THE Premier League is back! Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) is on hand to take us through his three best bets.
Chelsea v Stoke | Saturday 17:30 | Sky Sports 1
The late match on Saturday isn’t one I’m particularly excited about to be honest. Chelsea seem to be waltzing their way to another league title, but Jesus it’s dull. Okay, their 3-2 win over Hull two weeks ago surprised many but at Stamford Bridge it’s been seven straight Under 2.5 Goals games.
One stat that amazed me was the fact that it’s been two and half months since Chelsea won by more than one goal in all competitions. Yes, it’s been all very plodding and I don’t envisage that changing as the run-in continues.
Stoke are a massive price here at 15/1 with Boylesports. That’s a gross insult to a side that have beaten Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham this season. How dare they?!
Some of you might want to get tucked into the Stoke +1 on the Asian Handicap from 888 Sport. That’s 11/5 and that’s very big. Remember your stake will be returned if they lose by exactly one goal.
Instead though I’ll back the trend-friendly Under 2.5 Goals at Evens with Coral. Remember, the bet has paid out in the last seven Stamford Bridge encounters and indeed in 10 of Chelsea’s last 14 matches overall. Tie that in with the fact that three of the last four Stoke games saw fewer than three goals and you’re onto something.
Leicester v West Ham | Saturday 15:00
Hopefully you’ve read my assessment on the relegation betting from earlier in the week. In it, I’ve avoided backing Leicester to finish bottom. The reason for that is the fact that have a more generous fixture list that their relegation rivals in my opinion. This game on Saturday is a prime example of that.
If you had to hand pick a Premier League opponent at the moment, West Ham at home would be right up there. The Hammers haven’t won any of their last seven league trips and indeed have just three wins on the road all season. Overall they’ve mustered just two wins from 13 games.
This is simply a must win for the home side, and I’m not sure that’s going to happen. As I mentioned in that relegation piece, it does concern me that the fire seem to have left Nigel Pearson’s eyes and deep down I think he expects relegation.
There are a lot more negatives than positives attached to these sides for me and that’s why I’m siding with Under 2.5 Goals at a very fair evens with 888 Sport.
Since West Ham’s last away win they’ve been involved in 10 Under 2.5 games from 15. As for Leicester, well they struggle on home turf . Six blanks in their last nine King Power clashes doesn’t look good. The first week of October was the last time they scored more than once at home in the division.
Man Utd v Aston Villa | Saturday 15:00
Have Manchester United clicked? The international break couldn’t have come at a worse time for Louis Van Gaal’s side after victories over Tottenham and Liverpool that had the critics foaming at the mouth.
After such a prolific campaign at Old Trafford it’s no surprise to see them chalked up as short as 2/7 to get the better of struggling Aston Villa on Saturday. With a price like that, the opportunities to get with the opponent multiply, and that’s the angle I’m taking here.
Love him or hate him, you can never call Tim Sherwood negative. He’s a believer and unlike Pearson I reckon he’s certain that his side will stay up. I’m pretty sure he’ll order his team to have a go on Saturday at Old Trafford. After all, what is there to lose?
In 15 home league matches this season, Manchester United have conceded in nine of them, including four of the last six. In Sherwood’s seven games in charge of the Midland club they’ve notched in five of them and have certainly improved. I’ll back Both Teams To Score here at 23/17 with 888 Sport.
Best Bets
Leicester v West Ham – Under 2.5 Goals (Evens 888 Sport)
Man Utd v Aston Villa – Both Teams To Score (23/17 888 Sport)
Chelsea v Stoke – Under 2.5 Goals (Evens Coral)
7/1 Man Utd And Chelsea Double
Offer of the weekend? Yeah, who are we to argue?
New players to Coral get to back the Man Utd/Chelsea double at hugely enhanced odds. Interested?
TOPICS English Football Tips Football Premier League Tips
