As 230 matches are completed, we are slowly heading into the final third of the English Premier League season, and the championship race could be more interesting after Manchester City’s first defeat in the previous round. So far, we saw 617 goals, which is 2.68 goals per game on the average, and hopefully, we will see more of the same this weekend when the English Premier League Round 24 is set to kick-off.
BRIGHTON vs. CHELSEA
3-Way: 1: Brighton +498 ; X: +282 Draw; 2: Chelsea -156 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1: Brighton -140; Chelsea +121
Total +2.5: Over +122; Under -146
BRIGHTON
The Seagulls are without a win in the previous four rounds, recording two draws and two losses in the process, and now they are just three points above the relegation zone, sitting at the 16th spot of the table with 23 points and a 17:29 goal difference. At home, they’ve suffered just one defeat in the last five games, along with one victory and three draws.
Injuries and suspensions: Steve Sidwell (back)
Head-to-head: These two clubs met each other only once in this millennium, and it was on December 26th, 2017, when Chelsea won at home, 2:0.
CHELSEA
The Blues are still winless in 2018, recording five draws in all competitions, including a 0:0 stalemate with Leicester City on the home soil last weekend. They’ve dropped to the fourth spot of the English Premier League table with 47 points and a 41:16 goal difference, three points ahead of Tottenham in the fifth spot, so three points against the Seagulls look like a must.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go.
Brighton vs. Chelsea – Match Prediction
Five matches without a win is a long string for Chelsea, and I expect to see them victorious at the end of the game. The Seagulls are pretty inefficient this season, and they will certainly try to get a positive result with a strong defense.
MY PICK: Chelsea AH -1 (+121)
ARSENAL vs. CRYSTAL PALACE
3-Way: 1: Arsenal -196; X: +349 Draw; 2: Crystal Palace +550 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Arsenal -123; Crystal Palace +109
Total +3: Over -103; Under -110
ARSENAL
The Gunners are in a terrible form and with all rumors about Alexis Sanchez’s future, the atmosphere at the club is pretty gloomy. They are winless for five games in a row in all competitions, including a 2:1 defeat against Bournemouth in the previous round of the Premier League. The Gunners are still in the sixth spot of the table, but now they are trailing eight points after Chelsea in the fourth spot which leads to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Injuries and suspensions: Santi Cazorla (plantar fascia)
Head-to-head: A month ago, Arsenal won 3:2 at Selhurst Park when Alexis Sanchez scored a brace, while Crystal Palace recorded one victory in the previous eleven H2H meetings.
CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles have beaten Burnley 1:0 in the previous round of the English Premier League, and after losing 2:1 to Brighton in the English FA Cup, they can focus on the further Premier League challenges. Crystal Palace is currently in the 12th spot of the table with 25 points and a 21:33 goal difference, five points above the relegation zone. They are unbeaten in the last five away matches, recording two wins and three draws in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Jason Puncheon (knee), Scott Dann (knee)
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace – Match Prediction
The Gunners are favorites and they just have to win here if they want to keep challenging the Champions League spot, but it could be a tricky job to beat the Eagles who suffered just one defeat in the last five Premier League games. An early goal is always a game-changer, but if we don’t get one on Saturday, this clash could be easily finished in the under.
MY PICK: Under 3 Goals (-110)
BURNLEY vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
3-Way: 1: Burnley +582; X: +287 Draw; 2: Manchester United -172 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Burnley -116; Manchester United +104
Total +2.5: Over +122; Under -148
BURNLEY
The Clarets lost all three matches in 2018 including a 4:1 defeat against Manchester City in the English FA Cup, while on last weekend they lost 1:0 to Crystal Palace on the road. They are winless in six Premier League games in a row, but they are still laying at the seventh spot of the table with 34 points and a 19:20 goal difference. Almost 75% of their games had under three goals in a total, but three out of the previous five matches were finished in the over.
Injuries and suspensions: Tom Heaton (shoulder)
Head-to-head: On December 26th, 2017, we saw a tremendous game at Old Trafford when Jesse Lingard saved the day for the home fans with a brace after the Clarets had a 2:0 lead. Manchester United won just two out of the last five H2H duels, while other three were ended in a stalemate.
MANCHESTER UNITED
The Red Devils won all three matches in 2018 without conceding a single goal in the process and scoring seven in a return. They are sitting at the second spot of the Premier League table with 50 points and a 48:16 goal difference, 12 points behind the leader Manchester City, and three points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. Jose Mourinho’s boys have won four out of the last five away matches, scoring 13 goals on those five occasions.
Injuries and suspensions: Eric Bailly (ankle), Michael Carrick (heart), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee)
Burnley vs. Manchester United – Match Prediction
Visiting Burnley is always a tricky job, and the Red Devils doesn’t have a pleasant experience with the Clarets, so I expect to see a tight game with no more than two goals in a total.
MY PICK: Under 2 Goals (+129)
EVERTON vs. WEST BROMWICH ALBION
3-Way: 1: Everton +125; X: +209 Draw; 2: West Bromwich Albion +267 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Everton +122; West Bromwich Albion -144
Total +2: Over -110; Under -102
EVERTON
The Toffees are in crisis once again this season, as they’ve suffered four consecutive defeats, including a last weekend 4:0 hammering by Tottenham on the road. They are in the ninth spot of the Premier League table with 27 points and a 25:38 goal difference, but only seven points ahead of Stoke City who’s sitting in the danger zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), Leighton Baines (calf)
Head-to-head: Everton won three out of the previous five H2H duels, West Brom recorded one win, while their previous meeting was finished in a nil-nil draw.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Baggies finally won a Premier League match after 20 consecutive games without a victory, beating Brighton 2:0 in front of the home fans. This should be a huge boost for the Baggies who are currently in the 19th spot of the table, two points behind Southampton in the safe 17th spot. In the last five away matches West Brom recorded two draws and three losses, conceding seven goals in the process, and scoring three in a return.
Injuries and suspensions: Nacer Chadli (hamstring)
Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion – Match Prediction
This is a tricky one to predict the final outcome, but I believe the visitors will take a patient approach in order to get at least a draw, so we’ll probably get less than three goals in a total.
MY PICK: Under 2 Goals (-102)
LEICESTER CITY vs. WATFORD
3-Way: 1: Leicester City -120; X: +281 Draw; 2: Watford +338 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Leicester City -122; Watford +107
Total +2.5: Over -132; Under +110
LEICESTER CITY
The Foxes made a nice start of the new calendar year, recording two wins and two draws in all competitions without conceding a goal on these four occasions. In the previous round of the English Premier League they upset Chelsea at Stamford Bridge playing a nil-nil draw, and now the Foxes are sitting at the eighth place of the Premier League table with 31 points and a 34:32 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Danny Simpson (hamstring)
Head-to-head: Watford won their first meeting of the season (2:0), while the Foxes won three out of the last five H2H meetings.
WATFORD
The Hornets played a 2:2 stalemate with Southampton at home in the previous round of the Premier League, while on the road, they were beaten four times in a row. Watford recorded just one win in the last five Premier League matches, along with three losses and a draw, so they are currently in the 10th spot of the table with 26 points and a 33:42 goal difference, just six points above the relegation zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Nathaniel Chalobah (knee), Craig Cathcart (knee), Kiko Femenia (hamstring)
Leicester City vs. Watford – Match Prediction
Watford has a lot of problems at the defensive line, so I think they could struggle against solid Leicester’s attack, but with four consecutive defeats on the road, they will have to show some pride.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-132)
STOKE CITY vs. HUDDERSFIELD
3-Way: 1: Stoke City +102; X: +233 Draw; 2: Huddersfield +309 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Stoke City +102; Huddersfield -116
Total +2.5: Over +126; Under -151
STOKE CITY
The Potters were easily beaten by Manchester United last Monday (3:0), and they are still laying in the relegation zone, one point behind Southampton in the safe 17th spot. They’ve lost three matches in a row, while at home their current form is LWLWL. The manager Mark Hughes just had to pay the price for bad results throughout the season, so the former Scottish midfielder Paul Lambert will have a debut against Huddersfield this Saturday.
Injuries and suspensions: Glen Johnson (knee, doubtful), Jese (unknown)
Head-to-head: Their previous meeting was almost a month ago, and it was finished in a 1:1 stalemate, while it was their only H2H duel in the last 17 years.
HUDDERSFIELD
The Terriers are playing in a poor form recently, earning three draws and two losses in the last five Premier League matches, while on the road they’ve won just one out of the previous ten games. They are now in the 14th spot of the Premier League table with 24 points and a 19:39 goal difference, four points above the relegation zone. The Terriers are struggling at both ends of the field, and we’ll see how they’ll cope with the pressure in the following weeks.
Injuries and suspensions: Elias Kachunga (knee), Jon Gorenc-Stankovic (knee), Martin Cranie (ankle), Chris Lowe (foot, doubtful)
Stoke City vs. Huddersfield – Match Prediction
A new manager should shake things at bet365 Stadium, and I believe they will get three points at home against inefficient Huddersfield.
MY PICK: Stoke City to Win (+102)
WEST HAM vs. BOURNEMOUTH
3-Way: 1: West Ham +106; X: +250 Draw; 2: Bournemouth +273 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: West Ham +104; Bournemouth -118
Total +2.5: Over -108; Under -109
WEST HAM
The Hammers are playing pretty well since David Moyes took the helm, they have a 2-2-1 record in the last five matches, and they are currently in the 11th spot of the Premier League table with 25 points and a 29:41 goal difference. However, they couldn’t keep the clean sheet for five Premier League games in a row, while they’ve scored 12 goals in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Jose Fonte (malleolar), Cheikhou Kouyate (knock), Michail Antonio (groin), Andy Carroll (ankle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In four out of the last five H2H duels we saw at least four goals in a total, while their previous clash was ended in a 3:3 draw.
BOURNEMOUTH
The Cherries recorded a huge victory over Arsenal last weekend (2:1), and it was their second win in the last four Premier League matches, along with two draws, so Bournemouth is finally above the danger zone. However, they are winless on the road for five games in a row, recording three draws and two losses in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Jermain Defoe (ankle), Joshua King (hamstring, doubtful)
West Ham vs. Bournemouth – Match Prediction
Both teams are playing very well recently, so I expect to see an entertaining match with some goals on both sides, just like in their previous meeting this season.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-131)
MANCHESTER CITY vs. NEWCASTLE
3-Way: 1: Manchester City -833; X: +916 Draw; 2: Newcastle +2257 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -2.5: Manchester City +100; Newcastle -112
Total +3.5: Over -131; Under +108
MANCHESTER CITY
The Citizens suffered their first defeat of the season in the previous round of the English Premier League losing 4:3 to Liverpool on the road in one of the best games of the season so far, but they are still comfortably topping the table with 62 points and a 67:17 goal difference, twelve points ahead of their city rival in the second spot. Manchester City won ten straight games at home, but they allowed opponents to score in four out of the last five matches on the home soil.
Injuries and suspensions: Gabriel Jesus (knee), Benjamin Mendy (knee), Vincent Kompany (calf, doubtful), Fabian Delph (calf, doubtful)
Head-to-head: A month ago, the Citizens won 1:0 at Newcastle, having a ball on their feet for 78% of the time, and we should see more of the same this Saturday.
NEWCASTLE
The Magpies are still unbeaten in 2018, but they upset their fans in the previous round with a 1:1 draw against Swansea City at home. They are winless in the last five games on the home soil, while they’ve won two consecutive matches on the road against Stoke City (1:0) and West Ham (3:2). The Magpies are currently sitting at the 15th place of the Premier table with 23 points and a 21:31 goal difference, just three points above the danger zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Jesus Gamez (ankle), Chancel Mbemba (knee, doubtful)
Manchester City vs. Newcastle – Match Prediction
The Citizens should get an easy victory here, although I’m pretty sure the visitors will park the bus in front of their own goal.
MY PICK: Manchester City AH -2.5 (+100)
SOUTHAMPTON vs. TOTTENHAM
3-Way: 1: Southampton +459; X: +297 Draw; 2: Tottenham -156 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1: Southampton -133; Tottenham +115
Total +2.5: Over -116; Under -102
SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints are winless for ten Premier League matches in a row, recording five draws and five losses in the process. At least, they won the English FA Cup clash with Fulham two weeks ago (1:0), but they desperately need a win in the Premier League, as they are in the 17th spot at the moment, just one point above the relegation zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Charlie Austin (hamstring), Maya Yoshida (hamstring, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Tottenham hammered the Saints 5:2 in their previous meeting almost month ago, and in their last three H2H duels we saw at least three goals in a total.
TOTTENHAM
The Spurs were brilliant in the previous round of the English Premier League, beating Everton at home, 4:0, and now they are laying at the fifth spot of the table, three points behind Chelsea in the fourth spot. On the road, they have a 6-1-4 record with a 20:12 goal difference, but they’ve won two last games away from home.
Injuries and suspensions: Danny Rose (knee), Toby Alderweireld (hamstring), Harry Winks (ankle, doubtful)
Southampton vs. Tottenham – Match Prediction
Both sides need a win here, so I believe both teams will score at least once, while this could be one of the most interesting duels of the Round 24.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-118)
SWANSEA CITY vs. LIVERPOOL
3-Way: 1: Swansea City +994; X: +450 Draw; 2: Liverpool -333 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1.5: Swansea City -103; Liverpool -110
Total +3: Over +114; Under -135
SWANSEA CITY
The Swans are bravely fighting against the relegation, and they deservedly earned a draw against Newcastle on the road last weekend. Swansea City is still at the bottom of the Premier League table with 17 points, a 14:35 goal difference, and a form of DLWLD, while at home, they’ve scored just two goals in the last five games.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go.
Head-to-head: In the last five H2H duels Liverpool leads 3:2, and they hammered the Swans at home 5:0 in their previous meeting on December 26th, 2017.
LIVERPOOL
The Reds took the Citizens’ scalp last weekend, beating them 4:3 at home, so this massive win should be a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp’s boys as they will be searching for the fifth consecutive Premier League victory this Monday, while they are unbeaten for 18 matches in a row in all competitions.
Injuries and suspensions: Nathaniel Clyne (back), Jordan Henderson (hamstring, doubtful)
Swansea City vs. Liverpool – Match Prediction
The Reds are playing pretty well recently, and I don’t see how the Swans will stop them to get another three points.
MY PICK: Liverpool AH -1.5 (-110)
