Sports

The Scout: EPL Matchday 6

Southampton vs Bournemouth
21st September, 3am WST

10th hosts 9th in the first game of the weekend with both teams looking for consecutive wins for the first time this season.

After two losses to start their Premier League campaign, Southampton are undefeated in their last three. They came close to relegation last season, but get a real chance to launch into the top half of the table against a defensively vulnerable Bournemouth outfit.

Bournemouth come into this match full of confidence following last weekend’s 3-1 win over Everton. Their entire attacking core came to the party with Callum Wilson scoring a brace, a goal from Ryan Fraser and two assists from Joshua King.

Goals is the forecast here. More than 2.5 goals has been scored in Bournemouth’s last four Premier League fixtures for Bournemouth, with the Cherries conceding in all of them.

These team rank 5th and 6th for shots conceded this season, and I think we’ll see plenty of quality looks here.

Suggested Bet: Over +2.5 Total Goals @ $1.71*


Burnley vs Norwich
21st September, 10pm WST

Burnley started their season with a 3-0 blitz of Southampton but have gone winless since, and find themselves in 14th place on the table.

Newly promoted Norwich are becoming a must-watch prospect with a frantic and exciting game style. This was no more evident than in last week’s 3-2 win over defending champions Manchester City.

Sean Dyche and his Burnley squad will be desperate for a win, and this is one they would have penciled in at the start of the season. The side is at least finding the back of the net, going goalless just once, and that came against Liverpool.

Although Norwich have been impressive up front, their league-worst defense (12 goals conceded) has been poor. They’ve conceded a goal in every game so far, and two or more in four of five games.

This porous defense opens the door for Burnley, in particular their leading goal scorer Ashley Barnes. The English striker has four of Burnley’s six goals for season, and will be licking his lips at the prospect of a day out here.

Barnes has had 16 shots at goal this season and ranks second in the Premier League for shots on target (8).

Suggested Bet: Ashley Barnes Anytime Goalscorer $2.20*


Manchester City vs Watford
21st September, 10pm WST

Beware the wounded champion! My warning to Watford after City’s shock 3-2 loss to Norwich last week.

Watford came back from a two-goal deficit to scrape a draw against Arsenal last matchday, and although they will take confidence from this result, they have a mammoth task in front of them here. The Hornets have struggled against the “big 6,” losing their past 15 Premier League matches when travelling to the elite club’s home ground.

Manchester City have won 18 consecutive home games (in all competitions) and will be looking to bounce back after last week’s disappointment.

City decimated Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup Final in May, and have scored a whopping 25 goals in their last six matches against the Hornets.

Kevin De Bruyne (who leads the League in assists) is set to return to the starting line-up, which should in turn help the likes of Sergio Aguero (7 goals) and Raheem Sterling (5 goals). I’m expecting a long night for the Watford defense.

Suggested Bet: Manchester City 4 Goals Or More @ $2.27*

*Odds correct as at 8.50am, 20th September 2019.

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