Football

Tipping Point 2-3 April 2022 – five exciting football fixtures to look forward to this weekend

by
Mcebo Mpungose
April 1, 2022

Tipping Point 2-3 April 2022 covers five exciting fixtures taking place this weekend, including the Old Firm derby as Rangers host Celtic.

In the Premier League, Liverpool and Man City go into their fixtures with just a point separating them in the title race and things are almost as tight in the Scottish Premier League with The Old Firm derby coming on Sunday.

Having sorely missed out on World Cup qualifications, the focus is fully back on Serie A in Italy. Here’s the pick of this weekend’s football fixtures:

Saturday – Tipping Point 2-3 April 2022

Chelsea 1/3 | Draw 4/1 | Brentford 9/1 (15:00)

We kick off our Tipping Point preview with The Blues hosting The Bees in a London derby that will be relished by visiting fans who will witness their team take on the European Champions at Stamford Bridge.

Last time out, Chelsea struggled to break down the renewed Newcastle United side but eventually got their breakthrough through Kai Havertz, who has claimed the leading striker role ahead of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.

Another player Brentford might have to deal with is Christian Pulisic. The U.S national scored a blistering hat-trick over the weekend vs Panama and could now find himself thrust in the starting XI on Saturday. He has only featured in five games for Chelsea this season and hasn’t delivered consistently since joining the London club due to injuries.

Reece James will be a welcomed return from the injury list for Thomas Tuchel. The right wing-back has five goals and six assists to his name this season. His contribution on the flank has been missed by Chelsea.

Brentford will be relying on the form shown by Christian Erikson that has also lifted striker Ivan Toney who – in the last three games – has scored five goals.

Conclusion: Chelsea will have too much firepower for Brentford to handle, I’m backing a home win, currently 1/3.

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Manchester United 1/2 | Draw 7/2 | Leicester City 5/1 (17:30)

The last time these two clashed, Leicester City thrashed Man United 4-2 with Youri Tielemans putting in a masterclass performance for United’s midfield to watch and learn.

Man United had one of their signature crumbles and their fans will be hoping there won’t be a repeat when they host the Foxes.

Last time out the Red Devils won 3-2 against Tottenham only to be brought back to earth by Atletico Madrid knocking them out of the UEFA Champions League.

After this game, star player Paul Pogba came out and came out publicly said the season is over for United as there is nothing left to fight for, and questioned his role under interim manager Ralph Rangnick.

Except there is something to fight for; some pride.

United will be aiming to avoid Leicester doing a double over them like last season and to close the gap between them and Arsenal who are now favorites to join Liverpool, Man City, and Chelsea in the UCL last season.

Leicester’s form has fluctuated all season, largely due to the injuries they’ve had, but now looks like a Brandon Rodgers team again. They’ll be looking to make it two wins in a row after putting in a commendable performance against Brentford last time out.

Conclusion: Tough one to call but I’m backing United for the win & both teams to score, currently priced at 7/5.

Sunday – Tipping Point 2-3 April 2022

29/20 Glasgow Rangers | Draw 9/4 | Celtic FC 13/8 (12:00)

The Scottish Premiership has a title race on its hands! The Old Firm derby takes center stage this weekend with Rangers looking to cover the three-point gap between them and their bitter rivals.

Each side heads into this game on the back of a good run of form, with three wins on the bounce for both.

Celtic have a goal difference advantage. They have scored seven goals more than Rangers this season and shipped in less to ensure they are 14 goals ahead of them. With that said, Rangers still have Alfredo Morelos who has scored 11 goals this season, and James Tavernier who tops the league’s assists chart.

The last time these two met this year, in February, Celtic won 3-0, however, Rangers have won the last four home fixtures against Celtic.

Conclusion: Double chance: I’m backing a Rangers win or draw at 42/100

9/5 Juventus | Draw 23/10 | inter Milan 8/5 (19:45)

The Oldy Lady has quietly gone about its business collecting full points game after game and is currently on a four-match winning run. That has thrown them into the race for the Scudetto as they now sit just seven points from the top position, and if things go their way, they could leapfrog Inter to the second spot and be within touching distance to Napoli as well.

Inter have had a bad run of form managing to win just once in their last five games (drew three and lost one). They’ve seemed to lose a bit of steam in what is a very important part of the season.

Conclusion: I’m backing a draw and both teams to score which is on site at 29/10.

42/100 Barcelona | Draw 7/2 | Sevilla 11/2 (20:00)

Under former player and legend, Xavi Hernandez, FC Barcelona has turned into a whole new beast this season and the squad additions made in January have returned Barca to where they belong; amongst the best in Europe.

In recent weeks they’ve racked up five wins on the bounce, a run that includes a 4-0 spanking of Real Madrid, handing them their first loss in nine games. Two other wins in that run had the exact scoreline.

Sevilla has had a fairytale season under the tutelage of Julen Lopetegui and are currently second in La Liga. They visit Barcelona on the back of three straight draws and a loss to West Ham that knocked them out of the Europa League.

The challenge for Sevilla in this game will be proving they belong amongst the best in Spain. They are a bit short when it comes to their goal-scoring prowess, an issue that has made them draw the same number of games as 17th positioned Cadiz (12).

Conclusion: After the international break, I fear Barca could be too fresh for this one and will win with Over 2.5 Total Goals in the game (6/5) – moving to second position in La Liga in the process.