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It appears we are getting the hang of this
In the first week of our JOE Group Bet we got one out of four predictions correct; it wasn’t a great start. In the second week that increased to three out of four, an undeniable improvement regardless of how you look at it.
This week we’re looking at the midweek Premier League games as we aim to get 4/4 for the first time.
A weekly reminder that we are using Sky Bet’s new Group Bet feature, in which we are combining four of our football brains – Si, Matt, Reuben and Wayne – in the JOE Sky Bet Group Bet league.
N.B. Odds are correct at the time of publication.
Fan Boy – Reuben: Crystal Palace to beat Southampton – 21/10
After our (Palace’s) impressive showing against Liverpool on January 19, I am confident of our chances against the Saints. They have admittedly been in good form (four Premier League wins) since Ralph Hasenhuttl took over, but Roy Hodgson has guided us to two wins in our last three Premier League away games. In terms of the table there is just goal difference separating us, and I think that we can get one over on the Saints on Wednesday.
Captain Obvious – Wayne: Chelsea to beat Bournemouth – 4/6
Not very imaginative but to be fair, I’m called Captain Obvious this week for a reason. Since Bournemouth were promoted to the Premier League in 2015, they and Chelsea have faced each other on seven occasions. The Cherries have won twice and Chelsea have won five times. Pertinently, both of Bournemouth’s wins have come at Stamford Bridge, while they have struggled against the Blues at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth are off the back of a win against West Ham, while Chelsea did recently lose to Arsenal, but I believe Sarri’s side will win this one, especially if new striker Gonzalo Higuain features.
Dark Horse – Matt: Over 2.5 goals in Tottenham Hotspur vs Watford – 8/11
Tottenham Hotspur have three wins in their last five Premier League games, while Watford have just one win in the same period. I personally struggle to see how Watford are going to get anything meaningful – such as points – from this game, but given the fact that those two Spurs defeats came at home, to Wolves and Manchester United respectively, I can see Watford at least getting a goal here. The Hornets have scored at least two goals in each of their last four Premier League away games, and while Spurs are favourites to win, I think Javi Gracia’s side will get at least one here.
The Stat Man – Si: BTTS in Liverpool vs Leicester City – Evens
Out of Liverpool and Leicester City’s last nine Premier League, there have been just two which featured clean sheets for either side, and the most recent of those was almost three years ago (February 2, 2016). The Foxes are, at the moment, going through something of a mixed period. They are one of just two sides in the league with a goal difference of zero and it is rather reflective of the one step forward, one step back manner in which their season has gone. Liverpool meanwhile, are flying at the top of the league, but while they have four wins out of their last five, their 4-3 victory over Palace recently indicated that the defensive frailties which blighted them for so long will, occasionally at least, rare their head from time to time. As such, I strongly believe that this one will have lots of goals from both sides.
Think we know nothing and want to pit your wits against the Football JOE group? Click here to add our selections to your betslip. You can then add your own selection(s), remove our selections (why would you do that?!), and choose your own stake.
