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...

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...