A late Tottenham goal relegated us to 1-2 last week, but there are some nice plays available in Matchday 18 to help us bounce into the black. While runaway league leaders Liverpool are in Qatar for the Club World Cup, there is no shortage of matches to profit from this weekend. The games are coming thick and fast, so if you think the Christmas shopping rush is bad to take a look at the English Premier League calendar over the next couple of weeks. With a busy schedule comes the opportunity to cash in on a few weary teams that are below their best. We’ll look to do exactly that in this weekend’s English Premier League betting preview.
Norwich City vs Wolves
Norwich is desperate for Premier League survival and has been doing well to beat the odds in recent weeks. That includes sharing the spoils with Leicester City on the road last time out. Canaries striker Teemu Pukki netted his ninth goal of the season at King Power Stadium, continuing his fine form for club and country. Pukki spearheaded Finland’s charge to Euro 2020 last month, becoming one of just three players to score more than 10 goals in qualification alongside Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo. Wolves enter this game as favorites, and rightfully so. They will be feeling the sting from a last-gasp defeat to Spurs last time out and shouldn’t have any issues working their way through a leaky Norwich defense. But with Pukki leading the Canaries on home turf, it won’t all be one-way traffic for the visitors.
Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Bournemouth vs Burnley
Bournemouth surprised pretty much everyone with a 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend and enter this game as favorites, but we’re not jumping on the bandwagon just yet. The Cherries haven’t secured back-to-back English Premier League wins since September and host a Burnley side that is climbing up the standings. Sean Dyche’s side is chasing a fourth win in seven games and could move into the top half if they add Bournemouth to their recent scalps. Burnley have also won four of the six English Premier League encounters between these two sides, including both meetings last season, so you’ll find some value by jumping on the underdogs. If you want to bite into the value go with the Burnley win, but the shrewd play might be to buy some insurance via the spread at Draftkings.
Recommended bet: Burnley +0.5
Watford vs Manchester United
Manchester United missed another opportunity to close in on the top four when they dropped points to Everton, but a win against rock-bottom Watford is here for the taking. The Red Devils take on a team that is already on its third manager of the season, and we’re not even at the halfway mark. With top-four rivals Tottenham and Chelsea meeting this weekend, we can’t see United missing another opportunity to move back into the Champions League picture. This is, after all, a team that produced a stunning Manchester derby win less than two weeks ago. Watford is here for the taking and a failure to capitalize will heap further pressure on United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Recommended bet: Manchester United win
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United
Let’s round out this week’s preview with a value play and a bit of fun. Newcastle striker Andy Carroll looms as the difference in this fixture and our money is on him finding the back of the net against Crystal Palace. The former England striker has been a growing presence in Steve Bruce’s lineup in recent weeks, picking up an assist in each of Newcastle’s wins over Southampton and Sheffield United. Carroll’s aerial prowess remains his main weapon, which could prove crucial against a Crystal Palace side that struggles to deal with crosses into the penalty box. The Eagles have conceded the fourth-most amount of headed shots in the league this season – 49 in total – and will likely be on the receiving end of a few more if Carroll has anything to do with it. We’re backing the tall striker to nod one of those attempts into a goal.
Recommended bet: Andy Carroll – Anytime Goal Scorer
Make sure to check Draftkings for the best lines and get in early before they move. And let us know if there’s a Matchday 18 game offering a value that we’ve missed! There are plenty of games coming up, so check back for more English Premier League betting tips next week.
