Sports

The Scout: EPL Matchday 20

Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Boxing Day was a success for both of these sides, with Southampton securing their best win of the season over Chelsea (2-0), while a late goal saw Crystal Palace beat West Ham 2-1.

Southampton have now won two straight and find themselves 14th on the table. Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has installed an aggressive game plan which has seen the Saints score 12 goals in their last six matches.

Crystal Palace (9th) have lost just once in their last six Premier League fixtures. Their biggest concern to date has been their ability to score, with just 17 goals for the season – ahead of only Watford in the League.

In a surprise move, Hasenhuttl benched goal scoring machine Danny Ings for the Chelsea match. It proved a masterstroke with the Saints going into halftime with a 1-0 lead. If Ings starts here expect him to have a point to prove.

Southampton are in good form heading into 2020 and should have too much firepower for Crystal Palace here.

Suggested Bet: Match Result Southampton $1.95*


Watford vs Aston Villa

Watford secured a point against Sheffield United which sees them move off the bottom spot on the Premier League table.

Aston Villa (18th) snapped a four match losing streak with a much-needed win over Norwich City. The win sees Villa just one point shy of relegation safety.

Watford have taken four points from two games but it’s still (way) too early to call this a form turnaround. The Hornets have lacked creativity in front of goal all season, scoring a League-low 12 goals from 19 games.

Both of these sides have conceded 33 goals for the season, but Aston Villa have scored 13 more than Watford’s tally. Villa’s Jack Grealish has two goals and an assist in his last four matches and could be the difference maker here.

Suggested Bet: Match Result Aston Villa @ $3.60*


Norwich City vs Tottenham

It has been a rough couple of months for Norwich City who haven’t won a Premier League match in six attempts. They are dead last on the table and have conceded more goals than other side in the League (38).

Tottenham’s 2-1 comeback victory against Brighton sees them 5th on the table, three points behind Chelsea.

Tottenham have some of the best offensive talents in the world, led by Dele Alli, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane. With 10 goals for the season, Kane was unlucky not to score twice on Boxing Day and looks to be only just warming up coming into 2020.

Norwich have conceded 16 goals in their last six home games and this looks a matter of when, not if, the English captain puts one into the back of the net.

Suggested Bet: Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer @ $1.82*

*Odds correct as at 2pm, 27th December 2019.

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