Well, we have a bit of a mixed bag this week when it comes to top class football action in the Premier League and also the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) Semi Finals.
We have a number of midweek games in the Premier League to enjoy, plus the second leg of one EFL Cup semi final and the first leg of another, which was delayed last week. . Then we have a full schedule of Premier League games at the weekend including a couple of huge matches in the race for the title and the top four.
That means there’s a lot to work through here, so we’ll crack on right away, suffice to say that if you are looking for top quality betting on these games then check out the bet365 Sports site and remember, even if you log in with your bet365 Poker or bet365 Games details, it is still all using the same single account.
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This Weeks Key Fixtures
Tuesday 11th January
- Southampton v Brentford (7.45pm)
Southampton have had just one defeat in their last five, drawing three of those games, while Brentford have picked up one more point over their last five despite losing twice. The Saints have been draw specialists in the Premier League this season and Brentford have picked up some useful points on the road and I think they can do so again here. Back this one to end as a draw at 12/5.
Everton were due to play Leicester on Tuesday, but the game was postponed and will be replayed at a later date.
Wednesday 12th January
- West Ham United v Norwich City (7.45pm)
After a little blip in form, West Ham have got back to winning ways in the Premier League and after a win in the cup over Leeds at the weekend, they’ll be confident of picking up three points here against a Norwich side that have lost all their last five EPL games. Go with a correct score bet here of a 3-0 win for West Ham, which is a 7/1 chance with bet365 Sport.
Carabao Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg
- Tottenham Hotspur (0) v (2) Chelsea
Goals from Kai Havertz and a Ben Davies own goal handed Chelsea a 2-0 lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week in a game that the home side dominated and will feel that they should have won more comfortably. It’s hard to see Spurs winning this game 3-0 to progress and in fact, I think this game will finish all-square, handing Chelsea a place in the final. Take the draw at 12/5.
Thursday 13th January
Carabao Cup Semi Final 1st Leg
- Liverpool v Arsenal
With Covid-19 having decimated their squad for the FA Cup game at the weekend, Liverpool may be forced to play a much weaker team for this semifinal first leg. Arsenal, now out of the FA Cup after losing to Nottingham Forest, will have renewed focus on this fixture and I think their stronger team will probably give them a real chance here over two legs. Back this one to finish as a draw at 11/4.
The second leg of this game will be played next week at the Emirates Stadium.
Friday 14th January
- Brighton v Crystal Palace (8.00pm)
The first game of Matchday 22 in the Premier League takes place on Friday night as two rivals lock horns at the AMEX Stadium. Brighton, unbeaten in their last three and with just one defeat in five, take on Crystal Palace in what should be an intriguing game. A win for Palace moves them just a point behind Brighton, a win for Brighton moves them a point behind Manchester United. This will be a very closely fought game, but I think Brighton will land the win and at even money, they are a good bet.
Saturday 15th January
- Manchester City v Chelsea (12.30pm)
The biggest game of the weekend comes at the Etihad as first takes on second in the Premier League. Nothing less than a win for Chelsea will get them back in the title race here but City are on a long run of winning form and it is hard to see them dropping points against any team at the moment. A draw is not a bad result for City, but I still feel they will be too strong here. Back Manchester City to win the game and both teams to score at 5/2.
- Burnley v Leicester City
Burnley are starting to look like a real relegation candidate at the moment due to their inability to pick up wins. They remain hard to beat but drawing games is not going to be enough. Leicester’s form has been up and down this season, but I fancy them to get the job done here against a Burnley side sorely lacking confidence. Take Leicester City to win here at 5/4.
- Newcastle United v Watford
Newcastle United need a big performance here after losing in the FA Cup to Cambridge last week. The fans deserved so much better than that and they have a chance to put that result right against a Watford side that have lost all their last five games in the Premier League. It’s time for Newcastle to start picking up wins and I am backing them to land the win at even money here.
- Norwich City v Everton
Norwich’s freefall towards the Championship has continued with five defeats in a row in the Premier League and Everton have slipped right down the table on the back of a poor run of form that leaves them 15th in the table. With just one win in five Everton badly need a win but I think that they may well get one here against the Canaries who just look out of their depth at this level this season. A 2-0 correct score win for Everton is a 9/1 chance.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton
Wolves have quietly become one of the most difficult teams to beat in the Premier League and they are now in eighth place in the table. I’d expect them to do enough to land the win against a Southampton side who have scored just 20 goals this season. The home side here are very difficult to beat and I can’t see this Saints side having the quality to do that. Take Wolves to win to nil which is a 12/5 shot with bet365.
- Aston Villa v Manchester United (5.30pm)
These two teams met in the FA Cup on Monday evening, so they will be familiar with each other by the time this game comes around. Villa have lost four of their last six EPL games, though three of those defeats have come against the top three teams. Having won at Old Trafford earlier in the season Villa will be quietly confident here, but I think that they may have to settle for a draw which is 11/4.
Sunday 16th January
- Liverpool v Brentford (2pm)
With no Salah, Mane or Keita, plus a number of players absent due to Covid, it is going to be interesting to see what team Liverpool play in what is a must-win game for them in terms of the title race. Brentford gave them problems in a 3-3 draw earlier on in the season, but at Anfield, this time it should be different. Take Liverpool to win 2-0 which is a 13/2 chance.
- West Ham v Leeds United (2pm)
A repeat of last weekend’s FA Cup tie between the two which West Ham were the victors in and in truth, I can’t see anything other than a similar kind of result being the outcome here as the Hammers are, for me, by far the better and more consistent of the two teams. Leeds have had a tough season and it is not going to improve any here. Take West Ham to win 3-1 at 12/1.
- Tottenham v Arsenal (4.30pm)
The North London derby will be a huge game in the race for a top four place and both these teams harbour ambitions to be in the Champions League again next season. Spurs have two games in hand on Arsenal and are just two points behind, so could really take the advantage with a win here and that is the outcome I see for this game. Back Tottenham to land a 2-1 win at 10/1.
