EPL Round 22
It’s not a Friday without our futbol fix from the main man across the pond James Kempton. Remember you can not only read his analysis here but also listen to his weekly podcast here.
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Liverpool -0.5 and 2.25 goals
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Liverpool -0.5 and 2.25 goals
Although recent form suggests Liverpool and under, the goal line set at just 2.25 makes me side with the over. Beware of Villa here on the match line as they often produce a performance in these spots and Liverpool have still not rectified all of their problems. Still paying for the name on the jersey when looking to back Pool.
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Burnley -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Both teams games last weekend cashed an overs ticket but I see Palace adopting a very cautious gameplan for this match. I’m going to lean slightly to the home team Burnley and give me the Unders on the goal line.
Leicester City v Stoke City
Pick and 2.25 goals
Stoke and under are the sides that appeal to me given the fact I trust Mark Hughes to get a reaction from his team following last weeks pathetic effort. However, history tells us that backing Stoke away from home consistently in the EPL loses you money over the long term. There are far better opportunities for investing on the weekends card than tangling here.
QPR v Manchester United
Man United -1 and 2.5 goals
The tight confines of Loftus Road should see a barnstorming game as I expect QPR to have a real go. This should see goals aplenty as I can’t trust United to keep a clean sheet if there are lots of crosses and high balls going into their box. Give me the over 2.5 goals and we’ll hope to cash this by halftime.
Swansea City v Chelsea
Chelsea -1 and 2.5 goals
Until the Champions League campaign resumes these types of games should be routine away wins for the Blues. However, the full goal line is not one to touch for me so I will take them straight up at a price and my slight lean is towards under 2.5 in the goals market.
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
Spurs -1 and 2.75 goals
Sunderland once again failed to find the net last week at home to Liverpool. In truth they offered minimal attacking threat and without any real pace in their team I can’t see them causing problems for Spurs on the break here. Give me the home win…even at this prohibitive line I believe they offer some value.
Newcastle United v Southampton
Southampton -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Newcastle threatened early at Chelsea last weekend but did anyone seriously think they would stay within a goal of the Blues? Southampton were resolute in their game in Manchester last weekend, waited for their opportunity, and took it to win 1-0. Newcastle still don’t have a manager and until that fact changes you have to fade them or avoid them. For me it’s no play this week.
West Ham United v Hull City
West Ham -0.75 and 2.25 goals
Hull would snatch your hand off for a point here and I am sure Steve Bruce’s side will defend deep from the start. The market prices are telling us that the 2-0 home win is very likely and to be honest that correct score is probably the only appealing bet here at these market lines.
Manchester City v Arsenal
Man City -0.75 and 3 goals
Against the elite sides Man City do not look capable of keeping a clean sheet so this could see a match in the second half more akin to a basketball game. Even with the line set at three goals I see the overs as the side to play and we’ll hope for a repeat of last year’s 6-3 result at the Etihad.
Everton v West Bromwich Albion
Everton -0.5 and 2.5 goals
I expect Tony Pulis to encourage his side to stifle the home team early and play on the home fans’ growing uncertainty over coach Roberto Martinez. A small bet on the over 2.5 goals may prove rewarding as neither side fills me with any defensive confidence.
