Given the tough week I had last time out I might consider killing a black fowl, but nevertheless, here are my predictions and insight ahead of the latest round of Premier League action.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
The weekend
is headlined by the massive clash between Chelsea and United but there is
excitement and value aplenty, and with an 11/1 treble, you just simply have to have
a dabble!
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Saturday 27 February
2/9 Manchester City | Draw 5/1 | West Ham 10/1 (14:30)
Is it time yet? Do we call City the Champions elect? They simply do not let up, victory at the ‘carpet’ – heaven help us all – was Pep Guardiola’s 18th straight win as City coach this season in all competition and their 13th in the Premier League.
Even when City aren’t at their best, they manage to claim all three and enjoy a clean sheet. Arsenal approached the game in the correct way, I would just have loved to see them disrespect City a little more and actually give themselves a chance.
West Ham have been awesome, but I’ve learnt my lesson. City will win, but at even money getting on Both Teams to Score makes plenty of appeal.
3/1 West Brom | 47/20 | Brighton 19/20 (17:00)
This game could wind up being relatively open, West Brom under Big Sam have been relatively free flowing against the so-called lesser sides, and I think with the attacking prowess both sides pose here, coupled with their defensive fragility; Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 could be the way to go.
1/1 Leeds | 23/10 | Aston Villa 29/10 (19:30)
I must be honest; I didn’t subscribe to the notion that Aston Villa had peaked…I guess in hindsight you could argue that I was in denial. Dean Smith’s side have become somewhat laboured, dropping vital points and, to some extent, quelling the notion that top four was a tangible goal for the season.
Without Jack Grealish in the side, they lack any real attacking threat and while I acknowledge that against Leeds chances will be created, I can’t put hard-earned money on the Villains.
One the
other hand, Leeds will not change. They will welcome the duel in midfield and
inevitably offer Villa chances. But for my money, Over 2.5 at 11/20 is worth
the punt.
5/10 Newcastle | 7/2 | Wolves 5/1 (22:00)
Wolves seem
to have turned a corner – something I’d love to have happen with my
predictions!
They still
miss Raul Jiminez but their young side are beginning to play a real exciting
brand of football.
Newcastle lack any real attacking potency and I just can’t see past the away win in this one.
Sunday 28 February
23/10 Crystal Palace | Draw 43/20 | Fulham 13/10
(14:00)
Palace need
a massive response against Brighton. Their players seem to have somewhat given
up and are just coasting toward the end of the season. At such a rate they
might very well be playing Championship football.
Fulham at
times have blown hot and cold. I don’t think there is anything particularly
special about Scott Parkers men, but they seem to just always get the job done.
Games in the league are beginning to come thick and fast and I would have
assumed that the Potters would begin to struggle as the season went on, given
their rather ‘thin’ squad, but they always seem to surprise me.
I think
this London derby ends in a draw, back both teams to share in the spoils on
offer.
29/20 Leicester | 47/20 | Arsenal 37/20 (14:00)
I was
impressed with Arsenal against City, I said they had the capabilities to get a
result against City and but for a bit of hard luck I would suggest a draw would
have been a fair result.
That being
said, the poise, class and clinical approach with which Leicester have gone
about their work has been exemplary. Brendan Rodgers can take a lot of the
plaudits – and credit to his management – but they have just been a joy to
watch this season.
Could
Caglar Soyuncu be one of the most underrated defenders in the league? And if he
is, Wesley Fofana isn’t too far back in second!
This has
all the makings of an absolute humdinger, but I think it ends all level. At
44/10, there is plenty of value and I wouldn’t argue against adding that to
your weekend multiple.
11/20 Tottenham | 3/1 | Burnley 52/10 (16:00)
I’m
struggling to constantly find superlatives for Spurs. When Jose Mourinho gives
his attacking players license to play, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son usually
find themselves on the scoresheet and Spurs have everything to claim all three.
Gareth Bale
was good at the weekend. When he fails to perform, we hear about it but when he
shows his quality there isn’t as much noise – but this is England after all.
Burnley
will want to slow the game down and try to drag Spurs into a scrap, but I think
the North London side have what it takes to claim maximum points. Simply put,
dropping further points might put Jose and co in a precarious situation if it
hasn’t already.
12/10 Chelsea | 9/4 | Manchester United 24/10 (18:30)
This is
obviously the game of the weekend, but I’m not sure it will live up to the
title. Thomas Tuchel’s side come into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with
Southampton.
Chelsea was
lackluster in that encounter and a repeat could see them easily dispatched by a
United side who are starting to again purr.
Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer’s men are finding fluidity and consistency to their game which
isn’t always necessarily the most pretty but is certainly effective. A fast
start at the Bridge will be vital and if the weapons United have upfront start
on the front foot, they could cause Chelsea problems early on.
For the
brave punter I would suggest considering getting behind United to score first
and the game to end in a draw, otherwise the straight draw at 9/4 makes plenty
of appeal.
6/1 Sheffield | 39/10 | Liverpool 4/10 (21:15)
I can’t
help but think this could potentially be a banana skin game for Liverpool. I’ve
spoken a lot about the Sheffield fight, the attempts to turn games into scraps
and why I believe they will survive the drop.
The have
made it tough to stick to those opinions and if you called me stubborn, I
wouldn’t have much to argue against you… But I still subscribe to such an
opinion.
Liverpool
are currently having the worst title defence of any champion in England, yes,
they are worse than David Moyes’ United. The Reds lack an attacking edge and in
defence they are vulnerable.
I have
absolutely no reason to have confidence in Jurgen Klopp’s side and even at the
risk of continuing a tough patch of predictions I’m going to put my head on the
block and say Sheffield will get a result.
Back the
Blades on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 33/20.
Monday 15 February
11/10 Everton | 49/20 | Southampton 23/10
(22:00)
You might
be tempted to have a sizeable bet on Everton here, but I would caution against
such thoughts.
The
inconsistency of the Toffees this season has hurt the punters and even though
Southampton are on a downward trajectory do not be fooled. The Saints earned a
fantastic point against a Chelsea side who probably deserved all three. Ralph
Hasenhuttl’s side managed to get numbers behind the ball and with the pace they
have available upfront, they took their chances well.
Everton
should dominate this game and to be honest should win here, I would just
suggest that backing Both Teams to Score at 15/20 is a safer route for the
multiples.
TREBLE @ 11/1
Wolves Win 11/10
Leicester vs Arsenal – Draw 47/20
Everton vs Southampton BTTS 15/20
Written by: Ryan Liberty
@Mr_R_Liberty
