The FA Cup never ceases to offer it’s share of Cinderella stories.  However fans of the EPL live for league play and this weekend there should be drama in some unusual spots.  To break it all down by offering his favorite betting angles is James Kempton sharing analysis as only he can. Chelsea v Swansea City Chelsea -1.75 and 3 goals Swansea are an impressive well organised outfit now under Paul Clement and they will be no pushovers in a rematch of that 2-2 draw on opening day last season. It’s hard to make a case that Swansea will take anything outright from this game but do they offer any value on the handicap line? A tentative lean to Swansea given their strong recent form but I sense the solidity of the Chelsea midfield two of Kante and Matic limits some of our slim value.  Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough Crystal Palace -0.25 and 2 goals Middlesbrough will look to keep the game tight, stay well organised, and play on the nervousness of the home crowd. Boro are eight games without a win but they’ve only conceded eight goals in their last nine EPL games. We keep saying Palace will be safe from the drop as they have Big Sam but four points and five goals in their last ten, yes ten, EPL matches suggests they are deep in the relegation mire. Boro for me plus a quarter of a goal as I just sense they will make less mistakes than their hosts.  Everton v Sunderland Everton -1.25 and 2.75 goals David Moyes’ side are a right Jekyll and Hyde bunch and here he takes a squad full of ageing Everton veterans back to Goodison Park. The home team are becoming the kind of reliable...

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...

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...

International break be damned, the EPL is back in action come this weekend.  Not only do we have a full slate of fixtures but right out of the gates the soccer gods have given us an early season derby with major table implications.  To make sense of everything by identifying the best betting angles James Kempton is here to do all the heavy lifting. Manchester United v Manchester City Manchester United -0.25 and 2.5 goals Last season saw just one goal scored in the two meetings of the sides in EPL action. I cannot see that happening over the course of the two games this campaign. The openness with which Man City plays at times makes it hard to believe that the top sides will not be able to create chances against them. Despite this being a big game at the top of the table I’m happy to take a bit of the over 2.5 goals in what should be a very exciting game. Looking for more breakdowns? Listen to the “official” EPL punters podcast   Arsenal v Southampton Arsenal -1 and 2.75 goals Since the Saints returned to the EPL in August 2012; 5-3 to the under 2.5 goals in those matches as Southampton’s busy style seems to hamper the Gunners play. Arsenal hit three last time out away at Watford but this is a different challenge. The goal line is set here at a quarter of a goal higher than I’d expected so if I was betting this game I would look to take the unders on this goal line. Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion Bournemouth -0.5 and 2 goals It was 1-1 on the south coast back at the end of last season whilst the return fixture just before Christmas ended...

From the outset I have to say this is a very tough looking week as we wait for the form lines to develop. It is a long season so there is no need to rush into bets just for the sake of making bets or as my buddies like to say, “be involved in the action.” A marathon rather than a sprint it truly is so do not unload your bankroll early on in the campaign for games that look tight. In weeks like this I spread the risk over more games but drastically lower the stakes. by James Kempton Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool Tottenham -0.25 and 2.75 goals The game of the week is the first game of the weekend! Last season we saw two games hit an under 2.5 goals as both ended all square. Prior to that over 2.5 goals was on a 6-0 run when these sides face off in EPL action. Liverpool are unbeaten in the last seven meetings of the sides with Spurs’ last win at White Hart Lane back in November 2012. After last weekends’ debacle at Burnley only a mad man would back Liverpool in this spot. I expect the influential Mane to return into the Reds’ midfield and I see him as a huge threat going forward for the Reds. With the lines set as they are though I can only offer a tentative lean towards the home team minus a quarter of a goal but even that is based on my trust of Tottenham over my dis-trust of the Reds. Betting football this fall? Check out these special promotions for new customers and available reload bonuses at BetOnline! Chelsea v Burnley Chelsea -1.5 and 2.75 goals Don’t leave your seats early at Stamford Bridge...