EPL Round 11
Wake up to football with complete fixture analysis from James Kempton
Chelsea v Liverpool
Chelsea -0.5 and 2.5 goals
Chelsea have not lost in seven meetings of the sides including that famous title blow they delivered via Steven Gerrard’s slip. However, they have faired well at Stamford Bridge losing just one of their last five trips to the capital to take on the Blues. This a game to swerve from a betting perspective and just enjoy the circus that will be the ninety seven camera pans to the forlorn figure of Jose Mourinho on the touchline.
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Manchester United -0.5 and 2.5 goals
Despite all the positivity for Palace under Pardew they have not beaten United since returning to the Premiership two seasons ago. They have only found the net once in those four matches. With United looking more solid last Sunday as they shut out local rivals City, I will take a piece of the unders and lean towards United grinding out a victory
Manchester City v Norwich City
Manchester City -1.75 and 3.25 goals
It was 7-0 last time the Canaries traveled up to the Etihad back in November 2013. I sense City will want to roll Norwich after last weeks derby day stalemate so am happy to lay the minus one and three quarter goals as I see a half win as the worst case scenario.
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Newcastle -0.25 and 2.25 goals
The away side have only won two of the twelve EPL meetings of the sides since December 2008. The last three meets have gone under 2.5 goals but do not be fooled as prior to that the figures were 8-1 to the over! This is another tricky looking fixture but I lean to Stoke avoiding defeat so will grab that quarter goal on the handicap.
Swansea City v Arsenal
Arsenal -0.75 and 2.75 goals
Swansea have won two of the four EPL meetings of the teams in Wales and beat Arsenal in this fixture 2-1 last November. They also won in May at the Emirates so they will be confident of at least avoiding defeat in this game. That extra quarter goal makes me side with the Swans here as I believe the Gunners should only be a half goal favourite. I want to take Swansea straight up to the get victory, be brave and do it!
Watford v West Ham United
Watford -0.25 and 2.25 goals
I’m not having these Hornets favoured for this London derby even after their win at Stoke last time out. The Hammers have shown some inspired form this campaign so I will pocket the quarter goal on the handicap. Watford like to be solid at home but the attacking displays we have seen from West Ham on the road this season makes me swerve the goal market.
West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City
Pk and 2.5 goals
The away side won both of fixtures last season including the Foxes 3-2 win in April which went a long way to help secure their EPL status. In truth I can’t read this game and don’t want to waste any of mine or yours valuable time in trying to work it out. Complete pass for me.
Everton v Sunderland
Everton -1 and 2.75 goals
Sunderland have have lost just once in five against Everton in the EPL including a 2-0 win at Goodison Park last season but it’s not always been such a good match up for the Mackems. Prior to those last five games they had gone sixteen games without registering a victory over the Toffees. Interestingly, the last five games have all gone under 2.5 goals so it appears that if Sunderland want to gain a result they do not want to get involved in an end to end shoot out. Coming off of the back of that great derby day victory take Sunderland plus a goal on the handicap line.
Southampton v Bournemouth
Southampton -1 and 2.5 goals
A south coast derby for this weekends big Super Sunday and although the home side are clearly the better side this match line seems steep. Bournemouth have been given a lot of respect this season by the books but this seems to have gone completely out of the window after last Sunday’s beating on home soil by Spurs. I like the over 2.5 goals in this spot and I lean to the underdog.
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Tottenham -1.25 and 2.5 goals
Spurs have lost just one of the teams last thirteen meetings but that loss was last time out at White Hart Lane in April. Do we get some reaction from a Villa side now Tim Sherwood has been removed of his duties? If the new Villa manager is in place or in the stands for this game then I will swerve it. If they continue to be a rudderless ship then I am all over the home team.
