EPL players have been run ragged for our entertainment purposes with three rounds being played over the last week and a half! All this action could mean some upsets due to fatigue in the New Year round. We've got you covered with a preview and tips for some of the big games in Week 20 of the 2016-17 English Premier League Season.
EPL Week 20 Betting Tips
Middlesbrough vs Leicester City (Monday 11.30pm AEDT)
The reigning champs will travel to Middlesbrough in the early game Tuesday night as they look to improve their low standing of 15th on the table. Middlesbrough will also be fighting to stay away from the relegation zone, as they sit just one spot lower in 16th. Boasting only 9 wins between them on the season so far, both teams have struggled heavily particularly away from home. The Foxes are yet to register a win away from Leicester, but did manage to find some form last week with a 1-0 win over West Ham.
It’s been a massive fall from grace for the Foxes, who seem to be putting a lot more effort into their Champions League campaign than their domestic season. They finished atop their pool and will face Sevilla in the first knockout stage. While most people expected more from them in the EPL this year, we can’t blame them for having a bit of a premiership hangover, it’s not every day you win the league as a $1001 underdog. Finding form against a talented West Ham unit last week will do them a lot of favours coming into this one though, and I expect them to pick up their first away win of the season, or at least draw in the process.
TIP: Leicester (draw no bet) - $1.91 at CrownBet
Everton vs Southampton (Tuesday, 2am AEDT)
Everton’s record is not indicative of the run they have had over the past few months. Unfortunately for them they have had a hard schedule, playing all of Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton in the past 7 rounds. They have bounced back the last few weeks with a good win over Leicester followed by a solid 2-2 draw at Hull. After Man City next week, their schedule gets ridiculously easy, with Crystal Palace, Stoke, Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Sunderland the next five weeks.
Southampton have been out of sorts all year. They sit 9th on the table at 6-6-7, and have had great wins over the likes of Arsenal and Everton but have dropped winnable games to the likes of West Brom and Crystal Palace. Look for Everton to get on the front foot in this one ahead of their increasingly easier schedule coming up and take this one at home.
TIP: Everton to Win - $2.18 at CrownBet
Sunderland vs Liverpool (Tuesday, 2am AEDT)
I’m previewing this game for betting purposes only, because I definitely don’t think it’ll be an interesting game to watch. Sunderland have been woeful over the last month and pretty much all season. They sit in 2rd last position on the table with only 4 wins to their name. They’ll be coming up against one of the hottest teams in the league in Liverpool. The Reds claimed a huge victory over Man City over the weekend and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Sunderland game.
Liverpool has won it’s last 4 and has only been defeated once in its last 10 games. If it wasn’t for Chelsea’s unbelievable run they would be streaking clear on top of the EPL table. Sunderland have only scored 17 goals on the season so far, one more than league worst Hull City while Liverpool have an above average defence, letting in only 21. There’s a few markets I like in this one including Liverpool HT/FT and Liverpool -1, pretty much take your pick as I think they can easily cover any of those. I’m taking the Liverpool to win to nil given Sunderland’s poor goal scoring record.
TIP: Liverpool to win to nil - $2.24 at CrownBet
Tottenham vs Chelsea (Thursday, 7am AEDT)
We have to wait until Thursday morning for Week 20’s game of the round between Tottenham and Chelsea, but the matchup is worth the wait. Chelsea are tearing the EPL apart in the midst of a 13-game win streak, and having lost only two games on the season so far, they look absolutely unstoppable. Not to discredit Tottenham, who have also been playing well of late, and are on a 4-game win streak. Travelling to the Spurs will be the biggest challenge in some time for Chelsea, who have not played a top 8 side in the last 5 weeks.
Chelsea were victorious in the two teams’ first meeting of the year at Stanford Bridge back in November. It’s hard to find flaws in Chelsea’s game, making it in turn very hard to bet against them, however their win streak has to come to an end eventually, doesn’t it? With the benefit of not having a busy schedule including Champions League games this year, many would argue that it doesn’t, but travelling to Tottenham will be a big test and I like the Spurs to really take it up to the Blues in this one.
TIP: Tottenham (draw no bet) – $1.88 at CrownBet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
