Unfortunately, due to the English League Cup Final on Monday morning, this week’s blockbuster Manchester Derby has been postponed. It is set to still be great weekend of football, however, and we are happy to present our best bets of the week for Round 26 of the 2016-17 EPL Season.
EPL Week 26 Betting Tips
Chelsea vs Swansea (Sunday 2am AEDT)
Runaway ladder leaders Chelsea face off against one of the only teams to take points off them all year. Back in September, Swansea held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw and will be looking to go one better when they square off at Stamford Bridge on the weekend. Chelsea have not beaten Swansea in the last 3 games, in fact, although it was a much different side in their two meetings last year and the one earlier this season.
Diego Costa regularly has a field day against the Welsh team, scoring 7 goals in his last 4 appearances against Swansea. If he takes part in the game, it will be Cesc Fabregas’ 300th premier league game, joining a select list of players and becoming the first Spaniard to do so. I think the Blues will be too strong for the Welsh side here, especially at home and should get a comfortable win.
TIP: Chelsea to win and both teams to score - $2.80 at Sportsbet
Leicester City vs Liverpool (Sunday 7am AEDT)
Leicester and Liverpool wrap up the weekend’s action early Sunday morning. The Foxes are in the worst form of any team in the league at the moment, they are winless through their last six games and a 1-0 lost to third league team Milwall in the FA Cup through the week highlights their downfalls. They haven’t even managed a goal in their last five premier league games and come up against a highest scoring team in the league.
Liverpool has netted a tidy 54 goals this season so far, tied for Arsenal with the most in the league. They have, however, allowed 30 which is the most of any of the big six clubs. Leicester have the home field advantage here, but they could be a little jetlagged from their mid-week tie travelling to Spain to play Sevilla. In their current form, I can’t find a way in which Leicester win this game, or even come close, Liverpool should take the chocolates here.
TIP: Liverpool to win to nil - $2.80 at Sportsbet
Everton vs Sunderland (Sunday 2am AEDT)
The Everton train rolls on here as we are looking to capitalise on their solid form once again. They’ve been arguably the most profitable team for us so far, this season and we are hoping they can continue their ways as they host Sunderland Sunday morning. Sunderland have had a year to forget in the EPL and at one point were looking like sure things to be relegated. However, the terrible form of Crystal Palace and Leicester has breathed life into the relegation race and now Sunderland have something to play for. With the bottom 5 teams all separated by just 3 points, Sunderland will be hoping they can cause a major upset in the coming weeks as they play Everton and Manchester City in the next 2 rounds.
It’ll be a tough test for them, however, with Everton in some solid form having only lost one of their last 10 matches. Everton sit 7th on the table with 41 points and will need to produce something special if they are to make a run at top four. Romelu Lukaku has been in blistering form of late and currently sits 2nd on the Golden Boot tally with 16. He scored a hat trick the last time these two teams met and he should be a handful again. With the home field advantage, I think Everton win this one comfortably.
TIP: Everton -1 - $2 at William Hill
Tottenham vs Stoke City (Monday 12.30am AEDT)
Currently 10 points off the ladder leaders, the Spurs are desperate for a win here to stay within striking distance of Chelsea. With 13 games, still to play, anything can happen, but Tottenham wouldn’t want to fall behind by anymore. They host Stoke on the weekend, who have had a fairly up and down season so far. In 9th place at 8-8-9, Stoke have been inconsistent to say the least, and with Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City in the next 5 weeks, we could see them sliding further down the table.
Although their last two matchups have both produced 4-0 wins to Tottenham, both of these teams play a fairly defensive style of football, and I expect it to be a low scoring match. Tottenham lead the league in goals allowed with 18 and Stoke have managed to maintain a top 10 position while only scoring 30 on the season so far. Tottenham should be too strong at home here, but I like the under on total goals.
TIP: Total goals UNDER 2.5 – $2.30 at William Hill
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!
