Friday, March 18, 2016

EPL 2015/16 - Week 31

Everton v/s Arsenal - Draw
Chelsea v/s West Ham - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Leicester - Draw
Watford v/s Stoke - Draw
West Brom v/s Norwich - Home win
Swansea v/s Aston Villa - Home win
Newcastle v/s Sunderland - Draw
Southampton v/s Liverpool - Home win
Man City v/s Man Utd - Home win
Tottenham v/s Bournemouth - Home win


Man City have disappointed of late in the title run-in. I think they can get right back into it against bitter rivals Utd. Both Manchester clubs have been involved in Europe this week, albeit with different outcomes. City proceeded to the quarter-finals of the UCL while Utd were dumped out by Liverpool. I just think there is a gulf between the 2 teams at the moment. Man City have proven erratic and irregular but once they are on song, they can score at any time. On the other hand, Man Utd seem to be a glued team that just isn't good enough for big pretenses at this level. In short, Van Gaal made a mess of this team. The FA Cup is their best hope this year and even that looks far-reaching. Man City to edge this one.

I think that Southampton have a card to play against Liverpool. They have enjoyed a good spell lately and will be the fitter team as the Kops had a tough mid-week match at Old Trafford. Koeman usually has his team in good tactical shape against supposedly leading teams and it would not be surprising that he pulls another trick out of the hat again. It might be worth going for an outright win or a draw-no-bet with the home team.

Friday, March 11, 2016

EPL 2015/16 - Week 30

Norwich v/s Man City - Away win
Bournemouth v/s Swansea - Home win
Stoke v/s Southampton - Draw
Aston Villa v/s Tottenham - Away win
Leicester v/s Newcastle - Home win

A restricted set of matches for this gameweek; it looks like league leaders Leicester and Spurs will widen the gap at the top. Spurs travel to sorry Villa for a massive chance to garner 3 important points. Kane and company got thrashed in Dortmund in mid-week but will find the drop in opponent class a more suitable proposition. Villa are going down I am certain and although their previous results after Europa league outings are patchy, Spurs cannot afford any drop of points here.

Newcastle are also in shambles and I don't believe the replacement of manager Mc Laren by Benitez today will improve them a lot in the short term (maybe even long term). Leicester will relish this clash and Vardy and Mahrez are in for a field day. Hardly any doubt about another straight home win for the Foxes.

Friday, March 4, 2016

EPL 2015/16 - Week 29

Tottenham v/s Arsenal - Draw
Chelsea v/s Stoke - Draw
Everton v/s West Ham - Home win
Man City v/s Aston Villa - Home win
Newcastle v/s Bournemouth - Away win
Southampton v/s Sunderland - Home win
Swansea v/s Norwich - Draw
Watford v/s Leicester - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Liverpool - Home win
West Brom v/s Man Utd - Home win

Bournemouth looks like a great value punt on Saturday as they travel to St James Park and face a Newcastle team in disarray. Steve Mc Laren does not seem to find the formula to get his team out of their current rut and face the real prospect of relegation. Bournemouth are a well-organized team that have proven to be more at ease on their travels. I think they will either win or draw this, so a draw-no-bet at current market prices looks very appealing.

This week could prove pivotal in Arsenal's chances of winning the title. They lost a crucial match to Swansea and lost Petr Cech in the process. They just have trouble scoring at the moment and dearly miss a ruthless striker. Giroud is just not good enough. Their season will unravel completely if they lose the London Derby to new title favorites Spurs. The latter definitely are in a great position to pounce on any slip-up from league leaders Leicester as they have a deeper squad. This should be a close one at the Lane and I feel caution will be the premium word from both sides and a draw is a very likely prospect.