Sports

Clint’s Premier League Preview

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Watford v Aston Villa

Saturday April 30, 10pm, Vicarage Road

Prior to their FA Cup semi-final loss Watford went down 3-1 at West Ham. The Hornets were trailing 3-0 after 53 minutes with Jose Holebas and Almen Abdi guilty of giving away two penalties. Sebastian Prodl reduced the deficit and they also earned a late penalty, but Troy Deeney’s effort was saved by West Ham keeper Adrian. In the final minute of injury time, winger Nordin Amrabat was sent off for picking up his second yellow card.

Already relegated Aston Villa slumped to their 10th straight defeat after a 4-2 loss at home to Southampton. Shambolic in defence, Micah Richards and centre-back partner Joleon Lescott were horribly exposed by the pace and movement of Southampton’s forward line as Villa conceded four goals for the fifth time this season. Poor in defence, impressively Villa displayed endeavour and quality in attack with Ashley Westwood claiming a fine double.

Prediction

Watford’s form has descended terribly in 2016, having won just three out of 15 Premier League matches. Fortunately for the Hornets they are against a Villa squad who are defensively shot and going through the motions as their season drifts to its conclusion.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Watford

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Troy Deeney

Everton v AFC Bournemouth

Saturday April 30, 10pm, Goodison Park

Everton lost 4-0 at Liverpool before their FA Cup semi-final defeat in what has been a horror month for the Toffees. Six losses in all competitions heightened the rumblings that manager Roberto Martinez would be relieved of his duties come seasons end. In the Merseyside derby, Everton were awful at both ends of the pitch as Liverpool swept them aside.

Bournemouth lost their third home game in a row despite contributing to a highly entertaining, open contest in a 4-1 defeat against Chelsea. The Cherries had got back to 2-1 when Tommy Elphick’s header crept in before half-time but their failure to shackle the likes of Eden Hazard, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas proved to be their undoing as the trio were central to Chelsea’s rampant attack.

Prediction

Bournemouth have not kept a clean sheet in seven league matches while Everton have been out of sorts since defeating Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final on March 13. Everton’s star striker Romelu Lukaku has slipped out of form but he has hardly been helped by a team that have also lost confidence. Bournemouth are playing with a carefree spirit that will see them upset Everton which is keenly priced at $4.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Bournemouth

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Callum Wilson

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Saturday April 30, 10pm, St James’ Park

Newcastle United secured another morale-boosting result as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Liverpool on Rafael Benitez’s return to Anfield. The Magpies were 2-0 down at the break but Benitez’s side showed their new found resilience to haul themselves back into the clash with goals from Papiss Cisse and a deflected Jack Colback shot. The draw kept Newcastle 19th but they are just one point behind Sunderland in 17th.

FA Cup finalist Crystal Palace lost 2-0 to their future FA Cup final opponent Manchester United. Palace were woeful and never looked like getting anything from this contest after Damien Delaney’s unfortunate own goal inside the first five minutes. Alan Pardew’s men lacked creativity, energy or hunger. Only goalkeeper Julian Speroni left the match with any credit as he kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves to keep the scoreline at 2-0.

Prediction

The nature of Newcastle’s comeback provides hope ahead of their final three matches of the season. Benitez’s men have the attitude and rediscovered a will to match their opponents even when falling behind. Palace meanwhile lack any drive or imagination at both ends of the pitch.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Newcastle United

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Ayoze Perez

Stoke City v Sunderland

Saturday April 30, 10pm, Britannia Stadium

Stoke conceded four goals for the third straight Premier League game after they were thrashed 4-0 at Manchester City. Mark Hughes’ side started well but would rue several missed chances at 2-0 down before caving in to concede twice more. Joselu and Mame Biram Diouf were the two players guilty of passing up chances that would have helped Stoke back into the match. The Potters have won once in their last seven league games.

Sunderland climbed out of the relegation zone after holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw. Sam Allardyce’s men moved above Norwich City into 17th place on goal difference after a spirited performance in which they created the better chances to win.  Patrick van Aanholt hit the woodwork with a free-kick, and with a potential upset looming, showed more attacking intent in the second half with Arsenal keeper Petr Cech saving well to deny Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe.

Prediction

Stoke manager Hughes faces a challenge in rousing his players to ensure the season does not end on a flat note. They have conceded 12 goals in three games. While Allardyce’s side have lost just one of their last seven league games. A cagey contest awaits but look for a draw which is paying $3.25.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Jermain Defoe

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United

Saturday April 30, 10pm, The Hawthorns

Craig Dawson made up for his first-half own goal with a second-half header to help West Brom to a 1-1 draw at Tottenham. The Baggies had to withstand an immense amount of pressure in the first-half but grew into the match in the second by defending deeper and restricting the space Tottenham’s forwards could operate in resulting in a large reduction in chances their tense opponents could create.

Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United stretched their unbeaten home record to 15 games with a 3-1 victory over Watford. In-form Andy Carroll put the Hammers ahead in the 11th minute with his sixth goal in six matches, and Mark Noble added two penalties to put the hosts 3-0 up. The first spot-kick was awarded after Jose Holebas tripped Diafra Sakho and Almen Abdi brought down Michail Antonio for the second after the break.

Prediction

West Ham are undefeated in nine league matches and have scored 19 goals in that streak. Defensively the Hammers have been a tad too open but have such a dynamic attack that they will overcome a rather uninspiring West Brom.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Dimitri Payet

Arsenal v Norwich City

Sunday May 1, 12.30am, Emirates Stadium

Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland but on the balance of play never deserved anything more than a point. Despite a strong start to the match, the Gunners faded as they struggled to break down a resilient Sunderland. With that result, and Leicester’s victory, Arsenal’s title hopes were ended once and for all. The Gunners are fourth, five points ahead of Manchester United in fifth, having played a game more.

In Norwich’s last league match they were thrashed 3-0 by relegation rivals Sunderland. While Sunderland were clinical, Norwich had 64 percent possession and had 19 shot yet they lacked the true cutting edge required to match their opponents in such a crucial battle. Results that have occurred since that fixture have meant that Norwich have slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference.

Prediction

Arsenal forwards Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are struggling but with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil driving the side forward, they will have enough to see off Norwich.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Arsenal

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Alexis Sanchez

Swansea City v Liverpool

Sunday May 1, 7pm, Liberty Stadium

Swansea City were dreadful as they were swept aside 4-0 by a rampant Leicester City. The Swans had no answers in containing the pace and movement of Riyad Mahrez, Leonardo Ulloa and Jeffrey Schlupp. Their best chance came at 2-0 down but an unmarked Federico Fernandez failed to put Gylfi Sigurdsson’s beautiful set-piece on target.

In-form Liverpool blew a two-goal lead to draw at home to Newcastle. The Reds took just 67 seconds to open the scoring when Daniel Sturridge controlled Alberto Moreno’s pass before turning and shooting early enough to catch Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow off-guard. On the half-hour they went 2-0 up when Adam Lallana sent a curling shot past Darlow into the top corner of the net but then two moments of poor defensive work in the second half let Newcastle back into the match.

Prediction

Despite dropping two points, Liverpool are in fine form and will overcome a Swansea side who are barely seeing their tepid season out.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Liverpool

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Daniel Sturridge

Manchester United v Leicester City

Sunday May 1, 9.05pm, Old Trafford

Prior to their FA Cup semi-final triumph Manchester United kept up their chase for a top four spot with a dominant 2-0 win over an unambitious Crystal Palace. Damien Delaney set United on their way when he turned Matteo Darmian’s cross into his own net after four minutes. Darmian doubled the lead by lashing home from 20 yards for his first goal for United.

Leonardo Ulloa proved an able deputy for Jamie Vardy as Leicester City moved to the brink of the Premier League title with a ruthless 4-0 thrashing of Swansea City. Riyad Mahrez, the newly crowned PFA player of the year, opened the scoring when he capitalised on an error from Ashley Williams. A brace from Ulloa either side of half-time and a late Marc Albrighton goal kept Leicester on course for an incredible first title in their history.

Prediction

United have a fighting chance of qualifying for a Champions League spot but their defence will have to keep compact enough to deny Leicester the space to pick holes in it. Leicester have proven to be rather nerveless as they close in on the title and will pick up a valuable point to help their cause.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Anthony Martial

Southampton v Manchester City

Sunday May 1, 11.30pm, St Mary’s Stadium

Dusan Tadic scored twice as Southampton eased past relegated Aston Villa 4-2 to keep alive their faint hopes of European football. Shane Long netted on 15 minutes and then raced onto Leandro Bacuna’s mis-hit backpass to square for Tadic to double the lead. In the final 20 minutes, Long again set up Tadic before Sadio Mane headed home Southampton’s fourth in injury time. The Saints are still eighth but have kept up the fight for a spot in the Europa League.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s second-half double helped Manchester City move up to third with a routine 4-0 triumph over Stoke. Fernando headed the hosts in front from a corner before a Sergio Aguero penalty, awarded for Ryan Shawcross’s foul on Iheanacho, doubled the lead in the first half. Iheanacho added the third from close range, then the 19 year old rounded Stoke keeper Jakob Haugaard to seal an emphatic win.

Prediction

City have now claimed four wins and a draw in their last five league games by playing with a freedom that seemed to desert them in February and January. The goals are flowing again in the league for City and at $2.20 they are good value for an away win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

Tuesday May 3, 3am, Stamford Bridge

Eden Hazard scored his first league goals of the season as Chelsea saw off Bournemouth 4-1.

Cesc Fabregas set up Chelsea’s first three goals, teeing up Pedro and Hazard in the first half before playing in Willian for the third after the break. Hazard got his second when he finished Nemanja Matic’s assist in injury time. The win meant Chelsea snapped their two game losing run in the league.

Tottenham Hotspur’s title ambitions were dealt a severe blow as they conceded a second-half equaliser to draw 1-1 at home to West Brom. Spurs took a well deserved first-half lead when West Brom defender Craig Dawson bundled Christian Eriksen’s cross into his own net. Spurs, who hit the woodwork a further three times, conceded 17 minutes from the end when Dawson made amends by heading in Craig Gardner’s corner from six yards. Spurs created enough chances to easily win the game but the two dropped points means they are seven points adrift of Leicester with three games to go.

Prediction

Just to even have a fighting chance, Spurs have to go for it. However the Blues will not roll over so easily. Look for a match high in tension and also a draw.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Harry Kane

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