Match Week 22
The race at the top of the table might be one thing but the real action in the EPL right now is in the drop zone. Regardless of where your favorite team sits in the table James Kempton covers their betting prospects this coming weekend.
Liverpool v Swansea
Liverpool -2 and 3.25 goals
Liverpool have won the last five meetings of the sides at Anfield across all competitions. It is hard to put any kind of case forward for the away team here given the way they caved in on home soil against Arsenal last week. A further week of work on the training ground though with new Head Coach Clement could give them some impetus but without any new signings of any note coming into the club how can we expect them to greatly improve? Home win for me in this one but covering the two goal line may be a tall ask.
Bournemouth v Watford
Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.5 goals
The match ended two apiece in London earlier this season and both of last season’s EPL matches between the sides ended all square. In fact over the past three games we have had a 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2 scoreline. Anyone for 3-3 here? Grabbing the half goal on the away team would be the only play I could consider making here but I won’t be rushing to back the Hornets on the road until I see a spark from them.
Crystal Palace v Everton
Everton -0.25 and 2.25 goals
It was one apiece at Goodison Park back at the end of September and both of last seasons’ meetings of the sides ended all square. It shows you how far the Eagles have dropped that this pretty average Everton side are favourites at Selhurst Park. Christian Benteke caused the Toffees issue in the first game and fresh off a good performance during the week from the big Belgian I sense the home team and the overs is the side to take in this one.
Middlesbrough v West Ham United
Middlesbrough -0.25 and 2.25 goals
It was 1-1 when the sides met at London Stadium at the beginning of October. Clearly the loss of Dimitri Payet in his stand off with the Hammers benefited them last week as they put in a huge performance to take care of a lacklustre Crystal Palace side at the Olympic Stadium. Can they ride that wave of momentum? They are the side I lean to here as this Boro side struggle to both create and take chances so anytime you can grab a start against them you should probably look to take it.
Stoke City v Manchester United
Manchester United -1 and 2.5 goals
United have not won any of their last three trips to the Britannia but prior to that had a great record and in truth have dominated the EPL meetings of the sides. Name recognition is a great thing though as we know the betting public like to bet ‘named teams’. There is no way that United should be favoured by more than half a goal here and we need to take advantage. You may potentially lose this bet as who really knows what will happen in this game but if you can obtain half a goal of value in any game then over time your betting bank will grow.
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
West Brom -0.75 and 2.5 goals
The away side in the fixture has won just two of the last fifteen EPL meetings of the clubs so history suggests that Sunderland are up against it here! I like the overs here as Sunderland cannot defend and Jermaine Defoe is in red hot form. West Brom should win but over half a goal is a lot to give up. It is Sunderland though that they are playing………………….overs!
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Man City -0.25 and 2.75 goals
Spurs won 2-0 when the sides met at White Hart Lane back in early October and that followed up the double they inflicted over City last season. The home team can’t, or won’t, defend whilst the away team have a stingy backline! The value is with the away team but it’s only a smidgeon of value in what is another big test of Spurs’ true title credentials.
Southampton v Leicester City
Southampton -0.5 and 2.25 goals
The match finished goalless when the sides met earlier this season and the away team in the fixture has not won any of the five EPL meetings of the teams since November 2014 with under 2.5 goals going 4-1. The value is with Leicester but it’s been there all season and they’ve consistently let us down in most spots. I cannot trust this Saints team though so skip along to the next game.
Arsenal v Burnley
Arsenal -2 and 3.25 goals
Arsenal squeaked out a 1-0 victory when the sides met up north earlier this season. Arsenal have won the two previous EPL meetings of the sides 3-1 and 3-0 in 2010 and 2014. Burnley on the road against a good team is not to be trusted. The only worry here is the cruise control Arsenal 2-0 home win but I sense they may want to run up the score. Arsenal 4-0?
Chelsea v Hull City
Chelsea -2 and 3 goals
For all of their fighting qualities Hull are a pretty bad team. As per the above though Chelsea could slip into cruise control but unlike the Gunners are unlikely to stress themselves about running up the score. Over 3 goals could appeal slightly as the Blues are sure to score at least twice but in truth this game has minimal appeal.
