The busy period in the English Premier League continues this weekend as we head into Matchday 17 of the season. There were some postponements in the mid-week round of games due to COVID-19 cases but the EPL show will go on this weekend. See our preview and tips for the key games in Matchday 17 below.
EPL Matchday 17 Betting Tips
Everton vs West Ham
Saturday 4.30am (AEDT)
The Toffees might be the hottest team in the league at the moment. They have won their last four games on the trot in the Premier League, three of which against decent sides in Arsenal, Leicester City and Chelsea. They’ll be hunting a fifth straight win on Saturday morning when they face West ham, who hasn’t won an EPL fixture in their last four games.
The Hammers are coming off draws in three of their last four EPL games, with the reminaing fixture a disappointing 3-0 loss to Chelsea back on the 22nd of December. The two have faced off once this season already in the EFL Cup, ending in a convincing 4-1 win to Everton at home.
With the form the Toffees are in, we can envision this one going in a similar direction to the EFL game just a few months ago. Across their four game winning streak, they have a combined 6-1 goal aggregate and have managed to jump into the top four. There is no way they’ll want to relinquish their position now they have forced their way in. Back them to win here.
Tottenham vs Leeds United
Saturday 11.30pm (AEDT)
The Spurs will be looking to get their 2021 off to a hot start as they face Leeds in the marquee time-slot game for us Australian fans. Tottenham will be coming into this clash fresh after their fixture against Fulham was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. They will be without Gareth Bale and Giovani Lo Celso but still have plenty of options going forward, most of all captain Harry Kane, who has scored or assisted on 19 goals, which leads the league this season.
Leeds United are coming off two straight wins in the Premier Leauge, the most recent of which a dominant 5-0 win over West Brom which saw four different goal-scorers find the back of the net. They are in some solid form at the moment, sitting in 11th place on the table and beat Tottenham the last time they played, a 2-1 win all the way back in 2013.
Tottenham were a much different side back then, however, and didn’t possess half of the star power they do currently. The extended break after their last match was postponed will also be a massive benefit. We expect them to win this one at home and their $1.75 price tag is still decent value.
Chelsea vs Manchester City
Sunday 3.30am (AEDT)
Back in 2014-15, this would have been a mouth-watering clash that would have captured the attention of any EPL fan, however, the powerhouses that were Chelsea and Manchester city have dropped away this season and now sit in 6th and 8th place on the EPL table respectively. They will do battle from Stamford Bridge on Sunday morning with Man City looking to extend a two game winning streak and the Blues looking to snap out of a funk that has seen them lose three of their last five.
The Citizens will start as $2.20 favourites on Sunday morning, which is interesting considering they are away from home against a top six side. It’s understandable given the form of the Blues of late though. Through their last five games, Chelsea has suffered losses to Arsenal, Walverhampton and Everton all away from home. In their two home games in that stretch, they have recorded a win over West Ham and a hard fought draw over Aston Villa.
We think the Blues are great value at home on Sunday morning. Manchester City will be without Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker through injury and the Blues were 2-1 winners the last time the two teams met at Stamford Bridge, back in June of this year.
Chelsea Draw No Bet
$2.24
