English Premier League Week 18 Preview

English Premier League Week 18 Preview

We’re nearly halfway through the Premier League season and Liverpool continue to lead the way after an impressive win over Manchester United last weekend.

The Reds are in action first-up in Week 18 and Wolves and the next unlucky club charged with overcoming the league-leaders. Manchester City should be too good for Crystal Palace, while United will be offered a great opportunity to atone when they travel to Cardiff.

Wolves vs Liverpool
Liverpool to Win ($1.60)

Wolves

Last 5 Matches: LLWWW
Ladder Position: 7th
Goal Difference: 0 (GF 19, GA 19)

Liverpool

Last 5 Matches: WWWWW
Ladder Position: 1st
Goal Difference: +30 (GF 37, GA 7)

Wolves have recaptured good form and have recorded wins in each of their three most-recent Premier League matches, but they face the current leaders this weekend and realistically, stand little chance of continue that run of form. The Reds have been outstanding and are impossible to tip against.

Arsenal vs Burnley
Arsenal to Nil ($2.05)

Arsenal

Last 5 Matches: WWDWL
Ladder Position: 5th
Goal Difference: +14 (GF 37, GA 17)

Burnley

Last 5 Matches: LLLWL
Ladder Position: 18th
Goal Difference: -18 (GF 15, GA 33)

Arsenal suffered a shock defeat to Southampton last weekend, but they have a huge class edge over Burnley and should be winning this match at the Emirates. Burnley short resurgence ground to a halt

West Ham vs Watford
West Ham to Win ($2.30)

West Ham

Last 5 Matches: LWWWW
Ladder Position: 9th
Goal Difference: 0 (GF 25, GA 25)

Watford

Last 5 Matches: LLLDW
Ladder Position: 10th
Goal Difference: -2 (GF 23, GA 25)

This looks like being one of the better contests in Week 18 and both clubs carry winning form into he fixture. The Hammers have really kicked into gear and extended their winning streak in the league to four thanks to a 2-0 triumph over Fulham. Watford meanwhile snapped a worrying winless streak by beating Cardiff. I’m happy to continue riding the West Ham train.

Huddersfield Town vs Southampton
Southampton to Win ($2.55)

Huddersfield

Last 5 Matches: WLLLL
Ladder Position: 19th
Goal Difference: -18 (GF 10, GA 28)

Southampton

Last 5 Matches: LDLLW
Ladder Position: 17th
Goal Difference: -16 (GF 16, GA 32)

Southampton pulled off one of the upsets of the season when they sent Arsenal away from St Mary’s on the wrong end of a 3-2 score line and they will be confident of repeating that effort and result against the lowly Terriers. It was a fourth-consecutive loss for Huddersfield last week, this time against Newcastle.

Newcastle United vs Fulham
Newcastle to Win ($2)

Newcastle

Last 5 Matches: WLDLW
Ladder Position: 14th
Goal Difference: -8 (GF 14, GA 22)

Fulham

Last 5 Matches: WLDLL
Ladder Position: 20th
Goal Difference: -26 (GF 16, GA 42)

Fulham horrid return to the Premier League continued with a 2-0 loss to West Ham last week and they remain anchored to the bottom of the table. Newcastle Snick back into winning form with a 1-0 win over Huddersfield and won’t be offered a better opportunity to win again this season.

Bournemouth vs Brighton
Draw ($3.60)

Bournemouth

Last 5 Matches: LLWLL
Ladder Position: 11th
Goal Difference: -3 (GF 25, GA 28)

Brighton

Last 5 Matches: DWWLL
Ladder Position: 13th
Goal Difference: -4 (GF 20, GA 24)

This is set to be an intriguing match between two clubs that have proven that they are capable of big things, on their day. Both clubs have lost their two most-recent league matches, however and will view this as an ideal opportunity to return to winning form. I’m happy to sit on the fence.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
Over 3.5 Goals ($1.91)

City

Last 5 Matches: WWWLW
Ladder Position: 2nd
Goal Difference: +38 (GF 48, GA 10)

Palace

Last 5 Matches: DWLLW
Ladder Position: 15th
Goal Difference: -9 (GF 14, GA 23)

This is clearly the biggest class difference of any clubs in Week 18 of the Premier League and realistically, City will be winning this one well. After a shock defeat to Chelsea two weeks ago, the Cityzens responded with an easy win over Everton and face an easier task in the form of Palace.

Chelsea vs Leicester City
Chelsea to Nil ($2.15)

Chelsea

Last 5 Matches: LWLWW
Ladder Position: 4th
Goal Difference: +21 (GF 24, GA 14)

Leicester

Last 5 Matches: DWDLL
Ladder Position: 12th
Goal Difference: 0 (GF 21, GA 21)

Another week and another golden opportunity for one of the league’s ‘Big 6’, Chelsea. The Blues franked the form that they showed when they defeated City by continuing past Brighton last week, and they simply should have too much firepower for a Leicester side that have lost two in a row.

Cardiff City vs Manchester United
Over 2.5 Goals ($1.80)

Cardiff

Last 5 Matches: LWLWL
Ladder Position: 16th
Goal Difference: -16 (GF 17, GA 33)

United

Last 5 Matches: DDDWL
Ladder Position: 6th
Goal Difference: 0 (GF 29, GA 29)

As expected, United were pummelled by bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend and will be eager to respond with a win over the lowly Cardiff in Wales. It hasn’t been a season to remember for the Red Devils, but they really should be winning this.

Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs to Win ($2.20)

Everton

Last 5 Matches: WLDDL
Ladder Position: 8th
Goal Difference: +2 (GF 24, GA 22)

Spurs

Last 5 Matches: WLWWW
Ladder Position: 3rd
Goal Difference: +15 (GF 31, GA 16)

We’re set for a terrific contest between Everton and Spurs at Goodison Park and there’s plenty of value to be taken for both teams in head-to-head betting. Even when they’re not at their best, Spurs continue to find ways to win and I’m happy to take the $2.20 currently on offer for them to win this one.