Around the EPL
Your weekly look at all things EPL from our resident expert James Kempton. If you’re looking for more great betting info on other English soccer divisions click here.
West Ham United v Manchester City
Man City -1 and Goal line of 3
City are unbeaten in the last eight meetings of the sides including two wins and two draws at Upton Park. They have netted at least two goals in six of those eight meetings and it looks like goals could be in the cards here. West Ham have looked sharp in front of goal whilst City have been uncharacteristically sloppy in defending their own goal mouth. This is a tricky game to call on the match line but I definitely lean towards the overs in the goals market.
Liverpool v Hull City
Liverpool -1.25 and Goal line of 3
Liverpool were involved in a crazy game at QPR last time out as they edged them 3-2. The Tigers won this meeting 3-1 in Hull last season and travel to Merseyside full of optimism after last weeks 2-2 draw at Arsenal. Hull are definitely good at frustrating the opposition so I want to be with them on the match line and also lean towards unders on the goal line.
Southampton v Stoke City
Southampton -1 and Goal line of 2.5
The sides have meet four times in the EPL and all four have finished in scoring draws. Can Stoke snuff out the free scoring home side completely or at least keep them in check? The line is begging you to take the home team but with at least two goals going in during each previous meeting I will take a chance with an overs ticket instead.
Sunderland v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.75 and Goal line of 2.5
What kind of side will Sunderland boss Gus Poyet select after last weeks humiliating 8-0 away loss to Southampton? He could make any number of changes between zero and eleven which puts us bettors in an unenviable position when deciding whether to place a bet. Arsenal have won three straight away games at Sunderland and the Mackems have won just one of the last twenty one EPL meetings of the sides. It all points to the away side but you have to expect some kind of reaction from the home team, don’t you? Pass.
West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace
West Brom -0.5 and Goal line of 2.25
Two home wins were the order of the day when the sides met last season. Does that performance last Monday night against Man Utd justify the home side being priced up minus half a goal? Probably not so I lean towards the away team and unders.
Swansea City v Leicester City
Swansea City -0.5 and Goal Line of 2.5
I don’t have much to say on this game. Both teams started the season brightly but have faded of late. Common sense would make you side with the home team and if Leicester could not score at Newcastle last weekend what makes you believe they find the net here?
Burnley v Everton
Everton -0.75 and Goal Line of 2.5
Goals, or lack of them, seem to be what will condem Burnley to relegation this season. You cannot question their fighting hunger in games but, as last weeks 3-1 home loss to West Ham proved, they lack quality. Everton needed that win last week at home to Villa and I don’t see them slipping up here. Whether they are convincing enough in their performance to make a bet on the -0.75 line worth the risk I am not so sure.
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Spurs -0.75 and Goal line of 2.75
Do Spurs take the positives or the negatives from last weeks 4-1 defeat at City? They opened up the champions at will but defensively they looked woeful. Newcastle managed to secure a 1-0 win when the sides met in London last season. Previously though they had lost four straight to Spurs in the capital. Last weekends 1-0 home win alleviated some of the pressure on Pardew but they are still a poor side. I don’t feel great about it but on this line I favour the home side.
Manchester United v Chelsea
Pick Em Line and Goal Line of 2.5
7-2 to over 2.5 goals in the last nine meetings of the sides. United have won just two of the last five match ups at Old Trafford and Chelsea have scored in 9 of the last 10 meetings of the sides. United have a star studded attacking line up but a back four that wouldn’t look out of place in a midweek pick up league. I keep saying it but until they prove me wrong I will over 2.5 goals in United’s EPL matches.
QPR v Aston Villa
QPR -0.25 and Goal Line of 2.25
Hopefully I will have to work late Monday and miss this game! Rangers are woeful and dissent is emanating out of Loftus Road from behind the scenes at the club. Last weekends 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Liverpool was nothing short of shambolic. Villa have disappointed since their solid start to the season and have lost their last four EPL games all to nil. Going under on the goal line would be the only way for me to play this game.
