THE Premier League is heading to its conclusion for the season and Daniel McCulloch (@danmcc84) is here with his best bets for a selection of Wednesday night's encounters.
Chelsea v Huddersfield | Wednesday 9th May 2018, 19:45 | Sky Sports
It’s accurate to suggest that a positive result for Huddersfield, coupled with a Spurs victory over Newcastle is the nightmare scenario for the Sky Sports Marketing Department. It’ll mean that barring mathematical miracles, the Champions League, Europa League and relegation spots will be decided and all Sunday will bring is a few (crocodile) tears from players who have been unable to keep their side in the top flight.
Despite Huddersfield’s deserved draw against champions Manchester City, I find it difficult to make a case for them repeating the heroics against a Chelsea side who still have hopes of Champions League qualification and are enjoying a good run of form.
Huddersfield did get forward well on occasion against City, but their line up did feature six players who would be classified as defenders and another two holding midfielders. Knowing that a draw will be enough to guarantee survival it is hard to foresee boss David Wagner changing tact tonight. With that in mind, I like the look of a Chelsea win and under 2.5 goals to be scored, available at 11/5 with BetVictor.
The Terriers are yet to score a goal in five away trips to ‘The Big Six’ as alongside their 0-0 draw with City, they have lost 2-0 to Manchester United and Tottenham, 3-0 to Liverpool and 5-0 to Arsenal. Four out of their last seven away games would have seen this bet emerge victorious as well as six of Chelsea’s 18 home matches this term.
I don’t feel that an early Chelsea goal will see a change in tactics for David Wagner’s men and all things considered I would prefer a smaller bet at a bigger price than backing Chelsea to win to nil at a best price of 8/11 or Chelsea and under 3.5 goals at odds on quotes.
Tottenham v Newcastle | Wednesday 9th May 2018, 20:00 | Sky Sports
Having opposed Tottenham at The Hawthorns on Saturday, I am pleased to find an angle to do so again here. The North London side monopolised possession and attempts at the weekend, but only Harry Kane’s shot from a tight angle would constitute a good chance and their expected goals totalled less than one.
I like the look of Newcastle +2 on the Asian handicap, available at 9/10 with BetVictor. This basically means if Newcastle win, draw or lose by a goal then you win the bet, if they lose by two goals you get your money back and if they lose by three or more then your bet is a loser. Looking at Spurs’ home record against sides from seventh down, this bet would only join the ‘L’ column on three occasions from 12 attempts this term.
It would have won six times and you would have got your money back a further three times. Moreover, Newcastle have only lost by three goals or more just twice in the league this season – a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United and a 3-0 home loss to Watford (both games were played back in November).
There is the argument that Newcastle are on the beach but Rafa Benitez has spoken of his desire to finish in the top ten – they are currently three points and one place behind Leicester – and I do not believe recent performances have been that bad. They lost a tight game at Everton before missing a couple of gilt-edge chances in defeat to West Brom.
The manner of the 2-1 loss at Watford at the weekend is slightly concerning but I believe that there are enough stats in our favour to suggest this is a good bet. Spurs produced a very nervy performance in a 2-0 victory over Watford and given their display against West Brom I find it hard to believe that they will be back to their best tonight.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino would surely take a 1-0 victory if offered it now and I hope that is all his side achieves.
Best Bets
Chelsea v Huddersfield – Chelsea to win and Under 2.5 Goals (11/5 BetVictor)
Tottenham v Newcastle – Newcastle +2 Asian Handicap (9/10 BetVictor)
