EPL Picks for Matchday 11
Matchday 11 may not have any clashes of the titans, but there are some intriguing match ups nevertheless. So many of the fixtures are tough to predict, and several could throw up a surprise, which just shows how unpredictable this season in England’s top tier has been so far. Here are our thoughts on the games where there is some value to be had.
Bournemouth v Manchester United 12.30 pm Saturday 2nd November
There is no better place to start than with the opening tie of the round—the lunchtime kick-off at Dean Court. The opening day aside, this season has been worse than anyone was predicting for United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side did show some spirit and quality in their game against Liverpool, but the fact they were feeling so happy after a home draw against their bitterest rivals shows how far they have fallen. Bournemouth will go into the game as underdogs, but the form of both teams really does not justify that.
The Cherries have been scoring goals for fun, and despite the defence being United’s strongest suit, you do see Bournemouth finding the back of the net at least once. The Red Devils, on the other hand, have been lightweight in the final third of the field, and it is hard to see them scoring more than once. A draw or Bournemouth win really does represent a good bet.
Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers 3.00 pm Saturday 2nd November
Inconsistency has been the one consistent thing about Arsenal in recent seasons. That is not just in results and performances, but also in the way they set up. It is difficult to know which is driving the other, but what makes for frustrations for their fans does mean that punters can make hay. This is just one such game. The Gunners go into this as strong favourites, and despite a very poor start to their campaign, Wolves have finally found their stride.
Anyone who can go to The Etihad and, not just get all three points, but do it in the manner they did, can win anywhere. Arsenal at home are a different side than when on the road, but a Wolves win, or a Wolves +1 handicap to take out the draw, would be our choice. Both of these sides are in the Europa (which, of course, has its own opportunities for placing wagers), so that won’t affect the game as much as it otherwise could.
Crystal Palace V Leicester City 2.00 pm Sunday 3rd November
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur 4.30 pm Sunday 3rd November
Time seemed up for Marco Silva after back-to-back defeats against Sheffield United and Bournemouth. The two-nil victory over a decent West Ham side has eased that pressure somewhat, and he will probably go into this game with less of the spotlight on him than the man in the opposing dugout. It has been a strange season for Spurs. From the depths of despair, they have (like Everton) improved of late, but unlike Everton, whose ambitions are more modest, you have to think that the goals Pochettino set for his team in August are all but gone. This is likely to be a close affair, but at 15/8 or thereabouts, a home win looks like it has the most value. If that does happen, then the market for Spurs to have a new boss by the new year will go into overdrive.
