Another good week in the EPL makes for two profitable rounds in a row as we finished Week 2 another 2.79 units up for a total profit of 5.15 units. Chelsea made a big statement in the scheme of the 2017 season as they defeated Tottenham away from home while Manchester United solidified their case for early title favouritism with another 4-0 win.
Week 3 provides some interesting matchups that we’ll take a look at below in our preview and betting tips for the key games of the weekend.
EPL Week 3 Betting Tips
Bournemouth vs Manchester City (Saturday 9.30pm AEST)
Bournemouth have started the EPL season 0-2 and are in danger of falling into a big hole here as they host Manchester City in the early Saturday game. Manchester City were heavy favourites against Everton on the weekend but could only muster a 1-1 draw. Should be a good chance for them to get back on the winners list here as they have defeated Bournemouth in all four of their top-flight meetings.
Not only have they beaten the Cherries in all four meetings but they have absolutely demolished them, with the games racking up a combined 15-1 score line. Even though they only managed a 1-1 score line, Manchester City were dominant over Everton on Tuesday morning, maintaining 65% possession and recording 19 shots.
Should be a massive step down in strength of opponent here and the bookmakers have reflected that with Man city opening as $1.30 favourites. The history between the two clubs suggest a big win for man City so we are happy to go with them at the -1 handicap here.
TIP: Manchester City -1 - $1.72 at Sportsbet (2 Units)
Watford vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Sunday 12am AEST)
Watford have been the surprise packet of the EPL this season and we have had good wins on them in weeks one and two so far. We’ll be backing them heavily here again this week as they face Brighton & Hove Albion at home on Saturday night. Brighton have lost both of their games 2-0 to pretty good competition in Manchester City and Leicester in the first two weeks and will get another tough matchup here.
Watford played their strong counter attacking game against Bournemouth on the weekend as they only maintained 44% possession but had a staggering 19 shots to the Cherries 4. Brighton & Hove Albion weren’t really able to get anything going against the Foxes on the weekend and could be set for a short stint in the EPL if they can’t find some genuine offence.
Watford have lost just one of their last 10 meetings with Brighton in all competitions and could regain the services of striker Troy Deeny this match which would give a massive boost to their forward depth. We like the Hornets to give Brighton their third loss of the season here.
TIP: Watford to win - $1.83 at Sportsbet (2 Units)
Manchester United vs Leicester City (2.30am AEST)
A great matchup here sees the rampant Manchester United host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday morning. Manchester have dominated their two games so far, winning both by 4-0 margins with new recruit Romelu Lukaku taking an early lead in the golden boot standings with three goals. Paul Pogba has also asserted himself as arguably the premier midfielder in the comp with a few stellar performances.
Leicester seemed to have regained some of the counter attacking form that won them the 2015-16 Premier League title, claiming a win on the weekend over Brighton which followed a gutsy 4-3 loss to Arsenal in the first round. They boast a true top line attacking trio in Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki and have the ability to score with the best of them.
Both teams have shown a particular nouse for scoring goals so far this season so we don’t think it’s a stretch at all to back the over in total goals here. Manchester United should control the play giving themselves plenty of opportunity to score while Leicester will be content to play the counter attacking style.
TIP: Total goals OVER 3.5 - $2.78 at Ladbrokes (1.5 Units)
Chelsea vs Everton (Sunday 10.30pm AEST)
Chelsea answered back to title hangover claims after a 3-2 loss to Burnley in week one by defeating Tottenham on the road on the weekend. Marcus Alonso proved to be the difference in the game, scoring both of Chelsea’s goals including a great free kick.
Everton were gallant in their draw to Manchester City on the weekend and find themselves in a good position with one win and one draw heading into week three. They’ll be happy come the end of week six which will conclude a horror run to start the season. Manchester City last weekend followed by Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham in the coming three weeks means there could be great value on them to place in the top 10 or 7 soon.
Chelsea will welcome the return to Stamford Bridge here but will still be without skipper Gary Cahill due to suspension and star player Eden Hazard through injury. Recruit Alvaro Morata has been fantastic though and their defence is as good as ever, especially at home. The two teams average just 1.5 goals each per game this season and given Chelsea’s great defence this one could be a low scoring game.
TIP: Total goals UNDER 2.5 - $1.98 at CrownBet (1 Units)
Liverpool vs Arsenal (Monday 1am AEST)
The game of the round sees Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Monday morning. After a high scoring start to the season in week one, putting up four goals on Leicester, the Gunners were lackluster on the weekend, going down 1-0 to Stoke. Although they controlled 77% of the possession, they were unable to convert the dominance into goals and now find themselves 1-0-1 on the season.
Liverpool bounced back from a disappointing draw to Watford in week one with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at home with Sadio Mane scoring the lone goal. Liverpool took out both of their matchups last season but since then have lost some key players while the Gunners have improved with the additions of Alexandre Lacazette most notably.
While they might still be finding their feet as highlighted by the Stoke game on the weekend, the $3.30 being offered for Arsenal to win this match is too good to refuse. We think this price comes in during the week and we are happy to take the value now.
TIP: Arsenal to win - $3.30 at Sportsbet (1 Unit)
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