English Premier League (EPL): Week 7 Preview

Manchester City destroyed Watford last week as predicted after suffering a shocking defeat the week before. My favorite fact from the game was that Watford forward Gerard Deulofeu completed 13 passes in that game. Nine of those completed passes were from kickoffs! This week, the League Cup had some results that shocked some of the giants in the league. Meaning there are a number of teams wanting to make amends in the league.

To help you navigate this week, let’s take a look at the games being played and my selection of markets for each game. I’ve taken the odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, but shop around to get the best odds for your selections! The indicated times are the local UK time kickoffs.

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Saturday Games (Main Slate)

Sheffield United v Liverpool (Early Kickoff)
Sheffield United has performed beyond expectations in the league so far this season, finding themselves sitting in the top half of the Premier League table. Last week, Chris Wilder’s men traveled to Merseyside and left with three points in a 2-0 victory. However, this Liverpool team is tiers above Everton.

Liverpool is the clear favorites here with the firepower it has upfront. However, their defense has vastly improved after a shaky start to the season. Sheffield United has scored just twice in three games at home and they are likely to be snuffed out in this fixture.

Market Choice: Liverpool to win to nil +123

Aston Villa v Burnley
Aston Villa is showing improvement from a difficult start to their time in the Premier League. They nearly stole a result against Arsenal on the road last week, but their home form has been more impressive. Villa is unbeaten in their last two home games, including a 2-0 victory over Everton.

Burnley has been able to be combative in its games this season, but has struggled when playing away this year. Sean Dyche’s men have yet to pick up a win on the road — a trend that is likely to continue this weekend.

Market Choice: Game Aston Villa +132

AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United
Bournemouth and West Ham have both been playing well this season, with both teams in the top six. Bournemouth has had some impressive performances in the league, but given the opposition they have played, there is a certain level of expectation regarding their results.

West Ham has been doing well this season, having lost once to Manchester City. West Ham has had a similar level of competition that Bournemouth has faced, with the exception of Manchester United, who they soundly beat 2-0 last weekend.

Market Choice: Game West Ham United +170

Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea has won, drawn, and lost two games apiece in their last six games, and is currently 11th in the table with eight points. With mixed form like that, it’s not a huge surprise that Chelsea has yet to win a game at home this season. Frank Lampard looks to have found some young attacking options with Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, with N’Golo Kante playing fantastically well in the middle of the park.

Brighton comes into the game with one victory and three draws in their opening six games, putting them right towards the bottom of the table with four points. In the last game, Brighton picked up a point in a goalless draw against Newcastle United. With the struggles that they have had to score goals, they are at best hoping to hold Chelsea to a draw, which is unlikely.

Market Choice: Chelsea to win to nil +143

Crystal Palace v Norwich City
This matchup brings two teams together who have been able to pick up results but with completely different styles. Crystal Palace has only scored four goals in seven games this season, with half of those coming in the shock victory over Manchester United where Palace won 2-1. However, the defensive displays have been great this season. In a home matchup, Roy Hodgson’s men are likely to continue to be solid at the back.

However, Norwich has been playing expansive football since their promotion to the Premier League and arguably should have more to show for their performances. They have scored nine goals in six fixtures, making them the seventh-highest scorers in the league. That level of attacking ability should bode well to leave with something from their trip to Selhurst Park.

Market Choice: Draw No Bet Norwich City +185

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton
Tottenham needs a result in this game — it’s that simple. The team has just one win in seven matches and was beaten by Colchester United midweek. Tottenham has struggled to get a foothold in the games they have played so far this season, something that used to be a standard in their play.

Southampton started the season slowly but has played well over the past few weeks, entering this game with three victories and one draw from their last four games. Their ability to score goals has been matched only by their inability to keep other teams from scoring.

Tottenham and Southampton have combined for three clean sheets in the 12 total games they have played this season, giving great value in the “both teams to score” market.

Market Choice: Both Teams to Score -136

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford
Wolves have a chance to improve their current form in a game against Watford, who was just ripped apart by Manchester City. The Wolves impressed last season, but that seems to have been their downfall this year. Qualifying for the Europa League has forced the depth of the squad to be tested with midweek games.

Watford at this point of the season looks lost. They’re unable to get teams to open up and get their players upfield to cause opposing defenses problems and they can’t keep any team from scoring on them. However, this matchup could allow them to get a goal or two. The Wolves play an open style of football, which should allow for some counterattacks.

Market Choice: Both Teams to Score -122

Everton v Manchester City
Everton has been inconsistent since the start of the season, which has led to Marco Silva leading the book for the managerial sack race. In their last game, Everton lost at home to Sheffield United, but Manchester City is one of the best teams in the league and won’t make it easy to get a result.

Manchester City comes off the back of a resounding victory over Watford, and as impressive as that victory was, they rested one of their stars, Raheem Sterling. Adding Sterling back to a lineup with Kevin de Bruyne feeding an in-form Sergio Aguero, it’s hard to see Everton getting anything from the game.

Market Choice: Asian Handicap Manchester City -1.75 +106

Sunday Games

Leicester City v Newcastle United
Leicester City seems to be riding a similar wave to the one that allowed them to win the title in 2016. In coming from behind last week, Leicester showed they are a team that is able to band together and pull a result from a losing position. This week they welcome a team that is struggling at both home and away.

Newcastle United looks destined to be relegated this season. There was the victory over Tottenham, but since then, the team hasn’t played well. Newcastle has produced just two points from their other five games, including a goalless draw against Brighton.

Market Choice: Asian Handicap Leicester City -1.75 +215

Monday Games

Manchester United v Arsenal
This game is one of the more exciting ones of the week. While this fixture in previous seasons would have had serious ramifications for the league title, it’s still a great clash.

Manchester United used to be a team built on a solid defense and strikers that would convert half of their chances on goal. This current side though lacks in both departments. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to call on Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba, and Anthony Martial, they still lack the quality to dominate, even at home.

Arsenal equally has issues with their defense, having had serious problems keeping Aston Villa and Watford from winning recent fixtures. Arsenal does possess players that are able to score though, as they have a multitude of attacking weapons.

Market Choice: Both Teams to Score -220

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Richard King is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Richard, check out his archive and follow him @RichKingFF.