Friday, February 24, 2017

EPL 2016/17 - Week 27

Chelsea v/s Swansea - Home win
Crystal Palace v/s Middlesbrough - Draw
Everton v/s Sunderland - Home win
Hull v/s Burnley - Home win
West Brom v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Watford v/s West Ham - Draw
Tottenham v/s Stoke - Home win
Leicester v/s Liverpool - Away win

I like Hull's chances when they host Burnley on Saturday. Marco Silva is bringing a different continental approach to the Tigers and the players seem to be responding well with some honorable performances since his appointment. There is more fight in them and they can find ways to score as well. Burnley are coming into this match on the shock of a defeat to Lincoln at home in the FA Cup. They have an absolutely terrible away form and although I think they will win one of these days on a road trip, I cannot see it happening this week-end. I see it rewarding to go for Hull for the outright win.

Champions Leicester are in turmoil and the sacking of Ranieri in mid-week won't appease things, at least in the short term. This team is terribly missing Kante in the middle and with the likes of Mahrez and Vardy not reproducing last year's irresistible form, they are more a bottom than top-level team this year; however, as a whole, they are surely better than being a relegation team which is why their current standing baffles and has seen their Italian manager sacked. Liverpool will be visiting the Foxes like hungry wolves. The Kops have had their poor run of their own lately but I see them picking things up from now on. Coutinho is too good to remain quiet and once he starts firing, the whole team will dance to his tune. They have a great chance of grabbing full points against a deeply-wounded and manager-less Leicester team.

Win: Hull, Liverpool

Friday, February 10, 2017

EPL 2016/17 - Week 26

Arsenal v/s Hull - Home win
Man Utd v/s Watford - Home win
Middlesbrough v/s Everton - Away win
Stoke v/s Crystal Palace - Home win
Sunderland v/s Southampton - Home win
West Ham v/s West Brom - Away win
Liverpool v/s Tottenham - Home win
Burnley v/s Chelsea - Away win
Swansea v/s Leicester - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Man City - Away win

It seems best to side with the Manchester teams this game week. I will again go against Watford knowing fully well that I was on the wrong side of their last 2 wins. Against Arsenal they were arguably lucky to get 2 quick goals against an uncharacteristically poor opponent. Against Burnley, they played with one extra man for the most part of the match. The problem with Man Utd at the moment is their profligacy in front of goal. Besides Zlatan, everyone else is finding it hard to be clean in front of goal. Once they rectify their shot to goal ratio, they will be more lethal. The Red Devils are on a good run and I just cannot see Watford doing another Arsenal shocker here. Home team win.

I think Man City are also turning the corner. The arrival of Gabriel Jesus has given this team a second life. They should have too much against a Cherries team that are conceding goals by the bucket load. If Man City take their chances, they could be hammering at least 3 goals on this road trip. This should be a comfortable City win.

Win: Man Utd, Man City

Friday, February 3, 2017

EPL 2016/17 - Week 25

Chelsea v/s Arsenal - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Sunderland - Home win
Everton v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Hull v/s Liverpool - Home win
Southampton v/s West Ham - Home win
Watford v/s Burnley - Away win
WBA v/s Stoke - Home win
Tottenham v/s Middlesbrough - Home win
Man City v/s Swansea - Home win
Leicester v/s Man Utd - Away win

Watford may have stunned Arsenal last week but I have a feeling that they will flounder at home to Burnley. This may appear as a long shot but Burnley's profile going into this match makes some appeal. They are on a great winning run and their last loss of late was a last-gap one at the Emirates where Alexis Sanchez broke the deadlock in the 8th minute of injury-time. Watford will prove a lesser nut to crack and I really think Dyche's men can take something out of this match. A draw might be a more sensible choice but going with the visitors at current prices might prove very rewarding.

Man City should be making ground up again this week-end as they entertain Swansea. Newcomer Jesus has already made a refreshing and solid impact and the Citizens could be on a winning run here. Spurs should also get back to winning ways when they host Swansea.


Win: Burnley, Man City, Tottenham