EPL Weekend Round-Up
It may be March Madness and hoops paranoia here in the States but the EPL season stops for no one. James Kempton is back with his weekly look around the EPL providing gambling angles on every fixture the card has to offer.
Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
City -1.5 and 3 goals
City can’t afford any more slip ups in the title race but they welcome a rejuvenated Albion under Tony Pulis. I wouldn’t want to lay more than a goal on the home team so the value on this line is with the away team and the unders.
Aston Villa v Swansea City
Villa -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Another rejuvenated team takes to the pitch here as Villa host a Swansea side coming off of a 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool. Tim Sherwood has breathed life into this Villa side but they have won just one of seven EPL meetings with the Swans. Value is with Swansea and the over 2.25 goal line.
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.75 and 2.5 goals
Arsenal have kept three consecutive clean sheets away at St James’ Park with two 1-0 wins and a goalless draw. Arsenal should be able to control this game throughout by dominating possession against a home attack appearing toothless. Away win for me and I lean to under on the goal line as well as I expect them to win the game to nil.
Southampton v Burnley
Soton -1 and 2.5 goals
Southampton have conceded just one goal in seven home games against bottom half opposition whilst scoring twenty at the other end. Burnley have shown this season they can score away in such spots so although I like the home win, my favoured bet is the over on the goal line.
Stoke City v Crystal Palace
Stoke -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Stoke are 5-0-3 when hosting fellow bottom half teams so despite Palace’s recent revival is there value on the home team? Palace have been good of late though so I’m happy to pass on this match but if pushed I’d grab the home team.
Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
Spurs -1 and 2.75 goals
Time is running out for Leicester and they did win at White Hart Lane back in January so won’t be daunted by this trip. Spurs have the second best record though against bottom third EPL teams as their 9-1-1 mark has been compiled with a +17 goal differential. They should score at least twice so I lean to Spurs and overs on the goal line.
West Ham United v Sunderland
West Ham -0.5 and 2.5 goals
Can there be two more out of form teams in the country? At least Sunderland have had a boost this week the firing of the hapless Gus Poyet! West Ham have only conceded four goals at home to bottom half sides this season so I like the under 2.5 goals as Sunderland should be more competitive this week (hard not be) and keep the game tight.
Liverpool v Manchester United
Pool -0.25 and 2.5 goals
The game of the weekend as the fiercest rivalry in English football resumes again at Anfield. This could be a bit of a stalemate as despite the red hot atmosphere these sides could cancel each other. In their last combined eighteen EPL matches they have conceded just nine goals. Give me under 2.5 goals.
Hull City v Chelsea
Chelsea -1.25 and 2.25 goals
Hull are terrible in these spots as they are 0-5-8 overall against top half placed sides this season. So, how many will Chelsea win this game by? Be wary of the 1-0 Blues win but I’m happy to side with Chelsea on the handicap line as I don’t see them slipping up here.
QPR v Everton
Everton -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Rangers are 5-1-1 when they entertain bottom half placed teams so trends suggest they are amazing value in this spot. Everton are just 2-2-2 away in this spot and have the long trip back from Kiev to overcome. With nineteen goals going in during those six games there looks to be good value on the overs. I far prefer the over 2.25 goals ticket than relying on QPR to cash me a ticket!
