The Hard Tackle takes a look at the best betting markets for the top fixtures ahead of the fourteenth game-week of the Premier League
Chelsea travel to Etihad to face Manchester City hoping to keep their magnificent run of form going, while Guardiola would be looking at the fixture as an opportunity to leapfrog Chelsea on the Premier League table.
Everton host Manchester United in a tie that is more important right now for both the sides than it perhaps would have been at the start of the season.
West Ham United face another difficult task, this time to keep a free-scoring Arsenal side at bay as the Gunners travel to the Olympic Stadium. Liverpool are away to Bournemouth, while Tottenham play hosts to a rejuvenated Swansea side.
Another interesting match is Watford’s away fixture against West Brom, with both sides enjoying a good season and finding themselves in the top half of the table.
The Hard Tackle takes a look at the potentially profitable markets available in the top matches:
(Note that the odds mentioned here have been extracted from Bet365.com as presented on smartbets.com)
(Note that all stakes are taken as 1 unit)
Favourable Bets for Game-week 13: 4/10
The Hard Tackle aggregate: 56/114
Underdogs Result: Unfortunately, none of the underdog bets came through. Although, we did run very close to achieving a few results.
1. Everton FC vs Manchester United FC
A game that should be a high scoring affair. A leaky Everton defence and a United defence with their best central defensive pairing out injured should produce a lot of goals. Manchester United have scored in the first half in 6 out of 13 games with the same record in terms of scoring in the second half.
United have been playing well despite the lack of results, and Wednesday’s 4-1 win over West Ham could provide a boost in morale for Mourinho’s men to overcome a struggling Everton side.
Favourable Bets:
1. Over 3.5 Cards @ 1.66
2. Over 10.5 Corners @1.83
3. Over 2.5 Match Goals @ 2.00
Underdog Bets:
1. Result – Man Utd & Over 2.5 Match Goals @ 3.25
2. Manchester United to score in both Halves – YES @ 3.25
2. Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea City FC
Coming into the game on the back of agreeing a contract extension, this game looks set to be a Harry Kane show. The player was the difference-maker against West Ham United, but fell flat in the next London derby against Chelsea.
Swansea have finally returned to winning ways, with Bob Bradley snatching his first win in Europe as a manager against Crystal Palace.
But the side still conceded 4 soft goals against Crystal Palace, and Tottenham should be a more tasking proposition for the Swans. The odds of a Tottenham win, though, are too low to suggest.
Favourable Bets:
1. Over 3 Goal Line @1.925
2. Harry Kane to score anytime @1.80
Underdog Bets:
1. Harry Kane to score 2 or more @4.50
3. West Ham United FC vs Arsenal FC
A while ago if someone would have suggested that West Ham are in a crisis, it would have sounded unreasonable. But crisis is what has covered the Olympic Stadium.
Meanwhile Arsenal’s undefeated run was arrested in mid-week as they lost 2-0 to Southampton to bow out of the EFL Cup. The weekend will provide more answers as to how Arsenal respond to the defeat. Likewise for the Hammers, after their 4-1 defeat to United.
Favourable Bets:
1. Over 2.5 Match Goals @ 1.61
2. Asian Handicap Cards – West Ham 0.0 @1.850
3. Over 3.5 Cards @ 1.66
4. Over 9.5 Corners @ 1.66
4. AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool FC
Liverpool are on a wonderful run and they proved against Sunderland that they can cope with injuries to their top players as well. Bournemouth though are a tougher opponent than Sunderland and will prove to be a stern test.
Liverpool’s form may help them edge past Bournemouth. But the Cherries are no pushovers and a shock victory for them could be in the offing.
Favourable Bets:
1. Over 3.5 Cards @ 1.83
2. Over 10.5 Corners @ 1.90
3. Over 4.5 Bournemouth Corners @ 1.80
Underdog Bets:
1. Full Time Score Bournemouth 0 – 1 Liverpool @ 10.00
5. Manchester City FC vs Chelsea FC
The Battle of the Blues will see Manchester City taking on Chelsea at the Etihad stadium. Chelsea are in brilliant form, but Manchester City have shown great fighting spirit in recent games to earn hard-fought wins over the likes of Burnley and Crystal Palace. Chelsea’s run of clean sheets came to an end against Tottenham last weekend, and Manchester City’s attack look potent enough to beat the Blues defence.
Favourable Bets:
1. Both Teams to Score – YES @ 1.61
Underdog Bets:
1. Full Time Result – Draw @ 3.60
6. Miscellaneous Bets:
Even though Leicester have been struggling, they should do enough to beat Sunderland. Burnley are also likely to earn some points at Stoke, be it 1 or three. A draw is the best possible result for both West Brom and Watford, given their current form.
Favourable Bets:
1. Leicester to win against Sunderland @ 2.30
2. Southampton to win against Crystal Palace @ 2.30
Underdog Bets:
1. Stoke City FC vs Burnley FC – Full time result – Draw @ 4.00
2. West Bromwich Albion vs Watford – Full time result – Draw @ 3.30
