EPL 2015/16 - Week 36

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

Anyone out there still thinking that Leicester won't be champions? I think the football world has come to the evidence that the Foxes won't be denied; it really will be one of the greatest feats in the history of football. It's not a question where the minnows stunned some heavily-favoured team in a single match; they've been crushing the league for a good while now. Really deserving of winning the lot.

That said, I think they will go get a result at Old Trafford. The mood in the Red Devils camp will surely be up after winning their trip to the FA Cup final. They are still fighting for a UCL spot and don't have much margin for error. However, this Leicester team is resilient and will definitely have chances on the counter-attack against a team that relies all too well on ball possession. I can see the visitors either winning or drawing this match, so a draw-no-bet on them at current market prices looks great value.

I think Southampton have a great card to play against visiting Man City. Although the Citizens badly need the full points to secure a UCL spot, they will also have their eyes and minds on their pending trip to Madrid for the UCL semi-final return leg. Their chances to reach the final are live after a good 0-0 at home. So it will not be surprising if Pellegrini rotates his squad for Sunday's match. Southampton are on a good run and I've always said that Koeman knows how to prepare his teams against good opposition. I think the Saints can win this, and if they don't, it will surely end up in a draw match.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 35

Man City v/s Stoke - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Chelsea - Draw
Aston Villa v/s Southampton - Away win
Liverpool v/s Newcastle - Home win
Sunderland v/s Arsenal - Home win
Leicester v/s Swansea - Home win
Tottenham v/s West Brom - Home win

It is no secret that how well Leicester deal with the loss of superstar striker Vardy for the next 2 matches will determine their chances of title glory. Vardy not only scores goals, he also opens up defences with his pace. Ranieri does not really have another similar player up front with Okazaki and Ulloa not pacy-types. So, the Foxes will have to alter their usual game plan in their next couple of matches. Swansea have nothing to play for but they are pesky opponents. They definitely have the capability of spoiling the home party. With Vardy, a Leicester win would have been very probable. Without him, the Foxes will still prove difficult to break down but they need to get the odd goal to make the difference. Many will look to Mahrez to provide the inspiration and although the Algerian has been quiet in the last few matches, he has the quality to break down the visitors. I think the home team will win this match by the minimum score.

For a value punt, I am looking no further than Sunderland hosting Arsenal. Wenger's men will go as heavy favourites with Alexis Sanchez in red-hot form. But this is an Allardyce-Wenger matchup and the Sunderland manager will relish breaking the flow of the Gunners' play as usual. Sunderland have good form going into this match and they badly need the points as well to get out of their current relegation predicament. Arsenal will choke again, I think, and the home team will either draw or win this, so a draw-no-bet on them looks good value.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 34

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

Man City are on an absolute high after making their way to the semi-final of the UCL at the expense of PSG in mid-week. Let's put it this way; the return of Belgian superstar De Bruyne has simply lifted this star-studded team to another level. The ex-Chelsea player is a joy to watch; he can make incisive passes as well as score. It is no coincidence that Man City lost pace in the title run-in at the time of his prolonged injury setback. Since his return, he's bagged in important goals and the Citizens definitely need him in their UCL conquest and also for the run-in for the 4th vital EPL spot.

Chelsea definitely will be looking to play spoilers. They have been a transformed team under Hiddink and are a threat to any team. They will have several players back from injury and have the edge fitness-wise as they were idle during the week. I see a case of Man City players short of lasting the full 90 minutes of a high-tempo game and also suffering from their mid-week hangover.  City have shown limits on their travels and even having De Bryune in their ranks might not be enough against the Blues at Stamford Bridge. The hosts just won't lose this one.

Leicester are almost there. West Ham are a tough team to play against but they had a tough FA Cup match against Man Utd on Wednesday. I can't see many goals in this one but it's home advantage to the Foxes who can as ever rely on a stingy defence and one of Vardy or Mahrez to make the difference up front. The home team should just edge this.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 33

West Ham v/s Arsenal - Draw

Aston Villa v/s Bournemouth - Away win

Crystal Palace v/s Norwich - Home win

Southampton v/s Newcastle - Home win

Swansea v/s Chelsea - Home win

Watford v/s Everton - Away win

Man City v/s West Brom - Home win

Sunderland v/s Leicester - Draw

Liverpool v/s Stoke - Draw

Tottenham v/s Man Utd - Home win

I am bullish on quite a few home selections this week. I think Crystal Palace will finally manage a win after their oh-so-long drought, and beat relegation-doomed Norwich. If the Eagles can't beat the Canaries at home, then they deserve to go down as well!

I also think that Southampton will easily beat Newcastle. There is a difference in class between the 2 clubs and I expect Koeman to come up on top after against his continental adversary Benitez. The Saints have been riding some good form lately and are pushing for a wishful top-4 finish, while Benitez is still trying to figure out the mess on Tyneside.

Swansea have a card to play against a Chelsea team that will be missing many regulars. At market prices, the home team are value to snatch at least a draw or even better still, a home win. I just don't see them losing this encounter.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 32

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

Arsenal are in no position to lose points if they are to keep their slim hopes of winning the league. They must beat the likes of Watford at home. The visitors seem to have plateau-ed with main striker Ighalo drawing consistently blanks of late. The Gunners should have too much firepower and bag the all-important 3 points.

I really like Stoke's chances at home to Swansea. Mark Hughes' team are always solid at home although they can throw the odd dull performance. Swansea are pretty much safe from relegation and don't have much to play for; they are really seeing out their under-performing season and gear up for next year. On the other hand, the Potters have a small chance of a European spot and will have the motivation to get the full points. I see the home team edging this.

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.

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.

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.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 28

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

Crystal Palace did not justify the confidence placed upon them last week but I still believe that it is a case of "when" and not "if", they will finally start a winning run. They travel to fellow strugglers Sunderland for a good opportunity to bag in 3 important points. Although it's relatively early to have a firm judgement, I have a feeling that Sunderland are looking more likely to go down than stay up. I think they will desperately missing players of the caliber of Adam Johnson during the relegation scrap. Bolasie should be making his comeback felt sooner than later for the Eagles and they could be the value away win of the midweek matches.

If there is a team that I strongly believe will be relegated, it has to be Villa. They haven't improved under manager Garde and they are not showing any signs that things will get drastically better. The visit of Everton does not look good for them as Martinez's men have good form going into this match with some resolute defensive displays in their last matches. Barkley has just been sparkling for the Toffees this season and he has been creating danger by the bucket load in many of his matches of late. Everton are good to at least get a point out of this encounter and it might be worth a shot to see them get all three.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 27

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


I expect lots of home wins this week-end but I am going to focus on the 2 matches I believe will be away wins. I think Crystal Palace are due a league win and the return of striker Bolasie could coincide with a change in their fortunes. They beat Spurs at White Hart Lane in the FA Cup and have an arguably easier road test against West Brom. The Baggies don't sport the best form at the moment and although they are expected to beat the drop, they are not as solid at home as they used to be a while back. The Eagles should just edge this.

Man Utd might have won their Europa League tie against some Danish minnows but Arsenal represents a different test. The injury-hit home side will miss Rooney, Martial, Smalling to name a few and I just can't see their make-shift side trouble the likes of Cech, Ozil and Sanchez. The Gunners are worthy favourites and will expect 3 important full points in their quest for the title.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 26

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

Leicester are confounding all logic at the moment; they put Man City firmly in their place last week and they look to crush the league by doubling down on Arsenal on Sunday. This match at the Emirates can go either way as the Foxes are never out of a match; their gung-ho style means that they have a chance to win or equalize until the last kick.

Everton looks a banker win as they host West Brom. Martinez's men are in blistering form having won their last 3 matches three to nil and things are oh-so-smooth in their attack with Barkley the mastermind. The Baggies suffered in extra-time in mid-week, so will be tested to their physical limits for this match. Got to go for the home win.

I also like the chances of the Red Devils as they visit Sunderland. The latter have let go of their best player, Adam Johnson, in mid-week. The Black Cats have a terrible defence which Rooney and Martial are set to exploit. Van Gaal's team again made the news this past week regarding the impending arrival of Mourinho. Much is being discussed on it but just a look at his management style leads me to categorically think that this could end up being the worst decision ever made at the club should this happen. Mourinho gets results but at a price and risk that will not suit a club of that magnitude. We will get to that as the story develops, but Man Utd have turned the corner as their recent away displays at Newcastle and Chelsea have shown and they look good for the 3 points.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 25

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

A 6-pointer match in Manchester as City host surprise league leaders Leicester. All the talk with Leicester has been with Vardy and Mahrez. Their keeper Schmeichel and their defence do not make the back pages but they are the ones that more often that not keep things tidy at the back and provide the platform for their devastating counter-attacks. If they can keep the likes of Aguero and Silva at bay, it is not impossible of them to actually snatch the 3 points. De Bryune will be missed for the Citizens although truth be told, they have ample firepower to do damage to any team. They will need to be at their best and I see them just nicking this although it would be no shock if Leicester were celebrating a winner in the end.

Aston Villa are in a state of urgency to pick up full points and they won't come much easier than Norwich. This is another 6-pointer at the other end of the spectrum with both teams destined to battle it out to avoid the drop until the last day. Both are dreadful and have no good form to rely on, and the fact that Norwich has been leaking in the bucket-loads recently leads me to think that the hosts can edge this with the odd goal.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 24

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

The big question for title favourites Man City is how the departure of Pellegrini at the end of the season has affected the morale of the players. Sure, Guardiola is regarded a better manager, but Pellegrini is a well-liked among the squad. For one, Yaya Toure is probably sulking at this moment as his rift with Guardiola dates back from his Barcelona days. If the manager switch has managed to disturb him, this could spell trouble for City, particularly with de Bruyne out for an extended period of time. The good thing about the Citizens right now is the form of Aguero. The Premier League's best striker is in top form at the moment and will be keen to exploit the many weaknesses of the Sunderland defence. City don't have the best record on the record but Sunderland is as easy a prey as they will get and they should come away with the 3 points.

I cannot see Everton lose at home to Newcastle. The Toffees have found it hard lately to score as needed despite creating first-rate chances. Their last defeat at home to Swansea saw them squander gilt-edged goal-scoring opportunities yet again. They might be apt to remedy on this with the arrival of Newcastle who have a dismal defensive record. The Magpies have strengthened lately prior to the transfer deadline but I don't expect things to turn overnight for Mc Laren's men. Everton won the first fixture at the death at St James Park but I think it will be a more comfortable with this time.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 23

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

I see Watford's losing run coming to an end against Newcastle. Ighalo is due a goal soon and he could very well get one or more against a usually-suspect Newcastle defence which just got worse off with new injuries to Dummett and Mbabu. The Magpies will do well to snatch a point out of this encounter but I think Watford will outright win this.

Arsenal hosts Chelsea  but the fiery tempers will probably be tampered because the Special One won't be there anymore to face arch-nemesis Wenger. Arsenal are welcoming back Ozil and Sanchez which gives them much-needed ammunition for the title run-in. I see their free-flowing football causing a lot of trouble for Chelsea's old legs and I just can't see an away win here. Most likely, it's the hosts that will rejoice with the 3 points in the end.

EPL 2015/16 - Week 22

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

Spurs should be able to bounce back from their last defeat against Leicester and comprehensively beat Sunderland. Harry Kane is due a goal soon having come close in his last couple of matches. Sunderland were lucky to have 4 past an under-manned Swansea in their last match. I don't reckon Defoe will get the same opportunities against his former club.

I see Leicester building on their last away win at White Hart Lane and pile more misery on Villa. The latter finally won last time out, albeit due to a lucky goal against Palace. Maybe lightning can strike twice but the Foxes are so hard to score against that I sense that they can very well find at least a goal with the likes of Mahrez or Vardy and outscore the worst team in the league.