EPL Weekend 3 Ball
Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @Ukbettingpro)
Here we go again for another action packed EPL weekend and this week I’ve had an unfamiliar problem. This season has seen the markets more accurately priced than ever and betting opportunities have been relatively limited. However, this week there appears to be too many opportunities for us to try and take advantage of the possibilities. Our betting banks are not an unlimited pot of cash though so I have waded through the card and highlighted my best three bets for the weekend.
Newcastle v Swansea
Newcastle has found it hard to repeat their amazing performance of last season early in the campaign. Whether it is the expectancy to build on their previous successes of or their midweek excursions throughout Europe, they have not fired on all cylinders. They host a Swansea side who maintains a mid table position but have struggled since the opening three weeks. Following a points haul of seven from their first three games, Swansea has only picked up 6 points in their last 8 matches. This meeting ended with clean sheets both ways at Newcastle last year and the Geordies winning the away match in Wales 2-0. An under 2.5 ticket has cashed in 3 of 6 games at Newcastle so far this season whilst Swansea’s last 4 away games have hit under 2.5 goals. Swansea should dominate the time of possession and limit the explosiveness of the Newcastle forward line. Back under 2.5 & 3 goals
Norwich v Manchester United
This should be an excellent game at Carrow Road which boasts one of the best playing surfaces in the EPL. United stumbled a bit last time out as Aston Villa led 2-0 just after the half time interval. It’s never easy to count them out though and they roared back with a Hernandez hat trick to win the game 3-2. Van Persie also hit the woodwork twice showing that 5 goals may have actually been a light outburst. Despite their slow start to the season, Norwich has scored in 4 of their 5 home games and are a handful through the air. The United defence looks very suspect against aerial challenges and in open play in general. I see Norwich scoring but think United easily nets two or more like they did in 2 games last year. I like the over 3 goal line here with the push on the three giving us some security. Back over 3 goals
Liverpool v Wigan
In to the lions den Wigan steps as massive underdogs for this EPL match at Anfield. Oh, wait just a second…that lion has turned into a big pussy cat who if you tickle his belly will just roll over and lie on their backs. The comparison may be slightly exaggerated but the home field advantage that Liverpool has enjoyed for many a year has come and gone. They have won just 1 of 6 so far at home this season and have been victorious in just 3 of their last 15 EPL games at Anfield. Each week floods of money pours in for them, primarily from the Asian markets keeping their prices artificially low. Wigan has performed well so far this season and coach Roberto Martinez continues to see his team outperform expected levels. From a match up perspective they look a strong selection here as they are unbeaten in the last five meetings of the two teams; 4 of those games have gone under 2.5 goals and I expect another tight game here. It is almost a coin flip whether we take unders on the goal line or the away team. With strong trends suggesting Wigan will avoid defeat my preference is Wigan plus a goal here to frustrate the home side once again. Back Wigan +1 goal
I do my usual full round up of thoughts around 3pm EST on a Friday afternoon and if you have any EPL betting related questions please do not hesitate to hit me up.
Good Luck this weekend with whatever you wager on
