After a strong start in our first week, we ended up -27% in our second week of the blog. A few of the big teams such as Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United all slipped up over the weekend, making it a great week for the bookies. We also saw a a big result at the bottom end of the table with Southampton picking up 3 points at home to fellow relegation candidates Watford.
We’re being treated to a mid-week round of fixtures this week, so in this blog I’ll be previewing the games and giving my tips on how I think each match is going to pan out. Some of the stand out games this week include the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night, as well as a big clash between Jose Mourinho’s new team Spurs and his old team Manchester United.
Enjoy, and good luck!
Crystal Palace Vs Bournemouth – Tuesday 3rd, 7.30 pm
Crystal Palace ended their run of 5 matches without a win with a solid 2-0 win away to Burnley. Their winless run included many of the big hitters in the league, so you get the feeling that the tide may be turning for better down at Selhurst Park. Bournemouth on the other hand have lost 3 on the bounce, however they aren’t playing like a team who deserve to be losing game after game.
I think this should be a good game with both teams hoping to win, but I think Palace have looked quite impressive over the last few matches so I’m backing them to win. Bournemouth will definitely pose a threat, but look a bit vulnerable at the back and with players like Zaha about, I think it may prove to be a decisive factor.
Crystal Palace to BEAT Bournemouth (2.10 odds, confidence 3)
Burnley Vs Manchester City – Tuesday 3rd, 8.15 pm
Burnley were well beaten 2-0 by Palace over the weekend, but after a couple of good wins against Watford and West Ham I don’t think they’ll be too bothered. City on the other hand may well have handed Liverpool the title with a 2-2 draw away to Newcastle. They found it tough to break down a resilient defence, and needed a moment of brilliance from De Bruyne to get their second goal.
I always find it hard to bet against City, even if they may now be out of the title race. The way Guardiola manages his sides, I don’t think they’ll give up just yet on the title so I think City to win. City are also used to playing midweek football whereas Burnley aren’t so that could factor in the performance too.
Manchester City to BEAT Burnley (1.25 odds, confidence 3)
Chelsea Vs Aston Villa – Wednesday 4th, 7.30 pm
Chelsea are coming into this off the back of a surprise loss to West Ham. I predicted a tough day for Chelsea due to the Champions League midweek game and the loss of Abraham, however they will still be disappointed with the result. Their opponents Villa played very well in their last match against Manchester United in a 2-2 draw on Sunday, so will be hoping for a similar performance again.
I’m backing Chelsea to get back to winning ways this match. Stanford Bridge isn’t an easy place to come, and with the news that Abraham might be fit and ready to play again, it could be too much for Villa. Add in the fact that Villa won’t be used to playing midweek fixtures then I can’t see past Chelsea.
Chelsea to BEAT Aston Villa (1.30 odds, confidence 3)
Leicester Vs Watford – Wednesday 4th, 7.30 pm
Leicester needed a last gasp goal on Sunday to beat Everton 2-1. They are probably the most consistent team in the league at the moment, and with the late winner over the weekend it seems as if everything is going right for them at the minute. Watford have struggled in recent games, and their problems got worse with a 2-1 defeat to relegation rivals Southampton which resulted in Flores being sacked as head coach.
Leicester should win this one quite comfortably. It’s always a tricky one to call when a team has just sacked their manager as it’s impossible to tell what sort of reaction it’ll evoke from the players, but Leicester have been extremely good this season so I can’t see Watford getting a result here.
Leicester to BEAT Watford (1.36 odds, confidence 4)
Manchester United Vs Tottenham- Wednesday 4th, 7.30 pm
Manchester United just can’t seem to get a win from anywhere at the moment. They needed to come from behind to draw to Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago, and they could only get a 2-2 draw with Villa over the weekend. Tottenham however seem to have a new lease of life life since Mourinho has come in and have won two on the bounce.
This should be a very interesting match, with Jose no doubt desperate to get a win over his ex club United. Spurs look a much better team over the last few matches with Alli coming back into form, but they’re defence still looks extremely shaky and with Rashford and Martial in attack I can’t see them keeping a clean sheet. I see this ending in a draw.
Manchester United to DRAW with Tottenham (3.50 odds, confidence 2)
Southampton Vs Norwich – Wednesday 4th, 7.30 pm
Both sides are in the relegation zine, both sides have also been in good form over the last couple of matches. Southampton drew against Arsenal, and then beat Watford last week. Norwich also drew against Arsenal and managed to beat Everton the week previous.
Southampton to me look like a team who are finally starting to see some results which match their talent. Ings, Ward-Prowse and Redmond are all too good to be in a relegation battle so I’m backing Southampton to continue their good form and beat Norwich. Norwich are capable of getting a result if Pukki and Cantwell turn up, but I’m backing Southampton here.
Southampton to BEAT Norwich (1.75 odds, confidence 3)
Wolves Vs West Ham – Wednesday 4th, 7.30 pm
Wolves come into this match after a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, who are proving to be a very tricky team to beat. West Ham also come into the match with a positive result after a 1-0 win against Chelsea.
Although from probably favors Wolves, I think this will end in a draw. Wolves must be starting to feel the effects of Europa League football, and West Ham have put in some much better performances over the past couple of weeks. A close game, but I’m backing a draw.
Wolves to DRAW with West Ham (3.60 odds, confidence 2)
Liverpool Vs Everton – Wednesday 4th, 8.15 pm
Liverpool won yet against against Brighton over the weekend, and with City losing they are now 8 points clear of Leicester and 11 points clear of City. Everton come into this match as total underdogs, with Silva very close to the sack is the rumors are anything to go by. They did however play much better against Leicester than they have done in weeks previous with only a late winner denying them a draw, so some reason to be hopeful.
I can only see a Liverpool win here. Form is never the best measure when looking at the Merseyside derby, however Liverpool have been showed week in week out why they’re so far clear at the top of the league – they just know how to win. Everton are the opposite and seem incapable of winning at the moment, so it’s Liverpool for me.
Liverpool to BEAT Everton (1.40 odds, confidence 3)
Sheffield United Vs Newcastle – Thursday 5th, 7.30 pm
Sheffield have come through a very tough run of fixtures and have avoided defeat – they’ve drawn a lot, but they’ve avoided defeat. Newcastle have also looked good in recent weeks. They slipped up against Aston Villa a couple of weeks back but prior to that they were looking very sharp, and they’re coming into this match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
I’m going against the bookies here and I’m backing Newcastle to win this game. I think Sheffield United have been great this season, but consistency can be a problem when looking at the mid table sides and after a few good results against top teams, I see them slipping up against Newcastle.
Newcastle to BEAT Sheffield United (4.60 odds, confidence 1)
Arsenal Vs Brighton – Thursday 5th, 8.15 pm
With Emery gone and Ljungberg in, many Arsenal fans were expecting a win against Norwich. After a very strong start to the game, they quickly reverted back to the Emery style of play, ended up drawing the game 2-2 after an awful defensive display. Brighton come into this after a tough match against league leaders Liverpool where they just lost 2-1.
Many people will be backing Arsenal to slip up again against Brighton, but I think after another few sessions with Ljungberg the only way is up in terms of Arsenal performances, so I’m going for an Arsenal win. In will by no means be an easy match, and Brighton will smell blood, but I think this is a match that Arsenal have to win if they want to avoid a civil war between the fans and the board.
Arsenal to BEAT Brighton (1.57 odds, confidence 2)
Best of luck All!
Two Cents Sports Betting 