The International break is a thing of the past and the English Premier League returns this weekend and we take a look at the 4 matches taking place on Saturday from a betting angle.
CHELSEA v WEST BROM
Chelsea are 4th on the table and are on an unbeaten run of 15 matches in all competitions. Their last League game was a disappointing goalless draw at Leeds and their last home match was a 2-0 win over Everton. The last 6 Chelsea EPL matches have seen 2 goals or less scored in each of them.
West Brom are 19th on the table with just 1 win in their last 10 starts. They were beaten 1-0 away at Crystal Palace last time out. Their last 7 League matches have delivered profits for those backing under 2.5 goals.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Chelsea 1/4
Draw 21/4
West Brom 25/2
Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 23/20
Sure Chelsea are big favourites to win the match, but they haven't being blowing teams away and West Brom are quite capable of providing early resistance.
Recent stats suggest that anything above even money under 2.5 goals is worth a play.
LEEDS v SHEFFIELD UNITED
Leeds are 11th on the table and their last League action was a 2-1 away win at Fulham. They have been a mixed bag at home with 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw in their last 5 games.
They face Sheffield United who are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table although 3 of their 4 wins this season have come in their last 10 starts. Last time out they were hammered 5-0 on the road against Leicester and they have only won once on the road in 14 attempts this season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Leeds 11/20
Draw 67/20
Sheffield United 21/4
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Leeds (-1) at 27/20.
For this bet to arrive we need Leeds to win by more than a goal and given how poor Sheffield United looked against Leicester last time out, I think there is every chance of this bet arriving.
LEICESTER v MANCHESTER CITY
Leicester are 3rd on the table, 15 points behind City, but with a game in hand. They are coming off a heavy 5-0 win over Sheffield United at home and have only lost twice in their last 10 matches.
Manchester City are cruising towards another title and in their last game they saw off Fulham 3-0 on the road. Their recent away form has been excellent and out of their last 30 points they have played for they have taken 25.
Earlier in the season Leicester stunned Manchester City with a 5-2 win on the road and City edged this fixture 1-0 last season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Leicester 5/1
Draw 13/4
Manchester City 11/20
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Leicester (+1) at 14/10
For this bet to arrive we need Leicester to get something out of the game and I am basing this bet purely on price. Leicester are playing some great football and with the title pretty much in the bag, City may just step off the gas a bit. For the bolder punters out there I think the 5-1 Leicester to win is also good value.
ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL
Arsenal are 9th on the table, 4 points and 2 positions behind Liverpool with both teams having trying seasons.
The Gunners are undefeated in their last 4 with 2 wins and 2 draws (most recently 3-3 at West Ham where they came from behind) and their last home game was a 2-1 win over Tottenham.
Liverpool beat Wolves 1-0 on the road last time out, but they have lost 5 of their last 7 matches in the League.
The goal stats for these sides is very different with Arsenal’s last 4 games all seeing both teams to find the net whereas Liverpool’s last 5 games have delivered for under 2.5 goal backers with only 1 team scoring.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Arsenal 43/20
Draw 27/10
Liverpool 12/10
Suggested Bet: Arsenal win at 43/20
I think there is some value in backing the Gunners here especially when you consider they have beaten Leicester and Tottenham in their last 4 games and even in the 1-0 win at Wolves, Liverpool looked very short of ideas in front of goal.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change