The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2017/18: Round 26

Editor
02 February 2018

Back Everton/Draw v Arsenal at [4.1]

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Much-needed big wins for Dan and Harry in midweek, and another success for runaway leader Adam, means that the Battle column is now in overall profit for the season. Here's where their tenners are headed for the weekend action...

"While they might have addressed the gaping hole left by Alexis Sanchez they did nothing to correct their awful defensive situation in the transfer window and will still be vulnerable to conceding soft goals."

Back Everton/Draw v Arsenal at 4.1

Adam Baylis
Back West Brom to win v Southampton @ 2.6213/8
Saturday, 15:00

Casting aside their 3-0 defeat to Man City in midweek, West Brom have been in fine form of late. The Baggies tasted victory at home to Brighton, earned a point away at Goodison Park - they probably should've had all three - and then knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup.

They had a decent January window too, bringing Daniel Sturridge on board alongside Egyptian centre-back Ali Gabr and vitally kept Jonny Evans at the Hawthorns. Saturday's fixture will also be an emotional one, being their first home game after the passing of Cyrille Regis and Alan Pardew's side will be dead-set on claiming a vital three points.

Fellow-strugglers Southampton have enjoyed an improved run of form lately too, going unbeaten in their last three but they've still only won one game away all season. New signing, Guido Carrillo was unable to mark his Premier League debut with a goal in midweek and he may not get much joy out of a well-organised West Brom back four on Saturday

I'm not totally sure I agree with Mike that this will go Over 2.5 but the home side should have enough about them to come out on top.

Adam Baylis 2017-18 P/L: +£97.35

Mike Norman
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.486/4 in West Brom v Southampton
Saturday, 15:00

I've hit a poor run of form in recent weeks using logical and reasoned selections, so this week I'm taking a punt on a hunch selection as I fancy goals to be scored when West Brom host Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

The alarming stat against me is that there has been just seven goals scored in the last nine meetings between these two sides at the Hawthorns, but that's probably the reason we are being offered a price just shy of 6/4.

West Brom are in decent form, and will be confident of winning this huge six pointer, while the Saints will be desperate to break their 12-game winless run. With both teams in the relegation zone and in massive need of the points I have a feeling that for once, these two will play out a highly entertaining affair.

Mike Norman 2017-18 P/L: +£19.00

Harry Phillips
Back Everton/Draw v Arsenal at 4.1
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport

Firstly let's get the negatives out of the way. Arsenal will come into this fixture with a renewed sense of optimism after a good week off the pitch that saw them sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang & tie down Mesut Ozil to a new contract. Secondly their home form in the Premier League has generally been pretty solid which is obviously in their favour.

The major negative for me is their price at a very short looking 1.331/3. This is, ultimately, a team who lost comprehensively to Swansea earlier in the week, conceding some comical goals in the process. While they might have addressed the gaping hole left by Alexis Sanchez they did nothing to correct their awful defensive situation in the transfer window and will still be vulnerable to conceding soft goals.

Everton are hardly in rip roaring form themselves, while Sam Allardyce drills the team into playing his style of football, but it was a good win over Leicester in midweek and the team now looks much more balanced post transfer window.

I thought Big Sam's comments post their 4-0 loss to Spurs that they should have been "more boring" were interesting. I'd fully expect Everton to pitch up here with a defensive mindset, play on the counter with the aim of utilising Theo Walcott's pace, and aim to take advantage of an almost inevitable Arsenal defensive slip up. I'm happy to oppose Arsenal by backing Everton on the Double Chance at a good price.

Harry Phillips 2017-18 P/L: -£7.70

Joe Dyer
Back Crystal Palace win/Under 3.5 goals double @ 6/4
Sunday, 13:30

Crystal Palace have dropped points in their last two, both away from Selhurst Park, and will be hoping a return to home comforts will bring about a revival in their fortunes.

And that would be very welcome with Palace just three points above the drop zone and up against a fellow relegation candidate in Newcastle United.

Thankfully, Palace's home form is pretty decent - they so nearly inflicted a defeat on Manchester City before defeating Burnley in their last match at Selhurst Park. Their win price of 2.111/10 looks a touch on the generous side.

While Rafa Benitez is a hugely talented manager he's not working with the finest stuff at Newcastle and his team are at best hard to beat.

This looks like being a low-scoring affair and I will boost a back of Palace by factoring in Under 3.5 goals, a bet that pays at 6/4 on the Sportsbook.

Joe Dyer 2017-18 P/L: -£31.25

Dan Thomas
Back Swansea to beat Leicester at 5.59/2
Saturday, 15:00

Finally a winner! And after Swansea did me a huge favour by boosting my P/L by the tune of £66 in midweek, it would be rude not to stick with them on Saturday.

The Swans have now picked up 10 points from 15 available since Carlos Carvalhal took charge which, Opta tell us, is more than they did in the 17 matches prior to his arrival.

They face a Leicester side who were beaten in midweek by Everton and will be without talisman Riyad Mahrez, who has seemingly gone on strike after failing to force a move to Man City on transfer deadline day.

The Foxes have been generally good at home this season but with the Mahrez situation hanging over them and Swansea in such a rich vein of form, I'm happy to take the 9/2 on an away win.

Dan Thomas 2017-18 P/L: -£49.25

***

For individual match previews of every single Premier League game visit our dedicated Premier League section here on Betting.Betfair.

The Editors' 2017/18 Season P/L:

1. Adam Baylis +£97.35
2. Mike Norman +£19.00
3. Harry Phillips -£7.70
4. Joe Dyer -£31.25
5. Dan Thomas -£49.25

Bet 10 Get 2

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Recommended bets

Adam: Back West Brom to win v Southampton @ 2.6213/8
Mike: Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.486/4 in West Brom v Southampton
Harry: Back Everton/Draw v Arsenal at 4.1
Joe: Back Crystal Palace win/Under 3.5 goals double @ 6/4
Dan: Back Swansea to beat Leicester at 5.59/2