The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2018/19: Round Nine

Wolves to overpower depleted Hornets

Joe Dyer
Back Wolves to beat Watford and Under 3.5 Goals at 13/10
Saturday, 15:00

Wolves have been the gift that keeps giving this year and this looks a great opportunity to support Nuno Espirito Santo's impressive newcomers once again.

Watford have gone off the boil in dramatic fashion since Manchester United ended their four game winning start to the season and it'd be easy enough to justify the 1.79 on a straightforward Wolves win.

But I always feel compelled to search for bigger odds in the Battle so it'll be the 13/10 on a home win/under 3.5 goals double available on the Sportsbook, given Wolves haven't scored more than two goals this season. Going for under 3.5 here will give me a little insurance should Watford get an unexpected goal of their own or the home side break the norm.

Neither is particularly likely but Watford travel to the Midlands with injury doubts about Daryl Janmaat and without the suspended duo of Jose Holebas Christian Kabasele so Wolves may just show their teeth a little more than usual.

Joe Dyer 2017-18 P/L: +£73.10

Cherries' strong home form set to continue

Mike Norman
Back Bournemouth @ 2.10 to beat Southampton
Saturday, 15:00

Bournemouth currently occupy a top six berth in the table, have won three games on the spin, and just before the international break they thrashed Watford 4-0 away from home. So when I can back them at an odds-against price against a poor Southampton team then I'm not going to look this particular gift horse in the mouth.

It's also worth pointing out the Cherries' home form this season; Eddie Howe's men have played six times in league and cup in front of their own fans, winning five of them and drawing the other, scoring a total of 16 goals in the process.

Howe's tactic of playing two strikers in Josh King and Callum Wilson - who already have seven goals between them in eight games - will always pose a threat, especially to the division's lesser-lights.

And sadly that's exactly what Southampton have become, a team much more likely to be in a scrap to avoid relegation than one challenging for a top-eight finish like they were a few seasons ago. Mark Hughes' men go into this game on the back of three straight league defeats without scoring a single goal and I fancy them strongly to leave Dean Court empty-handed.

Mike Norman 2017-18 P/L: +£65.50

Chelsea to keep goals to a minimum

Jasmine Baba
Back Chelsea to Win and Under 3.5 Goals at 7/5
Saturday, 17:30

Chelsea v Manchester United is the biggest fixture of this weekend and I've decided I can pull out a bet out of it.

It shouldn't be too difficult to pick out value here; Chelsea have lost just one of their last 16Premier League home games against the Red Devils and with how Jose Mourinho's men have performed recently, it's not hard to back a winning Blues scoreline.

However, there's not enough to back that alone. Everyone knows that Manchester United can suffer a complete meltdown, especially against a well-organised team like an unbeaten Chelsea. So to add some more interest, look at the last ten head-to-head meetings between the two, across all competitions, you'll see under 3.5 goals has landed in eight of those.

If you pair that up with the fact the game is an early Saturday kick off, after an international break, there is a big chance that goals won't come easy. The 7/5 for the Chelsea win and Under 3.5 Goals is more than generous.

Jasmine Baba 2017-18 P/L: -£0.30

In-form Arsenal to make it win no.10

Harry Phillips
Back Arsenal win and Over 2.5 goals v Leicester @ evens
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Nine wins in a row and Arsenal are 'genuine title contenders', as I keep hearing...well, if you believe that take a long hard look in the mirror.

Nonetheless, I can't deny Unai Emery has got them playing exciting football. There's a swagger, a touch of panache, a sprinkling of pizzazz and barring the first against the champions, they've scored two or more goals in every competitive game this season. Alexandre Lacazette is looking like the sharpshooter they thought they'd originally acquired and even Mesut Ozil, when he's not feigning injury, is starting to find form.

Leicester on the other-hand are a picture of mediocrity, picking up nine of their 12 points from teams 16th and below, seeing them languishing mid-table. They've put up a decent fight against teams like United and Liverpool, and with the ever-shaky Arsenal defence I wouldn't be surprised to see them score, especially with James Maddison riding high on the confidence of his first England call-up.

I'm sure Arsenal will look to overrun The Foxes on the day and should have the better of them. As I say I see goals and was tempted to stretch to over 3.5, but as the discerning Betting Battle reader knows, it's a marathon not a sprint and I'm playing it safe.

Harry Phillips 2017-18 P/L: -£30.00

Everton to edge out Eagles and continue winning run

Dan Thomas
Back Everton to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at 10.00
Sunday, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Hello Correct Score market, it's been a while.

Everton are on the hunt for a third win on the bounce, after swatting aside Fulham and picking up an impressive victory at Leicester, and should have enough in the tank to overcome a Palace side with just one win in their past seven.

The Eagles haven't beaten the Toffees in their last seven encounters but I expect them to score against a side who have kept only one clean sheet all season, conceding against the likes of Rotherham and Huddersfield.

Home win and BTTS double would normally be the call at 11/4 but given my predicament in the Battle I'll take a chance on a 2-1 scoreline at a decent looking 9/1.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Joe Dyer: Back Wolves to beat Watford and Under 3.5 Goals at 13/10

Mike Norman: Back Bournemouth @ 2.10 to beat Southampton

Jasmine Baba: Back Chelsea to Win and Under 3.5 Goals at 7/5

Harry Phillips: Back Arsenal win and Over 2.5 goals v Leicester @ evens 

Dan Thomas: Back Everton to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at 10.00