EPL Preview 5-8-21

Leeds United v. Tottenham

Leeds United are looking to finish their return Premier League season in strong fashion. The Whites have secured safety from the drop, something their fellow promoted squads can not say, and are not looking to take down a top-6 club in Tottenham. Leeds lost last time out to Brighton & Hove Albion by a score of 2-0 but they were unbeaten in 6 straight prior to that defeat. Tottenham whimpered out of the Europa League quite some time ago and their sole focus is now on finding a way to European qualification spots in the table. Spurs are under new management after the sacking of Jose Mourinho and that has allowed them to play a more free style of football. We know that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds will play aggressive but that should open up opportunities for a Spurs team with fantastic forward play.

The Bet: Both Teams to Score

Alternate Bet: Over 2.5 Total Goals

Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Tottenham

Sheffield United v. Crystal Palace

This is a dull and dreadful match. Sheffield were the first team to be relegated this season and have been awful from kickoff in matchweek one. The Blades have only won 5 total games on the season and somehow one of those was recently against Brighton & Hove Albion. Crystal Palace are one of the more disappointing teams this season. No one expected them to do much but Palace are normally a mid-table obscure team and not one that has to fight to the end to avoid relegation, yet here we are. Their manager is a dinosaur and is likely to retire at the end of the season meaning the players have little to play for. This game will be about as boring as every pundit expects it to be.

The Bet: Under 2.5 Total Goals

Prediction: Sheffield 0-0 Crystal Palace

Manchester City v. Chelsea

Now this is a football match. First and foremost this game is a preview of the upcoming Champions League Final. Both of these two teams secured 2-0 wins during the week to knock out their Semi-Final opponents and set-up the all English final. Manchester City are Premier League Champions elect and are just waiting for the math to say it is final. A win here would secure Man City the 3 points needed to bring the title back to the blue side of Manchester. Chelsea might be in the Champions League final this year but they are still battling for Champions League places for next season. Both of these teams are flying under great managers who have found the secret formula to unlock both the potential of their starters and their high priced bench players.

The Bet: Game to End in a Draw

Alternate Bet: Chelsea to Win on the Draw No Bet Line

Prediction: Man City 1-1 Chelsea

Liverpool v. Southampton 

The final match of the opening weekend games features two squads who’s football directors know each other well. Liverpool have siphoned multiple players away from Southampton in the build up to winning the league last year but now Liverpool is far more focused with securing a top-4 finish. The Reds are slightly behind the pace for Champions League spots and while they are unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 games they have drawn 2 in a row in league play. Southampton has seen their season fall off the rails the past month or so. The Saints had such a promising start to the campaign before some brutal red cards led to ugly score lines and all morale was lost. Southampton has lost 3 of their past 5 games but their play has been better in each of the last 2 matches. I expect Liverpool to win this game but I would not be surprised if it was close late in the game.

The Bet: Southampton to Cover 2 Goals

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton 

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Transfer of the Week: Heung-min Son, W, Tottenham

Heung-min Son has been one of the best players in the Premier League all year but at the end of Mourinho’s tenure he was starting to look a bit shaky. Since Mourinhos' sacking, Son has come all the way back. The dynamic winger is fresh off a game with 1 goal and 1 assist and he registered a goal in the game before that one too. He is high priced but worth every penny compared to the other expensive midfield options in the fantasy marketplace. 

Rest of World Round-Up:

Bundesliga:

Borussia Dortmund v. RB Leipzig

This is a massive match in German football. Dortmund is currently 5th in the Bundesliga and off the pace for Champions League spots which would be a huge disappointment for Germany’s second best club team. Leipzig had some title hopes for a second there but Bayern Munich have started to pull away again and are likely to clinch top spot while RB falls to #2. Dortmund is favored, and rightfully so, but BVB is also dealing with injury problems and if Erling Haaland is not fit then this win could slip from their grasp.

The Bet: Game to End in a Draw

Prediction: Dortmund 1-1 Leipzig

LaLiga:

Barcelona v. Atletico Madrid

This game is even more massive than the Bundesliga game mentioned above. One might even say the LaLiga title is in the balance in Catalonia. Barcelona enter this game 3rd in the league but only 2 points behind Atletico Madrid with both team arch rivals, Real Madrid, in between. Barcelona have come on strong since being eliminated from the Champions League and a big reason is the unreal play from the world's foremost superstar soccer player, Lionel Messi, who has 5 goals in his last 4 league games. Atletico Madrid have led LaLiga most of the year but are in danger of bottling away the title late. Atleti barely won 1-0 against Elche last time out and before that they lost to Bilbao 2-1. I do not think Atleti stand a chance to win this game on the road at Camp Nou but I also think their manager, Diego Simeone, knows this too and will come out playing for the draw with a defensive system built to stop Messi and company.

The Bet: Game to End in a Draw

Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid