We take a look at the 4 English Premier League matches taking place on Thursday night from a betting angle.
EVERTON v ASTON VILLA – Click Here to bet
Everton are 11th on the table, but have only taken 1 point from the last 9 they have played for. They lost 3-0 away to Wolves on the weekend and their last home game was a 1-1 draw to Southampton.
Aston Villa are 19th on the table, but gave themselves hope of avoiding relegation when they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at home. That victory halted a 10 match streak without a win. They have only won twice on the road all season.
Villa beat Everton 2-0 at home back in August.
Betting
Everton 21/20
Draw 51/20
Aston Villa 53/20
Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 8/10
Villa certainly have more to play for of the 2 sides and I expect them to push forward aggressively as they search for 3 points, this could leave them exposed at the back and I think we will see goals at both ends and hopefully 3 or more in the match.
LEICESTER v SHEFFIELD UNITED – Click Here to bet
Leicester are 4th on the table, but have only had 1 win in their last 5 starts. They are coming off a disappointing 4-1 away defeat to struggling Bournemouth, but in their last home game they beat Palace 3-0.
Sheffield United are 7th on the table and have recovered from a wobbly patch to take 10 points from the last 12 they have played for including back-to-back victories at home to Chelsea and Wolves. Their away form has been less impressive though and since play has resumed after the break they have only taken 1 point from a possible 9 on their travels.
Leicester beat Sheffield United 2-1 away from home earlier in the season.
Betting
Leicester 21/20
Draw 47/20
Sheffield United 29/10
Suggested Bet: Leicester win at 21/20
Leicester have been quite disappointing of late, but they are still very much in the hunt for a top 4 finish and I have to fancy their chances at home against a Sheffield United side that hasn’t been travelling well.
CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER UNITED – Click Here to bet
Palace have been on a woeful run and have lost their last 5 matches in a row including home games against Burnley and Chelsea. Last time out they went down 2-0 away to Aston Villa.
Manchester United were absolutely flying and they won 4 matches in succession before a disappointing 2-2 home draw to Southampton on Monday night. They sit 5th on the table and are still very much in the race for that Top 4 finish.
Palace beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season and last season Manchester United won this fixture 3-1 and they have beaten Crystal Palace 3 times in a row away from home.
Betting
Crystal Palace 9/1
Draw 17/4
Manchester United 7/20
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Manchester United (-1) at 19/20
United would have been disappointed to draw to Southampton, but Southampton did have an excellent away record and I wouldn’t read too much into that one. Prior to that draw United were in cracking form and I think they can continue against a Crystal Palace side who seems to have virtually packed up for the season.
SOUTHAMPTON v BRIGHTON – Click Here to bet
Southampton are 12th on the table and undefeated in their last 4 matches including away draws at Manchester United and Everton in their last 2 starts. Their last home match was even more impressive when they beat Manchester City 1-0.
Brighton are 15th on the table and they are not quite certain of Premier League survival yet. Their recent form has dipped and they have lost their last 2 games at home to City and Liverpool, although their last away match was a 1-0 win at Norwich.
Southampton beat Brighton 2-0 on the road back in August and the sides have drawn this fixture the last two seasons they have played it.
Betting
Southampton 5/4
Draw 47/20
Brighton 12/5
Suggested Bet: Southampton win at 5/4
I have been very impressed with this Southampton side while Brighton have had a tough run of fixtures, but don’t get many victories on the road and I think the Saints will prevail here.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
