15:00 Bournemouth vs Stoke - Prediction 2.1
Current Form * Bournemouth have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 6 home PL matches * 4 of those 5 BTTS games also went over 2.5 goals * Bournemouth have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of their last 8 league matches * Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 6 league matches including wins over Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea * 5 of those 6 games also went over 2.5 goals * Bournemouth scored 2 goals or more in 5 of those 6 matches * Bournemouth recorded a stunning 3.0 win over Chelsea in their most recent PL match * 16 goals have been scored in Bournemouth's last 4 home league matches. All 4 went over 2.5 goals * Bournemouth have scored 13 goals in their last 6 league matches * Stoke have seen BTTS in 7 of their last 11 away league matches * Stoke have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of their last 7 away league matches * Stoke have conceded 2 goals or more in 7 of their last 10 away league matches * Stoke have lost 5 of their last 6 away league matches * Stoke have kept 2 successive home clean sheets in their last 2 PL matches at home to Huddersfield and Watford * However, Stoke have only kept 2 clean sheets in their last 17 away PL matches * Stoke have taken only 14 points from their last 24 away PL matches (16 losses, 5 draws. 3 wins) Past Meetings * 4 of the last 5 PL meetings between these two sides saw BTTS and over 2.5 goals scored * Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 3 league meetings with Stoke * Bournemouth won 2.1 at Stoke in their most recent meeting * Last season's corresponding fixture finished in a 2.2 draw Final Verdict Bournemouth are in fine form and should just have enough to get past a Stoke side that have improved somewhat in their last 2 home league matches under new boss Paul Lambert. While Lambert was hardly the stand-out candidate, he has started well in his new role, guiding Stoke to 4 points and 2 clean sheets in his first 2 fixtures against Watford and Huddersfield but a trip to the south coast to take on a confident Bournemouth side is a different matter altogether. With the Cherries fresh from a stunning 3.0 success at Chelsea in midweek, Eddie Howe's side will fancy their chances of taking the points against a Stoke outfit that struggled badly on their travels in the last 12 months under former boss Mark Hughes, losing 16 of their last 24 including 5 of the last 6. Goals are likely for Bournemouth here with the hosts scoring 2 or more in 5 of their last 6 and Stoke conceding 2 or more in 7 of their last 10 on the road but I like BTTS @3/4 as well with Stoke scoring in 8 of their last 11 away PL matches. Best Bets BTTS @3/4 - 2.5 stars Bournemouth to score 2 or more @10/11 - 2.5 stars 15:00 Leicester vs Swansea - Prediction 1.1 Final Verdict Statistically, this is hardly a banker selection with Leicester only seeing BTTS in 2 of their last 8 at home but Swansea arrive at the King Power in revitalised form under new boss Carlos Carlvahal and I expect another decent performance from the Swans. Indeed, under Carvalhal, Swansea have taken 10 points from their last 5 league games, including stunning wins over both Arsenal and Liverpool. Given that they had only taken 8 points from their previous 13 league matches, it has been a remarkable start for the new boss to give the Welsh side renewed optimism in their battle against relegation and they can make this an interesting contest against a Leicester side that lost 2.1 at Everton in midweek. Swansea have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 on the road and I'm backing that outcome again at tasty 19/20 odds while Swansea can claim a point or better at the same odds. Best Bets BTTS @19/20 - 2.5 stars Swansea or draw @19/20 - 2 stars 15:00 West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton - Prediction 1.1 Current Form * WBA have drawn 7 of their last 12 home PL matches including 4 of the last 6 * Saints have drawn 4 of their last 8 away PL matches including 3 of the last 5 * WBA have seen under 2.5 goals scored in 4 of their last 5 home league matches * Saints have seen under 2.5 goals scored in 3 of their last 5 away league matches Past Meetings * 7 of the last 9 meetings saw under 2.5 goals scored Final Verdict We should be in for a tense encounter at the Hawthorns on Saturday with both sides desperately struggling near the foot of the table. With both sides now in the drop zone, a win would be vital for either side, but given their current situation, perhaps both will take a "must not lose" approach to this fixture and with that, I expect a low scoring fixture to finish with a share of the spoils. Under 2.5 goals is likely @8/13 while the draw pays @11/5. Best Bets Draw @12/5 1.5 stars Under 2.5 goals @8/13 - 2.5 stars Championship 15:00 Norwich vs Middlesbrough - Prediction 2.2 Current Form * Norwich have seen BTTS in 8 of their last 9 at home including each of the last 6 * Norwich have seen BTTS and over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 4 home league matches * Norwich have taken 13 points from their last 6 league matches (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) * 'boro have seen BTTS in 8 of their last 10 away league matches * 'boro have seen over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 7 away league matches (6 of those also saw BTTS) * 'boro have won 5 and lost 3 of their last 8 away league matches Final Verdict Norwich have really picked up their form lately and with both sides seeing plenty of action in the BTTS market lately, I expect a similar outcome here with an entertaining contest on the cards between two decent sides. The visitors made two impressive late additions to their squad on transfer deadline day with the loan arrivals of Mo Besic and Jack Harrison sure to provide some much needed quality for Tony Pulis side who sit just 3 points adrift of the play-off spots. I fancy BTTS @5/6 and if you want to be brave, BTTS and over 2.5 goals has to have a decent chance at big odds @8/5 considering both sides recent home and away results. Best Bets BTTS @5/6 - 2.5 stars BTTS and over 2.5 goals @8/5 - 2 stars Comments are closed.
|
Categories |