CORRECT SCORE specialists Daniel McCulloch (@danmcc84) delivers his best bets from Saturday's Premier League card.
Crystal Palace v Watford | Saturday 15:00
They may have a point and a game in hand on Hull City – who currently occupy the final relegation spot – but many believe that this is a game that Crystal Palace simply must win.
Given that their final ten fixtures include away trips to both halves of Manchester, Chelsea and Liverpool as well as home tests against Arsenal and Tottenham then I would agree with such advocates.
Still, Sam Allardyce’s side should go into the game with much confidence. They have won their last two games without conceding and face a Watford side with just one victory from their last nine away games.
I backed Palace to win by a single goal to nil against Middlesbrough a few weeks back but have decided to split my stakes on this occasion.
Whilst The Hornets have far more of a goal threat than The Teesiders, I am comforted by the fact that they have lost five of their 13 games either 1-0 or 2-0 and believe that the rejuvenated South Londoners can add to that tally. 1-0 is 6/1 with Bet365. 2-0 is 8/1 with the same firm.
Sunderland v Burnley | Saturday 15:00
At first glance, I wanted to avoid this fixture. However, on further analysis, backing a correct score win for a Sunderland side who are 8/5 in the outright market seemed a sensible solution.
Failure to win today will almost certainly be terminal for David Moyes’ men. As we stand, The Mackems are six points from safety and they will surely not get a better opportunity to get three points than facing a Burnley side who have managed just two points from 14 away games this term.
Whilst Sunderland have failed to score in their last three home games, I think it is fair to say that Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham are a class above Sean Dyche’s side.
Data suggests that Tom Heaton is a big reason why the Lancashire side have a relatively comfortable seven point gap to the relegation zone but I believe that they will be a lot closer to the trap-door come May.
Burnley have lost five of their last seven away games by two goals to one. With that in mind it is worth taking Bet365 on their offer of this becoming six out of eight this afternoon.
West Ham v Leicester | Saturday 15:00
It may seem slightly bizarre to oppose Leicester now but I am aware of how poor they have been in the fixture following a Champions League game and I also believe that this is the kind of game that Slaven Bilic’s men win.
The East Londoners have been the very definition of inconsistent this season but despite a terrible start to the campaign, they look secure in 11 th place and I feel that recent performances have been better than the results suggest. Certainly, as a West Brom fan I can confess that deserved to win the game at The London Stadium a few weeks back.
This is more of an instinct rather than a data-related punt and sometimes they can be the most rewarding. Bet Victor are offering 17/2 on a 2-1 victory to the home side and hopefully The Hammers oblige.
Best Bets
Crystal Palace v Watford – Crystal Palace to win 1-0 (6/1 Bet365)
Crystal Palace v Watford – Crystal Palace to win 2-0 (8/1 Bet365)
Sunderland v Burnley – Sunderland to win 2-1 (10/1 Bet365)
West Ham v Leicester – West Ham to win 2-1 (17/2 BetVictor)
