EPL Matchday 8 Betting Tips
Watford vs Liverpool
Saturday 10:30pm AEDT, Vicarage Road
The Reds lost their spot at the top of the table, but remain the only undefeated team in the Premier League this season after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Watford on the back of a 1-0 loss against the previously winless Leeds, are sitting in fifteenth place with just two wins from seven games. Mo Salah continued his red hot form, scoring in his fifth game in a row, as he took his season tally to six goals - the most in the Premier League.
Salah also has three assists to his name as he leads the Premier League in goal contributions, and will be set to cause this Watford defence some serious problems. The key in this matchup revolves around Liverpool’s dominant front three, that have led Liverpool to be the highest scoring team in the Premier League this season, with 17 goals from 7 matches. Salah (6 goals), Sadio Mane (4 goals) and Diogo Jota (3 goals) have been outstanding this season, and they will be coming up against a Watford side that Liverpool has toyed with in recent years.
Liverpool have won seven of the last nine Premier League matches against Watford, and in their last four wins against Watford, the Reds have an aggregate score 15-0. Three of Liverpool’s four wins this season have been by 3-0 margins, and this game will be heading towards that result again. Liverpool have been outstanding in attack this season, and with Watford simply not having the defensive talent to restrict a world class front three, Liverpool will pick up another convincing win.
Leicester vs Manchester United
Sunday 1:00am AEDT, King Power Stadium
Arguably the two most under the pump sides in the Premier League meet on Sunday morning, as Leicester hosts Manchester United. After missing out on a Champions League berth by the barest of margins last season, Leicester have struggled out of the gates this season, languishing in thirteenth place with a 2-2-3 record. Manchester United are coming off a loss to Aston Villa and a draw against Everton, desperately needing a win to keep in touch with Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure was a massive problem for United in their last outing, and the Red Devils will be breathing a sigh of relief that Wilfred Ndidi will be out due to a hamstring injury. Ndidi’s absence means Bruno Fernandes could run riot, with the Foxes lacking another quality holding midfielder. Fernandes has two goals and one assist from three Premier League appearances against Leicester, and looms crucial in this clash. The Foxes glaring weakness in defence, paired with United’s attacking power will be the key in this clash. Leicester rank fourth for most goals conceded (12), with Manchester United ranked fourth for goals scored with (14).
The Red Devils have three of the top ten goal scorers in the Premier League in Fernandes (4 goals), Cristiano Ronaldo (3) and Mason Greenwood (3), and it’s hard to see this out of form Leicester defence keeping them at bay. United have also had the wood over the Foxes in the last five years, with a 7-2-1 head to head record in Premier League games against Leicester since 2016. Given the Red Devils will be without Raphael Varane, this game could turn into a high scoring affair, but Manchester United just have too much quality in attack.
Everton vs West Ham
Monday 12:00am AEDT, Goodison Park
The Toffees have been the biggest bolter so far in season ‘21/’22, surging into fifth place on the Premier League table in their first campaign under Rafa Benitez. Everton picked up a crucial point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in their last game, and were unlucky not to pick up all three points from the matchup. West Ham started red hot, but have fallen to ninth place with just one win from their last five games.
With their last outing, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford. However with just three points separating the two sides, this is a crucial clash to keep touch in the hunt for European football. These two sides have been in the upper echelon for attacking sides in the Premier League, with West Ham ranked fourth (14 goals) and Everton fifth (13 goals). Home ground advantage will play a crucial role in this clash, Everton have been an outstanding side at home this season, having won their last four games at Goodison Park.
West Ham have struggled against the Toffees in recent times, Everton have a 3-1-1 in their last five Premier League matches against West Ham. This game will be an open, free flowing affair that will have fans on the edge of their seats, but Everton at home will be too tough to beat.
