EPL Matchday 25 Predictions, Picks, Odds
Toby Maxtone-Smith is back for best bets, predictions and picks for EPL Matchday 25 fixtures that begin on Saturda, February 12 and conclude on Sunday, February 13.
EVERTON VS. LEEDS
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 12
- Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
- Venue: Goodison Park
- Location: Liverpool, England
Score Prediction: Leeds 2, Everton 1
Best Bet: Leeds ML (5/2)
Everton were soundly beaten by Newcastle United in midweek and are now firmly in a relegation battle. It was Frank Lampard’s first league match in charge of the Toffees and already the pressure is on to deliver points. Leeds were involved in an excellent 3-3 draw away to Aston Villa last time out and they are less riddled with injuries than they have been for much of the season.
Everton’s best centre-back Yerry Mina misses this match with injury, and Everton have been leaky at the back all season. Leeds’ performances are on the up and they could deal a hugely damaging blow to Everton here.
WATFORD VS. BRIGHTON
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 12
- Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
- Venue: Vicarage Road
- Location: Watford, England
Score Prediction: Watford 2, Brighton 1
Best Bet: Watford DNB (17/10)
Watford were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at West Ham last time out with only a deflected long-shot separating the sides. They already look like a Roy Hodgson team and look an appealing price to get a win here. For all their excellent football Brighton have somehow only won two of their last 20 matches in 90 minutes across all competitions.
They just do not win enough to make them worth backing at 6/5 in an away league game. Watford have Ismaïla Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis back from AFCON for this game, and while keeping the draw onside, Watford look the bet at the prices.
NORWICH VS. MANCHESTER CITY
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 12
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Carrow Road
- Location: Norwich, England
Score Prediction: Manchester City 3, Norwich 0
Best Bet: Manchester City win to Nil (5/6)
Norwich are as big as 22/1 to beat Man City at Carrow Road but even at that huge price there seems little point in backing the Canaries. City are strolling towards their fourth title in five years with a nine point cushion at the top of the table. It can be hard to find good ways to back City given their dominance, but a bet on them winning this match to nil is appealing.
They won the reverse fixture 5-0 and tend to beat the bottom sides to nil (5-0 in the reverse fixture, 2-0 v Burnley, 4-0 v Newcastle, 2-0 v Brentford in midweek). They have the league’s best defence and 5/6 on an away win to nil looks fair enough.
NEWCASTLE VS. ASTON VILLA
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
- Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
- Venue: St. James' Park
- Location: Newcastle, England
Score Prediction: Newcastle 2, Aston Villa 1
Best Bet: Newcastle ML & BTS - Yes (4/1)
Newcastle are starting to turn a corner. Their 3-1 win over Everton was one of their most convincing performances under Eddie Howe and they could be involved in another entertaining match against Aston Villa. They have taken eight points from their last four games and are playing particularly well at home.
They have only failed to score twice at St James’s Park all season with the blanks coming against Manchester City and Chelsea. Villa were involved in a 3-3 draw last time out and their defensive solidity has started to unravel since Christmas. They probably do not deserve to be favorites here and the hosts can edge a high-scorer.
TOTTENHAM VS. WOLVERHAMPTON
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
- Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Location: London, England
Score Prediction: Wolves 2, Tottenham 1
Best Bet: Wolves +0.5 (5/4)
Wolves were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at Molineux on Thursday but Bruno Lage’s men do a lot of their best work away from home and they can take points away from the other half of North London on Sunday. Spurs were thoroughly outplayed by Southampton in a 3-2 loss on Wednesday night and there seems little prospect of this being anything but a struggle for Spurs.
Wolves have only conceded 17 league goals all season and have a good record away at Tottenham. Despite Antonio Conte’s reputation, Spurs look very vulnerable defensively. This looks an obvious game to oppose the favourites in.
LEICESTER VS. WEST HAM
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Venue: King Power Stadium
- Location: Leicester, England
Score Prediction: Leicester 2, West Ham 2
Best Bet: Over 2.5 (4/6)
Leicester were embarrassed 4-1 by near neighbours Nottingham Forest last weekend and followed that up with a fairly meek 2-0 loss at Liverpool on Thursday. They have drifted hugely for this match and West Ham are now 11/8 favorites for the win. That is perhaps an overreaction, as Leicester still have a lot of talent in forward areas, so a high-scorer looks the best thing to back.
Leicester are completely hopeless defensively, especially from set-pieces, and West Ham are one of the most threatening teams from dead balls in the league. But at the other end of the pitch the Foxes still have a wealth of options. It would be a surprise if this ended 0-0.
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