Round 20
It’s the only way to ring in the New Year…no, not with 2 college football national semifinal games but rather a full slate of EPL fixtures. The hardest working man in the business around the holidays James Kempton is back with another installment of his game capsules.
Happy and healthy new year to all of our loyal readers and may we start 2015 in style
Stoke City v Manchester United
Man United -0.5 and 2.5 goals
Two wins in two days has pushed Stoke up the table and they will feel confident of taking on and beating United in the early game. The home crowd may not be in to this game as much as normal though as they may take a while to wake up after late night celebrations on NYE. If the crowd are not a factor in the game then I see United squeaking a win here.
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Villa -0.25 and 2 goals
Both sides were involved in goalless draws on Sunday and the excitement factor is unlikely to increase this New Years Day. It’s difficult to say whether the Palace players have been lifted by the removal of Neil Warnock seemingly to be replaced by Alan Pardew. This is a game where the goal line is set at just two and it’s a very low number where you need to be brave to go under. However, when the Villains are at home the away side look to defend and play on the frustrations of the home supporters. A small lean to the home team.
Hull City v Everton
Everton -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Everton are in disarray and on Sunday I gave out my ‘Alcaraz Alert’ as whenever the cumbersome Everton defender is selected the Toffees do not fair well. He duly obliged again and when partnered with Distin at the back they make for a mistake prone Blues backline. Check the team news and if ‘Laurel and Hardy’ start for Everton I fancy Hull here to get at least a point and the overs to cash.
Liverpool v Leicester City
Liverpool -1.25 and 3 goals
Pool smashed Swansea 4-1 on Monday night as they made it two wins out of two so far over the Christmas period. There is some fight in this Leicester side after all following their much needed 1-0 win at Hull. This is a tough ask though and they will rely on set pieces to cause the home side problems. On the market lines I lean tentatively to the away team but swerve the goal markets completely.
Manchester City v Sunderland
Man City -1.75 and 3 goals
City paid the price for overlooking Burnley once they got two goals ahead on Sunday. In truth City were lucky they took a point from the game whilst Sunderland earned a point in a different way at Villa Park, grinding out a goalless draw. The Mackems prefer to play the part of the dog and they look a spot of value here again as City look to manage their squad through this busy period.
Newcastle United v Burnley
Newcastle -0.75 and 2.5 goals
It has been a long time coming but finally Alan Pardew is gone. Historically, Newcastle tend to win these games when they host sides placed in the bottom half of the table. Burnley have a new lease of life following the amazing comeback at Man City on Sunday which earned them a draw. I’m sure that they took away far more from the Etihad than just that one point as the confidence they have gained makes them a dangerous side here. The only play here is to side with the away team and I like them outright as well as on the handicap line as the Geordie club seems in disarray.
Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City
Scratch and 2.25 goals
QPR could not break Crystal Palace down on Sunday and this is another game that Harry would have circled on his calendar as a potential win. The Swans are just a different side on the road as that Monday night spanking in Liverpool proved. I do see some goals here as the fluid style of Swansea should create plenty of chances and I doubt they have the capability to keep a clean sheet on their travels.
Southampton v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.25 and 2.5 goals
The game of the day sees rejuvenated Arsenal travel to the south coast to take on the buoyant Saints. Despite my liking of the Saints, I do feel this game is priced accurately by the bookmakers. The resolute nature of the home teams defence also makes me want to avoid the goal markets. A pretty game to watch but not so pretty to bet in! A complete leave alone for me.
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
West Ham -0.5 and 2.5 goals
Two clubs meet here who are going in opposite directions. West Ham look a real EPL force now as they have added a touch of class to their squad whilst retaining the fighting spirit and organisation which Sam Allardyce always brings to his teams. West Brom are a mess, two defeats over the festive period have plunged them into a relegation battle and are now without a manager given Alan Irvine being put out of his misery. Am I missing something here in terms of how this game is priced at just half a goal? Home win.
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
Chelsea -0.75 and 2.5 goals
Who can Jose blame in this game if they do not get the win? The referee? the ball boys? Spurs will need to play like they did in the second half against Man United rather than their lame first half efforts if they want to take anything from this match. With the line set at three quarters of a goal, I have to like the home team to grab something from the game and the natural tendencies of Jose suggests it is unlikely that Chelsea win by 2+ goals.
