25

 

Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest

Jamie: Draw 29/10

Jose: Bournemouth 13/20

 

Chelsea v Wolves

Jamie: Wolves 4/1

Jose: Draw 3/1

 

Manchester Utd v West Ham

Jamie: Manchester United 7/10

Jose: West Ham 16/5

 

Arsenal v Liverpool

Jamie: Draw 5/2

Jose: Liverpool 9/5

 

Brentford v Manchester City

Jamie: Manchester City 4/11

Jose: Manchester City 4/11

O’Hara and Enrique’s Premier League Matchweek 11 Preview

After providing five of the top 10 at this week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, the Premier League continues with its 11th round of fixtures this weekend.

Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique give their insight on three of the weekend’s key fixtures, including Fulham versus Manchester United, Newcastle versus Arsenal, and Monday’s all-London affair between Tottenham and Chelsea.

Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.
Fulham v Manchester United

Jamie O’Hara:

This is a big game for Manchester United and one that they can’t afford to lose – if they do, I think Erik ten Hag comes under some serious pressure.

We might actually be being a bit harsh on United because they’re only two points behind Newcastle, so if they win this one and Newcastle lose to Arsenal – which is definitely possible – then they’ll go above them.

Fulham have been really average this season, especially in comparison with how impressed I was by them last season. Without Aleksandar Mitrovic they’re really struggling for goals.

Although they’re away from home, I don’t think it will be too difficult for United to keep Fulham quiet. Rasmus Hojlund is one who needs to start scoring and I think this is a good opportunity for him.

Score prediction: Fulham 0 – 2 Manchester United (10/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund (33/20)

Jose Enrique:

With United playing away from home this will be a tough game for them. It’s difficult to see them getting anything better than a draw out of this game with the way they are playing at the moment. I haven’t been impressed with their performances of late.

Fulham haven’t been great this season but they have the home advantage and I actually believe that this is a good opportunity for them to get at least a point out of Manchester United. I like the look of Hojlund, but even if he is on form, I don’t think United will have enough to get more than a point out of this game.

Score prediction: Fulham 1 – 1 Manchester United (5.4/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund (33/20)

Newcastle v Arsenal

Jose Enrique:

What a game this is! With it being at St. James’ Park, I think this will be a tough test for Arsenal even if their league form has been good. It’s a difficult one to call.

As a home stadium, not many come close to St. James’ Park and I think it could make a huge difference in such a big game like this, like we saw in the Champions League when they beat PSG just a few weeks ago.

It is going to be a very close game but I think home advantage just gives Newcastle the edge over Arsenal in this one. Arsenal are in great form in the league, but it is a tough place for any team to go and get a point when the stadium is really rocking.

Score prediction: Newcastle 2 – 1 Arsenal (9/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Callum Wilson (17/10)

Jamie O’Hara:

It’s games like this where I think the league gets really interesting, when the big teams go head-to-head. Newcastle need a big result in this one and being at home will certainly help them.

Gabriel Jesus might come back in here but Eddie Nketiah has been in top form and is starting to show how good of a player he is. For me, he isn’t good enough to lead a title-winning attack just yet because he needs to show it against the really top teams.

Nketiah will want to prove a few people wrong and produce the good against the likes of Newcastle. I think Arsenal have got what it takes to beat Newcastle, but it is such a tough place to go and win, so I think it will be hard for either side to take all three points.

Score prediction: Newcastle 2 – 2 Arsenal (12/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Eddie Nketiah (23/10)

Tottenham v Chelsea

Jamie O’Hara:

This is another massive game and I can’t wait for it, because I think this is Tottenham’s best opportunity for a while to really batter Chelsea. I think they can really go after Chelsea, who just don’t look confident at the moment.

IAnge Postecoglou is the real deal and he has gotten rid of the ‘Spursy’ title which was looming over Tottenham in previous years. The players are on side, they’re confident, and they’ve got a bit of arrogance about them.

I think Tottenham will be licking their lips looking at this Chelsea side and think, ‘here we go, it’s dinner time!’ I reckon Tottenham are going to batter Chelsea on Monday and win the game comfortably.

Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 1 Chelsea (15/1)

Anytime goalscorer: James Maddison (2/1)

Jose Enrique:

Tottenham are very good at the moment, I love the way they play and I love watching them. The way things are at the moment, I think they are too good for Chelsea.

At one point I think everything will eventually click for Chelsea and they will do well, but at the moment, they are just not showing what they’re capable of, whereas Spurs look happy and confident when they are playing every week.

Spurs are flying at the moment and I just can’t see Chelsea even coming close to getting anything out of this game because they are just not performing to the level that they should be at the moment.

Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 0 Chelsea (17/1)

Anytime goalscorer: Heung-min Son (11/8)

 

GW11 Predictions

Fulham v Manchester United

Jose Enrique: Draw

Jamie O’Hara: Manchester United

 

Brentford v West Ham

Jose Enrique: Draw

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Burnley v Crystal Palace

Jose Enrique: Draw

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Everton v Brighton

Jose Enrique: Brighton

Jamie O’Hara: Brighton

 

Manchester City v Bournemouth

Jose Enrique: Manchester City

Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City

 

Sheffield United v Wolves

Jose Enrique: Wolves

Jamie O’Hara: Wolves

 

Newcastle v Arsenal

Jose Enrique: Newcastle

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa

Jose Enrique: Aston Villa

Jamie O’Hara: Draw

 

Luton v Liverpool

Jose Enrique: Liverpool

Jamie O’Hara: Liverpool

 

Tottenham v Chelsea

Jose Enrique: Tottenham

Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham

Pocket52 Poker Sports League Season 5 – Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Pocket52 Poker Sports League Season 5 – Bigger and Better Than Ever!


Posted by Laksh Pal Singh on 2023-08-23 at 9:41 PM

Pocket52 Poker Sports League Season 5 - Bigger and Better Than Ever!

That was what the Poker Sports League management promised us this year, and that is exactly what was delivered. This edition of PSL was grand in many ways, and I’d first like to thank everyone who made this event possible.

Nitesh Salvi – founder and CEO of Pocket52, title sponsors of PSL, Pranav Bagai, Siddharth Mishra, and Prajit Gambhir, the three musketeers who started this wonderful concept of PSL and have worked endlessly over the last five years to grow this mind sport!

Prajit, you legend. God only knows how many roles you have at PSL! From being COO to the auctioneer to commentary to ensuring that the show goes on every single time, big shoutout to you, brother, and to Vidur also for making sure every pre-show and every stream was super smooth. Sid and his production team, wow, man, I don’t even know what to say. You guys are so good at what you do! This year the production team of PSL has really outdone themselves. From every reel to every Instagram story to every update, I have to say the content was fabulous.

Obviously couldn’t have done it without your ever-so-talented team! Dashank, Madhur, and Pandey Ji, big shoutout to the three of you for doing such a great job and just being awesome people in general. I’m really fond of the entire PSL team and of course the man himself, the mastermind Pranav Bagai for making this happen on Jio Cinema- working day in and day out to achieve his vision for poker in India.

I want to thank all the owners for supporting this league every single year and spreading their love and passion for poker. This league would not be possible without you!

 

The Experience

Pocket52 PSL Season 5 was something else only. Everyone together on land in the same resort under the same roof, with no hassle of going onto the ship, everyone bonding and interacting.

Personally, for me, the highlight was interacting with the qualifiers from all teams, it’s really nice to talk with someone when you know they look up to you and whatever you’re saying has an impact on them.

It was really heartwarming to meet the Massani brothers, these boys were the heroes of PSL, and that’s another story to tell. Taking a domestic flight for the first time, these two brothers have come from Bhopal and won all our hearts. What gems of human beings, so much confidence, so much energy, I just loved it, to be honest. I had a great time with all my friends and all the other captains who I’m so close to off the felts!

The competition was heavy, and everyone was so passionate and into it. So yeah, GG to my boys – Dirty (Dhaval Mudgal) and Shardul (Parthasarathi) for also taking podium finishes, I had already told Shardul I was going see him heads up and win this time.

Big shoutout to Gaurav Sood, one of the best poker players in India, for playing the finale like an absolute boss man and ensuring I’m shitting myself on the rails while he’s reducing the chip deficit. Love you, Mozzie unlucky one, and you’ll be back stronger we all know it.

Shoutout to Romit (Advani) and Vaibhav (Sharma) for being fantastic team leaders- you win some, you lose some, and I am sure we will see you guys in the top 3 next season!

Now coming to my team, oh man, I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a sense of comradery and team spirit in my life. PSL adrenaline just hits differently. I’ve played a lot of tournaments in my life and hit a lot of one-outers for big money, but I’ve never jumped the way PSL made me jump and shout and scream, and it’s a different kind of excitement altogether.

Bringing a team format and making an individual sport a team game is honestly a genius concept! I would like to thank my team owners, Mr Puneet Mehra, Mehul Shah, and Rishi, for trusting me to lead this team again despite a not-so-great performance the previous year. Special shoutout to their families as well, Toral ma’am Divyansh and Prerna, for cheering on the Mumbai team and making sure our rail was the loudest and full of energy. Really happy that Mehul and Rishi also came down and really felt it with the team and were involved and there from start to finish.

Speaking about my team, I want to say I’m so proud of you guys – every point earned by each of you was crucial to us winning and reaching the finale. I remember the day we reached Goa and had our first team meeting, I was really impressed with Puneet sir because he gave a really inspirational team talk on Day 1 itself, which had a big impact on our team. I have to say one thing about my team, though, everyone was really into it, The togetherness and team spirit was really evident, and I think from Day 1, we manifested the win when we took that picture near the trophy.

Humaara wildcard kaisa ho, Alok Birewar jaisa ho! I think the best decision I made this PSL, other than my obvious retentions of Akshay Nasa and Honey Bijlani, was to sign Alok as my wildcard. I knew Alok wouldn’t do it for the money; he wanted to play PSL, he loves strategizing, he was railing every table every tournament, his team spirit was unparalleled, and the best in the league, so kudos bro I’m proud of you, and you did a great job.

Akshay Nasa, my player, said I am born ready when I asked him if he was going to play the finale. Our strategy was simple, get 250 BB in the finale, send Nasa, and ship it!! Shoutout to Ankit, our 2nd pro, for a great performance joining Nasa in the finale, and also getting the ever so-crucial points in the live MTT, but also for declaring that we’ve won before the league even started.

Honey Bijjlani, for doing more work than the captain, bhai this team would not have won without you, I openly state that you are going to be retained every year for Mumbai Anchors. Nitin Gulati for his passion for this team, getting merchandise and hoodies made for the entire team, thank you, bhai! Simran Malhotra, my fellow Pocket52 team pro, for never disappointing me, for being the number 1 woman player of the league, and for her spirit and love for the team.

Dhirendra Kumar and Avinash Tauro for being on top of things, speaking to the new boys, railing watching the stream making notes, top top performance guys. And of course the new boys Shravan and Nikaas, who I couldn’t believe, played live poker for the first time. They both killed it and got super important points for the team. Every single point contributed by each of you was crucial to this team’s success.

It was a rollercoaster of three days, with ups and downs and highs and lows; the excitement and energy were high, and it was the best three days of my life. Humne bahut chipkaaya, 3 straight days chipkaaya, but you gotta spike to ship, and there was no way Mumbai was not winning this season. Also, a big shoutout to my first mentor and dear friend Sahil Mahboobani for top-notch performance and taking down the Player of the Series, so happy for you, bro!

Lifting that trophy was a great feeling and something that’ll stay with me for life, I hope to recreate many more memories with PSL and Mumbai Anchors!

GG everyone, until next time!

Aaamchiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Mumbaiiiiiiii