It’s the 25th round of English Premier League action – so strap in before you cash in! (Ps. If you read that intro with Bruce Buffer screaming in your head – I thank you).
Saturday 12 February
5/10 Manchester United | Draw 32/10 | Southampton 48/10 (14:30)
I was one of those people who thought that under Ralf Rangnick we would see a different Manchester United. This just hasn’t been the case – but I’m inclined to look more at the players than the manager.
Southampton can be a tough team to beat, they are happy to frustrate their opposition and capitalize on a set-piece. I don’t think backing United is makes sense…so I’ll (admittedly) cop out and go Under 2.5 Goals at 21/20.
26/10 Watford | Draw 9/4 | Brighton 11/10 (17:00)
Watford continue to struggle when it comes to consistency. They were impressive against Burnley in Roy Hodgson’s first start – but it will prove venial should they fail to consolidate that result.
Brighton have also sort of fallen off the wagon a bit, they aren’t exactly the dynamic Seagull they once were. I think the Hornets can grind out a result here, so for my money the home Win/Draw Double Chance bet looks pretty good at 13/20.
16/10 Brentford | Draw 21/10 | Crystal Palace 37/20 (17:00)
Brentford aren’t quite the hype they were at the beginning of the season. In their last six games out in all competition, they have conceded an average of three goals per game! That isn’t a statistic that belongs in the Premier League.
Palace are quite literally the epitome of ‘keep on keeping on’. I think the Eagles win here.
11/10 Everton | Draw 5/2 | Leeds United 23/10 (17:00)
I think this Everton side have everything required to make a resurgence back into the upper echelons of English football. I think Frank Lampard is a quality young coach, confident enough to believe in his own structures and aggressive enough to get players to buy-in!
The Toffees’ January acquisitions were world-class and if they can stick together, I think Everton can challenge the very best on their day.
Leeds isn’t the same without Patrick Bamford, in this sort of League you cannot have such a heavy reliance on one player – Everton win.
14/1 Norwich City | Draw 6/1 | Manchester City 1/6 (19:30)
Talk about improvement! Norwich haven’t just sort of started performing better in football matches, they have WON Premier League games! They create chances and are playing with a belly of confidence.
They aren’t quite at the level of City though – well not yet anyway (Yes, this is sarcasm). So of course, City win the game. In the interest of value though, I think 9/20 about Over 2.5 Goals isn’t huge…but will assist the multiples.
Sunday 13 February
13/20 Tottenham | Draw 26/10 | Wolves 42/10 (16:00)
At the risk of sounding embarrassingly ignorant, I’m not sure about the quality and value of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, in relation to an Antonio Conte football team. And it seems my thoughts aren’t exclusively mine either judging by the mainstream media.
Nevertheless, Harry Kane firing on all cylinders will always be a positive for anything Spurs-related and I think Sunday won’t be too different.
Wolves have been brilliant in the League though; they are incredibly difficult to break down and can ask questions in the final third. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win, and yet even without that risk we can get about 7/10 on Wolves scoring. Back “No” in the “Clean Sheet Home Team” market.
21/20 Newcastle United | Draw 47/20 | Aston Villa 13/10 (16:00)
I think Newcastle did some good business in the window, although I think it will take some time before we see that team kick on.
Villa are flying now. To be completely honest, even when they have failed to win and secure all three points, I think they had played good football. I think the visitors will be too strong here.
15/2 Burnley | Draw 42/10 | Liverpool 1/3 (16:00)
Burnley simply aren’t good enough to test Liverpool. This is a side who are bottom of the table with just a solitary win and a vivid lack of anything positive. The sort of rustic, ugly and uncomfortable Burnley we are used to seeing – and for many, the reason they remain in the League in each year – has completely deserted the Clarets this year.
Liverpool should have their African hero’s back and that just compounds their ability. Back the Reds on the (-1) Handicap at 9/10.
19/10 Leicester City | Draw 5/2 | West Ham United 27/20 (18:30)
On paper, this game screams goals. Leicester have been poor though, there is nothing about them that gives me any sort of confidence. They look as though they have run out of ideas upfront and their defensive ability is quite frankly abject.
West Ham have been decent, but for me it’s the results they are producing even when they play badly. I can’t see past the away win here.
QUAD @ 16/1
Everton Win 11/10
Aston Villa Win 13/10
West Ham United Win 27/20
Norwich v City: Over 2.5 Goals 9/20
