EPL Match Preview: 16 – 19 January

Posted on January 15, 2016 | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland

Saturday January 16, 8.45pm, White Hart Lane

Tottenham blew a big chance to put themselves in the title picture with a 1-0 loss at home to fellow title chasers Leicester City. Overall Spurs were the dominant side and created enough chances to get some reward from the match but found Leicester’s defence and keeper, Kasper Schmeichel, in resolute form.

Jermain Defoe hit a hat trick as Sunderland secured a vital three points in their battle against relegation with a 4-2 win at 10-man Swansea. Defoe gave the Black Cats a dream start after three minute but were then pegged back by a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty and a sublime Andre Ayew solo finish. Sunderland ran over the top of Swansea after the break with Patrick van Aanholt and two more to Defoe to make it a second straight win over a relegation rival.

Prediction

Tottenham need to be less wasteful in front of goal if they are to power past Sunderland. It could be argued that Harry Kane needs a bit more help up front to trouble the Black Cats. But overall Spurs are favourites and expect them to narrowly take this match.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Tottenham Hotspur

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Harry Kane

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Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Saturday January 16, 11pm, Etihad Stadium

Manchester City failed to close the gap on the Gunners as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton. City dominated the bulk of the possession and chances but a top performance from Everton keeper Tim Howard helped frustrate Manuel Pellegrini’s men. Controversy came late when City felt they should have had a late penalty when John Stones slid into Raheem Sterling inside the box but the referee pointed for a goal kick.

Crystal Palace are winless in four league starts after an error from keeper Wayne Hennessey saw Palace go down 1-0 away at rock bottom Aston Villa. Hennessey spilt Joleon Lescott’s 58th minute header over the line to give Villa the points. Overall Palace were extremely poor in this match as they lacked any cutting edge up front and were only able to muster a single shot on target.

Prediction

The same problems that have been plaguing Crystal Palace is that their front line has lost form. and the side are lacking a lot of their typical energy around the pitch. Look for City to win and take the 2.5 goal overs.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero

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Chelsea v Everton

Saturday January 16, 11pm, Stamford Bridge

Chelsea twice led at home to West Bromwich Albion but had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Guus Hiddink’s side started strongly and took the lead when Branislav Ivanovic crossed for Cesar Azpilicueta at the back post. The Blues were pegged back by Craig Gardner before in the second half a cross from Willian was turned in by West Brom defender Gareth McAuley. Chelsea failed to hold a lead as James McClean equalised with four minutes to go.

Everton held Manchester City 0-0 at Etihad Stadium which required a top defensive effort from defence and keeper Tim Howard. The Toffees were pinned back into their own half in the second half and it required Howard to make important saves to deny Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling to help Roberto Martinez’s side take a point.

Prediction

Everton’s fine clean sheet at Manchester City cannot mask the fact that they held on with last ditch defending and goalkeeping. Chelsea are attacking with greater positivity with their full backs working back into form and becoming an extra dimension to their attack.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Chelsea

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Diego Costa

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AFC Bournemouth v Norwich City

Saturday January 16, 11pm, Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth are winless in four after going down 3-1 at home to West Ham. The Cherries took the lead on 17 minutes when Harry Arter’s strike from the edge of the area caught West Ham goalkeeper Adrian off-guard. Despite their positive play in the second half, they had no answers to moments of sublime skill from Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia.

Norwich had to make do with 10 men for an hour as they were defeated 3-1 at Stoke. The game was goalless when Canaries midfielder Gary O’Neil was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Ibrahim Afellay. Despite a wonderful second half equaliser from Jonny Howson, Stoke made their numerical advantage count with goals in the 67th and 78th minutes.

Prediction

Bournemouth have only managed one goal in their last four matches while Norwich are the only side to not keep a clean sheet away from home this season. The issue right now for Bournemouth is not necessarily the creation of chances it is their poor finishing. Look for a home win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Bournemouth

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Benik Afobe

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Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday January 16, 11pm, St Mary’s Stadium

Southampton brought an end to a recent run of poor form with a 2-0 victory over Watford. Shane Long put the Saints in front when he headed home a fine cross from Matt Targett. The Saints wrapped up the points after the break against a disappointing Hornets side that created few chances when Dusan Tadic fired home.

James McClean struck close to full time as West Bromwich Albion twice came back to draw 2-2 at Chelsea. After the Blues took a first half lead, West Brom levelled when Darren Fletcher set up Craig Gardner for a raking 25-yard finish. Tony Pulis’ men fell behind again on 73 minutes but Baggies midfielder James McClean rescued a point with four minutes to go with a strike from outside the box.

Prediction

West Brom are unbeaten in three and will look to unsettle Southampton’s defence with a lot of long passes and high balls into the penalty area. The Saints will look to press the Baggies midfield and force a lot of errors in their defensive half. Both sides match up evenly, look for a draw which is paying $3.60.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sadio Mane

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Newcastle United v West Ham United

Saturday January 16, 11pm, St James’ Park

Defender Paul Dummett snatched a precious point for relegation threatened Newcastle as the Magpies twice fought back from deficits to draw 3-3 at St James’ Park. At 2-0 down, Newcastle hit back through Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Then at 3-2 down Dummett drilled home a deflected 90th minute equaliser to end a run of four successive defeats in all competitions.

West Ham United came back from a goal down to clinch a third win in a row as they beat Bournemouth 3-1. A goal down at the break, West Ham roared back through Dimitri Payet’s spectacular free kick, then Payet set up Enner Valencia with 15 minutes remaining before Valencia bagged a second with another splendid free kick.

Prediction

Payet is a difference maker for the Hammers. His ability to link with fellow forwards makes them so dangerous pushing forward. His return from injury has coincided with West Ham’s improved form. Newcastle have to keep putting in spirited performances but seem way too suspect at the back.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Dimitri Payet

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Aston Villa v Leicester City

Sunday January 17, 1.30am, Villa Park

Aston Villa claimed just their second top flight win of the season as they overcame Crystal Palace 1-0 at Villa Park. Remi Garde’s men broke the deadlock on 58 minutes when Joleon Lescott’s header was fumbled over the line by Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey. Garde finally broke through for his first win as Villa boss as his side snapped its club record 19 league game winless streak.

Robert Huth’s late header gave Leicester a vital 1-0 win against Tottenham at White Hart Lane to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. On 83 minutes, lazy Spurs defending allowed Huth to be unmarked at the back post and he had time to pick his spot. The impressive win allowed the Foxes to snap their three game winless run in the league.

Prediction

Villa may have recorded their first league win since opening day but it will prove to be a false dawn as they are up against a high-flying Leicester who can marry tactical flexibility, defensive resolve as well as quickness up front. Have a look at the Foxes who are paying $2.20 for the win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Leicester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Riyad Mahrez

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Liverpool v Manchester United

Sunday January 17, 10.05pm, Anfield

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen hit a 90th minute volley to help Liverpool salvage a 3-3 draw at home to league leaders Arsenal. Jurgen Klopp’s side twice took the lead in the first half through Roberto Firmino but were pegged back by Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud. Arsenal hit the front in a pulsating match when Giroud turned inside the area to beat Simon Mignolet, but Liverpool kept pressing and were rewarded when Allen came off the bench to volley in Christian Benteke’s header.

While Manchester United conceded at the death to draw 3-3 at Newcastle United. United took a ninth minute lead through Wayne Rooney’s penalty and then doubled it when Rooney played in Jesse Lingard for a smart finish. After the Magpies rallied to make it 2-2, Rooney got his second with a smashing shot from outside the box. However, in the final moments Newcastle clinched a point as Paul Dummett crashed in a shot via a deflection off Chris Smalling.

Prediction

Liverpool will again have to play with a high tempo, keep pushing United back into their own half and pressuring their defenders. United cannot be ponderous against a team that will play with energy. Have a look at Liverpool as they are priced at $2.35 for the win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Liverpool

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Roberto Firmino

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Stoke City v Arsenal

Monday January 18, 12.15am, Britannia Stadium

Stoke scored a 3-1 home success over a 10-man Norwich City. Four minutes into the second half Jonathan Walters converted a Marko Arnautovic cross. Six minutes later, Norwich were back on level terms through Jonny Howson’s superb strike, but Joselu struck from distance to restore Stoke’s advantage and then secured the points when Norwich defender Ryan Bennett flicked a header beyond his own goalkeeper.

Arsenal will rue the two points dropped at Liverpool as they failed to go clear at the top of the league. After falling behind twice they took a second half lead through Olivier Giroud’s second goal. In the final 10 minutes of the match, the Gunners dropped too deep and invited a lot of Liverpool pressure which allowed Joe Allen to hit a 90th minute equaliser.

Prediction

A tough test for the Gunners when they travel to a potentially inclement Britannia Stadium. This match will see how resilient Arsenal are at a ground where they have not won since February 2010.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Olivier Giroud

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Swansea City v Watford

Tuesday January 19, 4am, Liberty Stadium

Swansea are one point off the relegation zone after falling 4-2 at home to Sunderland. Swansea led 2-1 at the break but the turning point occurred in the 37th minute when the Swans were reduced to 10 men when Kyle Naughton was given a harsh straight red despite winning the ball in a challenge with Yann M’Vila. Sunderland levelled after the break when Patrick van Aanholt’s strike took a deflection before two more goals from Jermain Defoe consigned the Swans to another defeat.

Watford were poor as they went down 2-0 away at Southampton. The Hornets mustered one shot on target and failed to penetrate Southampton’s defence with any incision or useful crossing for Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney. The frustrating performance was down to a fine performance from Southampton’s midfielders who won the battle in the middle of the park and pressed Watford’s midfielders effectively.

Prediction

Ighalo and Deeney need far better service from midfield if they are to overcome Swansea. While the Swans are far too reliant on Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Simply put, if the Hornets nullify that pair then they look good for a win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Watford

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Odion Ighalo

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