EPL Round 2
There are no promises in sports gambling however we’re going to try and make one here for the season: ever Friday on this site we’ll have quick game capsules breaking down the entire slate in the EPL courtesy of James Kempton.
Questions, concerns, or philosophies on handicapping the league are worth firing his way as the beautiful game gains a bigger foothold in our domestic sports landscape.
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Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Villa gained a fantastic win at Stoke last weekend and did so while keeping a clean sheet, of huge importance to the team’s overall confidence. Newcastle showed some creative spark in their season opener at home to Man City but wasn’t able to tally against the defending champions. It is a tough job though to break down the Champions back line and the Geordies should find the defense of Villa easier to unlock. With Villa looking like a side more equipped to play away from home, I’m leaning to Newcastle here.
Chelsea v Leicester City
The Blues of west London should make it two wins from two when they host newly promoted Leicester this weekend. Will they cover the prohibitive handicap line? That remains the much bigger question being listed as 2 goal favorites in some locales. The fighting spirit of Leicester was displayed on opening day as they drew two apiece at home to Everton. However, Chelsea are a different attacking threat to that of the men from Goodison so I take Chelsea to win and cover here. Jose Mourinho will be wanting his men to put a show on in their league home opener.
Crystal Palace v West Ham United
The post Pulis era started (is it really over?) well at the Emirates last weekend even in defeat. However, these are the games they need to gain results from during the season. West Ham nearly frustrated Spurs into submission first time out until an injury time Tottenham winner denied them a point. Both games finished 1-0 to Palace last season and I doubt this meeting will erupt with goals. I don’t like West Ham greatly but on the handicap line receiving a small start of +0.25 I’d want to side with them if betting this fixture.
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion
The Saints were very impressive last week away to Liverpool but I sense when teams sit off them at St Mary’s they may struggle. The loss of so many key attacking players will limit their offensive threat and make finding the back of the net a tough ask for the Saints. Southampton did the double between the teams last season winning each game 1-0. Despite the Baggies scoring twice at home to Sunderland last weekend, give me an unders ticket in this match.
Swansea City v Burnley
Personally I felt Swansea would struggle this campaign but last weeks early signs at Old Trafford already have me reassessing that view. They should win games like this if they want to fully establish themselves as an EPL force for the long haul rather than fighting relegation every year. Burnley poked the tiger too early last week scoring in the opening minutes against Chelsea. They ended up losing the game 3-1 but showed great spirit in the game when they went behind so I’m tempted to take Burnley +0.75 here. Without seeing how Burnley cope on the road in this league I cannot support them with cold hard cash. This should be an open game though so I’d want an over 2.5 goals ticket if I’m headed to the window.
Everton v Arsenal
Everton won this game 3-0 back in April but before that they had gone thirteen games without defeating the Gooners. I will take Arsenal here to gain at least a share of the spoils despite them limping over the line in their season opener 2-1 at home to coach-less Crystal Palace. Conceding two goals at newly promoted Leicester makes me fear for the home sides ability to keep out a potent Arsenal strike force. On the Pick Em Line I will take the away side even after a mid week UCL trip to Turkey.
Hull City v Stoke City
Can you go under 0 goals? This match up finished 0-0 in Hull last season and I can seriously see that result re-occurring here. Hull squeaked out a 1-0 win at QPR last Saturday whilst Stoke lost by the same scoreline at home to Aston Villa. Both are functional and pragmatic teams who are very difficult to score on when they meet similar opposition. Even with a goal line set at 2 I’m tempted to go under but it’s such a low number I just can’t do it.
Tottenham Hotspur v QPR
Last season Mauricio Pochettino went 6-2-2 at home to the bottom half whilst at the helm at Southampton. With better players at his disposal at White Hart Lane, I see Spurs being very strong in these types of games under his control. With a handicap line of Tottenham -1 I’d normally stay well clear in the early weeks of the season. However, Spurs themselves were 8-1-1 at home to the bottom half last season and let’s be honest, QPR are poor. Give me the home team to win and cover.
Sunderland v Manchester United
The obituaries are being written already for Manchester United and ‘Loser’ Van Gaal, as the English media have already christened him, tells us he needs more defenders. I could have told him that three months ago! United will be better suited to playing on the road away from the melting lot of Old Trafford. Take them on here at your peril but I just cannot take them on the -0.75 goal line. Last week we saw how difficult it will be for United to keep a clean sheet so I will settle with an over 2.5 goal ticket in this one.
Manchester City v Liverpool
Last week I waxed lyrical about how Man City had scored at least two goals in each of their last twelve fixtures against Newcastle. They then went on to win 2-0. City have scored at least twice in each of their last five games against Liverpool as well. It concerned me how Southampton were able to control the middle third of the pitch against Liverpool on opening day. If the Reds give City such time and room they will get sliced and diced by the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva. Unfortunately there won’t be any sitings of Mario Balotelli just yet to help in backing Pool or the overs.City -0.75 is the side of the handicap line I’d lean towards but with the goal line set at 3, this puts me off betting overs.
