After an excellent weekend of FA Cup action, our attention now turns to the Premier League.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
The midweek action is headlined with Liverpool traveling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but there is still plenty of value elsewhere with the usual dose of excitement analogous to the league.
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Tuesday 26 January
28/10 Newcastle | Draw 11/4 | Leeds 9/10 (20:00)
Fears of
relegation are no doubt being caught in the wind at St James’ Park, with
Newcastle now finding themselves flirting with the drop zone. The Magpies are
playing like a side in trouble – averaging just over nine shots per game, and
since getting a point against Liverpool, have lost four on the bounce.
Leeds have
had their critics this season and the jury is out on whether or not their ‘exciting’
brand of football acts to their detriment. Nevertheless, Leeds is good
enough to collect all three points here.
21/10 Crystal Palace | 22/10 | West Ham 27/20 (20:00)
This will
be a difficult test for Crystal Palace. David Moyes has seen his fortune turn
lately, having guided West Ham back into a position where the thought of a European
place is no longer a fantasy.
They are
incredibly well organized and Michail Antonio retuning has added even more of a
potent threat upfront. The away win should be a banker for the multiples.
21/10 Southampton | 23/10 | Arsenal 13/10 (22:15)
Arsenal
return to St Mary’s for a rematch with the Saints. Naturally, there was a
lot of talk about Southampton knocking so-called ‘FA Cup FC’ out of the
FA Cup, but I wouldn’t read into that with too much negativity. Arsenal have
been defensively sound in recent weeks, especially when traveling, and when
you look at this Southampton defense – they are just as good!
The issue
is either side has shown much quality in front of goal and as a result you
just don’t know what to expect from either. Now whilst I like the look of
the Home/Draw Double Chance market at 11/20, I think you could have a fair punt
at Under 2.5 goals at 17/20.
13/1 West Brom | 58/10 | Manchester City 2/11 (22:15)
I’m really
intrigued by this game because it really should be a meeting of polarizing
Premier League styles. West Brom were able to hold City to a commendable draw
the last time these two met but I doubt we are in for a repeat of that during
their midweek encounter.
City have
been absolutely faultless recently, their defence is superb and they always
look like they could threaten the opposition’s goal even without playing a
natural striker. They will be without Kevin De Bruyne, and with the Belgian out
for up to six weeks, how big of an impact that will have on their season, only
time will tell.
At 8/10,
Manchester City to Win to Nil deserves considering using your provident fund at
your local Hollywoodbets outlet!
Wednesday 27 January
6/10 Chelsea | 29/10 | Wolves 42/10 (22:00)
If you were
wondering whether or not Chelsea was going through a patch, surely Frank
Lampard getting sacked puts that argument to bed? Of course, there are question
marks as to whether or not he deserved more time, and rightly so. Frank hoisted
a Chelsea team into the Champions League who had no business being there at
all.
This season
he brought in stars, yes, he spent in excess of two hundred million pounds, but
those players are not robots, they do not decide their fees and they require
time to adjust and fit into their surroundings.
Wolves have
a real opportunity to get a positive result here, but I wouldn’t recommend this
game gets a place in your midweek multiple. Do Chelsea arrive up for this and
looking to make a statement to the board? Or do they arrive dejected and
somewhat uninspired?
I’m not
sure what to expect and Wolves simply don’t deserve my confidence at the
moment.
Clean
sheet home team; No at 6/10 is a recommended avenue for this encounter.
26/10 Burnley | 49/20 | Aston Villa 1/1 (20:00)
This should
be enjoyable to watch, Burnley will come into this game full of confidence and
with a defensive attribute second to none. Sean Dyche’s men followed their 1-0
win at Anfield (terminating Anfield’s ‘fortress’ account) with an impressive
3-0 win away to Fulham.
The Clarets
will know they will once again need to be at their best when they meet a Villa
side enriched with just as much talent and ability going forward.
Aston Villa
are constantly underestimated by the betting markets whilst their performances
have placed them squarely in the conversation for a top-six finish. Dean
Smith’s side never play with fear and I expect them to get a result here.
For the
punters, I do suspect this game might start slow and begin to get a bit more
stretched in the second half, back the draw at half-time at 11/10.
21/20 Brighton | 23/10 | Fulham 26/10 (21:30)
This will
be a huge game for both of these sides, they would have each identified it at
as an opportunity to claim some much-needed points. Neither side has been able
to dominate in the final third and whilst a case can be made for both sides
performing well, scoring seems to constantly elude them.
Fulham have
been toothless, their only victory from their last 10 outings came in extra
time at QPR in the FA Cup.
Brighton
will be boosted by their surge of three wins from the last four in all
competitions, this will by no means be the most eventful feature this week, but
Brighton should edge it.
2/7 Manchester United | 44/10 | Sheffield United 9/1 (22:15)
Premier
League leaders Manchester United entertain strugglers Sheffield United on
Wednesday evening. This should be a routine win for United who are in red-hot
form at the moment.
United are
remaining competitive in the league and will be pleased to have swept domestic
rivals, Liverpool, aside from when the two clashed in the FA Cup. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
has gone about his business quietly and methodically; he has improved this team
immensely and real tangible progress is beginning to form.
Sheffield is
the worst league side on the road currently, if they had to score goals to eat,
they would starve, and I cannot see them troubling United.
Back
United in the Half-time/Full-time market at 15/20.
7/4 Everton | 9/4 | Leicester City 31/20 (22:15)
This should
be a fascinating game; Leicester will travel to Merseyside on Wednesday evening
in what should be an enthralling game of football.
What a job
Brendan Rodgers has done at Leicester when a new manager comes in and embraces
the culture which exists at a football club the result is usually a
competitive, organised, visibly comfortable and happy group of players, playing
for the manager and the club.
Carlo
Ancelotti will not be easy to overcome, the Italian has had to constantly
change and edit his players and his system due, not completely, to injury and
yet still Everton are somewhat forgetfully eight points off the top with two
games in hand.
Both
teams to score at 15/20 – get on and enjoy the rest of the game.
Thursday 28 January
21/10 Tottenham | 5/2 | Liverpool 12/10 (22:00)
This is a
titanic clash to end the gameweek, with massive implications for the league.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool travel to North London with just one win in seven,
goalless in their last four league games and talk of their title retention
slowly becoming but a nervous whisper.
A lot has
been made about their defence but in truth they aren’t allowing many chances to
the opposition and I would go as far as to say it is their absence of attacking
potency that is really costing them
Jose
Mourinho will know that in order for his side to win this they would need to
dominate in midfield and get in between those defensive lines. Of course,
Spurs has the ability to do that, but I do think that there were positive
outcomes when watching Liverpool in their recent encounters, enough so to back
them to deliver on their very generous 12/10 price.
Must-have Midweek Multiple @ 5/1
Leeds Win
9/10Man City
Win To Nil 8/10
Southampton
vs Arsenal: Under 2.5 Goals 17/20
Written by Ryan Liberty
@Mr_R_Liberty
