Weekend Preview
Even with an abridged slate of fixtures our man across the pond James Kempton is here to share his thoughts for the weekend
Bournemouth v Chelsea
Chelsea -0.25 and 2.75 goals
If ever a game offered zero betting appeal then this is probably it. Bournemouth had that famous 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge last December which drove one of the final nails into Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea coffin. If the Blues’ high profile big name players had any pride then they would travel down to the south coast and pick off the Cherries in this game. The problem is that all season long they’ve shown they don’t have much pride and now the rotation of fringe squad and youth players makes it a lottery at even picking their team, let alone their performance level.
Liverpool v Newcastle United
Liverpool -1 and 3 goals
If the endless fan montages and singing of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ began to make you feel bilious before the Europa League tie against Borussia Dortmund then look away now. Rafa returns to Anfield and there is sure to be an outpouring of love for the ‘Spanish Waitor’. There have been at least two goals in eighteen of the last nineteen EPL meetings of the sides. Liverpool have won nine and drawn one of the last ten EPL meets at Anfield and this game back on April 1996 saw the Premiership’s finest ever game! Liverpool are 8-2–3 against the bottom third placed teams but I can’t trust them laying a full goal ahead of the big Europa League Semi Final. I will take a piece of the overs though on the goal line as it seems the more Klopp changes his team the more the goals fly in!
Sunderland v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.75 and 2.75 goals
Sunderland haven’t beaten Arsenal since February 2013 and have registered just that one win in the previous fourteen meetings of the two sides. The Mackems have scored though in each of the two meetings this season, in EPL and FA Cup Third Round action, as they lost 3-1 on each occasion. Arsenal have won their last four EPL trips to the Stadium of Light. Sunderland are 1-2-10 against the top third placed sides and they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those games. Big Sam is sure to target Arsenal’s perceived defensive frailties via a bombardment of direct play so I will take this game to see plenty of goalmouth action. Give me the over 2.75 goals to land comfortably.
Leicester City v Swansea City
Leicester -0.5 and 2.25 goals
The Foxes won 3-0 in Wales back in December and they won this fixture 2-0 last April in the middle of their miraculous escape from relegation. Leicester are 14-4-0 against teams currently placed in the bottom half so you have to say this line is madness. Just how much have the books factored in Jamie Vardy’s suspension? I’m thinking it’s probably about half a goal and for any EPL player that is too much. Leicester will be patient and have trust that their stout defensive backline holds up and they steal this game by a single goal.
Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion
Spurs -1.75 and 2.75 goals
The Baggies have a good record at White Hart Lane as their defensive nature has seen them very difficult to break down. They won 1-0 in this fixture last season when the teams met and they’ve conceded just three goals in their last four EPL visits with the other three since last season only see them concede once. Spurs have only ever beaten West Brom by more than one goal at White Hart Lane once in nine attempts and that was their first meeting way back in December 2002 so laying a goal and three quarters on them is not appealing here. The Baggies kept it relativity tight at the Emirates on Thursday night despite being outplayed through. The away team and unders for me.
