Things are starting to get busy in the EPL now with some mid-week fixtures sure to keep us on the edge of our seats once again. There was plenty on the weekend that makes our first run of games this Wednesday morning interesting. The likes of Liverpool will be looking to consolidate their win over the weekend much the same as Man Utd who are starting to look once again like top 4 mainstays. Let’s see if they can kick on here.
**Odds from Sportsbet as at 1st December
Burnley ($2.62) versus Newcastle ($2.62), Draw ($3.3)
Burnley’s run of wins was halted by Villa on the weekend but they still came out with a handy point. They face Newcastle in their next game who’d been on a great run until their loss at West Ham. It sets up an interesting battle here with Newcastle perhaps still the form side despite their loss on the weekend. Suspension for Sissoko won’t exactly help their cause as his marauding runs can be devastating at times but they should have enough depth to cover for him here. Burnley for the most part have done ok at home against the bottom 10 sides but they tend to struggle a little against the sides that have a little more quality. They’re not going to be a side that dominates possession purely for their lack of quality in midfield to hold the ball. They’ve also conceded the 3rd most shots on goal in the league averaging 16.7 per games and although Newcastle aren’t the best in the league offensively, they have the pace and attack to cause some problems. I’d expect this game to be a pretty tight one with Newcastle having a slight edge.
Predicted score: Newcastle 1-0
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.73 (80%)
Next Best: Like the value for Newcastle to win at $2.62
Leicester ($4) versus Liverpool ($1.95), Draw ($3.4)
Liverpool were back on the winner’s list with their late 1-0 win over Stoke at home which keeps them in the hunt of the top 4. They head to Leicester though in what could be a tricky fixture even though Leicester themselves are not in form at all. Their loss on the weekend away at QPR has knocked them down to the bottom of the table and they look in real trouble in the short term at least. Their next 5 fixtures include Man City, Tottenham, and West Ham, so they no doubt have a tough task ahead of them. Looking at Liverpool though, I for one am still not convinced they have turned the corner. Their win over Stoke was their first in 6 games in all competitions and whilst on paper they look the stronger side, this is one to approach with caution. In saying that though, they will be the side with a little more confidence and will be looking to capitalise on Leicester’s poor form. Don’t expect it to be easy by any means with Liverpool’s unconvincing season thus far but it’s a game they really should win no matter how badly they have been playing at times this season.
Predicted score: Liverpool 3-2
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.78 (75%)
Next Best: Draw No Bet Liverpool at $1.4
Manchester United ($1.44) versus Stoke ($7), Draw ($4.5)
Man United have maintained their 4th spot with a solid win over Hull at the weekend. It saw some fantastic goals through Rooney and RVP which sealed their 3rd win in a row and it certainly looks as though United are heading in the right direction under LVG at the moment. The one downside of their win though was the hamstring injury to Di Maria who has been pretty good for United in his time so far. Taking on Stoke they should be expected to notch another win here. Stoke had a fantastic win over Tottenham away a few weeks ago but they let things slip against Burnley and couldn’t hold out against Liverpool on the weekend. It’ll no doubt be a little frustrating for the players and as a result I think United will get their 4th win in a row. Di Maria might be out, but they should have enough to cover for him especially with Rooney and RVP finding some form.
Predicted score: Manchester United 2-0
Best Bet: Half-Time Draw at $2.3 (85%)
Next Best: Exactly 2 or 3 goals at $2.04
Swansea ($1.75) versus QPR ($5), Draw ($3.6)
It’s another home game for Swansea as they prepare to take on QPR. Swansea had a great start against Palace on the weekend through usual suspects Bony and Sigurdsson only to give it away with a penalty through Jedinak for Palace. It’s a must win game for them here though if they want to maintain their position in the top 10 as they have some tricky fixtures coming up with West Ham and Tottenham to follow. Looking at QPR they’ll be boosted by their 3-2 win at home over Leicester but this is a tough game to follow up especially away and against a side that loves possession. QPR have yet to take any points away from home and I don’t think it will happen here. Swansea are a top side at their best and I think the Bony and Sigurdsson show will roll on.
Predicted score: Swansea 2-0
Best Bet: Swansea to win at $1.75 (90%)
Next Best: Exactly 2 or 3 goals at $2
Crystal Palace ($2.1) versus Aston Villa ($3.5), Draw ($3.3)
Really interesting matchup here with Palace taking on Villa. Palace have been in some really good touch lately and although Villa have been struggling a little, they’ll be able to welcome back Benteke here which adds some much needed firepower up front. Mile Jedinak knocked in his 5th goal of the season over the weekend as he continues his excellent form and I’d expect him to have an impact here. For Villa although they haven’t managed to get the 3 points, they have managed 3 draws to at least stop their slide down the table. I think the addition of Benteke here is massive as he’ll be raring to go after letting his teammates down against Tottenham when he got a red card. For that, I think he’ll have an impact here that should see Villa leave with something, it’s just a matter of whether it’s 1 point or 3. The fact Palace have been in good touch their last two games for me leads me to suspect this could be another draw in the end though.
Predicted score: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.68 (85%)
Next Best: Both teams to score – Yes at $1.83
West Brom ($2.4) versus West Ham ($2.9), Draw ($3.3)
The final game of Wednesday see West Brom hosting West Ham. The Hammer’s got back on the winner’s list in their tough match against Newcastle at the weekend and they look to be in a strong position to get another over West Brom. West Brom copped their 3rd straight loss on the weekend when they lost to Arsenal. It was a tough run of fixtures for them though having lost to Chelsea and Newcastle the week’s prior. It’s a good opportunity for them to try and find some form here but West Ham won’t be that easy. They’re playing more attacking football which is perhaps emphasized by their average of 4.3 shots on target per game so far this season. It’s only ranked 9th in the league, but when you average around that figure you tend to be staying in the top half of the table. Regardless though I can see West Brom getting something out of this especially being a home game and these mid-week fixtures can sometimes throw up a few curve balls.
Predicted score: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score at $1.67 (85%)
Next Best: West Brom to win either half at $1.69
Please Note:
All of the above are the opinions of the author and are not recommendations or advice. The author may not be taking every bet listed above. Bet at your own risk.
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