EPL ROUND Ball
Thankfully for a handful of EPL teams domestic play resumes again in earnest after performances in the Champions League that can only be described as abominations. As he does every Friday throughout the fall, James Kempton is here to provide quick gambling capsules of every fixture this weekend. Follow him on twitter and listen to his podcast
Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool will be hoping that the extra rest they gave their star players in Madrid on Tuesday night helps them here. It’ll be needed against a Chelsea side who are unbeaten in the last four meetings of the sides and have scored in six straight meets. Both teams have scored in five of those last six EPL match ups but I can’t trust the home team to find the net. Anfield is always a difficult place for the away side in these prestigious matches; under 2.5 goals is the play for me.
Burnley v Hull City
A game which offers very little interest from either a viewing or betting perspective. A little bit of value on the home side would be my suggestion here with Burnley however it’s a brave man who goes to the counter to back either the home side or the overs on the goal line.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
A 2-0 United double last season…and I watched this particular match up in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas at 445am local time. Following the concession by Palace of three goals to Sunderland on Monday night, give me United on the match handicap line. This is the sort of game where United could rack up the goals to try and erase supporters’ memories of their other horrific displays this campaign. It obviously won’t but they can sure try!
Southampton v Leicester City
I think Southampton will win the game but am reluctant to back them on this handicap line. They are a good side but I’m wrestling with my concerns that someday soon their bubble will burst. Leicester are not great though so no trust can be placed on them to deliver a result for you. Tough game to bet with any confidence…
West Ham United v Aston Villa
West Ham favoured by over half a goal?! Incredible scenes! They deserve such strong favouritism as well but until I see them deliver on such a line I will swerve them. Trusting them to concede a goal does not seem too outlandish so give me the over 2.5 goals to land a winner here.
QPR v Manchester City
City all day for me as I had them priced at a minimum of -1.5 on the handicap line. If you want to take an overs on the goal line you have to ask yourself, can QPR be relied upon to score in the game? If that question leaves you stumped then let me assist. No is your answer.
Sunderland v Everton
Two 1-0 away wins when the sides met last season but before that there had been no away win in the last eight meetings. Under 2.5 goals has gone 8-3 in the last eleven EPL matches so I will go with the trends and lean to the under. I can’t trust Everton on the road against a side who finally got back to winning and their oal scoring ways last Monday night.
Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City
Spurs did the double to nil last season and have won three straight meetings of the sides. Despite their late comeback last Sunday away to Aston Villa I cannot trust the home team on this handicap line. I will lean to the under on the goals market as Stoke will look to keep it tight and frustrate the home side.
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United
The sides met on New Years Day at the Hawthornes and the game ended 1-0 to West Brom, Prior to that the previous eleven meetings had all cashed a Yes on Both Teams To Score ticket and over 2.5 goals had gone 9-2. I will take this to be an open game between two rejuvenated and in form teams. Over 2.5 goals.
Swansea City v Arsenal
Arsenal have visited the Liberty Stadium on three occasions. They have scored two goals on each of those visits and I will take them to do so again here. I lean heavily towards the away side and over 2.5 goals in what should be a very entertaining game.
