OUR Correct Score man Daniel McCulloch (@danmcc84) delivers his best bets from this weekend’s action.
Southampton v Hull | Saturday 15:00
In recent weeks my logic has been to back Hull at home and oppose them away from the KC Stadium so my pick of Hull to win 1-0 (19/1 Paddy Power) well and truly rips up that formula.
My reasoning is two-fold; firstly they need the three points more than their opponents on Saturday afternoon and secondly I believe it is only a matter of time before they transfer their home form into a victory on their travels.
Seventeen goals conceded from the seven away games under Marco Silva does not make for pretty reading but the quality of the opposition faced does need to be taken in to account.
Under the Portuguese, Hull have faced five of the top-seven as well as last season’s champions who have been a different proposition under Craig Shakespeare. They have been competitive for the majority of each of those games and refereeing decisions in the Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton games certainly contributed to the margin of victory.
Only six sides have scored fewer goals this season than Claude Puel’s Southampton who have secured their Premier League status and are pretty much playing for pride at this time of year.
I therefore believe Hull can edge a tight encounter at St Mary’s. 1-0 to the away side is 19/1 with Paddy Power, which seems like a very fair price to me.
I shall also be investing in the 5/1 on the outright victory so hopefully today is the day that the East Yorkshire side all but secure their Premier League status.
Crystal Palace v Burnley | Saturday 17:30 | BT Sport
1-0 home victories against Middlesbrough and Watford brought profits for this column but I am not going to attempt to make it three out of three at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
At present Palace are a far more confident side than they were earlier in Sam Allardyce’s reign and the demolishing of Arsenal as well as victories at Stamford Bridge and Anfield demonstrates how much talent the former England manager has at his disposal.
I believe Big Sam will get another positive performance as they banish any lingering relegation doubts and Tom Heaton – who has made 19 more saves than any other goalkeeper this term – will once again be kept very busy.
My hunch is for a 2-0 victory to the home side. However, I am conscious that they will be without the service of Mamadou Sakho who has been so crucial to their revival. Additionally, Burnley have lost five of their last ten away games 2-1 so it is worth keeping that scoreline on side.
2-0 to Palace is 15/2 with Paddy Power – 2-1 is 17/2 with Bet365.
TOPICS English Football Tips Football Premier League TipsBest Bets
Southampton v Hull – Southampton 0-1 Hull (19/1 Paddy Power)
Crystal Palace v Burnley – Crystal Palace 2-0 Burnley (15/2 Paddy Power)
Crystal Palace v Burnley – Crystal Palace 2-1 Burnley (17/2 Bet365)
