Around the EPL
Everything you need to know for a busy betting weekend in the EPL
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Newcastle +0.5 Goal 2.75
Overs are 11-2 in the last 13 EPL meetings of the sides and the trend has produced a 7-1 record in the last 8 at St James’ Park. However, this is a different Liverpool side now without that electric spark of Suarez up front that can blitz teams in a ten to fifteen minute spell. Under 2.75 goals appeals to me and so does the home side on the handicap line making them the side to be on here.
Arsenal v Burnley
Arsenal -1.75 Goal 3
Arsenal are 24-7-2 against sides placed in the bottom half of the table in their last 33 games at the Emirates with an impressive +52 goal differential. In other words, the Gunners tend to win these types of games and usually by at least two goals. Given recent form Arsenal will win by at least three goals unless they choose to step off the gas looking ahead to their Tuesday night Champions League obligations.
Chelsea v QPR
Chelsea -2 Goal 3
How many will Chelsea win by? I say that as QPR won at Stamford Bridge when the sides last met back in January 2013. Mourinho will ensure his side do not slip up in this fixture. QPR got a good win on Monday night which could see them come in to this game in a lighter but less desperate mood. Redknapp knows they can’t win this game and will look to avoid injuries to his key players. If you need to bet, Chelsea -2 is my lean but make sure you cover it with the 2-0 home win exact score bet.
Everton v Swansea City
Everton -0.75 Goal 2.75
The sides have met six times in the EPL and Swansea are yet to register a victory with five wins for Everton and a draw. Last season both meetings of the sides saw an over 2.5 goals ticket cash as the two sides free flowing styles saw created very open games. Give me goals and an over 2.75 goals ticket. Straight up I like Everton but on the handicap line I will take Swansea.
Hull City v Southampton
Hull +0.25 Goal 2.5
The Saints did the double last season including a 1-0 victory in Hull. Both sides were impressive last week with Hull grounding out a great point away from home with a goalless draw at Anfield, their second such result in a week after the draw at Arsenal. Southampton beat Stoke 1-0 and the keeping of a clean sheet was important for them in that game. Give me the low scoring to continue in this game as I will side the under 2.5 goals.
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
Leicester -0.25 Goal 2.5
Already so early in the season this is a must win game for the home side. They lost last week in Swansea and once again failed to find the net. Albion drew two apiece with Palace as a last minute penalty by saved them a point. Historically when Albion travel to lower placed teams in the league there are plenty of goals so I love the over 2.5 goals to cash in this one.
Stoke City v West Ham United
Stoke -0.25 Goal 2.25
Stoke did the double in this fixture last season and historically given the styles of these teams you’d expect a strong trend towards under 2.5 goals. Yet under 2.5 goals is only 6-4 in the ten EPL meets of the teams. With West Ham only keeping one clean sheet this season whilst looking strong in attack, I see a 1-1 result the worst case scenario. Give me one of the sides to grab a second and I will take the over 2.25 goals in this game.
Manchester City v Manchester United
City -0.75 Goal 3
The Blue side of the city has won five of the last six meetings of the teams and although this may be a great game to watch, it doesn’t offer great betting appeal. The last four meetings in the league have all gone over 2.5 goals and I see this as a potential shoot out. I will take City to overcome their near neighbours by the final whistle. I will take a punt on a 3-2 or 4-2 home win.
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Villa +0.25 Goal 2.5
Villa have not won any of the last eleven EPL meetings between the sides and haven’t even found the net in the last four. Their goal drought in the league at present is poor as they have lost their last five straight EPL games to nil. To make matters worse they lost last time out to QPR, can it get any worse? Spurs are not on a great run either though following that 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle last Sunday. I lean marginally towards Spurs but only as you can have a little bit of faith that they will find the back of the net.
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Palace -0.25 Goal 2.25
Palace won this game 3-1 last season and held the Black Cats to a goalless draw back in the north east. The home side in Palace have at least some fighting spirit in them compared to the apparent lack of anything positive being offered by the away team in Sunderland. I will take the home side under Neil Warnock to kick, bite and scratch (a cat pun intended) their way to victory.
