EPL Round-Up
The man, the myth, the legend James Kempton is back to share his thoughts on the upcoming EPL weekend. Before you walk to the window this weekend, here are his game by game gambling capsules.
West Brom v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.75 Goals 2.75
Arsenal are still shooting at David De Gea as I type this and guess what? He is still blocking it! Wenger always averts a crisis so you just know his team will win this game and possibly quite handsomely. On the handicap line though I will stay away and stick to the Gunners outright. If the goal line ticks down to 2.5, then I will take the over but at the current line of 2.75 I will swerve.
Burnley v Aston Villa
Burnley -0.25 Goals 2.25
The battle of the Claret and Blues…can Burnley make it three wins on the bounce? Maybe but poor teams in the EPL don’t often reel off three victories in a row. Value wise Villa do offer the best side of the handicap line as they are well suited to playing on the break.
Liverpool v Stoke
Liverpool -0.75 Goals 2.75
Liverpool less than a goal favourite at home to a side that were beaten on their own home soil by Burnley last week? Oh how the mighty have fallen! Stoke are big strong, physical and dangerous at set pieces and for that reason alone I will take them +0.75 goals.
Man United v Hull City
United -1.5 Goals 3
People will laugh at me but there are signs of a reborn United, greenshoots of recovery some may say. Give me the home side to have far more attacking flair and creativity to ensure they cover the handicap line. On the goal line I would far rather have an overs ticket than one relying on there to be two goals or less.
QPR v Leicester
QPR -0.25 Goal 2.5
A rarity for me here but don’t QPR look some value as I do not know where Leicester’s next goal will come from. At least the home side have a bit of spark about them with Charlie Austin making a bit of an EPL name for himself. A heavy lean to the under 2.5 goals as well for me here.
Swansea v Crystal Palace
Swansea -0.75 Goals 2.5
The home side are playing well but I cannot take them here to cover on the handicap line, straight up maybe but that extra quarter of a goal puts me off. I do like goals though as the clash of styles could make for a lively game.
West Ham v Newcastle
West Ham -0.25 Goals 2.5
Big Sam welcomes his old side to play his ‘New’ new side. West Ham should have got something at Everton last weekend whilst Newcastle left it until late to beat QPR at home. Will those late goals be turning points for both sides this season? Tough game to call and I think the under 2.5 goals is the side to be on here in what should be a close match that could go either way.
Sunderland v Chelsea
Chelsea -1.25 Goals 2.5
Strange things happen at the Stadium of Light as often out of nowhere in these big showcase games Sunderland somehow get a result. They may not win the game outright but I will have to side with them on this handicap line as the value play. If it is ‘one of those nights’ up on Wearside then it will be a low scoring game.
Southampton v Man City
Man City -0.5 Goal 2.75
A total lack of disrespect shown here to Southampton given their start to the season. City have won 22 of their last 43 away leagues, so roughly half, and here they travel to a very well organised side. St Mary’s will be rocking for the biggest game in Southampton for many a year, give me the home side to get at least a draw.
Spurs v Everton
Spurs -0.25 Goals 2.75
How can Spurs be favoured here? They are living off of past reputations and in game fortunes this season, such as last weeks win against ten man Hull showed. If they hadn’t won that game then I cannot imagine they would be favoured here. Give me the away side as probably the best value pick of this entire EPL card.
