Weekend Preview
James Kempton is serving double duty this week, already sharing his mid-week report now followed by his weekend preview. Let the December fixture congestion begin in the EPL!
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Chelsea -1 and 2.5 Goals
St James’ Park will be rocking for this one and after three tough games in a week maybe the strain will begin to show on this brittle Chelsea squad. Give me the home side here as they offer some good value given St James’ is not an easy place to visit let alone win by 2 goals.
Hull City v West Bromwich Albion
Hull City -0.25 and 2.5 goals
Hull always tends to do well in these spots at home to fellow strugglers. Baggies boss Alan Irvine is under a lot of pressure and Steve Bruce targets these games as ‘must wins’ for Hull. It won’t be pretty but I’ve a heavy lean towards the home team and an unders ticket. I’m shocked the market there is as high as 2.5 goals albeit it with juice.
Liverpool v Sunderland
Liverpool -1 and 2.75 goals
Love Liverpool in this spot after Sunderland have just played Chelsea and Man City in the past week. Chasing the ball will have sucked a lot out of their legs and Liverpool need to put a performance togethere here in front of their home crowd. Liverpool for me all day in this one.
Queens Park Rangers v Burnley
QPR -0.25 and 2.5 goals
Rangers are far happier at the tight confines that Loftus Road provides them with then on the highway. Harry Redknapp will target these games and again you have to wonder how much three games in a week will take out of a thin Burnley side. This is a big game for both teams though and although I am desperate to oppose QPR, I am happy to swerve this game entirely.
Stoke City v Arsenal
Arsenal -.5 and 2.5 Goals
The last team you want to play in your third Premiership game within seven days is ball retentive Arsenal. This scheduling could be a blessing for the Gunners as Stoke could be running on empty following games away at Liverpool and Manchester United in the preceding seven days. Arsenal are the only side you can be with in this game on the handicap line and a win to nil looks a good bet as in recent meetings they have coped well with Stoke’s physicality.
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Tottenham -1 and 2.75 goals
Spurs seem to have a youthful exuberance now with the likes of Kane and Mason in their mix. They should have enough to win this game against an improving Palace side. Laying a full goal is quite a big ask so I will stick with an overs on the goal line as I’m not convinced Spurs can keep a clean sheet.
Manchester City vs Everton
Manchester City -1 and 3 goals
On paper this is the best game of the day as Everton always seem to put in a performance against the blue side of Manchester. City look imperious at present and if Chelsea slip up at Newcastle earlier in the day then they will have a chance to further close the gap. Their poor recent performances on the road stops me from siding heavily with Everton. With a goal line set at three I will swerve that market completely.
West Ham United v Swansea City
West Ham -0.25 and 2.5 goals
Both of these sides play some really attractive football and for worldwide viewers this should be a good game. From a betting perspective there appears little value on the match line so I will turn the goal line for the best bet. The Swans struggle to fire on the road and West Ham have not been as prolific in front of goal in recent times. Take the under 2.5 goals in East London this Sunday afternoon.
Aston Villa v Leicester City
Aston Villa -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Villa struggle to find the back of the net on home soil and Leicester have issues in front of goal wherever they play. At the current market price the risk reward is all stacked towards the home win as can you trust Leicester at all? Villa at least have some proven Premiership goalscorers. Villa and unders is my lean.
Southampton v Manchester United
Pick and 2.5 goals
This should be a fantastic game and much will depend on the fitness of Di Maria and Rooney. If they both play then I will be on the over 2.5 goals but if they don’t then I will be swerving that line. I have no real feelings on the Pick Em line so will stick to the goal market for some value.
