Another week and more breathing room atop the table for Chelsea.  There won’t be drama for the EPL crown this year (barring a collapse) but there’s still plenty of money to be made each week.  James Kempton is here to give you everything you need to know for making some cash this weekend. Arsenal v Hull City Arsenal -1.5 and 3 goals The sides have met nine times since December 2013 and Hull have failed to win a game while Arsenal have won by two or more goals on six occasions. This line priced at just -1.5 seems to be a quarter of a goal too short but the home club are, yet again, in complete disarray. When the Gunners are in desperation mode they usually find a way to win games when a state of emergency has been announced at the Emirates. Unders on the goal line is the only bet I’d consider making. Manchester United v Watford Man Utd -1.75 and 3 goals Watford’s two wins in their last two outings have propelled them to the verge of safety. Those six points earned could see Watford  take their eye off of the ball in what is essentially a free roll game for them. Another one to avoid for me as it’s difficult to gauge which gear this United team will elect to play in making covering this number a real challenge. Middlesbrough v Everton Everton -0.5 and 2.25 goals Everton won 3-1 at Goodison Park back in September and the teams come into this game on opposite trajectories. Middlesbrough were very workmanlike at White Hart Lane last week but at no point appeared capable of creating a clear cut chance. Everton, when they flow, are smooth to watch making for a typical...

It might be all about the big game around these parts but life across the pond doesn’t stop in the EPL.  James Kempton is here to break down every single weekend fixture including the big match in London to start things off on Saturday. Chelsea v Arsenal Chelsea -0.5 and 2.75 goals The match of the weekend is the opening game of the card and Chelsea can all but kill off Arsenal’s feint title hopes in this game. Oh wait the Gunners did that to themselves midweek with a dismal home loss against Watford. The reliability of the home side make them the only possible side to take. This flimsy Gunners mental strength is set to be put to the test but if they do perform the home team know a draw is an adequate result. I lean to the home team and they should win.  Crystal Palace v Sunderland Crystal Palace -0.75 and 2.5 goals  Sam Allardyce hosts his old side and many of the loyal traveling faithful wish Big Sam was still in charge at the Stadium of Light. I can’t understand though how Palace can be more than half a goal favourite against anybody in the EPL. David Moyes’ bid to turn Sunderland into Everton 2007 is nearly complete so backing the away team is fraught with danger. They also tend to save their best performances for home soil so backers beware! Everton v Bournemouth Everton -0.75 and 2.75 goals Everton are a side I just cannot fathom and here they meet another team I consistently struggle to read. I lean to the away team here as I wouldn’t want to lay more than half a goal on them against anybody. The goal line looks a little too high for me...

It’s the gift that keeps on giving…mid week matches from the EPL.  While league action may not deliver the same fairytale storylines we saw over the weekend in the FA Cup, we can only hope there’s an upset brewing somewhere.  James Kempton gets you ready for the biggest matches at the top (and bottom) of the table. Arsenal v Watford Arsenal -1.75 and 3.25 goals It was a tetchy victory for Arsenal last time out as they laboured to a win over a workmanlike Burnley side. I don’t see the Hornets lying down in this game but they played on Sunday lunchtime whilst the Gunners have an extra nights rest. The stats on the extra day recovery between two and three days are stark so I would take Arsenal if betting this match. However with a big match against Chelsea on deck it’s a brave man who backs Arsenal for anything more than small stakes. Bournemouth v Crystal Palace Bournemouth -0.25 and 2.5 goals Both sides were unable to register a victory last time out as the Cherries were held in check on home soil by Watford whilst Palace lost yet again as Everton beat them 1-0 at Selhurst Park. I can’t take the home side here but the away side receiving just a quarter of a goal isn’t appealing either. I had high hopes for the ‘Allardyce’ effect at Palace but so far he seems to have bitten of more than he can chew, so to speak! A game I want to avoid. Burnley v Leicester City PK and 2.25 goals A week last Sunday saw contrasting performances from these two teams. Burnley put in a resolute and well organised showing in away performance at Arsenal and were unlucky to lose 2-1 in...

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...

Clash of two clubs with a rich football tradition highlight this weekend’s slate.  James Kempton shares his thoughts on everything EPL for another busy weekend of football. 10 teams most impacted by player absences during the African Cup of Nations Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion Tottenham -1.25 and 2.75 goals The last three meetings of the sides, including this season’s game at the Hawthornes, have ended one apiece. That match continued a run of results that has seen the home team in the fixture win only one of the the last thirteen meetings between the sides since September 2010 with under 2.5 goals going 15-7 in all competitions since August 2004. West Brom have conceded more than once in a game just once in their last ten games with two 1-0 defeats away at Arsenal and Chelsea in that spell. Spurs rested many of their best players last weekend for FA Cup action but I still lean to the Baggies and under as they should be able to stay within striking distance of their hosts.  Burnley v Southampton Southampton -0.25 and 2.25 goals Southampton won 3-1 when the sides met back in October but when they last met at Turf Moor in EPL action it was Burnley who won 1-0 back in December 2014. Burnley have won five of their last six home games with the only defeat a 2-1 loss against Man City where they even managed to take the lead. Southampton are 2-3-5 on the road this season so I cannot understand the pricing of this game. It has at least adjusted from when the market opener when the Saints were -0.5 goal but money has trickled in on the home dog. Despite that move I still steel value in Burnley...

The clubs in the EPL get right back at it as part of their New Year’s Day holiday matches.  James Kempton lets you know where the best money making opportunities are across the EPL. Middlesbrough v Leicester City PK and 2 goals The first meeting of the sides finished two apiece back in November. Team news could be key here as how will the two coaches manage their squads with such a quick turnaround. I hate going under a goal line of two but in all honesty that’s the only bet I could consider making in this match.  Everton v Southampton Everton -0.25 and 2.25 goals Southampton won 1-0 when the sides met on the south coast back at the end of November but they travel north on short rest and on the back of that poor home defeat against West Brom. Can Everton exploit the momentum they gained from that late equaliser on Friday at Hull? I lean to the home team here as I sense the wheels may just be coming off on the south coast Saints. Manchester City v Burnley Manchester City -2.25 and 3.25 goals City came from behind to take all three points when they met a month ago at Turf Moor as the Blues won 2-1. Burnley are clearly targeting their home fixtures and they now sit nine points clear of the drop zone after that amazing weekend win over Sunderland. After this game they play in the FA Cup so this away trip could possibly gain more attention from Sean Dyche than other away games. That said the home team could unleash on the Clarets as I do not see any way in which they can repel wave after wave of City attack.  Sunderland v Liverpool Liverpool...

Fixture congestion at it’s finest this weekend with the annual New Year’s tradition.  James Kempton is here to break it all down offering his best betting advice for the weekend slate. Hull City v Everton Everton -0.5 and 2.25 goals The Toffees have won just one of their four EPL trips to the KC Stadium since September 2008 and there have been at least two goals in each of those matches. In fact all nine of the teams’ meetings in all competitions since that first game in Hull have seen at least two goals scored. Hull matched Man City for an hour on Boxing Day before the class shone through and it is hard to see the home team winning this game. To back a team plus half a goal I need to think they have a shot outright. This is a Friday Night Football game that if it was played at 3pm Saturday we’d all ignore. If you need to bet I’d lean under.  Burnley v Sunderland Burnley -0.25 and 2.25 goals The Clarets continue their strong home form as last time out they beat Sunderland’s north east rivals Middlesbrough. This is another game that the home team will have a big circle around in Sean Dyche’s office. My concern though is that it comes so soon after a similar game against Middlesbrough. How many consecutive games can you circle? Jermaine Defoe is a top quality player that should not be subjected to such a game and he may be the difference in this basement battle. I like Sunderland in this spot.  Chelsea v Stoke City Chelsea -1.5 and 2.75 goals Under 2.5 goals is 10-4 since August 2010 when these sides meet and before last seasons 1-1 draw in this fixture Chelsea...

Our EPL Insider James Kempton gives you a little holiday present just in time for the EPL tradition on Boxing Day Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion Arsenal -1.5 and 3 goals Arsenal have won the last five meetings of the sides at The Emirates by a combined scoreline of 12-1. The Gunners have won seven of their seventeen EPL games this season by more than just one goal, that equates to 70% of their victories by more than one goal. The Baggies let us down last time out by losing 2-0 to Man Utd so it is hard to go back to the well with them again here. Arsenal choked last weekend as they had their foot on Man City’s throat and took it away whilst the Blues were still breathing. How will they react here? A watching brief for me but I sense they may struggle. Burnley v Middlesbrough Scratch and 2 goals The sides have met nine times since September 2011 in all competitions with under 2.5 goals going 7-2 and No on Both Teams To Score going 6-3. Burnley are 5-1-3 on home soil this season and they welcome a Middlesbrough side who are 1-5-2 on the road with their only win achieved at Sunderland! Give me the home team to earn all three points here. Burnley should be favoured.  Chelsea v Bournemouth Chelsea -1.75 and 3 goals This game is more about Bournemouth in terms of how they react after that 3-1 loss at home to Southampton. The Cherries are 1-2-5 away from home with that solitary win at West Brom. Bournemouth have lost by two or more goals already against Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd so far this season. Boxing Day fixtures can be strange affairs so laying...

Not only is it a quick turnaround for clubs in the EPL but for our own insider James Kempton to share his thoughts.  Here are a few game notes to get you ready for a weekend of the biggest fixtures Crystal Palace v Chelsea Chelsea -1 and 2.75 goals  Chelsea have won their last two trips to Selhurst Park in EPL action with last season’s victory a dominating 3-0 performance. Giving up a full goal though for the away team given the spirited showing Palace put in during their midweek defeat to Man United does not appeal to me. Middlesbrough v Swansea City Middlesbrough -0.25 and 2.25 goals A game I truly have little thoughts on…Defensive resilience would be my shout over a greater attacking flair especially with Swansea looking pretty dire on the road at present. Stoke City v Leicester City Stoke -0.25 and 2.5 goals Both games last season were entertaining encounters as this match finished two apiece with the return game ending in a 3-0 win for Leicester. We are seeing much more fight from this Stoke side than the Foxes can muster so I lean tentatively to the home team. Sunderland v Watford Scratch and 2.5 goals It was the away side who came out on top when these two teams met in the north east last season as the Hornets snatched a 1-0 away win. When they met in London the game was a very open and exciting game which ended in a 2-2 draw. At this market price I think I will just take a bit of a punt on the home team, shoot me now! West Ham United v Hull City West Ham -0.75 and 2.5 goals West Ham have won all four EPL meetings of the...

It’s like the holidays come early when there’s a full slate of EPL matches in the middle of the week.  Fresh off surprising results over the weekend players head right back to the pitch where James Kempton offers up his most compelling betting angles. Bournemouth v Leicester City Bournemouth -0.25 and 2.5 goals The champions were unable to beat Bournemouth last season with this game finishing one apiece while the return game at the King Power ended goalless. Are Leicester back after the weekend win over Man City? Who knows for sure but I like them here receiving a quarter of a goal against a Bournemouth side who’ve conceded six goals in their last two games. Everton v Arsenal Arsenal -0.5 and 2.75 goals Arsenal did the double last season when the sides met including a 2-0 win at Goodison Park. The Gunners have scored twice in each of the last four meetings of the sides and they are likely to do so here too. Ronald Koeman has a huge job ahead of him transitioning his older players out and replacing them with new signings at Everton. I lean Arsenal but you never know in a night game at Goodision with the bright lights on and the TV cameras broadcasting.  Middlesbrough v Liverpool Liverpool -1 and 2.75 goals Liverpool have to be the most exciting team to watch but maybe not for Liverpool fans! I am sure trips to the doctors for heart complaints have gone through the roof of late in the Merseyside area. I will take the home team receiving a full goal as they have shown this season they can keep matches tight in these spots. Sunderland v Chelsea Chelsea -1.5 and 3 goals Over 2.5 goals is on a 8-1...

As we head towards the holidays and the annual tradition of EPL fixture congestion; clubs at all levels of the table know how important the December push for points is to their overall success.  Here to give us a bit of clarity is EPL insider James Kempton with this complete analysis and best bets. Watford v Everton Everton -0.25 and 2.5 goals Both of last seasons’ meetings of the sides ended all square as this fixture finished one apiece with the return on Merseyside seeing a 2-2 result. Everton are 2-1-4 on the road this season so how can you side with them giving up a start on the handicap? Watford are 3-1-3 on home soil though so they are not exactly trustworthy either. I do not see how Everton are favoured in this game but I am not keen on backing Watford either; A pass for me here. Arsenal v Stoke City Arsenal -1.5 and 3 goals Historically over the years there has been this impression that Stoke have caused the Gunners huge problems. There were times that we saw Wenger’s men struggle against the Potters but Stoke have now gone three games against Arsenal without finding the back of the net. As Stoke’s tactics have evolved over time their ability to get to Arsenal has decreased. Stoke have lost just one of their last nine league games so going against them here receiving a full goal and a half would be a bold play. Home win is the play but there are better opportunities out there this weekend. Burnley v Bournemouth Bournemouth -0.25 and 2.25 goals The teams met twice in the 2013/14 season in the Championship with both games ending one apiece. Burnley are 4-1-3 at home and since the opening...

It doesn’t get any bigger than Saturday in the EPL.  Two of the top three teams will renew their rivalry when Chelsea heads north to the Etihad to take on Manchester City.  However that’s not the only match of the weekend that offers value to bettors so James Kempton is here like always to give you the skinny on every single fixture. Manchester City v Chelsea Man City -0.25 and 2.75 goals Chelsea have been very impressive in recent weeks and I would not want to take them on at present, especially when they are receiving a start on the handicap. City have only kept clean sheets against Bournemouth and West Brom this season. In their last three games they’ve allowed the might of Burnley, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough to breach their backline. This should be a great game full of high press from both teams and I will side with the away side to gain at least a share of the spoils. Crystal Palace v Southampton Southampton -0.25 and 2.5 goals Siding with the home team here is a difficult proposition given the fact they conceded five goals away at Swansea last weekend. Those goals take the tally to seventeen goals finding their way into Palace’s net in their last five EPL outings. Southampton are a solid unit but trusting them giving up a start on the handicap is too much of an ask for me despite Palace’s woeful recent form. There has not been a draw in the last fourteen meetings of the teams so history suggests there will be a winner. If you can work it out then please let me know! Stoke City v Burnley Stoke -0.75 and 2.5 goals Burnley won this fixture 2-1 last time they were in the...