Plenty of interesting ties this weekend, so let’s put together the Premier League picks.
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Tottenham vs. Chelsea
Chelsea had to travel over 5,000 kilometers and back after their Tuesday Champions League match in Tel Aviv. Beat that.
Ok…
Tottenham had to travel over 4,500 kilometers and back after their Thursday Europa League match in Azerbaijan.
You get this one Spurs. But it looks like they plan to do something about eliminating these Thursday games, by making a run at the top four.
Chelsea’s implosion this season has left one of the otherwise improbable top four spots up for grabs. Tottenham want it and in the worst way.
If you’re a loyal follower of this column you will have already read that Tottenham have not lost a Premier League game since Matchday 1. Furthermore, in seven home games they have only allowed five goals.
If you’ve been watching Chelsea play all season, perhaps you’ve noticed what I have: Chelsea struggle to score goals from open play. Chelsea’s offensive inefficiencies are troublesome and Jose Mourinho knows it. It even caused a mild bust up between him and Diego Costa on Tuesday.
Ridiculous travel schedules and an early Sunday kickoff, combined with Tottenham’s solid defending at home tell me that Chelsea will sit back and try to absorb Spurs pressure. Last season this was the most exciting fixture of the EPL season, a Spurs 5-3 win, but my logic tells me this one will be very different.
Pick: under 2.5 goals (-105)
Leicester vs. Man United
Oh Man United. They’re starting to exhibit the symptoms of Gunneritis.
You know that disease where you have an inexplicably bad performance after a good one; what Arsenal have been afflicted with for the last 8 years – Gunneritis…
In any case this game is a clash of the top 2 in the EPL table. Leicester the league leaders, welcomed Arsenal to the King Power stadium earlier this year and after looking overwhelming in the first 15 minutes were picked off on the counter and eventually slaughtered 5-2.
Last year Man United lost 5-3 in this fixture and they’ll be wise to the Foxes’ ability to win a track meet. I see a much wiser and composed Red Devils unit this Saturday taking the chances that Leicester will surely afford them and having the tactical discipline to hang on to the lead once acquired.
Pick: Man United (+140)
More from Premier League
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- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Chelsea vs Bournemouth: 3 things to look out for on the south coast
- Is there cause for concern about Chelsea being in 12th place again?
- Chelsea’s risky youth gamble amidst turbulent times
Norwich vs. Arsenal
When the Gunners come up against bottom half opposition, they usually win that fixture rather easily. The scoreline traditionally reads something like 3-0 or 3-1.
I see no reason why this game will be different, and the value is there.
Pick Arsenal -1 goal (even)
La Liga special: Sevilla vs. Valencia
Huge value play here. Sevilla, who did beat Real Madrid at home a few weeks ago, is a big favorite this weekend at home over Valencia. And I love the underdog in this spot.
Last year, Sevilla was the best value bet for me in all of Europe. This season however is quite different. Sevilla ship a ton of goals. Valencia while not great away from home are the better team and getting incredible odds for what is a very winnable game.
Nobody should be this big of an underdog against Sevilla at the moment. I go for the big hitter.
Pick: Valencia (+375)
Next: Chelsea FC Boss Takes Another Shot At Arsenal
Last week’s record: 2-1-1 (+1.6 units)
Overall: 23-24-4 (+2.65 units)