EPL Round 29
It’s that time of the week…football Friday and James Kempton is back with his full card analysis for this weekend’s EPL action
Crystal Palace v QPR
Crystal Palace -0.75 and 2.25 goals
This is Rangers’ third big London derby in the last ten days and in the previous two they have put huge efforts in that have gone unrewarded. Pardew has this Palace team performing consistently and that should be enough to get all three points. On this line though all the value is with QPR as a point would not be the end of the world for the home team.
Arsenal v West Ham United
Arsenal -1.25 and 2.75 goals
The Gunners are doing just enough to win and cover at present whilst the Hammers are going nowhere. Arsenal will win and at set pieces, if they get any, West Ham should trouble the home backline. Give me the Gunners and overs on the goal line.
Leicester City v Hull City
Leicester -0.25 and 2.25 goals
This is Leicester’s last stand as I feel they have to win this game to stand any chance of staying up. Hull are dreadful but eight points in their last five games have potentially saved their season. On this match line though I sense the away team can frustrate so I lean towards the away team and unders on the goal line.
Sunderland v Aston Villa
Sunderland -0.25 and 2 goals
By kick off could this goal line be at just 1.75 goals? Sunderland have won just three of their last fourteen games at home to lower half opposition. Tentative lean, despite Terrible Tim in charge, to the away team and under 2 goals.
West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City
West Brom -0.25 and 2 goals
The chairman of the Tony Pulis fan club will be a busy man this week fielding plenty of calls ahead of this fixture. Give me the draw outright as the best bet in this fixture as both teams would see that as a positive result. I cannot feign enthusiasm for this after the Baggies recent improvement this seems quite a meaningless fixture.
Burnley v Manchester City
Manchester City -1.25 and 2.75 goals
These sorts of games may not be seen at Turf Moor for a long time after this season so the atmosphere this Saturday will be electric. City obviously have the quality but do they have the desire required to win this road game? I am not so sure and Burnley have conceded just eight goals in their six games at home to top half opposition. Give me the fight of Burnley to do enough to cover this line.
Chelsea v Southampton
Chelsea -1 and 2.5 goals
Chelsea should win this game and so far this season Southampton have not performed well in these such spots. The loss of Matic for the Blues for this game could be crucial though as the fluidity in which Southampton play could cause Chelsea some issues. Southampton have lost by more than one goal just twice this season, at home to Leicester and Man City, give me the Saints.
Everton v Newcastle United
Everton -0.75 and 2.5 goals
Two struggling big names meet at Goodison Park with home boss Martinez under a lot of pressure. I would take Everton minus a half goal but this line seems silly to me. I don’t like Newcastle but it’s the away team or nothing for me here.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United -0.75 and 2.75 goals
I was intrigued as to how this match was to be priced up and it appears the lunatics have been running the asylum! At this line I am all over Spurs as I see their dynamic and mobile midfield causing the home team all sorts of issues.
Swansea City v Liverpool
Liverpool -0.5 and 2.5 goals
Liverpool are getting the job done of late but I’d rather look at the goal line here. The two teams have played twenty seven combined games against fellow top half opposition and those games have seen 89 goals. It was 4-1 when the sides met back in December at Anfield so give me the over 2.5 goals.
