ANOTHER MASSIVE WEEKEND AHEAD Who saw the results during the week coming? I was very happy with my Lay of Spurs away to Sunderland, but no way I could have picked nearly all the top teams slipping up! It was a great chance for the teams behind Chelsea to make up a bit of ground before their crunch tie with Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, but they failed to put the pressure on. Surely there can’t be as many shocks this weekend, so on to my best bets:
Chelsea v Arsenal
12.30 Saturday A second huge game for Chelsea this week. They were good during the week without being brilliant. Of the two sides Liverpool were the ones who most needed a win as Chelsea have some breathing room at the top. A draw was a happy result for them considering Liverpool’s good form against them in the past couple of years. Now they turn their attention to their London rivals, Arsenal. I really think they have an edge in this game. Sure they could approach it cautiously considering they still have a gap at the top, but I don’t think Conte will want to make this a consistent approach for his side.
Of all the shocks during the week I think the Arsenal one was the most surprising. Mainly because of the way they were beaten. Before that game they had not conceded a goal in the first 15 minutes of a Premier League game this season, and then they conceded two in the first 13 minutes. Watford absolutely stormed out of the gates and destroyed Arsenal at the beginning of the game. You couldn’t have said they didn’t deserve the lead. After this Arsenal did have a chance to get back into the game, but they fell short. You can be certain that if they start off like that against Chelsea there will be no way back into the game.
Chelsea’s main advantage in this game is their defence. I am still getting used to saying this about a side with David Luiz as the anchor, but you must say he has been largely excellent this year. Since changing to the three at the back Chelsea have had a very strong foundation, which has also given them a great platform to attack with Alonso and Moses. The thing about Arsenal is they will always give you chances. It is just the way they play. With the likes of Costa in the team this will not fly against Chelsea. They have so much pace out wide I don’t think Arsenal’s midfield can keep up, whether Pedro or Willian plays they have an electrifying right side and of course Hazard generally playing on the left. Arsenal won the corresponding game 3-0 but this time around I think they will be outmatched.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Chelsea at 1.99.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQ-CheArs
West Brom v Stoke
3.00pm Saturday I’m actually quite looking forward to this game, which is something you wouldn’t ordinarily say about West Brom v Stoke, especially when you consider the brand of football both sides have been known for under Tony Pulis. But this year things are very different. Mark Hughes has Stoke playing a different, more attacking brand of football which generally means there will be goals in their games. Even West Brom have moved somewhat away from the long ball tactics this season although there is still an element of it to their game.
I would usually pick a team that you stick with each season based on their form and the quality in their sides (outside of the usual suspects of course) and this year West Brom have been my side. They may not always get the win, but they very rarely lose, especially when playing teams below them in the league. They have been blown away by some of the sides at the top of the table, but there is no real shame in that for me. They have shown that they can shrug this off and go get it in their next game. They have been the surprise team of the season, while also remaining somewhat quiet because they haven’t recorded a big win yet.
Although West Brom have moved away from the long ball approach when on the ball, defensively they are still very much what you expect from a Tony Pulis side. They are gritty, organised and incredibly difficult to break down, especially at the Hawthorns. I think they will be able to expose Stoke’s more open approach on Saturday afternoon.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back West Brom at 2.36
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQ-WBAStok
Man City v Swansea
1.30pm Sunday We all expect Man City to win this one. Even with all the shocks during the week, I think this would trump them all. Especially considering how Man City played when dismantling West Ham in the Olympic Stadium. When they are on song there a few who can handle Man City, and Swansea certainly wouldn’t make the list of sides who could handle them. Of course there is no point in ‘tipping’ a Man City win here, but if you look at the handicap markets there is some good prices available on BETDAQ.
Swansea have turned things around a bit in the last couple of games with two excellent wins which have taken them out of the relegation zone. One of the wins came against 4th place Liverpool and the other against a strong Southampton side, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. Liverpool have been in dreadful form since the start of 2017, and Southampton have just lost both of their starting centre backs in the last two weeks. This Man City side is starting to show signs of the team they can be. Gabriel Jesus looks to be an excellent signing early on, and De Bruyne is starting to fire again. Add in the danger of Aguero and Sterling etc. and you have one hell of an attacking force.
I think Man City have a few goals in them on Sunday. I’m looking at the three or four goal mark. I also think they can hold Swansea out at the back. They have not been good at the back this year, but after a couple of clean sheets in their last two blow out wins they must be growing in confidence. Don’t expect a close one here.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Man City -2 at 2.0
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQ-MCISwa
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