After a weeks break to allow for World Cup qualifiers to finish up, the English Premier League will take its rightful place this weekend as it returns for week 12 action. It kicks off with a massive North London derby between arch rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. It’s a match that is certainly a great way to kick off the weekends action where the remaining fixtures look far less enticing on paper. Leicester hosting Manchester City is perhaps the next big thing with the 2015/16 Champions looking to upset the current favourites for this season’s title.
Week 12 Best Bet: Manchester United to Win to Nil at $1.8 vs Newcastle
Week 12 Best Value Bet: Watford to beat West Ham at BTTS at $4
Week 12 Head to Head Multi Bet: Bournemouth Win ($1.83), Watford Win ($2), Burnley Win ($2.1), Manchester United Win ($1.25) = $9.6
**Odds from Sportsbet.com.au as of 16th November
Headline Fixtures
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Arsenal 1, Tottenham 1, Draws 3
Arsenal have been up and down this season thanks to a number of factors from poor team selection, form and off-field distractions among others. They’ll surely relish an opportunity to burst Tottenham’s bubble this weekend with Spurs looking to get off to a flyer after the International break. They sit 3rd but just by goal difference and will be confident of undoing any of Arsenal’s plans this weekend. It’ll be made more difficult though with the absence of Alderweireld whilst Lloris, Winks and Kane have all been under injury clouds although the latter two are expected to play having pulled out of the England squad. The one thing Spurs have shown this season though is strength in depth and players stepping up when needed. With that in mind and their overall play and confidence levels being superior at this stage to Arsenal, they should be walking away with a win here. Arsenal will come to play no doubt but there is plenty of question marks on their defence which has already let through 16 goals – only Liverpool, Palace, Everton, Stoke and West Ham have conceded more and Tottenham aren’t exactly shy about scoring.
Predicted Result: Tottenham 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.62
Best Value Bet: Tottenham Draw No Bet at $2.04
Leicester vs Manchester City
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Leicester 2, Manchester City 2, Draws 1
The rivals are waiting for Manchester City to slip up and whilst this might not be the game where they finally drop some points, Leicester will certainly have their chances. Their strengths still remain in their counter attacking ability with plenty of outlets through the pace of Vardy, Mahrez and Albrighton at times and they will have their chances against Manchester City. There’s little reason to doubt that Man City will have the lion’s share of possession here and although they may have only conceded 7 times this season, defensively City’s strength has relied on their attacking prowess particularly against sides that don’t have the pace to compete. Liverpool were well in it against them before they lost Mane to a red card and ultimately were thumped in the end. It may be a big ask to see Manchester City dropping points here still but Leicester may make this closer than some may expect.
Predicted Result: Manchester City 2-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score – Yes at $1.67
Best Value Bet: Manchester City to win and BTTS at $2.4
Remaining Fixtures
Bournemouth vs Huddersfield
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Bournemouth 3, Huddersfield 1, Draws 1
The Cherries have won two of their last 3 to push themselves out of the relegation zone whilst Huddersfield are on a similar form line. The problem for Huddersfield is one of their key players that pulls the strings, Aaron Mooy, could be a little flat after the high of seeing the Socceroos through to the World Cup during the week.
Predicted Result: Bournemouth 2-0
Best Bet: Bournemouth to win at $1.83
Best Value Bet: Bournemouth to win to Nil at $2.88
West Brom vs Chelsea
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Chelsea 3, West Brom 1, Draws 1
The Baggies are capable of holding their own against Chelsea but their form suggests it may be a tough ask. Chelsea have won their last 3 with the latest a confidence boosting win over Manchester United. This should be tight on the scoreboard but Chelsea should get through for 3 points.
Predicted Result: Chelsea 2-1
Best Bet: Chelsea to win at $1.57
Best Value Bet: Half-time draw at $2.1
Burnley vs Swansea
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Swansea 4, Burnley 1
Burnley are an really tough side to beat at home as evidenced by their current home record of just 1 loss in their 5 home games this campaign. Key to their success though is keeping the goals out and conceding just 2 in 5 games is a fantastic result. Swansea are still struggling to capture some momentum and may be in for another difficult day trying to break down Burnley.
Predicted Result: Burnley 1-0
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.48
Best Value Bet: Burnley to win at $2.1
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Everton 2, Draws 3
Everton fought hard for their 3-2 win over Watford last time out and they’ll be hoping that’s a catalyst for some more fortune here against Palace. This will be another tough game for both sides though as Palace will be desperate for points as they currently sit dead last with just 4 points taken from 33. Their form has been much better in their last 4 games though where they’ve taken 4 points along with 2 narrow 1-0 losses to Spurs and Newcastle. Benteke looking to make a return could be a timely boost as well.
Predicted Result: Draw 2-2
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $2.22
Best Value Bet: Over 3.5 goals at $4.25
Liverpool vs Southampton
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Southampton 3, Draws 2
The Saints have a great record over Liverpool and there’s every chance it continues this weekend. The problem for Southampton though is they just don’t score enough goals and although Liverpool’s defence will give them the chances they need, Liverpool’s attacking threat should be enough to see them through for a much needed win given their recent meetings.
Predicted Result: Liverpool 2-1
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at $1.8
Best Value Bet: Half-Time Draw at $2.4
Manchester United vs Newcastle
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Manchester United 3, Draws 2
Manchester United have dipped in their performances with the likes of Lukaku struggling to replicate his early season form which has followed the results of his team. In sayng that, seeing Newcastle cause an upset here would be massive but a result that looks unlikely to say the least. United don’t concede a lot even if the goals have dried up in recent matches.
Predicted Result: Manchester United 3-0
Best Bet: Manchester United to Win to Nil at $1.8
Best Value Bet: Manchester United to score 3 or more goals at $2.5
Watford vs West Ham
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Watford 2, West Ham 1, Draws 2
Watford have been enjoyable to watch this season but their form has really dropped off lately having lost their last 3. They have had their chances in those games though and the International break would have been a handy one for them to reset themselves. The Hammers are still struggling and look set to continue so in this one.
Predicted Result: Watford 2-1
Best Bet: Watford to win at $2
Best Value Bet: Watford to win at BTTS at $4
Brighton vs Stoke
Last 5 meetings (All competitions): Stoke 5
Stoke won their last away game when they beat Watford 1-0 but it may be too much of an ask to see them go for back to back away wins. Brighton started off their season at home with a loss to Manchester City but have since gone undefeated. They don’t look like they’ll lose this one with a draw a likely looking result.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.56
Best Value Bet: Brighton to lead at Half-Time at $3.1
