“Study the past if you would devine the future” – Confucius
Confucius probably wasn’t taking about looking for compelling football stats to help with his weekend betting but we can’t be absolutely sure.
After a week of pouring over this weekend’s games and all related stats we came up with five particularly compelling stats which look like they could be money=makers. Then we put them together in the slick video below for ease of consumption.
Rafa Benitez will be in for a warm reception from the Liverpool fans when he returns to Anfield with Newcastle. The Reds’ excellent current form will have the home fans in a generous mood pre-game. Especially as they’ll be expecting a fifth straight win. Seeing as Newcastle haven’t tasted victory on the Red side of Merseyside since 1994 you have to back them to get it.
Arsenal fans were noticeably subdued midweek despite their team beating West Brom 2-0. Still sore about squandering their chance at the Premier League title a failure to beat Sunderland could provoke some booing from the travelling supporters, or at least some audible grumbling. The good news is that Arsenal have won five of the last six meetings and all by at least two goals. Three points and a decent profit are on offer if they do it against a desperate Sunderland.
After a minor mid-season slump Harry Kane is back banging in the goals with nine in his last nine games for club and country. If Spurs do win the title this man’s goals will be an important factor in the coming weeks. He’s odds-on to score anytime, at home against a West Brom side riding a three game losing streak. Straight in your acca.
Sergio Aguero is benefiting from to return to the team of Kevin De Bruyne. The striker has six goals in twelve games without the Belgian but has sixteen in fourteen games when he’s on the pitch. City can’t afford to drop too many more points and this pair will be crucial to them finishing in the top four. Stoke look like they’re done for the season and Aguero is another near cert for your accas. De Bruyne has nineteen goals in forty-five games himself by the way.
The less said about the Merseyside Derby the better as far as Everton are concerned. Roberto Martinez is clinging to his job as his side continue to struggle in the league. His saving grace is the FA Cup where Everton have been flawless. Four games, four clean sheets and at least two goals scored in each game. Manchester United, though largely solid, don’t possess the attacking movement of Liverpool and Southampton so Everton shouldn’t look as disastrous at the back. United are beatable and both Martinez and Everton desperately need this. If the players respond positively Everton to win in ninety minutes will be worth a solid single bet.