After a mid-week round of action, the English Premier League Forecast is out for Round 22 this weekend, and the Rainmaker predicts more than just the weather!
So, after writing about EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A, MLS and Champions League for the last 2 years at Diamond Sportsbook, the time has come to start doing all of it here at GMS.
Why now? Well, where the hell else can you get stuff from the Rainmaker anymore, if I am not posting it here?
Bingo! So let’s discuss some of what we can expect around the Premiership this weekend, and stretch out our legs, sit back, and make some of our readers some funds from the action on the pitch.
We have seven matches on Saturday, two more for Sunday, and a lone match on Monday at Liberty Stadium to wrap up round 22.
If I had to pick one match to feature as the highlighted game of the round, we would have to go with Stoke vs Arsenal, being that it is a contest with top slotted Arsenal up against Stoke in seventh place in the table as we enter the round.
That match is among the two for Sunday that will also feature Liverpool vs Man United at Anfield.
Let’s take it to the pitch, and move on to the action.
Saturday, January 16 – 7 Matches
Bournemouth vs Norwich City
3-Way: 1: Bournemouth -110 Home ; X: +240 Draw ; 2: Norwich +350 Away
Spread: Bournemouth -0.5 -110 ; Norwich +0.5 -110
Total 2.5: Over +115 ; Under -135
Analysis and Prediction:
Is this a test of the Emergency Broadcast System, or is something we are supposed to ignore?
With the expectation of a 2 – 1 type of match, that will help us cash the ticket on the total to go Over the number, there really isn’t much of a need to get too deep into a discussion as to the how and why these two will find the net three times.
Defense? After seeing what these two just a few days ago, it sticks in my memory despite the two actually playing better lately on the defensive end leading up to this match.
I see two plays to offer here, both with a reasonable line.
The Over 2 and 2.5 handicap line comes in at -115, and the Both Teams to Score prop bet follows suit at the same price.
If 1 – 1 is the best these two will be able to pull off? It won’t be the worst result that we could see. I expect a 2 – 1 victory for someone to walk out of Dean Court with a win, and with these two bets in place, I give a shit who takes the three points.
Cheslea vs Everton
3-Way: 1: Chelsea -125 Home ; X: +275 Draw ; 2: Everton +365 Away
Spread: Chelsea -0.5 -125 ; Everton +0.5 +105
Total 2.5: Over -125 ; Under +105
Analysis and Prediction:
Chelsea = Disaster!
Everton – Semi-Disaster!
Give me the Over 2.5 at -125 here, because this is simply going to be a long day on the defensive end of the pitch for both of these squads.
3 – 3 sound right?
I like it, let’s go with it!
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
3-Way: 1: Man City -250 Home ; X: +415 Draw ; 2: C. Palace +650 Away
Spread: Man City -1.5 +105 ; C. Palace +1.5 -125
Total 3: Over +105 ; Under -125
Analysis and Prediction:
Crystal Palace has obviously opened the 2016 portion of the campaign headed in the wrong direction, losers of both outings since the calendar turned over.
I see a 2 – 1 result taking shape at Etihad, so the +1.5 HC offer on the Palace will be making my board, despite the marginal juice of -125 on the action.
Man City is entirely too banged up to go out and beat anyone by more than a goal in my opinion.
Newcastle vs West Ham
3-Way: 1: Newcastle +145 Home ; X: +235 Draw ; 2: West Ham +200 Away
Spread: Newcastle Pk -130 ; West Ham Pk +110
Total 2.5: Over +105 ; Under -125
Analysis and Prediction:
Does that say West Ham +110 on the Pk Handicap?
Seriously?
Uh, the line setters completely dropped the ball on this one. Newcastle couldn’t beat any 10 people I could ask to come play football with me leading the way at center forward. Yes, I will do all the work up front for us.
For those who know me and my football history of playing this sport? They will likely come out and reveal that I could probably still handle Newcastle today.
So come play with me, and let’s hand Newcastle another loss.
West Ham Handicap at +110 goes on the board, and we know what they have done all campaign away from home.
Southampton vs West Brom
3-Way: 1: Southampton -145 Home ; X: +260 Draw ; 2: West Brom +460 Away
Spread: Southampton -0.5 -145 ; West Brom +0.5 +125
Total 2: Over -135 ; Under +115
Analysis and Prediction:
Well this is a nightmare match to try to predict, and luckily, I don’t have to bother with it.
I am not simply putting a play on the board just to say I gave a recommendation on the match.
Honestly, I just do not care to offer a play here, knowing that whatever I would offer, would likely be a coin-flip with no confidence behind the suggestion.
Tottenham vs Sunderland
3-Way: 1: Tottenham -300 Home ; X: +425 Draw ; 2: Sunderland +900 Away
Spread: Tottenham -1.5 +105 ; Sunderland +1.5 -125
Total 2.5: Over -145 ; Under +125
Analysis and Prediction:
Sunderland is another disaster of a story this campaign, and we could put a ball in the middle of the pitch, and it would simply roll in to their net without anyone even there to kick it.
Yes, it’s that bad!
I am moving this total to a straight 3, and taking the Over at +115. I have zero faith that Sunderland will be able to stop Tottenham from scoring all three of the goals that will at worst push my action.
Aston Villa vs Leicester
3-Way: 1: Villa +245 Home ; X: +235 Draw ; 2: Leicester +120 Away
Spread: Villa +0.5 -140 ; Leicester -0.5 +120
Total 2.5: Over +115 ; Under -135
Analysis and Prediction:
So we all know if this match were being played at Leicester Stadium, this line would be completely unapproachable.
Luckily, the line setters are giving too much faith in home field, and letting us enjoy the +120 on the 3-Way Leicester action. Vardy is obviously back, and despite his performance during the week, I imagine he will have an influence on this match as he gets back in form.
Sorry kids, but Villa is a mess and has absolutely no chance of getting a result of any nature, home or not regardless.
Sunday, January 17 – 2 Matches
Stoke City vs Arsenal
3-Way: 1: Stoke +325 Home ; X: +245 Draw ; 2: Arsenal -110 Away
Spread: Stoke +0.5 -110 ; Arsenal -0.5 -110
Total 2.5: Over +105 ; Under -125
Analysis and Prediction:
Wake up!! Wait, no don’t! Let’s just let the line setters stay asleep at the wheel again, because this Over 2.5 at +105 is just about the most hysterical line of the weekend.
Simply taking this Over 2.5 at that price.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
3-Way: 1: Liverpool +125 Home ; X: +230 Draw ; 2: Man U +240 Away
Spread: Liverpool -0.5 +125 ; Man U +0.5 -145
Total 2.5: Over +125 ; Under -145
Analysis and Prediction:
Again, I feel the same way about this match. Who is going to stop who, and how can either club stop this total from coming in?
+125? Man, that is entirely too lovely to leave off my board, so I hope Sunday gives us two matches that will see goals being put in the back of the net.
Monday, January 18 – 1 Match
Swansea City vs Watford
3-Way: 1: Swansea +145 Home ; X: +225 Draw ; 2: Watford +205 Away
Spread: Swansea Pk -135 ; Watford Pk +115
Total 2: Over -120 ; Under +100
Analysis and Prediction:
Two goals? To at least push the Over 2?
You are telling me that a 1 – 1 match will give me money back with no harm done?
Okay then, thanks again!
Why is this total set at a straight 2?
Feel free to post a message here and let me know why you think this total is set right, because I see two goals int he first half, much less through 90 minutes. Grab this Over 2 at -120.
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