Miss me? It’s certainly been a while, but with the FA Cup and international Break firmly behind us, we can once again give our undivided attention to the Premier League. Now, if you’ve been listening to the Hit the Target (which is proudly brought to you by Hollywoodbets) you might have been asked to “pray” for me or indeed spare a thought while I assumedly enjoy ‘humble pie’…
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Worry not, I never left! But I should ask for forgiveness, I may have over indulged on the champagne and selection of hors d’oeuvres which was the result of our recent 5/1 and 12/1 trebles – I hope you got on.
Here’s to enjoying all the excitement pursuant to a full complement of fixtures, and of course finding enough value to get us through the betting slip. Cheers!
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Saturday 3 April
2/9 Chelsea | Draw 5/1 | West Brom 12/1 (13:30)
Chelsea have been excellent, I’m not sure when last I watched a Chelsea game and thought ‘they might be in trouble here’. I said they were my outsider pick for the Champions League and I was accused of having a secret love affair with Chelsea fans…nevertheless, interestingly enough there are whispers of Chelsea competing for silverware this season.
Forgive me, I digress. Chelsea to Win to Nil at 15/20 is the tip.
5/10 Leeds | 32/10 | Sheffield 52/10 (16:00)
Aah Leeds, how they have split opinion this season. Are they this free-spirited team guided by an Argentinian mastermind? Or just another championship side who approach every game with a full throttle approach which just isn’t sustainable for the Premier League?
Whichever side you find yourself on, it could be worse – you could be Sheffield United. I feel bad for Chris Wilder and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him snapped up soon enough – but at the same time we can’t say Sheffield weren’t patient.
Both Teams to Score is on offer at 9/10, I would strongly suggest you consider that. Otherwise, stay away from this one.
48/10 Leicester | 31/10 | Manchester City 11/20 (18:30)
This has all of the makings of being an absolutely smashing game of football. Leicester have been impressive, Brendan Rodgers is the king of embracing the very sinew of a club and, whilst he certainly brings his own flavor to the King Power, he has Leicester looking and playing every bit like Leicester Football Club.
City have been relentless, but with the Champions League reaching those squeaky bum time stages, I’m very intrigued to see whether City can keep up their domination on the local front. They certainly have the squad for it, but I’m not sure they have the pedigree or DNA which comes with continental superiority.
City on the Win/Draw Double Chance + Both Teams to Score at 11/10 is good enough for me.
2/1 Arsenal | 26/10 | Liverpool 12/10 (21:00)
Saturday reaches a climax when Liverpool visit ‘The Carpet’ – you might have no idea what I’m talking about, and I don’t blame you. For whatever reason, our local Arsenal fans have dubbed the Emirates ‘the carpet’, and in a somewhat weak attempt at entertaining our Arsenal-supporting-brethren, I have opted to describe the place as such…
I think Arsenal have every chance of upsetting the champions here, but I do agree it is difficult to back a side who have seemingly become the whipping boys for the Reds in recent times.
Outside of their victory last year, you will need to go back to 2015 for the last time Arsenal managed to win against Liverpool.
The 2/1 on offer is enticing, but I think this one ends in a draw. For the punter looking for a bump on the nose, back the draw at 26/10. For the multiples, I like the look of Under 2.5 at 12/10.
Sunday 4 April
11/10 Southampton | 9/4 | Burnley 26/10 (13:00)
Sunday doesn’t exactly get off to a flying start, but it has just been an international break and we must appreciate our club football!
Burnley seem to be heading toward a slump, they just seem to have gone off the boil and lost a bit of form. It’s terrible timing, so the sooner they can start to get points on the board, the better.
This will be a close encounter; Burnley will welcome the physicality and be happy to make it scrappy and uncomfortable. This is the sort of game which gets decided by the odd goal or possibly a set piece – enter James Ward-Prowse.
Back the Saints to edge a tight affair at 11/10.
44/10 Newcastle | 3/1 | Tottenham 6/10 (15:05)
I suppose I owe Newcastle and their fans an apology, it is true that I said they will not win another game until the end of the season. The truth is they haven’t come close to winning a thing, but they have managed to earn three impressive draws.
Nevertheless, Spurs on the (-1) Handicap is suggested to you with provident fund confidence! Get on at 31/20.
5/4 Aston Villa | 9/4 | Fulham 9/4 (17:30)
This is a tricky game, Jack Grealish’s absence has been incredibly detrimental to Villa. It’s unbelievable that one player made such an incredible impact, and I say that while fully acknowledging the talent that is Jack Grealish.
If the reports out of England are to be believed, then the young Englishman might make an appearance on Sunday afternoon but I’m not sure he turns around his side’s fortune instantly.
Fulham are a tough opposition, and, on their day, they can cause problems for most sides in England. This is another one of those games I would stay away from for the multiples but if you must have a punt, Fulham on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20 makes plenty of appeal.
6/10 Manchester United | 29/10 | Brighton 42/10 (20:30)
I really feel that United let one get away with losing to Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-final. The chance to go to Wembley to face Southampton and then either Chelsea or City in a final would have been golden.
Personally, I would much rather have seen United win the FA Cup, top three in the league and get knocked out of the Europa. I would have been content with that season and eagerly looked forward to next year.
There is a pressure which will now begin to grow should United slip up again, and it’s against these sorts of ‘smaller sides’ where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side struggle. It’s going to sound absurd, but I would rather play City at the Etihad every week.
I wouldn’t go all in on United, in fact if I have to include this game in my weekend multiple, I would go with United on the Win/Draw Double Chance and Both Teams to Score at 12/10. But for the punter looking for a Sunday evening hit on the nose – consider the draw at 29/10.
Monday 5 April
15/20 Everton | 49/20 | Crystal Palace 39/10 (19:00)
I like Everton, they have been good this season and managed to fly under the radar for the most part. They are still there and there abouts in terms of contesting European sports and yet aren’t ever found capturing the attention of the media.
Palace can’t compete with the Toffees player for player nor coach for coach – back the home win at 15/20.
19/10 Wolves | 43/20 | West Ham 15/10 (21:15)
Wolves have a young and exciting side; they haven’t managed to really compete, as we have come accustomed to expecting recently, but it won’t be too long before they once again start upsetting the apple cart in England.
West Ham are so interesting to watch, they have a delicate balance of flair, speed and ability and seem to bring it all together without compromising on their physicality. They aren’t always a thing of beauty, but you have to respect the consistency.
I think 15/10 for the away win is a gift – accept it, punt it and move on.
TREBLE @ 8/1
Chelsea Win To Nil 15/20
West Ham Win 15/10
Man City Win/Draw Double Chance + BTTS 11/10
Written by Ryan Liberty
