Bournemouth v Chelsea – 7.45pm
Sarri’s kick up the a*se for squad’s recent efforts seemed to have the desired effect last Thursday night when Chelsea battled back from a 1-0 first leg deficit to dump Spurs from yet another cup.
They dispatched championship opposition from the FA Cup at the weekend with ease, 3-0 seeing Sheffield Wednesday written oout of this season’s cup script. Now they head to the Vitality Stadium looking appropriately revitalised and will be expecting to pick up three points after their knock-out exploits.
The Cherries’ outlook is rosier too ahead of this game after they got a win in their last league game to end a a run of four defeats and a draw in five.
Not that things haven’t been exciting for those attending Bournemouth’s home games this season. Only the Etihad Stadium has seen more goals this campaign going into this midweek round of fixture, and we’d expect goals to flow again in this one, though mainly for the visitors. Chelsea to win is 8/13.
Tottenham v Watford – 8pm
It’s been a rough few weeks for Poch’s plans of Premier League domination. Injuries have stripped his squad of several stars, and when it’s not been a knock or niggle, international football has popped its untimely head up sweep away Son Heung-min,.
Fortunately, he’s back for this game – with Harry Kane and Dele Alli both missing, they need any help they can get up front. There are rumours swirling about potential deals to bolster the squad too – and Vincent Janssen’s rumoured to be on his way out, which should add at least a tenner to their winter transfer budget.
If Watford could take advantage of Tottenham’s tottering state – knocked out of both cups in the last week – they’d become the first team since the 2015-16 season from outside the top six to do the double over one of that select group, having battered Spurs with the brutish force of Troy Deeney back in September’s 2-1 win at Vicarage Road.
Javi Gracia’s side have climbed to seventh spot with their four-game unbeaten league run, and have sandwiched two FA Cup wins in between those games, so there’s a bit of a buzz about the Hornets right now. Wahey!
Spurs have gone 27 league games without a draw. Another win or loss would equal Bolton’s Premier League drawless record. Son’s return, along with Moussa Sissoko’s, gives the team a desperately needed boost, but you wouldn’t really trust them still. Both teams to score looks the best bet here at 3/4 with Watford in good form and spurs needing a result to keep pace with the leaders.
Back Both Teams to Score: Yes @ 3/4
Liverpool v Leicester – 8pm
Leicester’s excursions to Anfield haven’t been very fruitful in recent times. ‘Pretty fu*kin dire’ is a better way to describe them. Of their last seven visits, they’ve lost six and drawn one. Marry that with Liverpool’s impressive home stats (unbeaten in their last 32, haven’t lost any of their 19 home midweek games in the Premier League), throw in the Foxes current form (4 defeats in 5 games) and the result pretty much picks itself – Liverpool to win.
But, at 2/9, that’s not really a tip is it? So let’s see where the value is. Liverpool sit top of the table by way of banging in some goals obviously but also keeping their sheets clean at the other end. But that just hasn’t been the case of late.
One clean sheet in five is probably due to defensive injuries and even a hapless Palace found the net three times against them in their last league outing.
While Wes Morgan is doing what he does best at the back – conceding – Jamie Vardy and the boys up front have actually been doing an ok job. Leicester have netted 24 times in the last 27 league away games which isn’t bad at all.
With that in mind, we think the bet of Liverpool to win and both teams to score is a worthy one at 15/8.
Back Liverpool and both teams to score @ 15/8