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Manchester City v. West Ham United
Manchester City are the best club football team in the world at the moment. They have won 19 straight games in all competitions and are massive favorites to win the league. West Ham United, on the other hand, are the biggest Cinderella storyline in the Premier League this season. After battling relegation last season the Hammers are contending for Top 4 and Champions League football next season. The name recognition in this matchup and Man City’s form has them as massive favorites but West Ham is better than the casual fan realizes. City will still come out on top but closer than the lines in Vegas would indicate.
The Bet: West Ham to Cover 1.5 Goals
Prediction: Man City 2-1 West Ham
West Bromwich Albion v. Brighton and Hove Albion
West Bromwich Albion have drawn their last two matchups including a shocker of points sharing against Manchester United. Recent results aside, this is still a poor team that is all but guaranteed to be sent back down to the 2nd division next year. Brighton and Hove Albion were absolutely gutted by a smash and grab last time out at the hands of Crystal Palace. Brighton are brilliant at controlling the game but pathetic at finishing chances. Angered by the loss to Palace, Brighton is sure to come out firing and secure the win against West Brom but their threat to bottle 3 points away always looms large.
The Bet: Brighton to Win on the Draw No Bet line
Prediction: West Brom 0-1 Brighton
Leeds United v. Aston Villa
This is a sneaky good matchup between two teams that play flowing attacking football. Leeds United will not hesitate to attack, even if it opens up their back line, and with the form of Bamford and Raphinha they are sure to have goals in them. Aston Villa, much like West Ham, battled relegation last year but have played far better this season. Recent form has seen them slip down the table but with games in hand they can still reach Europa League qualification if they start to secure a few more wins. Lacking club captain and top player Jack Grealish will hurt their chances against Bielsa’s Leeds squad but Ollie Watkins upfront at center forward always poses a threat.
The Bet: Both Teams to Score
Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United v. Wolverhampton
Newcastle United is a pathetic football club at the moment. They play boring, old school football and consistently fail to get results. Every week sees them slip closer to relegation while their manager, Steve Bruce, simply laughs off the concerns from a die hard fanbase. Without Callum Wilson upfront, Newcastle is struggling to find goals and their only savior at the moment is talented young French winger, Allan Saint-Maximin. Wolverhampton have struggled ever since star striker Raul Jimenez got a brutal head injury that left him with a fractured skull. While he has returned to training he is still nowhere near returning to live action. Wolves will have to fight for their goals against a Newcastle side that will be trying harder to not lose than they will in attempting to win.
The Bet: Game to End in a Draw
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Wolverhampton
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Transfer of the Week: Raphinha, W/CAM/CM, Leeds United
The technically gifted Brazilian winger and attacking midfielder has had an unbelievable season thus far and is heating up again. He has more than 5 fantasy points in 6 out of the last 7 games and goal contributions in 5 of the last 6 matches. At $5.4 he is a relatively cheap midfield player who is guaranteed to start in the form he is in right now. Transfer him in and add him to your starting lineup and get in on the Raphinha show before you miss out.
