Stoppage of play: Saturday, February 11, at 3:59 p.m
1. Bournemouth – Newcastle, 2
Alexander Isak recently returned from injury, but it didn’t take many games before he was hit in the head by a ball, suffered a concussion and was forced back to the infirmary. However, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that the striker is ready here, and we should see him on the bench ready to step in when Callum Wilson or someone else gets tired.
Newcastle continue to look very solid, and we don’t think they will have any problems with relegation-threatened Bournemouth. We single the 2nd.
2. Arsenal – Brentford, 1
Arsenal suffered an unexpected loss against Everton last time out, when they gave Manchester City the chance to regain points at the top. However, City did not take that chance, and Arsenal still lead by five points, with a game less played. Match against Brentford is not an easy task, but at home and fully engaged to make sure not to repeat the miscalculation last time, we believe in Arsenal victory. We leave the 1 alone.
3. Leicester – Tottenham, 2
Antonio Conte has looked to be getting Tottenham in order quite well of late. They have been an uneven team all season, but have looked more even lately. Of the last five games, they have won three and lost two, and then the losses came against table one Arsenal and table two Manchester City. Against Leicester, who have only scored in two of their last six games, we think “Spurs” can score a three-pointer. We nail the 2nd.
4. Fulham – Nottingham Forest, 1
Fulham continue to impress, despite picking up just one point in their last three games. But 0-0 against Chelsea, 0-1 against Tottenham and 0-1 against Newcastle are no results to be ashamed of. Before that, they also won against Chelsea. Now they face one of the series’ worst away teams, in Nottingham Forest. Admittedly, Nottingham are in good form, but we don’t think it’s enough here. We nail Fulham, straight 1st.
5. Crystal Palace – Brighton, 2
Brighton are doing really well now. The team both plays attractive football and wins its matches. The hiring of Roberto De Zerbi has really been successful, as he has made the team even better than it was under Graham Potter.
Crystal Palace have been in a bit of a slump of late, going six games without a win. We think it will be another loss when you face Brighton, and we leave the 2 alone.
6. Southampton – Wolverhampton, X2
Southampton are last in the Premier League, and continue to lose. Here you meet Wolves, who also did not have a fun season. However, Wolves are coming off a 3-0 win against Liverpool, and could they have come alive now?
We see an anxious match ahead of us, where there will probably be few goals. If any team wins, we believe more in Wolves. We play X2.
7. Bristol City – Norwich, 2
Norwich were in good form before the loss against superior table Burnley last time out. Here they are up against a weaker Bristol City, and given that Norwich are also one of the league’s best away teams, we have great faith that they can win here.
It’s good value on the 2 at the moment. The odds give Norwich a 40 per cent chance of winning, but the 2nd is only pegged at 38 per cent. We cruise in a single two.
8. Cardiff – Middlesbrough, X2
Cardiff are fighting to avoid relegation, and are one point clear of the relegation zone, but with a game in hand. Middlesbrough are chasing promotion, and are in a playoff spot at the moment. Here we believe more in “Boro”, but given that they have been bad away from home, we want to be on our guard. We play X2.
9. Coventry – Luton, 1
Coventry have hopes of reaching the playoffs, but they are not performing after that and must have continuity in their performances if there is to be any promotion battle. Luton are in fourth place, and doing well. Here we still believe more in Coventry. Viktor Gyökeres is in form and Coventry are strong at home. In addition, there is good value on the 1, which is only marked at 37 per cent despite the bookies giving Coventry a 42 per cent chance of winning. We single the 1st.
10. Queens Park Rangers – Millwall, X2
London derby. QPR are on a run of eight games without a win and are in 14th place, while Milwall are showing better form and are 8th just a pin away from a playoff spot. Looking at the form of both teams, and looking at the table positions, we believe more in Millwall here. However, given that they are quite weak away from home, we are protecting ourselves by playing X2.
11. Sunderland – Reading, 1
Reading have gone five straight league games without a win, while Sunderland are showing decent form. Sunderland are also closer to the top of the table, and are just two points off a playoff spot.
Away from home, Reading has a scoreline of 3-2-10, and here we think they will concede another loss. We play 1.
12. Stoke – Hull, 1X2
Stoke are in 19th place, and Hull in 12th. Despite the difference in table positions, it is Stoke who have been made favorites here, both by the betting companies and by the Swedish people. In addition, Hull has a better shape curve. However, Stoke have had a very poor return lately in terms of expected goals, and they should have taken more points than they did. It can turn at any time, and the question is just when. We find it difficult to predict the outcome of this match, and choose to wait.
13. Watford – Blackburn Rovers, 1X
Watford are showing better form than Blackburn, but these are basically two evenly matched teams. When a lot is at stake, we are afraid of the tied result, as only one point separates the teams and both are fighting for a playoff spot. We believe in a draw, but if any team wins, it will be the host Watford. Here we play 1X.