EPL Round 10
Fresh off his own international break and lengthy sojourn to Vegas Jimmy is back on native land sharing EPL Round 10 wisdom with everybody. If you’re not already following him on twitter for all his soccer knowledge across all leagues that can change today.
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Aston Villa v Swansea City
Pk Goals 2.5
Villa boss Tim Sherwood said after last weekend that he is willing to die on his sword. He may get his wish if Villa lose this game! The Swans have won three straight meetings of the sides with both games finishing 1-0 last season. Swansea has lost just one of the sides’ eight EPL meetings. I’m tempted by the away team but as its priced at a PK line I’d rather side with the under 2.5 goals.
Leicester City v Crystal Palace
Leicester City -0.25 Goals 2.5
Palace won both meetings of the sides to nil last season including a 1-0 victory in Leicester back in February. Going against Alan Pardew and his Palace team on the road against non elite teams is fraught with risk. I like Palace plus a quarter and sense this will be another open encounter that Leicester are involved in; Overs!
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion
Norwich City -0.5 Goals 2.25
A half goal favourite at home after shipping six goals at St James’ Park is not my idea of a value bet! It’s hard to trust West Brom this season but I will take the Baggies plus a half and just lean to the under on the goal market.
Stoke City v Watford
Stoke City -0.5 Goals 2.25
This line opened Stoke minus a quarter as the usual zero respect was being shown toward the Potters. Watford battled manfully at home to Arsenal last time but they still lost. Hard work does not always equal points in this league. Quality is what counts so I will take Watford to lose again in this spot. I wrote a column for my blog during the recent international break advising you take the +500 on Watford for relegation, hope you’re on! Home win.
West Ham United v Chelsea
Chelsea -0.5 Goals 2.75
West Ham have failed to score in five straight EPL meetings of the teams so despite their solid start to the campaign that’s a big red flag for me. It was back to basics last week for the Blues as they won to nil on home soil with Jose attempting to calm the stormy waters. I will take them to win here and lay the half goal but under Bilic the Hammers seem to have more attacking intent so will swerve the goals markets.
Arsenal v Everton
Arsenal -1.25 Goals 3
Everton have not won an EPL meeting of the teams in London since January 1996. Nothing in their performance last week at home to Manchester Utd makes you think that will change here. Laying the 1.25 does not appeal but I do quite like the under 3 goal option.
Sunderland v Newcastle United
Pk Goals 2.5
Sunderland did a 1-0 double last season which took their run of wins in this intense rivalry game to five straight. For Big Sam’s first home game, despite that big Newcastle win last Sunday, the Mackems on a Pk line seem worth the risk to make it six straight EPL wins over their neighbours.
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham -0.25 Goals 2.5
Not keen on this match line as I can’t trust Spurs as a road favourite after playing on the road in the Europa League on Thursday. I am keen on goals though as if Bournemouth can find the net at the Etihad as they did last weekend then goals a plenty could be seen here.
Manchester Utd v Manchester City
PK Goals 2.5
The weekends biggest game is the battle for Manchester. Overs are 7-2 in the last nine meetings of the teams and have hit in each of the last six meets at Old Trafford. Prior to United’s 4-2 win at home back in April, City had won four straight EPL match ups. Give me the overs trend to continue as both sides don’t look watertight at the back.
Liverpool v Southampton
Liverpool -0.5 Goals 2.5
Liverpool won both meetings of the teams last season and this is new coach Jurgen Klopp’s first EPL game in front of The Kop. Without the injured Daniel Sturridge though they carry a lot less attacking threat and Southampton are dangerous opponents. Give me a little piece of the under 2.5 goals as the home side seem to struggle to break sides down without the talismanic Sturridge in their line up.
