The next round of English Premier League matches gets underway on Friday night when Leeds take on Notts Forest and we also have a play in all seven of Saturday’s matches including Man United v Spurs and Arsenal v Sunderland
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Leeds v Notts Forest (Friday)
Leeds form in December and the bulk of January was very encouraging including home wins over Palace and Fulham and some very creditable draws but they were no match for league leaders Arsenal last weekend when they crashed to a 4-0 defeat. They still have 6 points worth of daylight over third bottom West Ham which is exactly the same situation as Friday’s opponents Notts Forest.
Forest are unbeaten in their last 4 league games, draws at home to Arsenal and most recently Palace alongside away wins at West Ham and Brentford.
With third bottom West Ham grabbing 2 wins in their last 3 and facing Burnley on Saturday this becomes a very significant game. Leeds defence had a tough time against Arsenal last week and I'm wagering there are a couple of goals for Forest here.
Bet: Notts Forest total goals, over 1.5 at 2/1 with Pokerbet
Man United v Spurs
It’s now 3 wins from 3 for Carrick after United beat Fulham 3-2 at Old Trafford last weekend. That followed a 2-0 home win over City in the derby and a 3-2 win at Arsenal which has seen them move up to fourth, 1 point above Chelsea and 5 shy of third placed Villa.
The proverbial game of two halves saw injury hit Spurs come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Man city in last week’s home fixture. Their only league win in the last 9 came at Palace just after Christmas and Spurs are down in fourteenth position, 5 points off the top half.
I'm looking for a yellow card candidate, there are a few likely lads on each side and I'll go with Casemiro
Bet: To be a shown a card, Casimero? yes at 22/10 with Sportingbet
Arsenal v Sunderland
Arsenal saw off Chelsea in the EFL Cup in midweek to book a place in the final against Man City. Last week’s 4-0 win at Leeds stretched their lead at the top of the EFL standings to 6 points and prior to that they were beaten for the first time at The Emirates this season when going down 3-2 to Man United.
Sunderland’s 3-0 home win over Burnley on Monday moved them back into the top half of the table and they now have 36 points. The bulk of those were earned in home games where they are unbeaten, recent away form is nothing like as impressive and they are expected to be without their skipper Xhaka for a couple more games.
Sunderland don't always travel well but their better displays away from home have come at some top sides. There is little pressure on the visitors and they might just contribute to the scoring
Bet: Both teams to score? yes at 1.55/1 with Pokerbet
Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Bournemouth’s 2-0 win at Wolves last week means they have taken 0 points from the last 12 available, a run which includes home wins over Spurs and Liverpool (both 3-2).
Villa slipped up last week, losing 1-0 at home to 10 man Brentford. They were also beaten at home by Everton recently but their most recent road trip delivered a 2-0 win at Newcastle in they remain in third place, 1 point behind Man city and 7 shy of Arsenal.
This looks like one of the trickier matches on the weekend coupon and I'll venture into the corners market and look for Bournemouth to wrack up 6 or more.
Bet: Bournemouth total corners, over 5.5 at 9/10 with Sportingbet
Burnley v West Ham
Burnley put in a really poor display in their 3-0 loss at Sunderland on Monday. They had shown some battling qualities in recent draws at home to Man United and Spurs and away to Liverpool but its now 15 league games without a win and they are second bottom, 9 points from safety.
West Ham coughed up a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat at Chelsea last weekend. They had won back to back matches at Spurs and at home to Sunderland prior to that and they are third bottom, 6 points shy of Forest and Leeds and 5 better off than Burnley.
Considering they had drawn with some big guns recently that was a shocker from Burnley at Sunderland and on the back of that I'm with West Ham to score 2 or more
Bet: West Ham total goals, over 1.5 at 23/20 with SuperSportBet
Fulham v Everton
Mid table Fulham went down 3-2 at Man United last week and now return home where they have earned 23 of their 34 points.
Everton scored a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Brighton last week, 3 of their last 4 have finished all square along with a 1-0 win at Villa and like Fulham they have 34 points.
I fancied Everton last week but they created very little until the death. Fulham are decent at home but I'm weary of this one and 2-3 goals in total is the fall back position.
Bet: Total goals bands 2-3 at 19/20 with Sportingbet
Wolves v Chelsea
With just 8 points Wolves are doomed and despite some spirited and much improved performances over Xmas and New Year they hav failed to score in their lasts 3 matches, a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle and a pair of -0 defeats at Maan City and at home to Bournemouth.
Chelsea failed to turn their EFL Cup semi final clash with arsenal around in midweek but recent league form comprises of 3 London derby wins, at home to Brentford and West Ham either side of a victory at Palace.
I'll take my chances with Chelsea to score 3 or more here.
Bet: Chelsea total goals over 2.5 at 2.15/1 with SuperSportBet
Newcastle v Brentford
Newcastle lost 3-1 at Man City (5-1 on aggregate) in the EFL Cup semi final second leg in midweek. They are still involved in the UCL with a play against Qarabag looming and the FA Cup but after last week’s 4-1 defeat at Liverpool in the EP they are just below half way in the standings.
Brentford’s 1-0 win at Villa was achieved despite playing more than half the game with 10 men after Schade was red carded. They had lost their 2 previous league games at Chelsea and at home to Forest (both 2-0) but with 36 points they are in a lofty seventh place.
Newcastle could be vulnerable here but my preference is for both teams to score and either team to win.
Bet: Both teams to score and either team to win? yes at 13/10 with Sportingbet