EPL Round 19
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
Man United -0.25 and 2.75 goals
Spurs are unbeaten in the last four meetings of the sides, including two 1-1 draws at White Hart Lane. Yes on Both Teams To Score is on a 5-0 run between the teams and given recent form can you see either side keeping a clean sheet here? There were plenty of goals just two days ago in both sides’ fixtures so I like goals here aplenty. On the match market I lean towards the away team.
Southampton v Chelsea
Chelsea -0.75 and 2.25 goals
Chelsea ran out comfortable winners in both meetings last season and won 3-0 in this very fixture on the south coast. Maybe Jose knows just how to shut down this exciting and youthful Saints side. Rumors of a Southampton demise seem greatly over stated but can they pull a result out against one of the big sides? As of yet they have not achieved this feat but if you want to bet this game then all the value is with the home side on this handicap line.
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Aston Villa -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Villa are unbeaten in the last six meetings of the sides and under 2.5 goals are 8-2 in the last 10 EPL matches between them. Considering both teams have been poor in recent seasons these trends, for whatever reason, are strong in favour of Villa. I’d rather side though with a low scoring game than trust this Villa team at home so give me unders on the goal line.
Hull City v Leicester City
Hull -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Both teams played much better on Boxing Day than they had been of late and Leicester had plenty of chances to sneak a point against Spurs. Hull scored an incredible three goals (well incredible for them) at Sunderland. I see this game reverting more to form as this is a true relegation battle between two of the poorest sides in the division. A single goal may be enough to secure all three points in this game so I lean towards the unders.
Manchester City v Burnley
Man City -2.25 and 3.25 goals
City will just want to get through this game with three points just 48 hours after playing at West Brom in the snow. Burnley may ring the changes after that Boxing Day game against Liverpool as they look to protect their small squad. Sean Dyche is a tough but realistic manager and he knows there are more winnable games ahead for his Burnley side. A home win to nil looks the only sensible bet you could make.
Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace
QPR -0.25 and 2.5 goals
This is a game Harry will have circled on his calendar as a priority fixture. For the lower teams in the EPL Loftus Road is a very tough place to go and take all three points. This was poised to be the return of Neil Warnock and he would love to stick it to the Rangers’ owners…however that’s no longer the case as he was just sacked. I see QPR being primed and ready to get the win; take Rangers to get the job done.
Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke -0.5 and 2.25 goals
Both meetings of the sides at the Britannia in the last two seasons have ended goalless. Stoke won at Everton on Friday whilst West Brom were blown away in the snow at home to Man City. Those Boxing Day results just outline the difference in quality of both teams and I see Stoke easily taking this game.
West Ham United v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.5 and 2.75 goals
The Hammers went through the motions on Friday in their loss at Chelsea. The Gunners missed a penalty, had a man sent off and had a dubious penalty given against them in their game, yet they still won! Arsenal have scored seventeen goals in the last five meetings of the sides. The Gunners have won seven straight when theses two teams meet and are unbeaten in the last twelve matchups. Arsenal just seem to have the Indian sign over their hosts. Even with Giroud suspended for the game, away win for me and I lean to the overs.
Newcastle United v Everton
Pick and 2.5 goals
Everton have scored at least twice in six of the last seven meetings of the teams, winning five of those games. If they score twice this time then they will win the game as Newcastle offer a minimal goal scoring threat to anyone they face. Both teams are struggling in front of goal so I lean towards the under 2.5 goals. If pushed would take the home team on the Pick line.
Liverpool v Swansea City
Liverpool 0-.75 and 2.5 goals
There have been sixteen total goals in the last three meetings of the sides but do not expect a repeat here. Liverpool won this meeting 4-3 last season and 5-0 the season before, both results though were inspired by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Brendan Rodgers helped shape the way this Swansea side play and they could trouble the home team. A lean towards under 2.5 goals would be my only play here.
