He’s back for all your EPL wagering needs…James Kempton with his complete thoughts on the weekend slate including the Manchester Derby Everton v Arsenal PK and 2.75 goals Everton are in the FA Cup Semi Final and that should help the focus of Martinez’s players as not many of them are guaranteed starters in the team. This game should be played at a million miles an hour and will be a great viewing spectacle. I far prefer the overs on the goal line though as who knows what type of performance Arsenal will put in under the pressure they’re under and also on the back of that Barcelona trip. Chelsea v West Ham United Chelsea -0.75 and 2.75 goals West Ham won 2-1 at Upton Park earlier this season but prior to that they had won just one of the previous nineteen meetings of the sides. Will the Hammers have one eye on that upcoming FA Cup Replay against Manchester United? Coach Bilic has already stated that winning the FA Cup is far more important to him than the prospect of Champions League football. The logical bet here is West Ham plus three quarters but given their admitted concentration on the FA Cup make it for small stakes. Crystal Palace v Leicester City Leicester -0.25 and 2.25 goals Leicester won 1-0 when the sides met earlier this season and all three EPL meetings of the sides over this season and last have gone under 2.5 goals. Leicester are now 10-3-0 against the bottom third and have kept seven clean sheets in those matches whilst Palace are 1-1-8 against the top third and have only scored six goals in that spot. An away win to nil could offer some value whilst if Palace set up...

The race for Premiership supremacy continues to heat up but has LC distanced themselves from the competition?  Relegation appears to be a four horse race and James Kempton is here to talk about it all for the upcoming weekend Norwich City v Manchester City Man City -1 and 2.75 goals The seven EPL games between the sides since December 2011 have seen a total of thirty eight goals. Those games even included a goalless draw as over 2.5 goals has continually hit, going 6-1. Man City are an incredible 11-1-0 against the bottom third of the EPL and have out scored those opponents 33-6. Please tell me why this line is only City -1?  I’m happy to go in big on City in this spot. Bournemouth v Swansea City Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.25 goals It was two apiece in Wales back in November and this game is also trending to a stalemate. The strong draw bias here is derived from the fact that Bournemouth are 5-6-3 and Swansea 6-6-3 against fellow bottom half placed sides. A point will suit both sides’ survival ambitions so I lean to the draw outright and under. Stoke City v Southampton PK and 2.25 goals Historical stats are mixed here as the Saints have won two, Stoke have won two, and there have been four draws in the eight meetings of the teams since December 2012. Neither side excel in this spot as Southampton are 3-2-3 and Stoke 3-1-4 against fellow mid third placed sides. Those combined sixteen games have seen just thirty six total goals and interestingly seven of those were in Stoke’s 4-3 win at Everton. On this PK line I favour the home team but would rather take a piece of the outright draw and trust...

The soccer gods smile upon us all with a full slate of mid-week fixtures.  Let’s call this an appetizer for the weekend’s biggest match in North London that will have major ramifications in the quest to top the table.  To give us some clarity James Kempton is back to offer his comprehensive thoughts. Aston Villa v Everton Everton -0.75 and 2.25 goals The last ten EPL meetings have seen at least two goals and over 2.5 goals is 13-4 in the last seventeen games including Everton’s 4-0 win at Goodison Park earlier this season. If that trend of plentiful goals continues here then I can’t see anything bar an away win as Villa have thrown the towel in for the season. Can you trust Everton on this line away from home though? I know I can’t! Bournemouth v Southampton PK and 2.25 goals Bournemouth ground out a hard earned point away to Watford on Saturday whilst Southampton should consider themselves a tad unlucky to have lost at home to Chelsea. The recent defensive strength of the Saints makes me want to take the away side here and it should be a similar showing to their recent 1-0 away win at Swansea. They shut Bournemouth out earlier this season and I see them doing the same here. Away team and unders. Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion Leicester -0.75 and 2.25 goals Leicester won 3-2 at the Hawthornes back on Halloween but this will probably be a much tighter and lower scoring encounter. The timing of this game is good for Leicester as they play the night before their title rivals giving them a chance to get points on the board with the home crowd sure to be supportive and loud. The resurgence of West...

The EPL table continues to tighten at the top and bottom as we’re officially into the final third of the grueling season.  Our EPL guru James Kempton is here to offer his thoughts and analysis on the best wagering opportunities this weekend EPL Podcast West Ham United v Sunderland West Ham -0.75 and 2.5 goals It was two apiece in the north east back in October but before that under 2.5 goals was 8-4 since November 2008. West Ham are just 4-6-2 against the bottom third so I can’t side with them against a desperate Mackems side giving up three quarters of a goal. I’d lean to the overs on the goal market but in truth I just want to skip this game and get on to the others. Leicester City v Norwich City Leicester -1 and 2.75 goals Leicester are 7-3-0 against the bottom third so surely the lower placed teams will now set up against Leicester as they would for a trip to the Emirates or the Etihad. If teams do sit deep against the Foxes how will they cope? They’ve drawn against both Bournemouth and Aston Villa in recent weeks so have they almost become better set up to play the bigger sides. I think Leicester will win the game but trusting them to cover a full goal line is fraught with danger. The league leaders have kept five cleans sheets though in their last eight league matches so that should give some comfort to those brave enough to give up a full goal. Southampton v Chelsea Scratch and 2.25 goals I watched the Saints’ famous and convincing 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge back in October in the cozy confines of the Monte Carlo Sportsbook in Las Vegas. They’ll be confident...

With only a third of the EPL season remaining the title race is really starting to heat up.  Two matches on Sunday will go a long way in determining the pecking order atop the table.  James Kempton is here to give us a bit of clarity while previewing every single fixture on the schedule. Listen to the EPL Podcast Sunderland v Manchester United Manchester United -0.75 and 2.25 goals Sunderland are 0-1-8 when taking on the top half teams of the league and have won just one of the last twenty seven EPL meetings of these two sides. Recent showings have been encouraging for the Mackems but I am more positive about United after last weeks trip to Chelsea. I can see those strong trends in this fixture continuing with Manchester United finding a way to get the job done but with the line shifting from -0.5 to 0.75 my enthusiasm has been slightly dampened. Bournemouth v Stoke City Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.25 goals It’s been three games in a row now where Stoke have conceded three goals and it’s clear to see they are a different defensive side without Ryan Shawcross in the line up. He is not due back until the end of February and I honestly cannot back them until he returns. I lean to the home side as this is one of those proverbial kitchen sink games that if they win can make a dramatic difference in avoiding relegation. Crystal Palace v Watford Crystal Palace -0.25 and 2.25 goals I think Palace are probably just too many points clear of the drop zone to be pulled into the relegation fight but it is a possibility. If it’s a possibility for them then Watford aren’t free and clear either just one...

We had the luxury of mid-week fixtures this week and the EPL clubs get right back into league play this weekend.  James Kempton is here to offer his thoughts on every fixture just like he does every week during the season Listen to the EPL podcast here Manchester City v Leicester City Manchester City -1 and 3 goals Leicester’s biggest attacking threat comes when they are able to play on the break. As the home side swarm forward Leicester will look to hit them with quick counter punches through that forceful direct play that has served them so well this campaign. Will the home team adjust tactically? If they do then that limits their effectiveness going forward and I do not think they will be prepared to show Leicester the respect they deserve. Why would they as nobody else does! I believe in Leicester but let’s not forget they don’t need to win this game or even draw the match to still be able to win the title. I’m swerving this one and in some ways from a betting perspective it might not be the worst thing if Leicester lose this game as I’m sure their future odds will almost double if they lose. If they do fail in this spot then that’s when we pounce! Aston Villa v Norwich City Aston Villa -0.25 and 2.25 goals The Canaries will want to make sure they avoid a loss at all costs. We are moving into the stage of the season where game theory begins to come into play. Will Norwich risk losing this game if it’s level and seeing a three point shift in the table? They’d be crazy too so I’m sure they will look to keep that parity come the final whistle....

The FA Cup spoiled our normal EPL viewing this past weekend.  That’s the bad part but the ancilary benefit is a full slate of mid-week fixtures to give us the football fix.  Like he does every round of the Premier League schedule James Kempton is here to share all this thoughts. Arsenal v Southampton Arsenal -0.75 and 2.5 goals The Gunners go into this game with their mental strength coming under fire. Yes there were circumstances that led to their home defeat against Chelsea that you couldn’t factor in but even before the sending off they were second best on the pitch. The Saints won at Old Trafford in their previous outing and they travel here filled with confidence. Give me the Saints in this one as maybe the wobble is well and truly on at The Emirates. Leicester City v Liverpool PK and 2.25 goals When Liverpool beat Leicester 1-0 on Boxing Day many thought that would be the beginning of the end for this Leicester dream! The Foxes have shown a good deal of resilience to shake off their poorer results this season and not let it affect their belief they can challenge. The Foxes sit top of the table yet this game is priced at PK! Liverpool have improved under Klopp but much of this has been based on his passion rather than a rise in talent level. Jamie Vardy will give this Pool defence heart attacks with his directness so I’m all over Leicester on this PK line. Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham -0.5 and 2.5 goals New signing Naismith bagged a goal in his debut for the Canaries last Saturday but they somehow managed to lose a game 5-4 that at one point they comfortably led 3-1. Spurs...

Our favorite Premier League Insider shares his thoughts on the full slate of fixtures for this coming weekend. As always you can see more of Jimmy’s work here or listen to his podcast here Norwich City v Liverpool Liverpool -0.5 and 2.5 goals It was 1-1 on Merseyside back in September but prior to that it was 5-0 to over 2.5 goals since April 2012 and four of those went over 4.5 goals. The signing of Stephen Naismith intrigues me for Norwich as since he was left out by Everton they have become far easier to play against. I think it’s a very astute signing as he is a little rat of a player and he could help ignite a survival bid for the Canaries. I will stick with the trends here and grab a bit of over 2.5 goals. Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur Spurs -0.25 and 2.25 goals When you don’t score a goal in five games it’s pretty hard to get any points from games. Worrying times for Palace and without a genuine star striker to end this run their confidence is in danger of continuing on this downward spiral. It doesn’t help when your keeper starts allowing shots to go in that your grandmother could save! Palace won this game 2-1 last season but at present its hard to see them scoring the two goals in a game that they will probably need to beat this in form Tottenham side. I really like Spurs in this spot. Leicester City v Stoke City Leicester -0.5 and 2.25 goals You all know that after a long time on the sidelines I hopped well and truly on the Leicester bus about seven weeks ago. However, there are signs that their challenge is beginning...

Enough of the nostalgia associated with the FA Cup; it’s back to the basics for English football at it’s highest level.  James Kempton is here with complete fixture analysis to get your wallet right for the weekend Click here to listen to his podcast Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur -1.5 and 2.75 goals Spurs are unbeaten in the last eleven EPL meetings of the sides but interstingly only one of their eight wins was by more than one goal. Given those trends it’s hard to stomach the handicap line for Spurs in this game. If Spurs score early like Man City did at home to Sunderland it could get ugly. A pass for me though. Bournemouth v Norwich City Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.5 goals The Canaries won 3-1 in Norwich back in September and last season they avoided defeat in both games against Bournemouth including a 2-1 win on the south coast.  Bournemouth were priced up at minus half a goal for this midweeks game at home to West Ham. The line is priced the same here when they host a far inferior opponent than the Hammers and that puzzles me. After that loss though to West Ham maybe this is a fairer priced line for two teams I just can’t trust. Chelsea v Everton Chelsea -0.75 and 2.5 goals Quiz time! Name me the scorer of the last winning goal in EPL action for Everton at Stamford Bridge? It was Paul Rideout and it was November 1994. Some strong Everton teams have travelled to the capital to take on Chelsea in the last twenty years and none have come away victorious. Nothing I’ve seen from this lightweight Everton team makes me think they will head north with all three points but can...

The schedule makes have given us all a treat with mid-week fixtures in the EPL.  After some crazy results in the FA Cup over the weekend, the biggest clubs in England return to league play and James Kempton is here to break it all down Aston Villa v Crystal Palace Pk and 2.25 goals I find it extremely unlikely that this very well organised Palace side lose this game as they are 6-3-2 overall against the bottom half. Villa are atrocious but they always seem to get the benefit of the doubt from the books in terms of their pricing for home games. They haven’t won since the first day of the season so what makes anyone think they grab a victory here? Some good value on Palace on the Pk line. Bournemouth v West Ham United Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.5 goals The Hammers are an overall 3-6-1 against bottom half placed teams this season. Here they travel to the south coast and a point would be a good result for both teams given the home teams plight. Bournemouth are just 2-4-5 against top half teams and with West Ham losing just two of their last seventeen league matches I cannot see any reason why they are priced at plus half a goal. I really like West Ham here in this spot. Newcastle United v Manchester United Manchester United -0.5 and 2.25 goals This game evokes memories of that 5-1 Newcastle win in the mid 1990s and the famous Phillipe Albert chip over a rooted Peter Schmeical. However, I’m not sure this game will have six chances let alone six goals! Man Utd have won their last three trips to St James’ Park to nil and I’m sure that’ll be the plan for LVG...

With most of the fixture congestion for this holiday week behind us, Jimmy is back to provide his thoughts on the showdown atop the table and the Wednesday fixture between Sunderland and Liverpool. Let’s chat Leicester! I’ve been speaking to people in the business and they’ve given me the reasons why they continue to price them as they are. They know they were going to get hammered over the weekend at Liverpool at 3/1 but they were not prepared to move away from their long standing models despite some admitting to me they were only really a 15/8 or 2/1 shot today. They claim adjustments have been made as the line at the beginning of the season would have been Liverpool -1.25 and it was -0.5 today so they have adjusted (By the way Leicester would have cashed on that line) They are also neck deep in £5 and £10 bets on Leicester to win the Premiership at prices up to 500-1 as they did not adjust quick enough early in the season. Those bets have been placed weekly up and down the country in thousands and thousands of betting shops. The cumulative liabilities are gigantic! I find it quite stubborn and strange business though that they are waiting for results to return to normal. What happens if they don’t? What are normal results this season? Leicester have now played nearly every team as we are eighteen matches into the season. What I will say though is that it has been a perfect storm for the bookmakers that has emptied their satchels. The start the fixture compilers gave Leicester was very generous and they built up their confidence. The first real test they had was against Arsenal and they failed it, losing 5-2. This...

For those unfamiliar with the EPL and it’s holiday traditions Boxing Day football ranks right alongside the American brand of football we’ve grown accustomed to on Thanksgiving.  Thankfully James Kempton is here to serve as a voice of reason amid the holiday chaos. Stoke City v Manchester United Manchester United -0.25 and 2 goals Stoke are unbeaten in the last two league matches against United at the Brittania but they have won just one of fourteen total EPL meetings. Interestingly there have been at least two goals in each of the last thirteen total of the sides but over 2.5 goals is still only 7-6. Is time running out for LVG? Historically United have never sacked managers so soon into their reign but the world has changed and with Jose and Pep lurking there are two big names out there on the outside looking in. I can’t take United here so give me the home team and after last weeks pretty girl comparison maybe I should call them the ‘Sex Potters’? Aston Villa v West Ham Pk and 2.25 goals Under 2.5 goals is on a 4-0 run when the sides meet in EPL action and over a longer period is 11-5. Results favour the home team as since March 1997 there have been just four away wins in the thirty one EPL matches. I see this game panning out just like the Hammers’ trip to Wales last week so I will take the unders here. Let’s be honest if this game was being played in your local park would you even leave the house to go and watch it? Bournemouth v Crystal Palace Bournemouth -0.25 and 2.5 goals Two great 2-1 away wins were the order of the day for the sides last...