After an excellent weekend of FA Cup action, our attention now turns to the Premier League. The midweek action is headlined with Liverpool travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but there is still plenty of value elsewhere with the usual dose of excitement analogous to the league.
Tuesday 26 January
Newcastle United 28/10
Draw 11/4
Leeds 9/10
(20:00)
Fears of relegation are no doubt being caught in the wind at St James’ Park, with Newcastle now finding themselves flirting with the drop zone. The Magpies are playing like a side in trouble – averaging just over nine shots per game, and since getting a point against Liverpool, have lost four on the bounce.
Leeds have had their critics this season and the jury is out on whether or not their ‘exciting’ brand of football acts to their detriment. Nevertheless, Leeds is good enough to collect all three points here.
Crystal Palace 21/10
Draw 22/10
West Ham United 27/20
(20:00)
This will be a difficult test for Crystal Palace. David Moyes has seen his fortune turn lately, having guided West Ham back into a position where the thought of a European place is no longer a fantasy.
They are incredibly well organized and Michail Antonio retuning has added even more of a potent threat upfront. The away win should be a banker for the multiples.
Southampton 21/10
Draw 23/10
Arsenal 13/10
(22:15)
Arsenal return to St Mary’s for a rematch with the Saints. Naturally there was a lot of talk about Southampton knocking so-called ‘FA Cup FC’ out of the FA Cup, but I wouldn’t read into that with too much negativity. Arsenal have been defensively sound in recent weeks, especially when travelling, and when you look at this Southampton defence – they are just as good!
The issue is either side has shown much quality in front of goal, and as a result you just don’t know what to expect from either. Now whilst I like the look of the Home/Draw Double Chance market at 11/20, I think you could have a fair punt at Under 2.5 goals at 17/20.
West Brom 13/1
Draw 58/10
Manchester City 2/11
(22:15)
I’m really intrigued by this game because it really should be a meeting of polarizing Premier League styles. West Brom were able to hold City to a commendable draw the last time these two met but I doubt we are in for a repeat of that during their midweek encounter.
City have been absolutely faultless recently, their defence is superb and they always look like they could threaten the oppositions goal even without playing a natural striker. They will be without Kevin De Bruyne, and with the Belgian out for up to six weeks, how big of an impact that will have on their season, only time will tell.
At 8/10, Manchester City to Win to Nil deserves considering using your provident fund at your local Hollywoodbets outlet!
Wednesday 27 January
Chelsea 6/10
Draw 29/10
Wolves 42/10
(22:00)
If you were wondering whether or not Chelsea was going through a patch, surely Frank Lampard getting sacked puts that argument to bed? Of course, there are question marks as to whether or not he deserved more time, and rightly so. Frank hoisted a Chelsea team into the Champions League who had no business being there at all.
This season he brought in stars, yes, he spent in excess of two-hundred million pounds, but those players are not robots, they do not decide their fees and they require time to adjust and fit into their surroundings.
Wolves have a real opportunity to get a positive result here, but I wouldn’t recommend this game gets a place in your midweek multiple. Do Chelsea arrive up for this and looking to make a statement to the board? Or do they arrive dejected and somewhat uninspired?
I’m not sure what to expect and Wolves simply don’t deserve my confidence at the moment.
Clean sheet home team; No at 6/10 is a recommended avenue for this encounter.
Burnley 26/10
Draw 49/20
Aston Villa 1/1
(20:00)
This should be enjoyable to watch, Burnley will come into this game full of confidence and with a defensive attribute second to none. Sean Dyche’s men followed their 1-0 win at Anfield (terminating Anfield’s ‘fortress’ account) with an impressive 3-0 win away to Fulham.
The Clarets will know they will once again need to be at their best when they meet a Villa side enriched with just as much talent and ability going forward.
Aston Villa are constantly underestimated by the betting markets whilst their performances have placed them squarely in the conversation for a top-six finish. Dean Smith’s side never play with fear and I expect them to get a result here.
For the punters, I do suspect this game might start slow and begin to get a bit more stretched in the second half, back the draw at half-time at 11/10.
Brighton 21/20
Draw 23/10
Fulham 26/10
(21:30)
This will be a huge game for both of these sides, they would have each identified it at as an opportunity to claim some much needed points. Neither side has been able to dominate in the final third and whilst a case can be made for both sides performing well, scoring seems to constantly elude them.
Fulham have been toothless, their only victory from their last 10 outings came in extra time at QPR in the FA Cup.
Brighton will be boosted by their surge of three wins from the last four in all competitions, this will by no means be the most eventful feature this week, but Brighton should edge it.
Manchester United 2/7
Draw 44/10
Sheffield United 9/1
(22:15)
Premier League leaders Manchester United entertain strugglers Sheffield United on Wednesday evening. This should be a routine win for United who are in red-hot form at the moment.
United are remaining competitive in the league and will be pleased to have swept domestic rivals Liverpool aside when the two clashed in the FA Cup. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has gone about his business quietly and methodically; he has improved this team immensely and real tangible progress is beginning to form.
Sheffield is the worst league side on the road currently, if they had to score goals to eat, they would starve, and I cannot see them troubling United.
Back United in the Half-time/Full-time market at 15/20.
Everton 7/4
Draw 9/4
Leicester City 31/20
(22:15)
This should be a fascinating game; Leicester will travel to Merseyside on Wednesday evening in what should be an enthralling game of football.
What a job Brendan Rodgers has done at Leicester, when a new manager comes in and embraces the culture which exists at a football club the result is usually a competitive, organised, visibly comfortable and happy group of players, playing for the manager and the club.
Carlo Ancelotti will not be easy to overcome, the Italian has had to constantly change and edit his players and his system due, not completely, to injury and yet still Everton are somewhat forgetfully eight points off the top with two games in hand.
Both teams to score at 15/20 – get on and enjoy the rest of the game.
Thursday 28 January
Tottenham 21/10
Draw 5/2
Liverpool 12/10
(22:00)
This is a titanic clash to end the gameweek, with massive implications for the league. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool travel to North London with just one win in seven, goalless in their last four league games and talk of their title retention slowly becoming but a nervous whisper.
A lot has been made about their defence but in truth they aren’t allowing many chances to the opposition and I would go as far as to say it is their absence of attacking potency that is really costing them.
Jose Mourinho will know that in order for his side to win this they would need to dominate in midfield and get in between those defensive lines. Of course, Spurs has the ability to do that, but I do think that there were positive outcomes when watching Liverpool in their recent encounters, enough so to back them to deliver on their very generous 12/10 price.
Must-have Midweek Multiple @ 5/1
Leeds Win 9/10
Man City Win To Nil 8/10
Southampton vs Arsenal: Under 2.5 Goals 17/20
Written by Ryan Liberty