Although we will not see a full slate of games over the weekend, as some have been postponed due to the FA Cup, the English Premier League round 28 will still showcase several interesting matchups. In fact, there will be a total of 5 matches to be played. The round 28 has already kicked off with the Stoke City stealing a huge point at the Etihad against Manchester City on Wednesday. With that game already being covered on our site, we will turn our focus for the Saturday schedule and take a closer look on the three remaining games played:
EVERTON vs. WEST BROMWICH ALBION
3-Way: 1: -143 Home ; X: +300 Draw ; 2: +520 Away
Spread: Everton -0.5 -143 ; WBA +0.5 +139
Total 2.5: Over +112 ; Under -116
We start out Saturday match previews with the duel between the 7th ranked Everton and the 8th ranked West Bromwich Albion. Both teams are going into this game after suffering a loss in the last round and will fight a tough battle to win some points on Saturday at the Goodison Park. The battle for points will not only be fought on the pitch, but in the locker room as well, considering that these two teams are led by some of the most intelligent managers in English Premier League.
Everton’s manager, Ronald Koeman, is often seen as the rightful heir to Arsene Wenger, once the Frenchman decides to leave the Gunners. However, the most recent reports link Koeman with the job at his former team, Barcelona. The rumors became louder after Luis Enrique announced that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season. Anyways, Everton is having a very solid season so far having won a total of 44 points. Over their last 5 games, Everton has won 2, lost 1 and drawn 2 games. In their most recent match, the Toffees have suffered a 3:2 loss to Tottenham on the road. Against the next opponent, the WBA, Everton has won 10 points in the last 5 meetings (3W, 1D, 1L). Important to note is that Everton has not defeated WBA at home in the last three games, with the last home win dating back to January 30th, 2013.
The WBA manager, Toni Pulis is known for being one of the best strategists in the league and it’s fair to say that without him in charge, WBA would probably not be sitting so high on the table. Currently, they’re holding the 8th spot, with just 4 points behind Everton. West Bromwich Albion will visit the Goodison Park after suffering a blow to Crystal Palace at home (0:2). Prior to this upset, WBA has not been defeated over a stretch of five straight games (3W and 2D). However, West Bromwich Albion can keep up high hopes for Saturday, considering that their last trip to Goodison Park was a total success as they won all three points with a 0:1 win.
I am expecting a tough battle on the pitch. The hosts are a slight favorite to win this game, but keep in mind that WBA has lost only 1 out of their last 4 away games. With all being said, I expect both teams to tighten their defenses and play a very cautious game upfront, creating their attacks slowly and waiting for the opponent’s mistake to possibly create some scoring chances. Therefore, I am picking the Under 2.5 goals scored!!!
My Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-116)
HULL CITY vs. SWANSEA CITY
3-Way: 1: +154 Home ; X: +240 Draw ; 2: +220 Away
Spread: Hull 0 -123 ; WBA 0 +125
Total 2.5: Over +114 ; Under -116
The Hull City vs the Swansea City matchup is probably the most interesting game on Saturday because it will showcase a battle between two teams who are fighting to stay away from the relegation zone and to keep their English Premier League Status for next season as well.
Hull City managed to win a point at Old Trafford against Man. United (0:0) and defeat Liverpool with 2:0 couple of weeks ago at home. With the 4 points collected, the fans thought that their team is set to go for a run and leave the relegation zone for good. However, The Tigers slipped right back into the sinkhole with a 2:0 blow on the road against Arsenal, while winning only 1 point at home the following week in the matchup with Burnley. Their latest slip came over the past weekend, when the Tigers felt the emerging power of the Foxes, who trashed the Tigers with a 3:1 home win. After 27 rounds, the Tigers now hold the 19th spot on the EPL standings with 4 points short from the safe zone. Reason to hope that this weekend the Tigers can win some points is the fact that Hull City has already defeated their next opponent on two occasions this season (2:0 in the FA Cup and 2:0 in the EPL away).
The Swansea City (8W, 3D, 16L) on the other side are going into this weekend’s matchup having won 4 of their last 6 games (4W and 2L). The most important win of the last 4, probably came when the Swans visited the Liverpool Reds and celebrated a 2:3 victory. Ever since, the Swans have taken down Southampton (2:1 at home), Leicester City (2:0 at home) and Burnley (3:2 at home), while coming up short against Manchester City (1:2 away) and Chelsea (3:1 away). Important for the Swans is the fact that over the past 6 games, they have averaged 2 goals per game, scoring at least 1 goal in each of their last 6 games. The Swans leading scorer is Fernando Llorente, who has scored 3 goals in the last two games, now counting a total of 11 EPL goals in the 2016/2017 season.
The Tigers and the Swans are combining for the most conceded goals this season with Hull City having conceded a total of 53 goals and Swansea allowing 59 goals. With such poor defense of both teams, I am going with the Over 2.5 goals which is offered at +114!!!
My Pick: Over 2.5 goals (+114)
BOURNEMOUTH vs. WEST HAM UNITED
3-Way: 1: +163 Home ; X: +254 Draw ; 2: +188 Away
Spread: Bournemouth 0 -110 ; West Ham 0 +106
Total 2.5: Over -128 ; Under +121
Wrapping up the light Saturday afternoon EPL Round 28 slate, is the matchup between Bournemouth FC who will host West Ham United at the Vitality Stadium. Both teams are going into this contest hoping to win all three points, something that they have not done for a while. The last time these two met was back in August 2016, when the Hammers celebrated a 1:0 win at home.
The Cherries (7W, 6D, 14L) have collected a total of 27 points and are as of right now in the safety zone being ranked at No.14 of the English Premier League standings. However, the fans are starting to worry as their team continues to slip further down towards the relegation zone going winless over the last 8 EPL games (3D and 5L). The Cherries last came up victories back on December 31st, when they defeated the Swansea City with 3:0 away. In their most recent feature, Bournemouth has managed to steal a huge point at the Old Trafford going 1:1 against the Manchester United. The lone goal scored in the match came from Joshua King in the 40th minute of the match from the penalty spot. King is the team’s leading goal scorer with 8 EPL goals. The Cherries are the third worst team of the EPL in goals conceded with 52 goals.
The Hammers are holding the 11th spot of the English Premier League standings with 33 points collected over the 27 rounds (9W, 6D and 12 L). Looking at their past matches, it is noticeable that the Hammers are performing well and winning points against the teams out of the European Cups rankings, while failing to win points against the top teams. On that note, the Hammers came up short in their last home game, suffering a 1:2 loss to the top ranked Chelsea FC. Prior to this loss, the Hammers suffered home losses to Manchester City (0:4) and Manchester United (0:2). However, against the Bournemouth, the Hammers hold a very positive record, winning 4 of their last 5 meetings. The last time West Ham visited the Vitality Stadium, they celebrated a 3:1 victory, which is something they are hoping to repeat this weekend again.
Although this could be a set draw match, I expect a lot of goals and both teams to score. The home side is giving up a lot of goals (1.9 goals per game) and I think this trend could continue as the Hammers have scored 2.5 goals in their last two visits to the Vitality Stadium. Therefore I am going with the Over 2.5 goals in this one as well!!!
My Pick: Over 2.5 goals (-128)
