Chelsea v Crystal Palace

After beating Leicester City 3-1 on Wednesday evening Chelsea are now on the verge of winning their first title in 5 years and that will be gained by victory today. Chelsea are now sitting on 80 points and they are 13 points ahead of 2nd place Manchester City. Chelsea’s recent home record reads a very strong looking W12, D3, L0.

When hosting teams of Crystal Palace’s grading, Chelsea’s record reads an immaculate W10, D0, L0 and Chelsea can be backed at around 1.35. If you do fancy Chelsea to do well here then you have the option of backing them on the Asian Handicap -1.0/1.5 goals at around 1.85.

The recent head-to-head record at Stamford Bridge reads Chelsea 1 Win, 0 Draws and Crystal Palace 0 wins. The draw can be backed at around 5.25 and this looks to offer some small value but not much appeal.

Crystal Palace’s season seems to be wilting and they are coming into this game after back-to-back home defeats against Hull City & West Brom. Currently they sit in 12th place on 42 points and Alan Pardew can certainly be happy with his first 14 games in charge and Palace’s recent away record reads a decent W6, D5, L4. Indeed since Pardew took over Palace’s away record reads W5, D0, L1.

When facing the Elite sides Palace’s away form is poor and reads W0, D0, L7 and Palace can be backed at around 10.10. If you do fancy them to do well here then you are certainly best keeping an element of the 1 goal loss on your side and Palace can be backed on the Asian Handicap + 1.0/1.5 goals at around 2.10.

As far as goals are concerned then we have some mixed stats. When looking at both sides last (10 Chelsea & 7 Palace) respective home and away games to similar opposition. In the 17 matches 2 games have seen 4 or more goals, 8 games have seen 3 goals and 7 games have seen 2 or less. When looking at the general stats then 11 of Chelsea’s last 16 home games have seen 2 or less goals. Myratings suggest value in under 2.5/3.0 goals which can be backed at around 1.85.

This will be an emotionally charged event at Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho looks to lift his first Premier League title since returning to the Bridge. My rating suggest value in the goal line and under 2.5/3.0 goals offers value, however in these type of games anything can happen. My ratings also suggest the game is priced about right and despite Alan Pardew’s excellent record away from Selhurst Park the stats suggest a win for the home side who will be keen to put on a display for their fans. With Chelsea winning their last 10 and Palace losing their last 7 to similar opposition. Also with the home side winning 10 of these 17 games by 2 or more goals the risk v reward backing Chelsea on the handicap looks a decent call and

so my recommended trade for this game is Chelsea -1.0/1.5 goals at around 1.85.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

Spurs are coming into this game on the back of an entertaining 2-2 draw with Southampton and currently Mauricio Pochettino’s side sit in 6th place on 58 points and they trail Liverpool on goal difference in the race for Europa League places. Despite losing their last home game to Aston Villa, Spurs recent home record reads a decent looking W8, D3, L4.

When playing the top sides in the Premier League Spurs record reads a reasonable looking W5, D3, L2 and Spurs can be backed at around 3.85 which looks to offer some value. The recent head-to-head record at White Hart Lane is very mixed and reads Spurs 2 wins, 1 Draw and Man City 2 wins.

If you fancy Spurs to do well here then you are certainly best keeping the draw on your side and Spurs can be backed on the handicap + 0.5 goals at around 1.92. The draw can be backed at around 3.80 and this looks to offer some decent value. 

Manchester City are coming into this game having had a relatively poor season by their own standards and expectation. They are coming off a very fortunate 3-2 home victory over Aston Villa and currently they sit in 2nd place on 67 points. Manchester Citys recent away form is average having lost their last 4 matches on the bounce and it reads W7, D3, L5. When facing teams of Spurs grading City’s away record reads a decent looking W5, D2, L3 andManuel Pellegrini’s side can be backed at around 2.00 which looks a little skinny.

As far as goals are concerned then when looking at the general stats it points to overs. When looking at both sides last 10 respective home and away matches to similar opposition. We can see that in the 20 games 12 have seen 4 or more goals scored. 3 games have seen 3 goals and 5 matches have seen 2 or less goals scored. My ratings suggest value in backing Over 3 goals at around 1.98.

This has the makings of a very entertaining affair and my ratings suggest value in both the match and goal lines. Looking at the goals, then prior to losing 0-1 to Villa, Spurs had scored at least 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 home matches. Also only 2 of Manchester City’s last 10 away to top half sides have seen 2 or less goals and 4 of the recent 5 head-to-head matches have also seen 3 or more goals. For my trade I am turning to the match line where there looks to be value with the home side who have now only lost 1 of their last 11 home Premier League games. Here they are coming up against a Manchester City side that have only won 1 of their last 7 away games, and so my recommended trade is Spurs +0.5 goals at around 1.92.

Hull v Arsenal

Hull City are coming into this game on the back of a vital 1-0 home victory against Liverpool. Previous to this they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park. These 2 victories look to have come at the right time for Steve Bruce’s side and Hull currently sit in 15th place on 34 points which is 4 points above the drop zone. Hull’s recent home record reads W4, D4, L7.

When playing the top sides of the Premier League Hull City’s home record reads a mediocre looking W2, D1, L7 and Hull can be backed at around 5.65. If you do fancy Hull to do well here then they can be backed on the Asian Handicap + 0.5/1.0 goals at around 2.00.

The recent head-to-head record at the KC Stadium reads Hull 0 wins, 0 draws and Arsenal 2 wins. The draw can be backed at around 3.90 and this looks to offer some small value.

After winning 8 Premier League matches on the bounce Arsene Wenger’s side had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Champions elect Chelsea. Arsenal are in a rich vein of form at the moment and their recent away record reads W9, D1, L5. When facing teams of Hull’s stature Arsenal’s away record reads a very solid looking W8, D1, L1 and the Gunners can be backed at around 1.70. If you do fancy Arsenal to win then their price can be enhanced by backing them on the -0.5/1.0 goal handicap at around 1.93.

As far as goals are concerned then the stats are leaning to unders. When looking at both sides last 10 respective home and away matches to similar opposition. In the 20 matches, 8 games have seen 3 or more goals and 12 games have seen 2 or less goal scored. Also 9 of Hull’s last 13 home games have seen 2 or less goals. Under 2.5 goals can be backed at around 1.94.

This is a very interesting matchup that both sides will be keen to win. Hull are looking to climb further out of the relegation zone and Arsenal will certainly be looking to finish in 3rd place at the very worst, so as to ensure automatic qualification for next seasons Champions League. My ratings suggest that this game is priced pretty much spot on. On the goal line my leaning would be to unders. For my trade I am going to go with the away side. When facing similar opposition in both sides last 10 respective home and away games the away side have won 17 of these 20 matches and 11 have been won by 2 goals or more so my recommended trade for this match is Arsenal -0.5/1.0 goals at around 1.93.