Premier League 19/20 MatchDay 8: Brendan Rodgers Returns To Anfield With A Vardy Party, And Farewell Poch?

SOAK THIS WEEKEND IN BECAUSE THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK IS UPON US AND WAG GIVE YOU EVERY PREMIER LEAGUE GAME PREVIEW & PREDICTION AFTER GOING 5-5 ON MATCHDAY 7. CONFIDENCE IS KEY.

Breaking News! Liverpool did not cover the Over for the first time this Premier League season. Does that mean we are going to stop betting the Over? Life is too short to bet the Under. The Over is still beating the Under this season by cashing in 6 more games (38-32). My all-time favorite club, Everton, held their ground for 24 minutes before Manchester City took over in the second half. Wolves have claimed not to be the worst team in the Premier League beating the worst team in the Premier League of Watford. Leicester City continue to ride the Vardy Party and did Tottenham actually win a game? Manchester United played decent football against Arsenal, but Aubameyang was too quick for Harry McGuire to catch the striker offsides scoring the tying goal.

Although we don’t have a top-six matchup before the international break, I’m going to switch it up a little in this article. I’ve stopped betting the draws and it has bitten me in the ass ever since. Betting the money line on teams that draw is worse heartbreak than losing in the 90th minute. We all have different feelings. So I’m betting the over and under in all these games to set my mind right. A confidence booster if you will.

Brighton vs. Tottenham

PREVIEW
The north Londoners travel to the coast to play an injured Brighton team who played a 3-5-2 formations (essentially an 8-2 formation) that saw midfielders assist the backline. A 2-0 loss to Chelsea is something to be proud of for the Seagulls as they were battered with 24 shots (10 on target). This could be the game that decides Pochettino’s fate. I do not mean in the literal sense, but President Daniel Levy will make concrete calls if the Spurs don’t come out of Brighton with a confident result. Their clash with Southampton did give Pochettino extra lives as the Spurs played with 10 men for 59 minutes. Southampton was the better team, but would they have been without the dismissal of Aurier?

KEY STATS

  • Brighton are winless in all PL matches vs. Spurs
  • Brighton never led against Spurs
  • Brighton lost 1 of last 19 October games (Arsenal 2017)

PREDICTION
I’m not going to lie my degenerate friends, but that October stat just put my brain in a blender. Brighton only lost 1 game in October? They have to be the kings of October! The line has the Under 2.5 goals at +102 which leads me to ask if anybody has seen previous results from Brighton and Tottenham? In the previous five matches, three goals have been scored only once between Brighton and the Spurs. Which means you should HAMMER the Under.

Norwich City vs. Aston Villa

PREVIEW
Previous Championship sides Norwich and Aston Villa clash for their eighth fixture of the Premier League season. Norwich City suffered a tough defeat away at Crystal Palace losing 2-0. Although Norwich was the better team, Palace proved to be resilient and deserved the win. Aston Villa played a cracker of a match against Burnley defending their home turf 2-2. Villa had much more control of the game but lacked offensive awareness and efficiency making Burnley’s keeper Pope look like a God. Pun intended. Either way, Norwich is a better team based on previous results.

KEY STATS

  • Norwich lost last 3 matches vs. Norwich
  • Norwich lost 1 of 13 home games in 2019
  • Aston Villa lost last 10 away games in the PL

PREDICTION
I’m a really big fan of Norwich and their striker Pukki. The Canaries are a team you can not hate on and if you do, you must be from Ipswich. They stole the hearts of Premier League fans with their win against Manchester City. But Aston Villa seeks revenge after losing three straight matches against Norwich. I know I said I’m not betting any Money Lines this weekend, but Norwich will show Villa why they belong in the Top-flight.

Watford vs. Sheffield United

PREVIEW
Sheffield United travel to Watford after their impressive performance against a strong Liverpool team. Liverpool was the more dominant team passing the ball 400+ more times around the Blades, but a lack of concentration from Henderson saw Wijnaldum’s shot trickle into the net. A great keeper performance from Henderson only to be hindered by soft hands. Watford suffered a loss to bottom neighbors Wolves 2-0 as Watford are now four points away from being ‘safe’. Watford is still searching for their first victory of the season, and that loss to the Wolves is just another mental hurdle Watford will have to overcome.

KEY STATS

  • Sheffield look for back-to-back PL away wins since 2006 (vs. Watford)
  • Watford conceded 1 goal in last 19 PL games
  • Sheffield hit the Under games consecutively

PREDICTION
Watford’s performance is the disappointing story of the year in this Premier League season. They were right up with the Wolves fighting for the Europa qualifying spot before they lost their last three matches ending the season in eleventh. That momentum continues to savage Watford throughout their first seven games of this season, and it will happen in this game too. Sheffield was shut out in three of the last four games. But this streak will break!

Burnley vs. Everton

PREVIEW
Burnley is now three consecutive games unbeaten in the Premier League as Everton try and break that streak after suffering a loss to the Cityzens of Manchester. Burnley kept playing catch-up against Villa as they were not leaving Birmingham without a point. Chris Wood sealed the point for Burnley scoring two minutes after a, thought to be, the winner from John McGinn. Everton couldn’t do much against Manchester City as the Toffees were just another team to have the privilege to take the same field against Gods. Although it was a thrilling first half, City took control in the final 20 minutes of the match, winning 3-1.

KEY STATS

  • Burnley scored 4 more goals than Everton this PL season
  • Burnley vs. Everton has never ended in a draw
  • Everton won 5-1 last season, but never won consecutively at Turf Moor since 1970

PREDICTION
Gathering all the statistics, recognizing the team’s forms, and the progression of the 19/20 season so far I have to go with Burnley in this matchup. I’m not locking in the money line bet because Burnley’s unbeaten streak is against Villa, Norwich, and Brighton. I like Burnley so much that I will probably bet the Everton money line. Sometimes you have to let go of what you love. But the Over is looking mighty juicy!

PREVIEW
Brendan Rodgers makes his return to Liverpool as he faces his former side with a strong Leicester City team that look to wreak havoc in the fortress known as Anfield. Liverpool’s maturity boosted right up after grinding out a victory against Sheffield United, even though luck played a big role in Wijnaldum’s goal, but that type of bullshit makes champions. Leicester put on a beat down against Newcastle after they knew the frustration us fans were dealing with as the Premier League only scheduled one game on a Sunday, the Foxes felt to score the number of goals that we would have seen at other fixtures if they were scheduled. Leicester City are the people’s team and I’m all in, possibly jeopardizing my Everton fan hood.

KEY STATS

  • Liverpool are on a 16 game winning streak
  • Liverpool are unbeaten in last 43 home PL games
  • Since Rodger became Leicester Manager, only Liverpool and Manchester City have more points than Leicester.

PREDICTION
There is no way Liverpool can lose at home. There is the possibility of a high scoring tie in this fixture, but Liverpool is not getting beat at Anfield for a very long time. 43 games unbeaten is a ridiculous statistic that Klopp will cherish forever. But the Over has hit three out of five recent fixtures when Leicester City visit Anfield. Liverpool failed to hit the over in the Premier League for the first time this season against Sheffield and Leicester have hit the Over in four out of five recent matches in all competitions. Do you see where I’m going with this?

West Ham United vs. Crystal Palace

PREVIEW
A London derby ladies and Gents! West Ham and Crystal Palace clash as they are scheduled to finish off Premier League Saturday as West Ham continue their impressive Premier League run. The Hammers traveled to the coast of Bournemouth where Aaron Creswell gave the Londoners a point through his goal in the 74th-minute. Yarmolenko also found himself on the scorer’s sheet early into the fixture as he has scored in three consecutive Premier League games now. Crystal Palace showed their strength against a dominant Norwich squad. Although undeserved, Palace was awarded an early penalty and topped off the lead with a 92nd-minute squeaker for Palace to sit in the Top 10 above Manchester United.

KEY STATS

  • West Ham are unbeaten in last 8 games vs. Palace
  • Palace taken 1 point from 3 visits of the London Stadium
  • Since late 2018, Palace have the third most away points in the PL

PREDICTION
West Ham’s form and surprise start to the season is a tough bet to go against. With all their acquisitions and Yarmolenko playing out of his mind, I don’t see any shot for Crystal Palace to win away. But in recent visits Palace have played against West Ham, the Over has hit four out of the last five matches. Bet the Over in this one baby, simple math!

Southampton vs. Chelsea

PREVIEW
The Blues of Chelsea travel south to the Saints of Southampton. Chelsea had a tough outing against an injured Brighton team but a strong second half outing and a penalty goal from Jorginho proved to be detrimental to a Brighton team who was just hanging in there. Although, Chelsea midfielders were very effective in cutting the passing lanes between Brighton’s midfield and both attackers Maupay and Bissouma. Southampton was the stronger team against a 10 man Tottenham team, that saw the Saints lose away 2-1 after Harry Kane responded to Danny Ings’ equalizer. The rest of the second half was all Southampton that couldn’t convert on a morale struggling Hotspurs team.

KEY STATS

  • Southampton won 2 of last 20 PL matches vs. Chelsea
  • Chelsea won 9 of last 12 PL away matches vs. Southampton
  • Chelsea have scored at least 1 goal in last 15 away matches vs. Southampton

PREDICTION
Southampton has scored two goals in the last five matches between Chelsea as the Blues score more goals when they are in the St. Mary Stadium interestingly enough. Although, Chelsea’s last trip did end in a scoreless draw after New Year’s day last season. Recently, both teams had been involved in some high scoring games including Chelsea’s 5 goals against the Wolves. Tammy Abraham is flourishing with confidence along with a dosage of natural excitement that will be hard for Southampton to keep under control. But this fixture will be tough for the Blues to take control. Hence the Under being the Winner for this Sunday fixture.

Manchester City vs. Wolves

PREVIEW
Champions Manchester City plays host to a Wolverhampton team that doesn’t totally suck. The Cityzens took care of business at Goodison Park crushing Everton’s dreams of gaining a result. Manchester City did not look like their usual self in the first half, but after a strong Pep halftime speech saw the Cityzens break out to a 1-3 win away. The Wolves showed the Premier League that they are not the worst team in the league after beating Watford, who is currently the worst team in the league. Matt Doherty and an own goal from Dutchmen Janmaat helped seal the Wolves their first victory of the season. But heading into the Etihad Stadium will make the Wolves tuck their tails.

KEY STATS

  • City unbeaten in 5 home PL matches vs. Wolves
  • 9 of 14 PL goals scored during this fixture were on set pieces
  • Wolves lost 15 of last 16 away matches vs. reigning champions

PREDICTION
Manchester City is going to tame the Wolves and march to close the gap to Liverpool. Manchester City continues to hit the Over as the streak is now at seven straight Premier League games. It’s the hottest bet in all of sports right now and if you aren’t taken the Over, and haven’t been taking the Over, I’ll be sleeping on my new pillow that’s filled with Benjamin’s.

Arsenal vs. Bournemouth

PREVIEW
The Gunners played a tough, wet fixture at Old Trafford but look to gain three points when Bournemouth travel to the capital. Newly appointed Gunner captain Xhaka got out of the way of McTominay’s shot to score his first goal at Old Trafford. Luckily for his Xhaka’s derpy brain, McGuire thought he was quick enough to catch Aubameyang offside before he could score his goal that was ruled offside until VAR saved the day as no separation could be found between Arsenal and United. Bournemouth couldn’t keep their lead after Callum Wilson scored early in the second half as Cresswell wasn’t going home with West Ham without a point. West Ham had more offensive opportunities, but that sea-saw game resulted in both Bournemouth and West Ham still in the Top 10.

KEY STATS

  • Arsenal won all 5 home matches vs. Bournemouth (In all comps)
  • Bournemouth taken 4 points from 8 PL matches vs. Arsenal
  • Bournemouth lost last 3 PL matches in London, conceding 5 goals in every game

PREDICTION
Clearly, Bournemouth doesn’t too well in the capital. Conceding 5 goals in each game is a staggering stat that makes the Over look like a gold mine. The Over has been successful with Bournemouth in four straight Premier League games, wether they lose, tie, or win! Arsenal had also been involved in high-scoring matches, thanks to David Luiz, with exception of the fixture against Manchester United. It’s tricky with the oddsmakers allocation the Over/Under at 3.5 goals. But Fuck it with this fixture.

Newcastle vs. Manchester United

PREVIEW
Newcastle United invite a struggling Manchester United team to the north as both teams are looking for some sort of spark to make this Premier League season fun. Manchester was the better team against Arsenal during a rainy first half, but the weather seemed to play a more significant role in the second half as Man. U just couldn’t control anything. Newcastle was savaged by a hungry Foxes team of Leicester letting the boys in blue dance around the northerners like they were being sacrificed to the gods. Hayden’s red card before the half proved to be the weak point of the match as Leicester scored four goals in the second half in a 5-0 cracker. Newcastle is sitting in an all familiar spot in a relegation spot as Manchester United can possibly sit just above the relegation zone if this game does not go according to plan.

KEY STATS

  • Newcastle won 3 of last 31 PL matches vs. Manchester
  • Manchester won 13 away PL matches vs. Newcastle
  • Manchester failed to score more than 1 goal in last 7 PL matches

PREDICTION
It’s going to be a rainy, shitty day in Newcastle when this game kicks off. The weather will heavily impact all aspects of the game including goalkeeper blunders and wild shots on target. We just have to figure out which will blossom as the other collapses. I think the keepers will show some dominance during this fixture and keep the ball out as the field players struggle to control their responsibilities. I’ve been heavy on the Over in this article, but the Under makes the most sense bet to me to cap off matchday 8.

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