We are back! Your weekend odyssey starts here, so let’s take aim at the fixtures which headline the League this weekend and hopefully we are able to navigate a pot of proverbial gold.
Liverpool and Arsenal will surely dominate the headlines at the Emirates, but as always I think there is something in this round of fixtures for all of us!
Saturday 3 February
16/10 Everton | Draw 5/2 | Tottenham 15/10 (14:30)
This is one of those games which seriously could go either way. Everton have come away with some value from being able to stifle games, but Spurs have proven to be a watchable team insofar as their affinity for expansive football.
It will be a tight affair but I’m going to get behind the visitors here.
6/10 Brighton | Draw 3/1 | C Palace 42/10 (17:00)
Palace are now playing under the pressure of an agitated fanbase, and the pressure just continues to mount on manager Roy Hodgson. Brighton concedes far too much of the ball in their final third – but I think they will have too much going forward for this Palace side.
7/20 Newcastle | Draw 4/1 | Luton 6/1 (17:00)
This has the makings of a banana-skin game. Luton play with a confidence which truly proceeds them and when they go forward with intent, they can cause many teams some real problems…
Newcastle have not been in a great run of form in the League, however a lot of those struggles come away from home. Eddie Howe’s side obviously hold all the cards necessary to win this hand, but I wouldn’t get delirious with the 7/20 on offer.
39/20 Burnley | Draw 23/10 | Fulham 27/20 (17:00)
Fulham’s biggest issue has surely been their inability to score goals. Since their blizzard run in November and December where they were tearing up trees, they have just sort of gone off the boil.
Burnley have somewhat hit a minor (at least at this point) jackpot with Wilson Odobert and I think this is the sort of game they look to attack. Back the home win.
42/10 Sheffield | Draw 32/10 | Aston Villa 11/20 (19:30)
Whether or not Sheffield has the quality to put this Villa side to the sword remains to be seen, but they will not shy away from the challenge – especially not on their home patch.
There is no doubt Villa know how to win at home, the question mark remains a cause for concern on the road. Again, I’m not getting too much ahead of myself here, but they should avoid defeat.
Back the visitors on the win/draw double chance + over 1.5 goals.
Sunday 4 February
15/20 Manchester United | Draw 29/10 | West Ham 32/10 (16:00)
This is a tough game to get fully invested in…West Ham are without some integral attacking players and as a result I don’t think they have the grittiness to cause United too many defensive problems.
United on the other hand are horribly inconsistent. Erik ten Hag’s side have just repeatedly failed to score and given their data it doesn’t look as though that will change…
I’m on the draw here.
6/10 Chelsea | Draw 3/1 | Wolves 4/1 (16:00)
I have no doubt that Chelsea will improve, but their current performances don’t exactly impart a great sense of trust and belief in their ability to carry your money. Wolves on the other hand aren’t just going to roll over.
They have shown what they are capable of at home, I’m not as confident on the road and so I’m going to favor the away side on the win/draw double chance.
7/10 Bournemouth | Draw 29/10 | Nott’m Forest 33/10 (16:00)
I’m not sure whether Forest are still just riding the final embers of the new manager effect, but they remain a competitive outfit intent on imposing their style of play on the game.
Bournemouth will look at this as a game they should be winning though, and I think the intensity of the Cherries proves to be the difference.
Monday 5 February
6/1 Brentford | Draw 39/10 | Manchester City 4/10 (22:00)
Last time Ivan Toney was in the side against City the Bees managed to avoid defeat. I’m not sure they are able to replicate that here, but I certainly think they are capable of adding to the goals scored in this fixture.
City have too much all over the pitch to even justify looking…they win the game, but I think adding both teams to score lands. Pep Guardiola’s side seems to have issues with containing teams who are able to transition from defence to attack and I don’t think this will be any different.
Written by Ryan Liberty