The domestic scene was kicked in overdrive with the return of the Champions League in midweek but the gift that is the Premier League just keeps on giving.
I know these sentiments have been trending everywhere in the last week, but I couldn’t care less! I simply have to say it again. What an incredible experience it has been watching all the glitz and glamour this league has served up so far this season.
The weekend fixtures, the midweek taste tests and now another round of fixtures – I only have one thing to say: keep it coming!
Friday 25 February
11/20 Southampton | Draw 32/10 | Norwich 46/10 (22:00)
This could be the perfect game to get the weekend underway. Southampton have been quietly going about their business, not really attracting too much attention. However, the Saints are unbeaten in their last five outings in all competition, scoring at a rate of 2.2 per goal conceded!
Norwich isn’t at a level where they can compete only because they sorely lack any degree of confidence. Get on the home win.
Saturday 26 February
26/10 Leeds | Draw 26/10 | Tottenham 19/20 (14:30)
What a performance by Tottenham at the weekend. They were immense! I must say, yes, I had previously mentioned that under Antonio Conte, Spurs were better organized and aren’t an easy side to put away…but I didn’t have the gall to make that call.
Leeds tried to make life difficult for United, but their expansive approach has let them down week in and week out. Against a better organized side – I don’t think they score. Back the away clean sheet at 19/10.
29/20 Brentford | Draw 9/4 | Newcastle 19/10 (17:00)
Well how about this Newcastle team? They’ve been brilliant to watch, difficult to contain for their opposition and incredibly up for it every weekend. Brentford see to have become a little disillusioned of late and just don’t seem to be in a good place.
The Bees have lost their previous eight fixtures and I can’t see a way forward for them now – it just seems to be a storm they need to weather…Newcastle is a banker for me, I’m quite confident about their chances this weekend.
9/10 Crystal Palace | Draw 49/20 | Burnley 31/10 (17:00)
On paper this game seems largely straightforward – but as the cliché goes: football isn’t played on paper. Palace have the team to put Burnley to the sword, but the defensive nature of the Clarets shouldn’t be misconstrued.
Burnley have conceded just two games from their last five fixtures, fixtures which have included Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. This won’t be a pushover fixture at all, and so under 2.5 goals at 7/10 seems the opportunistic route.
13/10 Brighton | Draw 9/4 | Aston Villa 43/20 (17:00)
Aston Villa still makes a mockery of my prediction ability…and yet like the glutton for punishment I have become, here I am getting behind Steven Gerrard’s men. Brighton haven’t been poor by any suggestion, but their limitations are evident when they come up against a team who look to play on the front foot.
Villa reminds me a lot of Newcastle, in that they require something to click and then we’ll likely see them kick-on. For my money, I’m behind the visitors.
1/3 Manchester United | Draw 42/10 | Watford 15/2 (17:00)
Manchester United were largely quite positive against a Leeds side buoyed by their hostile fans. United needed an inspired performance to secure all three points, but they needed that win before they go into their March fixtures.
Watford don’t have enough to win. They will ask questions of United’s defence though and I’m not sure the Red Devils have a defensive structure you would be insecure to take on in the betting markets.
United should win, but both teams to score at even money offers plenty value.
9/1 Everton | Draw 48/10 | Manchester City 2/7 (19:30)
Pep Guardiola has suggested that the title race is ‘far from over’…a sentiment not many agree with outside of Merseyside. Now whilst I will ignore the inadvertent betting tip offered by Guardiola, City remains the best team in the league.
Everton have a side capable of causing them issues, but I can’t see the home side winning this fixture. The pace and movement of the Sky Blues will overpower an Everton side likely to stay in the fixture for all of forty-five minutes.
With that being said though, a draw at half-time at 48/10, could be a shrewd bet for a couple coins lying around.
Sunday 27 February
11/10 West Ham | Draw 47/20 | Wolves 51/20 (19:30)
I must be honest; I cannot believe the odds available around a Wolves win here. The visitors have been incredible so far this season, adopting an attitude of unbridled attack in the flanks of the football field have served their side well and they now find themselves crafting a late surge for European positions.
West Ham haven’t been themselves recently, especially in terms of their defensive stability. I think Wolves win here; I really do.
TREBLE @ 8/1
Southampton Win 11/20
Manchester United v Watford: BTTS 1/1
Newcastle Win 19/10
