EPL 2017/18 - Week 10

Man Utd v/s Tottenham - Draw

Arsenal v/s Swansea - Home win

Crystal Palace v/s West Ham - Home win

Liverpool v/s Huddersfield - Home win

Watford v/s Stoke - Home win

WBA v/s Man City - Away win

Bournemouth v/s Chelsea - Away win

Brighton v/s Southampton - Home win

Leicester v/s Everton - Draw

Burnley v/s Newcastle - Home win

Through the Ferguson times, Man Utd were hand and heels above Spurs. How times have changed since the Scot has left asTottenham have bettered the Red Devils in the final standings of the past seasons. This year, they look on a dead-even keel as far as squad strength is concerned, as both are considered the likeliest to catch Man City, should the latter falter, that is. It looks like Saturday's match at Old Trafford will have consequences not just in table standings but also on the mental well-being of both squads as they chase Guardiola's men. A Man Utd win will appease the possible un-rest that has seeped through the club after their defeat at Huddersfield. Mourinho's post-match comments could be seen as throwing the players under the bus and it seems another negative display in his eyes will send the Portugese in unravel mode, with the all too familiar destructive consequences as seen during his Chelsea days. Once Mourinho loses it, the team falters as well. A convincing win however will put the Red Devils back on the strong march they have forged since the start of the season. For Tottenham, losing Kane for this match is a big blow. The England star has been the best striker on earth for the late while and in the form of his life. Without him, Spurs are not the same team. However, they have come close in their recent visits at Old Trafford and there is the best Spurs squad coming to Manchester in years. Pochettino has the tactical acumen to happily get a draw out of this match. I don't think Man Utd will lose this and on all accounts, a draw-no-bet on them sounds value. Even better value could be going for the straight draw match.

An accumulator with Winx winning the Cox Plate will bring in 20% extra. The superstar mare from Down Under looks a banker to notch her 3rd straight Cox Plate. I just cannot see anything in the field at Mooney Valley getting close to her. Only my opinion, but I rate her higher than Enable or Cracksman or anything the turf world has to offer over middle distances. I just can't wait for her possible Royal Ascot visit next year.


Accumulator :(Win: Winx Draw: Man Utd/Spurs

EPL 2017/18 - Week 9

Chelsea v/s Watford - Draw
Huddersfield v/s Man Utd - Away win
Man City v/s Burnley - Home win
Newcastle v/s Crystal Palace - Home win
Stoke v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Swansea v/s Leicester - Home win
Southampton v/s WBA - Home win
Everton v/s Arsenal - Home win
Tottenham v/s Liverpool - Away win

It is not far-fetched to think that, the way that Man City are playing, it will not be a matter whether they will beat Burnley but rather by how many goals will win. They have been on a tear and although their goal spree will come to an end sooner than later, it is hard to fathom anything other than another dominant display from Guardiola's men here. A City win has to be in any accumulator.

Newcastle look to be a team on the upside and will be looking for full points as they welcome Crystal Palace. Roy Hodgson's men shocked champions Chelsea last week-end and the return of their talisman Zaha was more than ominous as the former Man Utd player bagged in the winning goal. Sure, the Eagles are better than their current standing and Zaha will play a big part in their resurgence as the season progresses. However, Newcastle are in good vein of form and Benitez has his players playing with such confidence that it will be a negative outcome for them not to bag the 3 points here. I certainly cannot see them lose this match and it looks best value to go for the all-out win with the hosts.

Win Double: Man City/Newcastle

EPL 2017/18 - Week 8

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

Liverpool against Man Utd is always high up there among the biggest matches of the season, no matter that the Kops haven't tasted titled glory in decades and managers have come and gone over the years. The hosts have had their ups and downs since the start of the season but this will be the first real test for the rampant Red Devils. The big thing for Liverpool these days is that Coutinho has been back with a bang since the "Barcelona" episode. Even though rumors of his departure for Catalonia for the January deadline are persisting, the Brazilian has been banging in goals lately, which would have brushed off any misgivings the Red fans might have held towards him. The unfortunate thing for the Kops is that they are without Mane due to injury. When the Senegalese is back, Liverpool will truly be kicking from all corners. Man Utd are unbeaten so far but it is no secret that that their opponents so far have been of lesser quality. Still, getting the points and goals as they have been doing, should help in their quest for another title. Mourinho will most probably park the bus at Anfield and rely on counter-attacking forays with the likes of Rashford, Martial and Lukaku to sneak one or more goals at the other end. I very much see a scenario where the hosts find it hard to break down the Utd defensive wall and the Red Devils chancing their luck on rapid counters. The Liverpool defense has yet to show any kind of stability or robustness and the Red Devils have ample quality at the front end to score. I think the value punt here is to go for either a Utd win or a draw-no-bet.

For accumulators, I see easy wins for top guns such as Man City, Spurs and Chelsea. I see the Blues prolonging Palace's woes even further although the bright light for Roy Hodgson's men is the return of Zaha. It will help them in later games but not against Chelsea.

Win: Man City, Tottenham, Chelsea
Draw-no-bet: Man Utd