Let’s take a look at this weekend’s Premier League games and explore some betting options. In particular, we focus on the corner betting and goal betting markets.
Sat 13 December
15:00 Kick-offs
Burnley v Southampton
Burnley are struggling near the foot of the Barclays Premier League table and are just 2 point above Leicester. This weekend they welcome Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Southampton to Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche’s team have the lowest home goal strike rate in the league with an average of just 0.8 per game and have conceded an average of 1.4 per game. The Saints have managed an average of 1 goal per game on the road while conceding and average of 0.9. These stats push this game into contention for the under 2.5 goal category.
Burnley are also in the bottom 3 when it comes to winning corners at home with an average of just 4 corners won per game. However, they only concede an average of 4 per home game as well. Southampton on the other hand, win an average of 5.7 corners on the road but that total may be tough to achieve against Burnley. Even if they do, this game should still finish with under 10.5 corners.
The home side also have the distinction of leading the yellow card table when playing at home and could be a good bet to receive the first booking.
Chelsea v Hull
League leaders Chelsea are also top of the home goal scoring table having managed to score an average of 2.6 goals per game at Stamford Bridge. This weekend they play host to Steve Bruce’s struggling Hull city team. Hull have only managed to net 0.9 goals per away game on average but with Chelsea’s home record, this game should still finish with over 2.5 goals.
Only Arsenal win more corners at home than Jose Mourinho’s side who win an average of 7.9 per game. Hull do not win many corners on the road – with a record of just 3 per game – but that should not stop this game finishing with over 10.5 corners.
Crystal Palace v Stoke
In this clash at Selhurst Park, the stats point to an average goal and corner count. The only stand out figures are Crystal Palace’s very low bookings total, which stands at just one yellow card per home game; and Stoke’s high away bookings total of 2.9 yellows per game. As a result, Stoke should be favourites to be booked first and to receive the most yellow cards.
Leicester v Man City
Bottom of the table Leicester City will entertain second-placed Manchester City on Saturday in what promises to be a goal-laden game. The Foxes home games have averaged 3.3 total goals per game with the Nigel Pearson’s side managing a decent ratio of 1.6 goals per game and 1.7 going to the opposition.
Manchester City’s away games have averaged a huge total of 3.6 goals per game with the Blues managing to score an average of 2.5 per match. On paper, this game looks like a hot pick in the over 2.5 goals market.
Sunderland v West Ham
A well-earned draw against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, kept Sunderland clear of the relegation zone. This weekend the Black Cats welcome fourth-placed West Ham to the Stadium of Light.
Gus Poyet’s team are not big goal scorers at home with an average ratio of just a goal per game. However, Sam Allardyce’s side are on a roll this season and have managed to score an impressive average of 2 goals per game on the road. Overall, Sunderland’s home games have averaged just under the 2.5 benchmark at 2.4 total goals per game while the Hammer’s away games have contained 3.6 goals on average. As a result, this game is likely to finish with more than 2.5 goals.
West Brom v Aston Villa
The Baggies have not won at home since September and have lost their last three games at the Hawthorns. Villa notched up their third away win of the season on their latest road trip to Crystal Palace and are now unbeaten in 5 after a overcoming a run of 6 defeats. On current form, this looks like a candidate for a narrow away win.
17:30 kick-off
Arsenal v Newcastle
Arsene Wenger’s team may only be sixth in the league but they are top of the table when it comes to corners. The Gunners are the masters at winning corners with a huge average of 10.3 corners won per game. However, they are also the second meanest at conceding corners with a slim ratio of just 3 corners against them per home game. Newcastle only manage win an average of 4.5 corners per away game but even if Arsenal restrict them to 3, this game should still finish with over 10.5 corners.
Sun 14 December
13:30 Kick-off
Manchester United v Liverpool
Its derby day at Old Trafford on Sunday as Louis Van Gaal’s United team look to build on their recent revival in form against a Liverpool side that still appears to be short on confidence after a stuttering start in the league.
At first glance, Liverpool’s poor record at winning corners away from home makes this game a contender for the under 10.5 corners market. Brendan Rodgers’ side has won an average of just 3.7 corners per away game while United have a ratio of 6.1 per home game. Across all games at Old Trafford this season, the average corner count has been 9.9. However, the frantic nature of this fixture could affect any decision to be purely subjective about corners stats when betting on this game.
The home side have a very respectable scoring average of 2.0 goals per home game while Liverpool have managed a surprising 1.7 goals per away game. Combine this with the fact that 10 out the last 13 Premier League meetings between the sides have finished with over 2.5 goals and this game also looks like one to back in that particular market.
16:00 Kick-off
Swansea v Spurs
The Liberty Stadium has seen fewer corners than any other Premier League venue this season and Swansea have won fewer corners at home than any other side. Garry Monk’s team average just 3.5 corners per game and have restricted their opponents to a fairly average 4.4 per match. Spurs have managed to win an average of 6.1 corners on the road this season and even if they manage that this weekend, this game should still finish with under 10.5 corners.
Mon 15 December
20:00 Kick-off
Everton v QPR
More goals have been scored at Goodison Park than at any other venue this season with an average of 3.7 per game. Those stats make this game seem like a sure-fire candidate in the over 2.5 goals market. However, QPR have scored less goals away from home than any other team this season and the goal count at Goodison has been steadily declining in recent games.
A better option may be to explore the corner market. Everton win an average of 5.9 corners per home game while conceding just 2.7 making a total average of 8.6 per game. Their opponents from London have only managed an average of 3.7 corners per away game so this match should finish in the under 10.5 corners zone.