Ryan Liberty provides predictions and insight ahead of the latest dose of Premier League action; look out for his 8/1 treble and make sure you get on at your nearest Hollywoodbets outlet or online!
Saturday 13 February
Leicester City 49/20
Draw 51/20
Liverpool 21/20
(20:00)
Leicester come into this fixture after being frustrated by a well put together Wolves outfit. Brendan Rodgers’ men will feel they should have claimed all three points from their travels to Molineux, but I’m not too sure I agree.
Wolves were able to ask far too many questions of Leicester’s defence, and if they allow Liverpool to get onto the front foot like that, the misfiring attacking options Liverpool have will cause serious problems.
Liverpool was well beaten by a Manchester City side who might be referred to as the ‘champions elect’ sooner rather than later. The Reds have lost their sense of invincibility – and it shows. The Foxes still have their holes even if the Liver bird has lost its nest. Back the home side to just edge this one by the odd goal.
Crystal Palace 13/10
Draw 22/10
Burnley 9/4
(20:00)
What happens when the irresistible force meets immovable object? I agree that introduction might be slightly dramatic for such a game but that isn’t the point…Palace play their best football when they look to go forward at pace and put teams under pressure; Burnley are arguably at their best when they are allowed to turn the game into a defensive dogfight and pinch a goal from a set piece or counter.
I don’t expect this to be a game with too many fireworks but at 22/10 the draw looks rather tasty – although I would recommend a punt on the nose rather than adding this to the weekend multiple.
Manchester City 1/3
Draw 42/10
Tottenham 15/2
(22:15)
I know that it is incredibly early to say, but even at the risk of later looking rather foolish, this is truly Manchester City’s league to lose. You talk about teams missing players, City are currently without Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne, players who are absolutely world-class, and yet we hardly even notice their absence!
City thrashed Liverpool without a recognised striker on the field – notice?
As embarrassing as it is that City are priced at 1/3 to beat Spurs, I cannot make a viable case against it. I can’t see past the home win but for more value, consider looking at City to score in both halves at 9/10.
Brighton 17/10
Draw 24/10
Aston Villa 31/20
(22:15)
Dean Smith would have certainly enjoyed completing the league-double over Arsenal last weekend, and he will expect much of the same when his side travel to the Amex on Saturday night.
Villa have an excellent spine, from Emiliano Martinez in goal to Ollie Watkins upfront. They have proved how destructive they can be and I expect them to continue with the excellent season they are enjoying.
Brighton have also managed to put a bit of a run together, going unbeaten in their last six outings in all competition, but as much as I feel the Seagulls have become South Africa’s adopted side, 31/20 is too good to pass up. Get on the away victory.
Sunday 14 February
Southampton 29/20
Draw 43/20
Wolves 2/1
(22:00)
Southampton seem to have gone off the boil a bit recently, they have now gone four league games without a victory and all of a sudden everything isn’t so rosy at St Mary’s. Ralph Hasenhuttl looks like a manager who has run out of ideas and even with an incredibly talented side, Southampton just don’t seem to pose much of a threat.
Wolves, on the other hand, have begun to show their teeth again and will want to begin to make inroads in a quest to make something of this season. I think 2/1 is generous from Hollywoodbets and should be taken advantage of!
West Brom 15/2
Draw 44/10
Manchester United 3/10
(20:00)
United will be grateful for an away game – considering they have had the most success on the road so far this year. I’m not sure what to make of the game against Everton. Naturally the first instinct is to feel it’s a missed opportunity, but in the greater scheme of things it could also be seen as a good point towards a top four position.
I still maintain that United have an outside chance of winning the league but will make no bones about the fact that for City to lose the league is an upset.
West Brom will play this game without much pressure, they will know these are not the games that keep them safe. Could this make them more dangerous? Well, just ask Liverpool and Manchester City. Expect a rather cagey first 45 minutes and consider taking the draw at half-time, you would get around 33/20.
Arsenal 8/10
Draw 28/10
Leeds United 3/1
(21:30)
What do we make of this Arsenal side? They are yet another side in the league this year who fail to find any consistency, but on their day, they are a seriously talented side who can hurt you from all angles.
Mikel Arteta will want to have his side on the front foot right from the start, but that won’t change the approach we know Leeds will adopt. Marcelo Bielsa’s side attack without fear or favour, so while it might appear to be a bit fraudulent backing both teams to score in such a game, it will always make a great appeal. Get on at 11/20.
Everton 8/10
Draw 26/10
Fulham 33/10
(22:15)
Fulham gave a decent account of themselves against West Ham last time out in the league. The Cottagers created a fair number of chances and I would imagine Scott Parker left the happier of the two managers.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek should have probably won it for his side but nonetheless the draw was a decent result. I must say though, about the Thomas Soucek red card, Aleksander Mitrovic seemingly escaped necessary criticism for his theatrics. The way he throws himself to the ground before then pleading Soucek’s innocence after realising a red was on the way is simply pathetic.
Anyway, Everton will be full of confidence and with the return of their weapons upfront, they should be a banker in all multiples.
Monday 8 February
West Ham United 15/20
Draw 26/10
Sheffield United 37/10
(22:15)
If you are a listener to the “Hit the Target Podcast” proudly brought to you by Hollywoodbets, you would have heard me say quite often that I agree Sheffield is in a relegation scrap, but with their grit and fight I fancy them to survive the drop.
West Ham are more than capable of winning this but I’m going to go for Sheffield United on the Win/Draw Double Chance with Both Teams to Score because I reckon, they might simply want this more. If Sheffield manage to hustle the Irons and make this less of a football match and more of a scrap, there is no reason we cannot collect on the 47/20 when metal meets metal.
Chelsea 1/4
Draw 5/1
Newcastle 10/1
(22:00)
Thomas Tuchel continues to impress with this revamped Chelsea side, I’m sure the German has the greatest respect for Frank Lampard and all that he’s done, but it’s beginning to get more and more difficult to understand why this Chelsea side wasn’t able to produce a clear system of play.
The only concern I have remains in Chelsea’s defensive ability. Yes, they kept clean sheets in the first three games under Tuchel, but I don’t trust Antonio Rudiger or Andreas Christensen.
Newcastle proved at the weekend that they are more than capable of causing issues when they go forward with the likes of Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron. I think taking the Both Teams to Score market could be a shrewd bet at even money.
TREBLE @ 8/1
Everton Win 8/10
Aston Villa Win 31/20
Chelsea vs Newcastle BTTS 1/1
Written by Ryan Liberty