Premier League Predictions > Apr 2nd - 6th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Check out the odds and ratings for the Premier League matches coming up in the next round of games. Give us any predictions or bets you have for these fixtures down below! 

[StevieDay1983]

Liverpool vs Watford

The Premier League is back this weekend and we begin proceedings with a battle between two teams at opposite ends of the table when title contenders Liverpool host relegation strugglers Watford in a 12:30pm BST kick-off on Saturday lunch-time at Anfield. All the money with any sense is on the home team here but is there any chance we could see a shock result happen?

Liverpool are doing their best to take this title race to the wire. Jurgen Klopp's men are in 2nd place and just 1 point behind league leaders Manchester City. The Reds will move to the top of the table with a draw but they'll want a win to put the pressure on their rivals. The team are unbeaten in their last 10 league games including 9 wins on the bounce with 7 clean sheets coming in that run. The team haven't conceded a league goal in over 400 minutes of football. Liverpool have also managed to win their last 9 league matches at Anfield whilst also boasting the best home record in the division going unbeaten in their last 18 home league games. It's interesting that Liverpool are only 1 goal off their best ever scoring season at this stage of a top flight campaign.

Watford appear to be in a right mess down in 18th place with teams around them possessing more games in hand. The Hornets haven't exactly managed this season in the best way and they are paying for it now. Roy Hodgson was tasked with trying to turn their fortunes around but it's been just 2 wins from his 9 league games in charge. The team did sign off before the international break with an impressive 2-1 win away to Southampton so it'll be interesting to see if they can build on that result. Star wide player Ismaila Sarr is set to return to the team after missing the last 3 league games. Nicolas Nkoulou should also be available after a long injury. It's intriguing to note that each of the last 9 points Watford have earned have all come on the road.

This may well not be a turnover for Liverpool here. Teams battling for their lives at the bottom of the table at this stage of the season can often be troublesome opposition for teams at the top end. Liverpool are undoubtedly enjoying a purple patch but has the international break affected their momentum? I think they should win this relatively comfortably but Watford will put up a fight and make them work for it.

Liverpool to Win to Nil @ 1.83 with Betfair

Liverpool HT/FT @ 1.55 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Brighton vs Norwich

The relegation battle is once again the focus in the second preview this weekend when mid-table Brighton welcome bottom-placed club Norwich to the Amex Stadium for this 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon. Time is running out for the visitors to bridge the gap with the survival places but can they pick up 3 points against a team that don't really have anything left to play for this season and in dire form?

Brighton are on a dismal run of results at the moment. The Seagulls have lost their last 6 league games in a row having failed to even score in 5 of those matches. We have said this for the past few weeks but Graham Potter's side are suffering from the impotency in the final third issue that has plagued their progress for seasons now. You can kind of see why a certain section of their fans have started to boo the team's performances now. Centre back Adam Webster is still ruled out and, as we've said previously, that usually brings bad results. It's now 4 defeats in the league at home for Brighton and just 1 win in their previous 12 home league matches. There is also the unsettling statistic that Brighton are without a win in all 14 of their Premier League games played in the month of April.

Norwich are staring right at a swift return to the Championship. The club are sitting at the foot of the top flight and 8 points adrift of safety with just 9 league games left to play and teams around them boasting games in hand. The board brought in Dean Smith to replace Daniel Farke and it's simply a risk that hasn't paid off. The Canaries have now become the first team in Premier League history to lose 6 league games in a row in three different spells during a single season. The team have only managed to score 18 league goals this season with the next lowest being Burnley on 22 goals. Fitness appears to be an issue with Norwich conceding a division-high 16 goals in the final 15 minutes of their league games.

Hmm, the hype for this game isn't up there with the best is it? Two teams... both having lost their last 6 league games... both having appalling scoring records... it's a hard sell. I think it's not a case of who will be good enough to win this game but who will be not quite bad enough to lose! I think Brighton should end their duck and bag a narrow win as the misery of Norwich is set to continue.

Brighton to Win to Nil @ 2.30 with Boylesports

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.85 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Burnley vs Manchester City

OK, so we once again must turn our gaze to the relegation dog fight for this third preview but there's the added spice of the Premier League title race thrown in for this 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor. It's a nailed on away win with the visitors maintaining their place at the top of the table come the end of the match round, right? Or is it?!

Burnley have arguably sleep-walked into their current predicament. Year-after-year, Sean Dyche's men have started their season like a team that has spent their entire off-season living the life of an 18-30s holiday partygoer. Previously, these slow starts have been negated by periods of fine form that has dragged them out of danger. That doesn't appear to have happened yet this season and the clock is ticking. The Clarets are in 19th position and 4 points adrift of safety. Dyche is still without a number of key first team players including Erik Pieters, Ben Mee, Nathan Collins, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, and Matej Vydra. It's now 3 defeats in a row in the league for Burnley with the team failing to score in all three of those games. The team have now failed to score in over 50% of their home league matches. In fact, Turf Moor has only witnessed 26 Premier League goals in total this season.

Manchester City face their latest challenge as they aim to retain their league title. Pep Guardiola's men are 1 point ahead of rivals Liverpool who sit in 2nd place so the pressure is well and truly on. The Citizens have dropped points in 3 of their last 7 league games to let their rivals back into the title race. However, they have lost just 1 of their last 19 league games. They have also not suffered a league defeat on the road since the opening weekend 1-0 loss to Tottenham having won 11 of their 15 away league games this season. It is ominous for Burnley in this game that City have won 24 of their 26 league games played against teams that start the day in the relegation zone. We have enjoyed some decent return on backing Riyad Mahrez as anytime scorer so with 22 goals in his last 36 games for the club we'll carry that on here.

It's hard to see Burnley mustering up enough quality and effort to pose Manchester City any real problems here. Burnley have played with fire for a number of seasons now with a lack of investment and failure to really address persistent problems holding the club back. I think this could be the season all that passive attitude catches up with them. I'm backing City to win and do so in a business-like fashion here.

Manchester City to Win to Nil @ 1.93 with BetVictor

Anytime Scorer: Riyad Mahrez @ 2.04 with Unibet

 

[malabgd]

Manchester United vs Leicester City

2022-04-02T18:30+02:00

 

Manchester United

Doubtful:

Out (injuries/other): Edinson Cavani (12/2 f), Mason Greenwood (18/5 f)

Suspended:

 

Leicester City

Doubtful: Luke Thomas (18/0 d)

Out (injuries/other): Jamie Vardy (18/10 f, top scorer), Wilfred Ndidi (19/0 m), Danny Ward (0/0 g), Ryan Bertrand (4/0 d)

Suspended: -

 

Daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more than 100 football leagues and competitions worldwide at: www.injuriesandsuspensions.com

 

Over/Under Goals
Manchester United 15 home games	Leicester City 13 away games

67%	Over 1.5 goals	100%
40%	Over 2.5 goals	69%
40%	Over 3.5 goals	31%
33%	Over 4.5 goals	15%
7%	Over 5.5 goals	8%
33%	Under 1.5 goals	0%
60%	Under 2.5 goals	31%
60%	Over 0.5 goals at half-time	92%
33%	Over 1.5 goals at half-time	54%
20%	Over 2.5 goals at half-time	15%

[DarrenTse]

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham, who beat West Ham 3-1 last time round, are 5-1 in their last six league games and in excellent form. They have been very good at home, winning their last two home games and scoring a total of eight goals. Kane and Son have scored 13 and 12 goals, their form is hot.

Newcastle United
Newcastle have suffered 2 defeats in a row, losing 1-0 on both trips, and morale has suffered. But with 20 points from their unbeaten 8 games, they are 9 points ahead of the relegation zone and they are safe.

Verdict:
Tottenham have a huge advantage and are favourites to win this game. The 1X2 first odds is 1.57-4.00-5.75, which means support the home team. Tottenham should win ths game.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United
Pick: 1
 

[StevieDay1983]

Chelsea vs Brentford

It's an all-London affair for the next preview in the Premier League when Chelsea play Brentford in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge with both teams experiencing their own issues but with one off-the-pitch and the other on-the-pitch. The home team are in the middle of a controversial takeover whilst the away side are firmly embroiled in the relegation dog fight.

Chelsea might well be going through a turbulent time with owner Roman Abramovich being forced to sell the club as part of sanctions against Russian oligarchs with close links to President Vladimir Putin but on the pitch their fortunes have remained unaffected. The Blues are on a winning run of 5 league games with 4 clean sheets kept during that spell leaving them in 3rd place and comfortably in the Champions League qualification places. Thomas Tuchel's side are also through to the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League and the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup. Tuchel is also boosted by the fact Reece James, Andreas Christensen, and Saul Niguez are all back fit. Chelsea have now only lost 1 of their last 26 matches in all competitions and have won 12 of their last 13 of those games. The team has also won 6 of their 7 London derbies this season.

Brentford come into this game having suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss away to Leicester just before the international break. That brought an end to their two-game winning streak that had looked like giving them a lifeline. The Bees are now in 15th place and 8 points above the drop zone. A couple more wins should be enough to keep them up but the longer they go without getting those wins, the harder it will be to earn them. Thomas Frank's men have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 away league matches. The team have lost 6 of their last 7 away league matches. Worryingly, Brentford have lost 9 matches across all competitions already in this calendar year. Only Everton have lost as many as that which doesn't bode well for the club's form heading into these final batch of league matches.

I think we can all agree that this is a game Chelsea should win comfortably and I'd be amazed if we saw anything close to Brentford pushing them here. Those back-to-back wins seem a lifetime ago for the away side and that loss just before the break could not have come at a worse time. The home side will be keen to keep their league form going and will play with freedom which could be bad news for a visiting side still under pressure to get points to survive.

Chelsea HT/FT @ 2.24 with SBK

Chelsea to Win to Nil @ 2.15 with BetVictor

[StevieDay1983]

Leeds vs Southampton

It's another 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League as flirters with relegation Leeds host mid-table mediocrity Southampton at Elland Road. The home side might have started to find their winning way again but they are still not safe yet. They take on a travelling team that have started to hit a poor run of form with their season potentially stuttering to a disappointing end unless form turns around.

Leeds took the bold decision to sack the people's hero in Marcelo Bielsa and it initially looked like they might suffer for it with new appointment Jesse Marsch struggling to get a win with the club hovering dangerously above the relegation zone. Back-to-back league wins later and the club are in 16th position and 7 points clear of the bottom three. The Whites are boosted by the potential returns of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Raphinha, and Diego Llorente but striker Patrick Bamford could miss the rest of the season. Defensive issues still plague Leeds with the club conceding a division-high 67 league goals and failing to keep a clean sheet in 16 league games. The team have lost 7 of their 15 home league games this season. Only back in 1995/96 have they lost more home league games in this division.

Southampton were looking like a tough team to beat recently after going on an unbeaten run of 5 league games before 3 league defeats in a row took them into the international break. Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are in 11th place but European qualification and relegation now both look highly unlikely. The Saints will have Oriol Romeu and Will Smallbone both back from illness. Interestingly, Southampton have lost a division-high 23 points from winning positions. Away form has cursed the team this season with the club only managing to pick up 3 wins in 14 away league games. The team have also conceded a division-high statistic of at least 2 goals or more in 11 away league matches.

The head-to-head record shows that Leeds have only lost 1 of their last 13 Premier League home matches against Southampton. However, Southampton have the opportunity to complete a first league double over Leeds in the top flight since 1982. It's also disconcerting for the away team that they have only scored 3 goals at Elland Road during the Premier League era. I can actually see Leeds being worth backing here now they have their tails up and Southampton are on the downward curve form-wise.

Leeds Draw No Bet @ 1.88 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.67 with William Hill

[StefanBB]

Manchester United vs Leicester City

Manchester United will be looking to improve on their last outing after a 1:0 Champions League loss in their previous game against Atlético Madrid. The Red Devils booked only one win in the last three rounds and slipped to 6th palace, being four points behind Arsenal. It has been a rare occasion in recent times that Manchester United has shown defensive steel. The reality is that Manchester United have seen their defense breached in 5 of their previous six games, giving up ten goals during that time. Ralf Rangnick’s side should stabilize its form if they want to secure the Champions League ticket.

Leicester City will come into the game after a 2:1 Premier League win against Brentford in their most recent fixture. They have slightly improved their form recently after winning three times on the previous four occasions. Nevertheless, the Foxes are still 10^th, and they will likely skip continental competitions next season. Brendan Rodgers's Leicester City have fired home a total of 8 times throughout their previous six matches. The number of goals that have been scored against them during those same clashes equals 5. Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has to contend with a number of unavailable players. Danny Ward (Knee Surgery) and Jamie Vardy (Knee Injury) miss out here.

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

Neither side can be content with its current campaign, but the hosts still have a chance for the top-four finish. They need valuable three points from this match, and we believe they will deliver an important victory.

Goals Market Prediction

Manchester United kept the clean sheet only once in the last six matches, while Leicester hasn’t been solid in the back either. Therefore, we should see an entertaining game with both teams finding the back of the net.

Manchester United to Win @ 1.55

BTTS Yes @ 1.70

Correct score 2:1 @ 9.00

[StevieDay1983]

Wolves vs Aston Villa

It's a big one in the last 3pm BST preview for the Saturday afternoon kick-offs as European qualification chasers Wolves look to boost their continental dreams for next season against a mid-table rival in Aston Villa at Molineux. Both teams have endured inconsistent form as of late so with the added spice of this being between neighbouring clubs there is more than just points up for grabs.

Wolves continue to keep themselves in the hunt for European qualification contention this season. Bruno Lage has done a fantastic job at building the team from the foundations set by Nuno Espirito Santo with the club in 8th place and just 4 points outside the top 6. Wanderers saw back-to-back clean sheet wins in the league come to an abrupt end with a disappointing 3-2 loss at home to Leeds before the international break but this game offers a chance to get back to winning ways in front of their home fans. The team will be without the injured Ruben Neves and the banned Raul Jimenez. It's now 4 defeats in the last 6 games for Wolves but they have picked up 21 points in the league this calendar year with only Liverpool earning more with 28 points. Unfortunately, Wolves have failed to even score in 8 of their home league games so far this season.

Aston Villa come into this game in 9th position but 10 points behind their opponents for this game. Head coach Steve Gerrard had seen his team win 3 league games with clean sheets on the bounce before back-to-back defeats just before the international break. Gerrard will be pleased to welcome back full back Lucas Digne into the fold again after his injury. One thing you can guarantee from Gerrard's team is if they do lose then they don't lose easily. 7 of the 8 defeats in the league that Villa have suffered under the former Rangers gaffer have been by a single goal. The team have lost 10 of their 12 league games this season played against teams currently positioned higher than them in the table. Danny Ings could be an anytime scorer pick having bagged a goal in each of his last two appearances against Wolves.

I would have been keen to back Wolves to get the job done here. A lot could depend on the fitness and involvement of Pedro Neto. If he's not able to play a decent part in the game then his absence along with Neves and Jimenez could hamper Wolves. Aston Villa have lost 3 of their last 5 Premier League matches against Wolves. The home side has only been victorious on 2 out of the 13 occasions these two sides have met in the Premier League. I feel like a draw offers the best value here.

Draw @ 3.10 with Bet365

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.62 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Manchester United vs Leicester

The last game of the day on Saturday in the Premier League is 5:30pm BST kick-off between Manchester United and Leicester at Old Trafford. You could argue that both teams are experiencing a disappointing league campaign this season with the home team still in contention for European qualification but the away side are simply playing for pride now destined for mid-table.

Manchester United may well be a club in complete disarray right now but they remain in 6th place and just 4 points off the pace of the Champions League qualification spots. The Red Devils saw a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick end a two-game winless run with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham in their most recent league game but the Portuguese national team captain is ruled out with illness for this game. It's now just 1 win in the last 5 games for United and 3 wins in their last 10 games across all competitions. Ralf Rangnick's side are unbeaten at home in the league in 9 matches now though. Although, United fans will be wary that they have lost the last three encounters with Leicester so they're fast becoming a bogey team.

Leicester head into this game in 10th position in the league and having won 3 of their last 4 league games. Brendan Rodgers will be delighted to have big names back from injury with the likes of Wesley Fofana, Jonny Evans, and James Maddison all back involved. Unfortunately, Jamie Vardy isn't available for this game. The Foxes are unbeaten in their last four matches against United including winning the previous three meetings so they have every reason to feel confident coming into this. Away form is still a problem for Leicester with the club losing 5 of their last 6 away league games. The team have also kept just 1 clean sheet away from home in the league this season.

As I mentioned above, Leicester have the hoodoo over Manchester United in recent meetings but will that change here? It's hard to tell. I think Leicester edge the form book overall but they continue to be hampered by their away form. It'll be interesting to see how Bruno Fernandes performs as the leading man in the front-line but we'll see. Vardy missing for Leicester is a blow but in Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka they have two strikers who can punish fragile defences. I'm tempted to back Leicester to get something. Maybe not a win but something.

Leicester Double Chance @ 2.55 with SpreadEx

BTTS @ 1.75 with Betway

[StevieDay1983]

West Ham vs Everton

The Premier League has two games scheduled on Sunday afternoon with the first of those being the 2pm BST clash between Champions League qualification hopefuls West Ham and relegation-threatened Everton at London Stadium. It's a nervous stage of the season now for both of these two teams but for two completely contrasting reasons as they look to end the season achieving their respective goals of qualifying for Europe and staying up.

West Ham are continuing to enjoy a productive campaign under David Moyes with the team in 8th place and just 6 points off the pace of the Champions League qualification spots. The Hammers have only won 2 of their last 7 domestic matches but the dramatic 2-1 aggregate win over Sevilla in the last 16 of the Europa League will have boosted the team morale. Moyes will likely have to do without the key figure of Jarrod Bowen again but Vladimir Coufal should be available after suffering a hernia. The team have won back-to-back league games at home. The team are free-scoring this season as well with their 49 goals scored after 30 league games being their best top flight tally since 1984. Ukrainian midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko could be a cheeky pick for anytime scorer having scored 2 goals in his last 3 games for the club.

Everton will be fully aware that they are in a world of trouble right now. Frank Lampard's team are sat in 17th position and just 3 points above the drop zone although they do boast a number of games in hand. What use are those games if they keep losing though? The Toffees managed to go into the international break off the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle at home but that was after a run of 9 losses from their previous 10 league matches. Defeat here would see Everton lose more than 16 league games in a season for the first time since 2003. Everton have the worst away record in the top division having earned just 6 points on the road. Their away record under Lampard is just as appalling having lost every single away league game under his management by an aggregate score of 14-1. The team have also lost 8 of their last 9 league games played on a Sunday.

There is the opportunity here for West Ham to earn a first league double over Everton since 1972/73. Despite Everton's awful away record this season they have lost just 1 of their last 13 away league games against West Ham. Each of the last three league meetings have ended in a 1-0 victory for the away side. I can't see that happening here. I think this game is there to be won for West Ham. 

West Ham to Win @ 1.86 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.89 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Tottenham vs Newcastle

The second game in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon is a potential firecracker between Tottenham and Newcastle in a 4:30pm BST kick-off from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The home side are in a decent run of form again lifting their hopes of qualifying for Europe this season but can they keep that form going against an away team faltering slightly?

Tottenham are having a season of fits and starts under head coach Antonio Conte. It's been 4 wins from the past 5 league games including 3 clean sheets to see the team move up to 5th place and just 3 points behind rivals Arsenal in the Champions League qualification spots. Spurs will be glad to finally be finding some solid form after a calendar year that has seen only Brentford and Everton lose more games across all competitions. Harry Kane may well be re-discovering his scoring boots and has scored 5 goals in his last 4 matches against Newcastle but it's Son Heung-min who could be the one to back for a goal in this one with the South Korean attacker scoring 8 goals in his last 8 home league games for the club.

Newcastle were progressing well under Eddie Howe after going unbeaten for 9 league games including winning 6 of the last 7 matches in that run. Unfortunately, back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Chelsea and Everton away have seen the Magpies drop to 15th position but still 9 points clear of the relegation zone. The Toon Army have still remained rather resilient at the back having not conceded more than 1 goal in a game in their past 11 league matches. The bad news is that Newcastle have only taken 1 point in 8 away league games against teams positioned in the top half of the table. It's also ominous that Howe has lost all 5 of his away league games against Tottenham as a manager.

It's hard to find an argument to bet against Tottenham right now. Even the solitary 3-2 defeat to Manchester United that they suffered recently was a game where Cristiano Ronaldo was inspired. Newcastle are experiencing a bit of a wobble but still haven't played too badly. I'm expecting another hard-working and organised effort by the away team but I feel there's too much match-winning quality on form in this Tottenham side.

Tottenham to Win @ 1.60 with SpreadEx

Anytime Scorer: Heung-min Son @ 2.40 with SpreadEx

[DarrenTse]

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Crystal Palace
Before the international break, the Eagles held Manchester City to a scoreless draw. The team went on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions and moved to the FA Cup semi-finals after scoring four unanswered goals against Everton, with Chelsea waiting for them at Wembley. Palace currently rank 12th in the league standings.
Arsenal
Arsenal's top-four push gained traction with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. They have won six of their previous seven games, with their only defeat coming against six-time European winners Liverpool, and they have also won each of their last five away games in the Premier League. They are currently occupying the fourth position.
Prediction
Arteta's side are the only one in the league to have won their past five road games. Meanwhile, Palace are one of only three teams without a home win in their last three games, so we can only back the Gunners to keep their grip on fourth place with a narrow victory.

Arsenal  @2.00

[StevieDay1983]

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

The Monday night football game in the Premier League is an all-London affair between Crystal Palace and Arsenal in an 8pm BST kick-off from Selhurst Park. Top flight mid-table mediocrity is pretty much done and dusted for the home team so they can start preparing for next season already but they face an in-form away side who have their eyes firmly set on finishing in the Champions League qualification places this campaign.

Crystal Palace have enjoyed an encouraging first season under the management of Patrick Vieira with the club currently sat in 12th place and at no realistic risk of getting relegated. The Eagles have lost just 1 of their last 10 matches across all competitions including remaining undefeated for their previous 6 games in all competitions. Vieira will be without the key attacking duo of Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise for this game. Unfortunately, Palace have failed to win a home league game during 2022 so far. They have also only managed to win 1 of their last 15 top flight games played on a Monday. It is also just 1 win in their last 17 London derbies.

Arsenal are also revelling in a positive campaign under Mikel Arteta. It's taken some time but it now seems the Gunners are back moving in the right direction with the Spaniard at the helm. The club are in 5th position in the league but only outside the top four on goal difference but with two games in hand. Aaron Ramsdale is set to be absent for the team again with injury but the duo of Bakary Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu are set to return. Arsenal have now won their last 5 away league games. There is the opportunity that the team could win three London derbies in a row for the first time since 2015. If they win this game then they will become just the third team to win 250 Premier League away matches after Manchester United and Chelsea.

The head-to-head record heavily favours Arsenal with Crystal Palace only winning 1 of their last 9 matches versus Arsenal. It's also just 4 wins from 43 league meetings in total for Palace. I think that this would be a tough game for Palace anyway but the fact they are also without two of their main creative options in Zaha and Olise means that task just got a lot tougher. I can see Arsenal getting the job done and moving back into the top four above their rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal to Win @ 1.93 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.81 with SBK

[allthethings]

Zaha in the starting XI, so is Ramsdale; Tomiyasu is out. Aside from that...

[StevieDay1983]

21 hours ago, allthethings said:

Zaha in the starting XI, so is Ramsdale; Tomiyasu is out. Aside from that...

BBC Sport showing their team news wasn't the best for this game! 

[DarrenTse]

Burnley vs Everton

Burnley
Burnley will be looking to improve on their last outing here after a 0-2 Premier League defeat last time out to Manchester City. Under three goals per game were recorded in 5 of the past 6 meetings where Burnley have been involved. In terms of the goal split in that period, opposition teams scored an aggregate of 11 and Burnley managed the sum of 2. Even so, it remains to be seen if the trend shall persist in this upcoming match.

Everton
Since a loss in their previous game against West Ham United in Premier League competition, Everton and their fans will hope to get a better result this time. It is worth noting that Everton have had real problems scoring goals over their previous 6 encounters, recording the disappointing return of just 4. In those fixtures, The Toffees have also seen the collective goal tally against them equal 12.

VERDICT
Both teams were in poor form and Everton were the better side. The 1X2 first odds is 2.60-3.20-2.75, seems lacked of confidence to the home team. Everton should win this game.

Burnley vs Everton
Pick: Everton+0

[StevieDay1983]

Burnley vs Everton

The Premier League relegation battle takes centre stage on Wednesday night when Burnley and Everton go head-to-head in a 7:30pm BST kick-off from Turf Moor. The pressure is on both teams to avoid defeat here with the drop zone dog fight in full flow. Can the home team drag the visiting side deeper into the quagmire or will we see their survival hopes hit by the away club?

Burnley are flirting with relegation in a very uncomfortable way this season. The late season points push just hasn't happened for Sean Dyche's team and it's left them in 19th position and 4 points from safety with just 10 league games left to play. The Clarets have lost their last 4 league games without scoring a single goal. There is a big injury blow for Burnley with centre back Ben Mee set to miss yet another game. Nathan Collins could return though. If they lose this game it'll be the first time since 1976 that they have lost 5 top flight league games in a row. It is just 2 wins from their last 24 home league games. New signing and striker Wout Weghorst has scored just 1 goal in his first 10 appearances for the club.Attacker Maxwel Cornet has also failed to score in all 8 matches played since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton know that this game could make or break their season... if it isn't broken already. The 2-1 loss away to West Ham a few days ago saw the team go into self-destruct mode with Alex Iwobi's error for the second Hammers goal compounded by Michael Keane's inexplicable tackle that brought on a second yellow card and subsequent red card. The Toffees are now in 17th place and just 3 points above the relegation zone with their games in hand fast running out. Frank Lampard will be without the suspended duo of Keane and Allan for this game which means some tactical switches to accommodate their absences. The club have earned a division-low 12 points since the beginning of October and they are the only side in the Premier League that have failed to win a single away league game during that stretch too. There is also a risk they could lose 7 away matches across all competitions for the first time since 1961.

Hmm, which out-of-form team do we back here? I honestly have absolutely no confidence in either team doing enough to win this game. Burnley are awful and impotent at home whilst Everton are terrible and fragile on their travels. It does really feel like the best option would be to back a draw. I'm even tempted to back a 0-0 draw but it's hard to decide if the defensive units will be worse than the attacking threats or not! Sorry to sound so pessimistic and grim but this could be a hard slog for everyone watching.

Draw @ 3.20 with SpreadEx

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.66 with SBK

[_Ghost_]

Looking at this game from a stats perspective I make it in for 2.09 goals with the suprem favouring Everton by 0.02 - if this game was being played a month or so ago I'd be playing No First Goalscorer alongside either Under 1.5 goals or the draw, but it's not it's being played today.

From a psychological perspective it is very much a "must not lose" match for both sides. I think inline with the goal line we can expect a cagey opening, however the longer the game stays 0-0 the more the onus will be on Burnley to come out and attack, a tentative play for me would be Draw HT/ Everton FT, this plays into the narrative that as Burnley press for the winner they can get caught by a sucker punch.

I must caveat all of this with I think if there's an early goal, all bets are off and the floodgates could open as the team that falls behind presses to try and get back into the game.

On my 8 match ratings these sides rank 18th and 19th and over a longer period of 24 matches they rank 18th and 15th with both sides producing some very poor attacking numbers indeed.