Sports

Clint Vojdinoski’s EPL Preview

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

West Ham United v Arsenal

Saturday April 9, 7.45pm, Boleyn Ground

West Ham United’s Champions League hopes were dented when they drew 2-2 at home to Crystal Palace. A mistake from West Ham keeper Adrian handed Palace the lead. The Hammers equalised when Manuel Lanzini crashed an effort from 12 yards before Dimitri Payet’s sublime 20-yard free-kick put Slaven Bilic’s men ahead at halftime. On 67 minutes Cheikhou Kouyate was harshly sent off for a foul on Dwight Gayle, who equalised eight minutes later for Palace after Angelo Ogbonna’s error.

Arsenal picked up just their fourth win in their past 11 league games with an easy 4-0 victory over Watford. The Gunners controlled the match from the outset and led inside four minutes through Alexis Sanchez. Alex Iwobi finished off a fine team move to make it 2-0 before halftime. Hector Bellerin’s shot deflected in for Arsenal’s third, while Theo Walcott completed the scoring to keep Arsenal’s faint hopes of the Premier League title alive.

Prediction

In recent years, West Ham have been woeful against the Gunners but that form has gone out the window this season. The Hammers have dynamic players across the pitch who stick to Bilic’s counterattacking plan emphatically with many of them capable of getting a goal. West Ham enters this clash as underdogs but take a look at them to end Arsenal’s title hopes which is paying $3.90.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Dimitri Payet

Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth

Saturday April 9, 10pm, Villa Park

Aston Villa’s inevitable slide towards relegation continued with a 4-0 mauling at home to Chelsea. Villa’s brittle defence was sliced open twice in the first half and they meekly surrendered in the second half as Pedro helped himself to a double. For the second separate time this season Villa lost seven consecutive Premier League matches.

Bournemouth were humbled at home by Manchester City 4-0 yet the game was won by the visitors inside the first 20 minutes as they rushed out to a 3-0 lead. In a tough afternoon, the Cherries were shocked by City’s high-tempo pressing game as they hit the self-destruct button in the first half.

Prediction

Bournemouth have conceded seven goals in their two match losing run which suggests that the steam is running out of their impressive season. However they will take the points in this match and reach the 40 point barrier which is widely presumed to represent safety from relegation.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Bournemouth

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Lewis Grabban

Swansea City v Chelsea

Saturday April 9, 10pm, Liberty Stadium

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alberto Paloschi struck as Swansea came from two goals down to steal a 2-2 draw at Stoke. At 2-0 down early in the second half, Sigurdsson pulled one back with a shot on the turn that wrong-footed Stoke keeper Jakob Haugaard before Paloschi’s 79th minute equaliser earned the Swans a point and just about preserved their Premier League status for another season.

Alexandre Pato scored on his long awaited Chelsea debut as the Blues fielded a number of fringe players in their 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa. Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring before Pato’s penalty made it 2-0 at halftime. Pedro scored twice in the second half to extend Chelsea’s unbeaten league run to 15 matches.

Prediction

Other than Sigurdsson, Swansea lack a real matchwinner that can turn the game to their advantage. While Chelsea’s unbeaten run has been characterised by a greater calm and stability around the squad as fringe players are starting to take their chances. With their future sorted after Antonio Conte was announced as their new manager, Chelsea look good for the win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Chelsea

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Pedro

Watford v Everton

Saturday April 9, 10pm, Vicarage Road

Watford put in another alarmingly feeble performance to lose 4-0 at Arsenal. They went behind early and barely threatened managing just two shots on target. Despite conceding four, Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes was again in top form, making superb saves to deny Alex Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez. The Hornets have won only twice in 13 league games, which includes five defeats in their last six.

Everton fell to a first away defeat since October after a 1-0 loss at Manchester United. A dull first half came to life in the second when Anthony Martial put United in front but shortly afterwards Everton hit the crossbar through captain Phil Jagielka and pushed for an equaliser only for United keeper David de Gea to splendidly deny Jagielka with a reflex save.

Prediction

The Hornets were seventh at Christmas but have since fallen to 14th in the league, 11 points above the relegation zone. One goal in five matches indicates their confidence in front of goal has been drained. Look for Everton to keep up their fine away form.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Everton

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Romelu Lukaku

Southampton v Newcastle United

Saturday April 9, 10pm, St Mary’s Stadium

Southampton went down 1-0 at league leading Leicester City but it was not for a lack of trying. The Saints came closest when Sadio Mane rounded Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel, but his goalbound shot was questionably blocked by defender Danny Simpson. After falling behind to Wes Morgan’s goal, Ronald Koeman’s men held the bulk of the possession and probed for an equaliser but to no avail as Leicester’s back four were impregnable. Their first defeat in four matches has kept them in seventh place.

Newcastle’s hopes of Premier League survival took a big blow as they conceded a stoppage time winner to lose 3-2 at 17th placed Norwich. Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic had twice equalised for the Magpies and appeared to have the momentum to push on for the winner yet they were left stunned by Martin Olsson’s rifled winner.

Prediction

How Newcastle react to a stinging defeat will be the story in this clash as they are 19th but trail 17th placed Norwich by six points but have played one game fewer. The Magpies have the look of a team that is doomed and their poor away form will further count against them here.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Southampton

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Graziano Pelle

Crystal Palace v Norwich City

Saturday April 9, 10pm, Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace managed a creditable 2-2 draw away at 10-man West Ham. In a high-tempo clash, Palace went in front when Damien Delaney capitalised on a mistake from West Ham keeper Adrian to head in from close range. At 2-1 down, Palace equalised when Dwight Gayle pounced on a disastrous error in West Ham’s defence. Despite an encouraging performance, Alan Pardew’s side are winless in 14 Premier League games.

Martin Olsson was the hero as his 93rd minute winner helped Norwich to a massive 3-2 triumph over relegation rivals Newcastle. Timm Klose gave Norwich the lead on the stroke of halftime but Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised for the Magpies on 71 minutes. Mitrovic’s penalty cancelled out Dieumerci Mbokani’s superb strike, but it was up to left-back Olsson who pushed forward to be on hand to snatch a precious three points.

Prediction

A vital clash for out-of-form Palace to stay out of the relegation battle. Norwich have taken seven out of nine points and have edged into some spirited form. Take a draw between two goal-shy clubs scrapping to clear away from the relegation zone.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Dieumerci Mbokani

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion

Sunday April 10, 12.30am, Etihad Stadium

Kevin de Bruyne’s return from injury helped Manchester City put in a sparkling 4-0 thumping of Bournemouth. In a devastating attacking display, City were 3-0 up inside 18 minutes with Fernando opening the scoring, De Bruyne making it 2-0 when he volleyed home David Silva’s flick and Sergio Aguero heading in a third. Aleksandar Kolarov blasted in City’s fourth with the last kick of the game as Manuel Pellegrini’s men put paid to their woeful away form.

West Brom put in a very lacklustre performance yet were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw against Sunderland. The Baggies registered no shots on target with 43 percent possession but were indebted to a fantastic performance from their keeper Ben Foster. Foster single-handedly earned a point with splendid saves to deny Fabio Borini, Jermain Defoe, Lee Cattermole and Jan Kirchhoff.

Prediction

De Bruyne’s return after two months out with injury has given City an instant lift in their pursuit to seal a Champions League spot. With Samir Nasri also returning, their attacking options have greatly improved and they will see off West Brom.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero

Sunderland v Leicester City

Sunday April 10, 8.30pm, Stadium of Light

Sunderland are still in the relegation zone after they failed to turn their dominance into goals against West Brom. Despite a first clean sheet in 17 league games, the Black Cats misfired up front as they had 22 shots and hit the target with seven. The two dropped points means Sunderland are in 18th four points off 17th placed Norwich.

Leicester’s dreams of winning the Premier League title moved another step closer after Wes Morgan’s header saw off Southampton. Morgan powerfully connected with Christian Fuchs’ first-half cross to score his first goal of the season. Claudio Ranieri’s side have now won five of their last six matches by a 1-0 scoreline and have a seven point lead over Tottenham with six games remaining.

Prediction

Leicester have been showing unbelievable defensive solidity and discipline which has characterised their title run in. They are simply defending with every ounce of energy. This is a potential banana skin game for the Foxes but they will overcome a struggling Sunderland.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Leicester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Jamie Vardy

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

Sunday April 10, 11pm, White Hart Lane

Tottenham missed a chance to stay five points off Leicester City as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Liverpool. On 63 minutes, Harry Kane superbly faked Dejan Lovren and shot on the turn to help Spurs earn a point after they fell behind to Philippe Coutinho’s fine strike early in the second half. Despite the draw, manager Mauricio Pochettino would consider this two points dropped in Spurs’ chase for a first league title in 55 years.

Anthony Martial struck the only goal for Manchester United as Louis van Gaal’s side maintained their push for a Champions League place with a 1-0 win over Everton. United withstood some Everton pressure to take the lead when Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah combined to set up Martial for his 13th goal of the season.

Prediction

The two meanest defences clash here but the major difference is the dynamism of their attacks. Spurs play a high line and press quickly, while United build rather slowly which has been to their detriment for much of the season. United have be scrapping for positive results in recent weeks but their run will end here.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Tottenham Hotspur

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Harry Kane

Liverpool v Stoke City

Sunday April 10, 11pm, Anfield

Liverpool stretched their unbeaten run against Tottenham to seven matches after a high-quality 1-1 draw. Man of the match Philippe Coutinho finished off Daniel Sturridge’s threaded pass early in the second half to give the Reds the lead but they conceded an equaliser 12 minutes later. Sturridge and Adam Lallana had Liverpool’s best chances but instead drew fine saves out of Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris.

Stoke blew a 2-0 lead to draw at home to Swansea to once again damage their quest for a European place. Ibrahim Afellay gave Mark Hughes’ side a halftime lead as he headed in Marko Arnautovic’s cross. Bojan Krkic doubled the lead early in the second half with a fine solo goal yet the Potters fell apart when they should have seen out a match they dominated.

Prediction

Stoke have had a habit this season of slipping up just as they are hitting full momentum, which can be a close description for Liverpool’s season too. On the balance of it, Liverpool’s forwards led by Coutinho as their fulcrum will overrun the Potters.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Liverpool

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Daniel Sturridge

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