The Premier league is certainly heating up with the big dogs in Manchester City and Manchester United fighting it out for top spot with only 1 point between them. The rest seem to have faltered with Chelsea struggling 6 points behind Manchester City with the likes of West Brom and Tottenham fighting it out for a top 4 spot. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, there are some cracking games to look at this week. Chelsea again will be copping most of the limelight and more bad press if they lose or draw this weekend.
West Ham ($4.3) Versus Chelsea ($2.02), Draw ($3.6)
West Ham Last 5:
- DWDLL
- Goals For: 3
- Goals Against: 5
Stat: Have not beaten Chelsea since May 2003 when they won 1-0.
Chelsea Last 5:
- DDLDD
- Goals For: 3
- Goals Against: 4
Stat: Unbeaten at Upton Park in the last 6 visits.
Both teams are in a bit of a rut but none more than Chelsea. Since RDM was fired they have yet to score a goal though perhaps more encouragingly they have yet to concede having conceded 8 goals in the previous 4 games in all competitions. West Ham was admirable against Manchester United and kept the score line tight after United had 7 shots on target to 1. West Ham has been strong at home this season only losing once. Tough to pick given Chelsea’s poor run recently but they should have enough quality to get a tight first win for Benitez.
Predicted result: Chelsea 1-0
Confidence: 70%
Betting Option: Lay West Ham at $4.3
Arsenal ($1.5) Versus Swansea ($7.8), Draw ($4.6)
Arsenal Last 5:
- LDWDD
- Goals For: 10
- Goals Against: 8
Season: Have conceded the least second half goals – 4
Swansea Last 5:
- DDWDW
- Goals For: 7
- Goals Against: 4
Stat: Bargain buy Michu has scored 8 goals in the EPL this season which is equal 3rd.
Arsenal should be too strong in this one at home. Swansea have certainly found some form in recent weeks and their win over West Brom earlier this week was a fantastic result for them. Swansea has only won 1 of their last 6 away games and could find it tough here but will not go down without a fight. The corresponding last meeting between these two was a narrow 1-0 victory to Arsenal
Predicted result: Arsenal 2-1
Confidence: 80%
Betting Option: Arsenal to win at $1.5
Fulham ($3.05) Versus Tottenham ($2.56), Draw ($3.5)
Fulham Last 5:
- DDLLD
- Goals For: 6
- Goals Against: 9
Stat: have not won since 20th of October when they beat Aston Villa 1-0.
Tottenham Last 5:
- LLLWW
- Goals For: 8
- Goals Against: 10 (5 against Arsenal with 10 men)
Stat: Tottenham are equal 1st with Reading conceding the most second half goals (18) with 8 of these coming after 75 minutes.
Tottenham look to have their mojo back after 2 wins on the trot whilst Fulham have not won since 20th of October. With key players returning from injury and Bale in full flight, Spurs look strong in this one. Fulham has only beaten Tottenham once in their past 10 meetings though don’t expect them to get belted in this one at home it will be a tight match. Watch for Berbatov to make an impact for Fulham and Defoe to be dangerous for Spurs.
Predicted result: Tottenham 2-1
Confidence: 80%
Betting Option: Lay Fulham at $3.05
Liverpool ($1.45) Versus Southampton ($9), Draw ($4.9)
Liverpool Last 5:
- DDWDL
- Goals For: 6
- Goals Against: 4
Stat: The emphasis on scoring is clearly left on Suarez as he leads the league with 10 goals. How long can they rely on him?
Southampton Last 5:
- LDWWD
- Goals For: 7
- Goals Against: 5
Stat: Failed to score only once this season – They don’t die wondering.
Liverpool had all the possession against Tottenham midweek (65%) and had plenty of chances to score with their only goal a lucky own goal. With Suarez the only chief threat there is plenty of pressure on him to score given their injuries. Southampton has been strong in recent weeks with 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 4. Look for Southampton to sneak a goal but Liverpool too strong. Enrique was super impressive at times on the left wing with his pace and strength to trouble the Southampton defence.
Predicted result: Liverpool 3-1
Confidence: 85%
Betting Option: Liverpool at $1.46
Manchester City ($1.56) Versus Everton ($7), Draw ($4.4)
Manchester City Last 5:
- DWWDW
- Goals For: 9
- Goals Against: 1
Stat: have scored 20 of their 27 goals in the second half this season.
Everton Last 5:
- DWLDD
- Goals For: 7
- Goals Against: 7
Stat: 16 of their 24 goals have come in the 1st half
Everton has been strong this season though have lost their way a little over the past month with some results not going their way. Many say City are underachieving with no clear evidence of absolute domination apart from the Win/Loss column of course.
Predicted result: Manchester City 2-1
Confidence: 75%
Betting Option: Over 2.5 goals at $1.75
QPR ($2.02) Versus Aston Villa ($4.1), Draw ($3.7)
QPR Last 5:
- DLLLD
- Goals For: 3
- Goals Against: 8
Stat: Only scored 10 goals this season – Poor. Only 4 goals at home
Aston Villa Last 5:
- WLLDW
- Goals For: 4
- Goals Against: 8 (5 against City, 3 against United)
Stat: Villa has been equally poor in front of goal with only 11 goals – 3 of these coming in away games whilst they have also conceded 14 goals in away games.
Is this it? Is it? Can QPR get their long awaited first win of the season? Harry has certainly added some confidence to QPR however Villa has been improving recently as well and could ruin the party here. Despite heavy losses to United and City, Villa has been quite strong defensively keeping 3 clean sheets in their past 5 games. Interestingly Villa has not won at Loftus road in their past 5 attempts. Look for Harry’s name to be chanted loudly with their first win of the season.
Predicted result: QPR 1-0
Confidence: 75%
Betting Option: Lay Aston Villa at $4.1
West Brom ($2.16) Versus Stoke ($3.9), Draw ($3.45)
West Brom Last 5:
- WWWWL
- Goals For: 11
- Goals Against: 7
Stat: Have not beaten Stoke at Home in the Premier League.
Stoke Last 5:
- LWDWW
- Goals For: 5
- Goals Against: 3
Stat: When scoring first (7 times), Stoke has only lost once this season (3 wins, 3 draws)
Despite their loss to an impressive Swansea midweek, West Brom in our minds still remains one of the top teams in the league this season so far. This will be an interesting battle with the Baggies knocking in plenty of goals lately whilst Stoke has certainly conceded very few goals. West Brom should win this one though Stoke will be stubborn in defence.
Predicted result: West Brom 1-0
Confidence: 80%
Betting Option: West Brom to win at $2.16
Reading ($8.8) Versus Manchester United ($1.46), Draw ($4.9)
Reading Last 5:
- DDWLL
- Goals For: 5
- Goals Against: 6
Stat: Conceded the equal most second half goals (18)
Manchester United Last 5:
- WWLWW
- Goals For: 9
- Goals Against: 5
Stat: Scored the most goals this season with 33, 6 clear of Manchester City. 21 of these goals have come in the second half.
The Manchester United machine just keeps rumbling on which is painful for all of us non-United supporters and are looking strong for another title. Reading is fighting to avoid relegation sitting in 19th with only 9 points and at this stage will continue to sit there for a few more weeks. They definitely need to strengthen in January if they are to survive. United will be too strong here.
Predicted result: Manchester United 3-1
Confidence: 90%
Betting Option: Manchester United to win at $1.46
Norwich ($2.16) Versus Sunderland ($3.9), Draw ($3.45)
Norwich Last 5:
- WDWDD
- Goals For: 4
- Goals Against: 2
Stat: 3 wins and a draw in their last 5 games at home.
Sunderland Last 5:
- LLWLD
- Goals For: 6
- Goals Against: 7
Stat: Steven Fletcher has 6 goals this season – he needs more support.
For all their recruiting over the summer the Black Cats have been disappointing. As a comparison of the last 6 games, Norwich has gained 10 points and a big scalp in Manchester United whilst Sunderland only has 5 points from the past 6 games. Sunderland has a lot of work to do to lift themselves away from the relegation zone. We expect them to get better towards January but Norwich are in great form at home (3 wins on the trot) and should get the win here. Defensively they have been magnificent conceding only 2 goals in the last 5 games.
Predicted result: Norwich 1-0
Confidence: 70%
Betting Option: Norwich at $2.16
Newcastle ($2.06) Versus Wigan ($4.1), Draw ($3.5)
Newcastle Last 5:
- DLLLL
- Goals For: 3
- Goals Against: 8
Season: Demba Ba is equal 3rd top scorer with 8 goals.
Wigan Last 5:
- WLLWL
- Goals For: 5
- Goals Against: 9
Season: Conceded the 3rd most goals (25) though only 10 of these have been in away games.
Newcastle don’t seem to have had much luck lately and with 4 losses in a row they will be desperate for a win at home against Wigan. Newcastle has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks which have no doubt had a big effect but they still have plenty of firepower up forward in Cisse and Ba. Cisse needs to step up here after his great season last year. Wigan has only won 1 of their last 5 games away and they have not won at Newcastle in their past 5 attempts.
Predicted result: Newcastle 2-1
Confidence: 75%
Betting Option: Lay Wigan at $4.1
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