THE Premier League continues on Saturday and guest contributor Steve Roberts shares his best bets from the 3pm fixtures.
Crystal Palace v Burnley | Saturday 13th January 2018, 15:00
The somewhat out of form Clarets travel to Selhurst Park this Saturday afternoon for an important match against the high-flying Eagles.
Crystal Palace, who started the season in abysmal form, have begun to find their feet under former England boss Roy Hodgson. This hasn't, however, stopped them from leaking goals and that’s the angle I’m taking in this match.
Burnley have lost their way a shade in their more recent games, but do warrant a top-seven spot; they are a formidable side to beat and their defensive capabilities often gifts them counter-attacking chances.
The Clarets aren't the heaviest of scorers to have ever graced the Premier League; however, they do know how to find the net when it matters. I think Palace will be attacking Burnley and expecting to take the points and that may leave them open at the back at certain times.
The visitors may not enjoy the lion's share of chances, but they will, I believe, get some highly convertible opportunities. Short odds I know, but the 8/13 (Coral) available on Burnley to score Over 0.5 Goals is value in my eyes.
- Crystal Palace have conceded in seven out of their last eight home Premier League games.
- Burnley have scored in the last four matches with Crystal Palace.
- Burnley won this fixture at Selhurst Park last year 2-0.
Chelsea v Leicester | Saturday 13th January 2018, 15:00
The two most recent champions of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea unbeaten in their last eight whilst Leicester have attained a solitary success in their last five fixtures.
With the bookies pricing Chelsea up at a credible 1/4, I fancy a different avenue of value for this affair.
The angle of approach I am opting to take here is corners. Stamford Bridge has seen an incredible 127 corners in its 11 league matches thus far, a sizeable average of over 11.5 corners per-match.
The two markets I have scoped to hold some value are: Chelsea to win Over 7.5 Corners at (8/11 Bet365) and Over 11 Asian Corners at 1.85 (Bet365) – for this selection to win we would need to see 11 corners in the match for a refund, 12 or more total to win.
- The return fixture this season ended 2-9 in the corner count.
- Chelsea average 7.28 team corners at home in the Premier League.
- 63.6% of Chelsea's home matches have seen 12 or more corners, with one ending on 11.
Watford v Southampton | Saturday 13th January 2018, 15:00
Southampton travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on Saturday and goals are the dish of the day for me.
The Saints have had some tough away fixtures lately, including that of Man United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City & Liverpool. In their last six road trips they’ve scored in three – Spurs, Bournemouth and City.
The visitors were silenced at Liverpool, Chelsea and United – places most teams struggle to find the net at – but they have been pressing well and creating more than enough chances so I reckon they should find the net against a far from seamless Watford defence.
Watford at Vicarage Road has been a goalmine for goals backers of late, having seen their last five outings here result in Both Teams To Score winners and that is the market I fancy at 4/5 (10Bet).
With a juicy total of 19 goals in their past five Vicarage Road games, I see the Saints as an opponent for this home goals streak to continue against.
- Southampton's last eight matches have seen six feature Both Teams To Score.
- Watford's last five home matches have been Both Teams To Score.
- There’s been a total of nine goals in the last two head-to-heads.
Best Bets
Crystal Palace v Burnley – Burnley to score Over 0.5 Goals (8/13 Coral)
Chelsea v Leicester – Chelsea to win Over 7.5 Corners (8/11 Bet365)
Chelsea v Leicester – Over 11 Asian Corners (1.85 Bet365)
Watford v Southampton – Both Teams To Score (4/5 10Bet)
