Wolves v Leicester City
The Foxes look vulnerable here having lost their last two and won’t be looking forward to the prospect of trying to keep Raul Jimenez quiet. The Mexican has bagged seven goals already this term and over the past five seasons has scored 43 goals in 63 starts.
Those are impressive stats. Not as impressive as the astonishing level of statistical detail Marcelo Bielsa goes into to number crunch every opponent of Leeds United of course. That Wednesday press conference from El Loco was simply spellbinding. While you’ve got your PowerPoint out though Mr Bielsa can you please f**king explain how you managed to bust my coupon not once but twice at the start of the month?
Betting: Raul Jimenez to score first at 11/2 (Betfair)
Bournemouth v West Ham
There’s much to look forward to this year what with the Royal Baby, Ghostbusters 3 and Brexit. Such joy awaits. We won’t lie though. We are slightly less enthused about Bournemouth v West Ham but feel the Hammers might be the call here given the Cherries’ recent travails. They’ve lost their last two and before that, drew 3-3 at home to Watford in a batshit crazy encounter. West Ham will want to build on that fine win over Arsenal and get the nod here in the draw no bet market.
Betting: West Ham (Draw No Bet) to win win at 21/20 (888 Sport)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
The Reds can temporarily stretch their lead at the top to seven points by blasting past Palace at Anfield and it’s difficult to make a case for them not winning this. Jurgen Klopp’s men are unbeaten in 31 home games in front of the Kop, and have shipped just three goals in their last 15 games at HQ. That said, only five teams have conceded fewer Premier League goals than Palace, so Liverpool might have to be patient.
Betting: Liverpool to win and under 2.5 at 13/5 (Betfair)
Manchester United v Brighton
That’ll be six wins in a row for Manchester United then. And you just know Jose Mourinho watched that Spurs win while sat at home in a vest with spaghetti bolognese stains on it, blind drunk screaming ‘El Bastardos’ at the TV. They are piping-hot favourites to turn Brighton over yet I can’t get my head round the fact that Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba are both a top-price 5/1 to score first. The boy Rashford has scored six goals in his last nine appearances for the Red Devils and is absolutely flying, so 5s looks big.
Betting: Rashford to score first at 5/1 (bet365)
Newcastle United v Cardiff City
A behemoth of a battle is brewing on Tyneside between two likely relegating candidates. I was cursing Newcastle’s extra-time FA Cup replay win against Blackburn in the week as it let down a 32/1 treble of mine. However the win came at a cost to the Magpies, who have injury worries in defence and midfield ahead of hands down their biggest game of the season. This could be a game that Rafa Benitez sends his side out not to lose, rather than win, and with this in mind the draw looks a big runner at 12/5.
Betting: Draw at 12/5 (bet365/Betfair)
Southampton v Everton
Highlight of the week for me was Mariah Carey saying “time is not something I acknowledge” after putting up a ringer photo as her ‘10-year challenge’ picture on Twitter. So the next time EON ring me to remind me I’ve not squared the bill in four months I will simply reply in a low voice over the phone “time is not something I acknowledge”. And hang up. Also, mates, I don’t even care what you look like now so why the f**k would I care what you looked like ten years ago?
Betting: Both teams to score – No at 23/20 (888 Sport)
Watford v Burnley
The Hornets eased to a 3-1 win when these teams met in the corresponding fixture back in August and despite Burnley’s recent upturn in fortunes Watford looks a decent bet to claim maximum points once again.
Betting: Watford to win and both teams to score at 5/2 (888 Sport)
Arsenal v Chelsea
A defeat for Arsenal this weekend would surely deal a hammer blow to the Gunners’ prospects of qualifying for next season’s Champions League (unless they win the Europa League). A Chelsea win would put them nine points clear of Unai Emery’s men in fourth but could you really back the Blues on recent form? It’s as plain as a pikestaff that the squad Maurizio Sarri has inherited are struggling to adapt to his style of play, with Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso in particular both putting in several sub-par shifts in recent weeks. Arsenal, for all their faults, are decent at home and should be too clinical for a Chelsea side who don’t score enough goals.
Betting: Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 3/1 (bet365)
Huddersfield Town v Manchester City
Huddersfield are 1/16 now to go down and time will tell whether they were right to sack David Wagner. In all seriousness where do Huddersfield think they should be? The very fact he took then from nowhere up to the Premier League, for two seasons, means they should be building statues never mind handing him his P45. Sergio Aguero should return for the champions here and if he does 14/5 about him scoring first looks handsome.
Betting: Aguero to score first at 14/5 (888 Sport)
Fulham v Tottenham
It remains to be seen how Tottenham will cope without their World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, and whether Mauricio Pochettino will make a rare foray into the transfer market to try and beef up their attack. Even without the injured Kane though, Spurs should still stroll to victory over Fulham, who are about as dangerous as a dead cod in a fishmongers.
Betting: Tottenham to win to nil at 2/1 (bet365)
Degsy Bilton