Mid-Week Report
The only thing better than a weekend slate of EPL action? That’s easy…it’s mid week fixtures highlighted by two table toppers. To make sense of the madness is our EPL guru James Kempton with game capsules on every single match.
Burnley v Stoke City
PK and 2.25 goals
For the first two thirds of their weekend game with Spurs the home side matched their high flying counterparts. They will have regrouped ahead of this critical game against Stoke as they look to avoid being sucked into the relegation battle. Home win or pass for me
Leicester City v Sunderland
Leicester -1 and 2.5 goals
It was a Leicester performance from last season that the Foxes blew Stoke away on home soil. The fight almost looks gone out of this Sunderland side as they sit more than two full wins away from safety. The line is steep though set at -1 so I will be staying away even though I believe Leicester will all but clinch safety in this one.
Watford v West Bromwich Albion
PK and 2.25 goals
Watford are a funny side and we all know about the strengths of this Baggies outfit. I sense the value here is with the home win as West Brom are now well and truly thinking of the summer break. It’s easy for their squad to get up for big games at venues such as Old Trafford but this is a different test and off this line they offer no value.
Manchester United v Everton
Man Utd -1 and 2.5 goals
It’s a brave man given current form who lays a full goal for this United side against any team in the top half of the table. Everton should be able to stay in this game long enough to give their backers a great run for their money. At the current market prices I’d be as bold as to suggest that Everton may actually offer some appeal outright.
Arsenal v West Ham United
Arsenal -1.25 and 3 goals
West Ham boss Slavan Bilic is under huge pressure going into this math; is he a dead man walking? I felt Arsenal were only ever in their game against Man City at the weekend when the Blues took their foot off of the gas. In the current climate at the Emirates I reckon this line is just a quarter of a goal too steep so if you’re wanting to bet this game take a small piece of the Hammers.
Hull City v Middlesbrough
Hull -0.25 and 2.25 goals
Before their weekend win over West Ham I said this was a big weekend for Marco Silva’s men and they certainly showed great resolve to come from behind to win that game. I see the value once more with the home team as they know what a win here could do for their season against Middlesbrough side still look short of attacking threat.
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Southampton -0.75 and 2.5 goals
The Saints have won all three EPL meetings of the sides at St Mary’s and two of those wins were by more than one goal. Without Gabbiadini in the home line up though I’m happy to side with Palace to at least gain a draw here especially coming off of that weekend morale boosting win at the league leaders.
Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham -0.75 and 2.75 goals
Spurs have a real opportunity to increase the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table if thy can gain ground on them here. Swansea are still yet to beat Spurs in the EPL over eleven attempts with eight of those seeing at least three goals. Spurs have scored at least twice in their last four trips to this ground and even without Harry Kane they should get the job done here.
Chelsea v Manchester City
Chelsea -0.25 goals and 2.5 goals
Before the international break it appeared that this game this game would have minimal impact on the title outcome. The results over the weekend have suddenly made this a rather more intriguing game. The pace at which City play should lead to an open and free flowing game. Love the over 2.5 goals here.
Liverpool v Bournemouth
Liverpool -1.5 and 3.25 goals
Liverpool ran out derby day winners on Saturday as they always seem to do against Everton, beating their neighbors 3-1. Bournemouth gained a good point at Southampton but Harry Arter blazed a penalty over the bar that could have given them all the spoils. Liverpool should win what may be a very open game. Home team and even at relatively high goal line, I have a tentative lean to the overs.
