The midweek games begin on Tuesday and what a line-up we have. Jose Mourinho returns to haunt his old club, and Merseyside prepares for an epic clash. Our football betting expert looks at all the Premier League odds for the midweek matches.
Main selections
Chelsea and Aston Villa to draw at 5/1
Tottenham to beat Manchester United at 8/5
Arsenal and Brighton to draw at 16/5
Crystal Palace Vs. Bournemouth
Crystal Palace welcome Bournemouth for the opening game of the midweek fixtures. Palace leapfrogged the Cherries this weekend with a great win away at Burnley and will be looking to continue in that vein this week. Zaha looks to have found his mojo again, opening the scoring before half time and earning himself the man of the match award. Roy Hodgson believes the Eagles now have the right balance between attack and defence.
Bournemouth’s results have faltered in the last few weeks and the increasing speculation around Eddie Howe and Everton have only grown in intensity. This distraction could be costly for Bournemouth later in the season so either way, they will want speculation to end sooner rather than later.
I can see Crystal Palace marching on through Bournemouth as Howe continues to be at the forefront of transfer news. Crystal Palace at 23/20.
Burnley Vs. Manchester City
Burnley host Manchester City off the back of a disappointing loss to Crystal Palace. Sean Dyche vented his frustrations in his post-game press conference where he stated his side didn’t take their chances. I doubt they’ll fare much better against City. Burnley have only ever beaten Manchester City once in the Premier League and that came back in 2015. They haven’t scored against City since February 2018, in a 1-1 draw. Chances will be scarce for Burnley, so they’ll need to be better this time out if they want to have any hope of three points.
Pep Guardiola and City are coming off yet another frustrating result that saw them draw away at Newcastle. Some have said they’ve gifted the league to Liverpool already, but anything can happen in the Premier League. 11 points is a large gap, but I think it is safe to say we’ll see City try and close it with a win here at Burnley. I’m backing heavy favourites City at 1/5.
Chelsea Vs. Aston Villa
Frank Lampard and Chelsea suffered a shock defeat to West Ham on the weekend with injured Tammy Abraham a huge miss. In what was West Ham’s first away win at Chelsea since 2002, Chelsea registered 19 shots on target but were unable to convert. It looks like Abraham will be missing from this clash also as Lampard is yet to give a date for his return. This could be a huge loss yet again as Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings is having a great season which has seen him called up with England.
Villa managed to hold struggling Manchester United to a draw at the weekend and will be looking to cause yet another upset this week. In-form Jack Grealish is knocking on Gareth Southgate’s door as he looks to get a call up for next summer’s Euro 2020 competition. With three goals and four assists, Villa will be looking at him to make an impact in this fixture and he is more than capable of doing just that.
I feel another upset is on the cards and Aston Villa will hold Chelsea to a draw at 5/1.
Leicester City Vs. Watford
The big news for Watford fans is the recent departure of manager Quique Sanches Flores. Watford have had an awful campaign so far and have had more managers than they have Premier League wins.
On the flip side, Leicester City couldn’t be in a better run of form. After avoiding a narrow scare against Everton last weekend, Brendan Rodgers’ men sit in second place and are five games unbeaten. Links with Rodgers and the newly vacant Arsenal job have been floating around but nothing concrete.
There’s only one way this tie is going, and it’s a Leicester win. It’s more of a case of how many Watford will concede. Back Leicester to win and for there to be over 2.5 goals at 19/20.
Manchester United Vs. Tottenham
What a game we have in store: the return of the ‘Special One’ to the Theatre of Dreams. This is a must-win for Mourhino, who has enjoyed a strong start at Spurs with three wins in all competitions. He has helped to revitalise Dele Alli, whose performances have been top class since the Portuguese has taken over.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is feeling the pressure after multiple poor results and last weeks deadlock with Aston Villa haven’t made the situation any better. They seem to lack any identity at the moment, and when you look back at United teams of the past the current team doesn’t even come close. After constant seasons with problems after Sir Alex, I’m starting to wonder if we ever will see the Manchester United of old.
United seems like an easy target, and Jose’s clash with his old club couldn’t have come at a better time. I think Tottenham will walk away with three points at8/5.
Southampton Vs. Norwich
Southampton are finally showing signs of improvement after a win against Watford. Each of Southampton’s last 10 Premier League goals have been scored by either Danny Ings or James Ward-Prowse.
Norwich also come into this fixture off a decent result, this time in the form of a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Norwich looked very strong at stages during the game and could have easily won. It was their star men Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell who got the goals against the Gunners.
This is a crucial game for both teams, with a result that could affect the relegation battle at the end of the season. I can’t separate the teams, so I’ll be backing the draw at 3/1.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs. West Ham
High-flying Wolves host West Ham this Wednesday. Wolves have been in a fantastic run of form of late and were held to a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. Despite not getting the three points, Wolves remain unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games which is their longest run in the top-flight of English football since 1973.
West Ham ended their eight-game winless run with a shock win at Stamford Bridge this weekend, easing pressure on under-fire Manuel Pellegrini. The three points saw them move to 13th place in the table and the hammers will be desperate to get a result here.
Unfortunately, I can’t see West Ham overpowering Wolves. Wolves to win a 3/4.
Liverpool Vs. Everton
We have the first Merseyside derby of the season Wednesday, and it couldn’t be bigger for struggling Everton. Marco Silva has been under fire for quite some time and a loss here could see him leaving the club. Everton nearly caused an upset to Leicester last week but were pipped to the post in the dying moments. Three points here may be the best hope Silva has of keeping his job.
It’s worth noting that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is yet to lose a Merseyside derby, and Liverpool are undefeated in their last 19 meetings with Everton. Liverpool will be without Alisson so fully expect Adrian to start in between the sticks. Adrian made a fantastic start to his Liverpool career filling in when Alisson was injured. With such a good second choice keeper, it isn’t the biggest loss in the world.
Expect a fantastic atmosphere, a physical game, and a Liverpool win at 4/11 in what could be the final nail in the coffin for Marco Silva.
Sheffield United Vs. Newcastle United
Sheffield United just can’t stop performing. The blades were favourite to be relegated at the start of the season and now they could even have a claim for Europa League place. It really is hard to believe how well Chris Wilder and his team have done. It can only be admired. Coming off the back of a strong result against Wolves, the blades now host Steve Bruce’s Newcastle, who are also coming into this tie after a fantastic result.
The teams are seven places apart and split by only three points. Sheffield United have given the more solid performances whereas Newcastle have had some incredible results taking points off the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City. Newcastle have leaked goals whereas the Blades have one of the best defensive records in the league and I believe this is where the game will be won and lost, with Sheffield United prevailing.
Back Sheffield United to win at 17/20.
Arsenal Vs. Brighton & Hove
Arsenal have had a torrid month which led to the departure of manager Unai Emery. Freddie Ljungberg took the reins against Norwich but could only manage a draw. Arsenal look as though they need two years, at least, to get back to where they were so fans shouldn’t expect immediate change under Freddie or the next permanent manager.
Brighton were unlucky to have not got something from their defeat to Liverpool at the weekend and will be looking for redemption in the form of three points at Arsenal. Considering the home teams form of late, it’s entirely possible.
I can see more torment for Arsenal fans with a deadlock at the Emirates at 16/5.
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