There might only be 6 EPL fixtures on this weekend, but there’s still plenty of football going on with some FA Cup ties to be played as well. It was a solid week in betting options last week with 9/9 best bets and both our Safe and Value Multi options coming through so we’ll be aiming as always to keep in touch with that sort of form.
There’s a couple of big matchups this weekend with Tottenham visiting Liverpool in the EPL and Manchester United hosting a Chelsea lacking confidence in the FA Cup. There are also some intriguing matchups between sides fighting to avoid relegation with the Reading and Villa match certain to be a game showing plenty of intent from both sides so there should be plenty of goals around.
Best Value Bet: Tottenham Double Chance at $2
Multi Options
Safe Multi: WBA and Swansea both to score $1.68, Reading/Villa both to score at $1.65, and Norwich Double Chance at $1.4 = $3.88
Value Multi: Spurs Double Chance at $2, Newcastle/Stoke over 2.5 goals at $2.1, Reading/Villa both to score at $1.65, and WBA/Swansea both to score at $1.68 = $11.64
West Brom ($2.4) Versus Swansea ($3.25), Draw ($3.45)
- West Brom Last 5:LLWWL
- Lukaku has 3 goals in his last 2 games
- Swansea Last 5:DLWLW
- 1 win in their last 5 away
Both teams have been impressive this season with Swansea 8th and WBA 9th on the table even on 40 points. Clarke’s men were unfortunate to not take away anything at Stamford Bridge with their inform striker Lukaku ineligible to play against his parent club whist on loan which was a blow considering his strong form. Swansea are still on a high after cup success and last week’s win over Newcastle but they must be wary of the big Belgian Lukaku if they are to take anything from this match. This will be a close contest with goals likely to be scored on both sides.
Predicted result: Draw 2-2
Confidence: 70%
Best Bet: Both teams to score at $ 1.68
Reading ($2.46) Versus Aston Villa ($3.05), Draw ($3.5)
- Reading Last 5:DWLLL
- Won 3 of their last 5 at home but lost 4 of their last 8 home and away.
- Aston Villa Last 5:LDWLL
- Benteke has 5 goals in his last 6 games
The Royals had their chances against Everton last week and the score line could have been different if they had converted their chances early in the game and if a penalty decision went their way. This is a do or die match for both teams and a massive chance to haul themselves out of the bottom three. The loser of the match will most likely condemn themselves to relegation and it looks like Villa are the likely candidate. McDermott would take positives that his team are able to create chances and with Villa conceding the 2nd most goals this season (54). Lambert’s huge problem is finding players that are match winners to support Benteke, and with only one win in their last 11 matches this relegation likelihood is firming up. Look for late goals in this one.
Predicted result: Reading Win 2-1
Confidence: 75%
Best Bet: Both teams to score at $1.65
QPR ($2.3) Versus Sunderland ($3.5), Draw ($3.45)
- QPR Last 5:DDLLW
- Their 2 goals against Southampton was the first time they have scored more than 1 goal in the top flight since their 2-2 draw with Wigan back on Dec 8th
- Sunderland Last 5:DLLLD
- Last 4 away games have all been over 2.5 goals
QPR surprised everyone last week with a last ditch win over a Southampton team who had high expectations to take the three points. With 3 wins all season the Rangers are still 4 points from safety but a remarkable fight back considering they were 11 points at the start of the year. The Black Cats had to claw their way back against Fulham who took an early 2 goal lead and O’Niells men should count themselves lucky to have drawn level, however the fight back showed character and if Sunderland can start positively they will definitely brush aside QPR. Sessegnon season is stepping into gear as he scored the equaliser and with QPR’s home form an embarrassment there should be plenty of goals. Speaking of goals Jay Bothroyd finally scored his first in over a year and could possibly be the goal threat QPR desperately have been missing all season.
Predicted result: QPR 2-1
Confidence: 75%
Best Bet: QPR Double Chance at $1.4 is the safe bet but value is QPR to win at $2.3 to back up their Southampton win.
Norwich ($2.52) Versus Southampton ($3.1), Draw ($3.45)
- Norwich Last 5:DDDWL
- Only 3 losses at home this season to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City
- Southampton Last 5:LDWLL
- Only 2 wins away whilst conceding 2.42 goals per away game
Norwich host Southampton this weekend in a match where both sides will be fighting for the 3 points to cement themselves in the top flight for another season with Southampton the more desperate of the two being only 3 points off the drop. Norwich are strong at home having only lost 3 times to big clubs in Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City so coming up against another bottom half team it’s not hard to see why they are favourites. Southampton has struggled away this season and will probably struggle here.
Predicted result: Norwich 2-1
Confidence: 70%
Best Bet: Double Chance Norwich at $1.42
Newcastle ($1.89) Versus Stoke ($4.7), Draw ($3.5)
- Newcastle Last 5:WWLWL
- Conceded 10 more goals than at the same point last season
- Stoke Last 5:DLWLL
- Only 1 win away this season in the PL
Newcastle were perhaps a little unlucky to lose against Swansea last week but the fact remains that they have a poor away record with only 1 win away all season. So in returning home they are a much stronger chance against the struggling Stoke who themselves have only 1 away win all season in the Premier League whilst their last 5 away has seen 5 losses and 1 draw. With Newcastle welcoming back Ben Arfa during the week in the Europa league it’s hard to go past Newcastle for a home win here.
Predicted result: Newcastle 2-1
Confidence: 80%
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $2.1 looks good value. Newcastle’s last 4 at home have all been over 2.5 whilst Stoke have conceded 1.6 goals on average in their last 5 away.
Liverpool ($1.93) Versus Tottenham ($4), Draw ($4)
- Liverpool Last 5:DDLWW
- Of their 34 conceded goals this season, only 35% have been conceded at home
- Tottenham Last 5:DWWWW
- Bale has 9 goals in his last 7 games in all comps with 4 of these coming in away games.
A cracking matchup here with Liverpool hitting some great form in recent weeks with Suarez showing us once again how lethal he can be with support from the exciting Coutinho. Spurs themselves have been in fantastic form for an extended period now of 12 games undefeated with Bale the shining light. With their 3-0 pounding of Inter Milan in the Europa League during the week combined with their recent streak it begs the question as to why Spurs are $4 outsiders here. It might be to do with Liverpool’s strong home form defensively and the likelihood of Sturridge to return from Injury, but Spurs are enormous value given their recent run of form. Best value is surely Spurs double chance here at $2 with a draw the likely outcome given the form of Suarez and co.
Predicted result: Draw 1-1
Confidence: 75%
Best Bet: Tottenham Double Chance at $2
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