Sports

The Scout: EPL Matchday 30

Watford vs Leicester City

17th placed Watford are just one goal clear of the relegation zone after falling to Crystal Palace 1-0 last weekend.

Leicester City (3rd) snapped a two game losing streak with an emphatic 4-0 win over Aston Villa, and currently hold a comfortable eight point buffer down to Manchester United in 5th.

Jamie Vardy took the outright lead (19 goals) in the Golden Boot after coming off the bench and scoring two goals in 31 minutes of play against Villa. An aggressive and active Vardy was sorely missed during Leicester’s mini-slump and is a scary prospect for opposing sides moving forward.

Although Watford have improved, their record still reads one win from their last seven Premier League fixtures. Leicester have (rightful) Champions League aspirations and should be too strong here in what looks the bet of the weekend.

Suggested Bet: Match Result Leicester City @ $2.25*


Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace

Bournemouth (18th) were fantastic last matchday against Liverpool, but still came away with no points and remain in the bottom three on the table. They will need to keep this level of play up to avoid finding themselves out of the Premier League for the first time since 2015.

11th placed Crystal Palace are surging towards the top half of the table following their third straight 1-0 win; most recently at home to Watford.

Palace have been extremely hard to beat on the road, losing just two of their last eight Premier League matches away from home. On top of this, they have managed to find the back of the net in their last five away fixtures.

Bournemouth need to play desperate football from here on in. They scored first against Liverpool and put two past Chelsea on the game prior, and I think they’ll be continuing that run here.

Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score @ $1.82*


Aston Villa vs Chelsea

Relegation is looming for 19th placed Aston Villa who have now lost four straight in the Premier League. Their woes go further, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last nine League matches.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea are back in form following their 4-0 stomping of Everton. They remain three points clear in 4th spot and will need to win games exactly like this to feature in the Champions League next season.

As described, Aston Villa’s defense is in shambles. They’ve let through 11 goals in their last four matches and have now conceded the most goals in the Premier League with 56.

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud has been one of the catalysts to Chelsea’s strong form. Since joining the starting XI, the Frenchman has scored twice and had one assist in three matches. Youngster Mason Mount is also back in the side and carving up defenses like he was at the start of the season.

Aston Villa are vulnerable right now and they couldn’t have found a worse time to play Chelsea. The leakiest defense in the EPL against a rejuvenated offense with Champions League aspirations. A blowout is on the cards!

Suggested Bet: Chelsea WIN & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.18*

*Odds correct as at 11am, 12th March 2020.

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