Everton v Cardiff, Saturday 3pm
It’s taken a while but the Toffees have begun to find their groove under Marco Silva.
Everton have won their last three consecutive home games (v Fulham 3-0, Crystal Palace 2-0 & Brighton 3-1) and have only lost once in front of the home fans, a 3-1 defeat to West Ham in September.
With games to come against Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs, Everton really need to put Cardiff away and bag a precious three points before facing off against the Prem’s top six.
A home win against Brighton has Neil Warnock’s side chasing consecutive wins in the top tier for the first time since they beat Fulham in September but their away form is going to cost them dearly.
A 0-0 draw with Huddersfield is the best they’ve managed in five away games – the other four ending in defeat.
This has home win written all over it for acca purposes but rather than bank the 4/11 on offer – we’ll go for Everton to be winning at half time and full time at evens.
Verdict: Everton/Everton @ Evens
Fulham v Southampton, Saturday 3pm
Claudio’s back!
And Fulham will be hoping for a new manager bounce, having appointed the former Leicester City coach in place of Slavisa Jokanovic on November 14th. Whether or not they get it is another question.
Frankly, both these sides have been abysmal so far this season. Fulham have five points from a possible 24, and Southampton aren’t much better with eight. The Cottagers haven’t won a league game since the first day of the season, an impressive three-month dry-spell. The Saints, meanwhile, are a mere eight matches without a win since they vanquished Crystal Palace on September 1st.
A draw therefore seems a likelihood, especially with Southampton having managed three of them in their last five games. But we’re wary of that sweet sweet Ranieri impact, so we’re hedging it here. Fulham & Draw on the Double Chance fits the ball, even though the price is tight at 2/5. Still, as part of an acca, we’ll take a short-term hit for a bit more overall value.
Verdict: Fulham & Draw Double Chance @2/5
Watford v Liverpool, Saturday 3pm
We’re not going to win any awards for tipping Liverpool to beat Watford, but that’s exactly what we’ll be doing.
The Reds are second and undefeated in the Premier League in 2018-19, while Watford’s form has been a little iffy this month, having drawn against a rubbish Southampton side and lost to a slightly-less-but-still-rubbish Newcastle so far in November.
Liverpool, for their part, have won three of their last five matches, with the other two being admirable draws away to Arsenal and at home to Man City.
Gone is the swashbuckle of last year, but Jurgen Klopp’s team have been exceptionally efficient this season.
All things considered, we’d be surprised if Liverpool failed to emerge victorious here, despite being on the road. Even if it’s only be a single goal, you’d have to imagine the Merseysiders will get the job done. And since we’re backing an acca, we’re not ashamed of taking the price.
Verdict: Liverpool to win @ 8/15
West Ham v Manchester City, Saturday 3pm
It’s usually a goal-fest when these sides meet – and it’s all in City’s favour.
The Cityzens have scored four goals in their last two visits to the London Stadium but face Manuel Pellegrini and a Hammers side looking for consecutive home wins for the first time since December 2016.
With David Silva on fire in midfield and Sergio Aguero banging in goals up top, City are 20 points clear of the Hammers and it would be a major surprise if the Londoners can put a halt to their gallop this week.
At 2/9 we won’t be getting rich backing City to win but given the ease in which they’ve controlled this fixture for the past couple of seasons, we can see their overwhelming fire power being too much for the Hammers.
Verdict: Man City (-1) @ 8/13
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