Sports

The Scout: EPL Matchday 22

West Ham vs Arsenal
12th January, 8.30pm WST

West Ham are sitting 10th on the table following last week’s 2-2 draw with Brighton – a decent result given they were 2-0 down after 58 minutes and have struggled to find any consistency this season.

Inconsistency is also a theme for 5th placed Arsenal. After a 5-1 beating at the hands of Liverpool, the Gunners responded as you would hope with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Fulham last matchday.

Scoring goals has been no issue for Arsenal who have found the back of the net in every Premier League game except for one. In fact, Arsenal have managed to score at least 2 goals in 21 of their 30 most recent games in all competitions.

The Hammers’ key striker Marko Arnautović returned last week from injury and proved his worth scoring two goals back to back within the space of two minutes. He will be a welcomed addition to West Ham’s squad who have been deadly in attack thanks largely to their new signing Felipe Anderson (8 goals, 2 assists).

In six of West Ham’s last eight home matches (all competitions), there has been at least 3 goals scored, while both teams have scored in Arsenal’s last 10 away games in the Premier League. Expect both trends to continue here.

Suggested Bet: Match Result Arsenal and Both Teams to Score @ $3.10*


Burnley vs Fulham
12th January, 11pm WST

Burnley are in the midst of a mini purple patch with two wins in a row, but they remain just two points clear of the relegation zone in 16th position.

A 2-0 win at home over West Ham at the end of December was Burnley’s best win of the season. They controlled the game after scoring twice in the first half and played a great game defensively. They’ll be hoping for a repeat of that effort here.

Fulham’s defensive woes continue, having conceded a League worst 47 goals through 21 games. They’ve only once this season held a team goalless away from home, and have failed to score a goal in six of their nine most recent Premier League away fixtures – losing in eight of these.

If Burnley wish to remain in the Premier League for another season this is a fixture they simply must win.

Suggested Bet: Match Result Burnley @ $2.35*


Leicester vs Southampton
12th January, 11pm WST

Leicester’s shock midweek defeat in the FA Cup should have them keen to bounce back and continue a great run in the Premier League. Sitting 7th on the table, the Foxes took some big scalps in December including Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea. A Europa League invitation will now be the focus for the 2016 League champions.

Southampton are in a completely different battle to their hosts. 18th on the table, they are fighting to avoid relegation and desperately need a win. A nil all draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last matchday will give the Saints confidence that they can at least get something out of this fixture, with every point crucial for their Premier League survival.

Leicester’s defense has been excellent of late, conceding just seven goals in their last 11 games in the Premier League. This was no more evident than their 1-0 win over Chelsea and a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

Southampton have lost six of their last nine away matches in the Premier League, and with Danny Ings out with a hamstring injury, the Saint will again struggle to score.

Suggested Bet: Match Result Leicester @ $1.93*

*Odds correct as at 11.30am WST 11th January 2018.

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