07-11-20 |
Manchester City v. Brighton & Hove Albion OVER 3 |
Top |
5-0 |
Win
|
100 |
2 h 15 m |
Show
|
At 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Over the Total in the match between Manchester City (200077) and Brighton and Hove Albion (200078). THE SITUATION: Manchester City (W22-D3-L9) looks to build off a 5-0 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday. Brighton (W8-D12-L14) looks to rebound from a 3-1 loss at home to Liverpool on Wednesday.
REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: Man City peppered the Magpies with 23 shots with nine of them on target. The Cityzens have scored 18 goals in their six EPL matches in Project Restart — and they have scored 20 goals in their last seven contests overall since the return including their 2-0 victory over that Newcastle team in the FA Cup two weeks ago. Man City is averaging 2.60 expected goals (xG) this season which is their highest mark in the last five seasons. We are not sure who will get the start in this match with manager Pep Guardiola keeping an eye towards the FA Cup Semifinals versus Arsenal along with the second-leg of their Round of Sixteen Champions League match with Real Madrid. But Guardiola has an abundance of riches to choose from given the depth of the winner of the last two EPL seasons. Raheem Sterling should be in the starting XI after not starting against the Magpies. And even if mainstays like Kevin DuBruyne do not get the start this afternoon, there is a good chance he will play for at least 20 minutes in this match to maintain his fitness. Man City has scored 69 goals in their last 24 matches against non-Big Six sides — and they have 31 goals in their twelve road matches against non-Big Six opponents. But the Cityzens’ have been leaky on defense this season especially playing on the road where they have allowed 22 goals in seventeen games away from the Etihad. Brighton had entered last week’s match with the newly crowned EPL champions having played pretty stingy defense — but they allowed Liverpool to attempt 20 shots with eight of them on target. The Reds generated 2.68 expected goals (xG) in that match. But manager Graham Potter can take comfort in their ability to generate 2.88 xG against the stout Liverpool defense in that match. The Seagulls have allowed 22 goals this season in their last eleven matches against Power Six sides. They have played Liverpool, Man United, and Arsenal in their last three home matches which have seen 10 combined goals scored in those contests including allowing three goals each to the Reds and Red Devils.
FINAL TAKE: Man City dominated the reverse fixture between these two teams with a 4-0 win on August 31st. The Cityzens have seen 3.60 combined xG in their matches this season with that mark rising to a combined 3.85 xG in their last five contests. 25* English Premier League NBC-Sports Network Total of the Year with Over the Total in the match between Manchester City (200077) and Brighton and Hove Albion (200078). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-10-20 |
Granada v. Real Sociedad UNDER 2.5 |
|
3-2 |
Loss |
-119 |
0 h 2 m |
Show
|
At 1:30 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Granada (201837) and Real Sociedad (201838). THE SITUATION: Granada (W13-D8-L13) enters this match coming off a 2-2 draw versus Valencia on Saturday. Real Sociedad (W15-D6-L13) also comes off a draw when they played Levante on the road to a 1-1 score on Monday.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: Granada suffered some tough luck to settle for the one point on Saturday as they limited Valencia to just 0.82 expected goals (xG). El Grana has surrendered just eight goals in their seven matches since the return to play. They go back on the road where they have surrendered 26 goals in seventeen road matches — but the deeper metrics also suggest they have been unfortunate to see that many goals as their expected goals allowed (xGA) drops to 22.26. Granada has scored 21 goals in those seventeen road contests — but they have managed just seven goals in their eight matches against teams from the top half of the league. El Grana has also scored only nine goals in their seven matches in Project Restart. Real Sociedad has only scored five goals in their last six contests. La Real has also seen some bad luck relating to goals allowed. They have allowed 43 goals this season — but their xGA drops to 39.10. Furthermore, while Real Sociedad has held their opponents to just 17 goals in their seventeen home matches, their xGA at home in those contests falls to 14.28 which is the 3rd best mark in La Liga.
FINAL TAKE: Real Sociedad won the reverse fixture between these two teams on the road by a 2-1 score on November 3rd. Expect a lower-scoring game in this rematch. 10* La Liga Friday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Under the Total in the match between Granada (201837) and Real Sociedad (201838). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-08-20 |
Liverpool v. Brighton & Hove Albion UNDER 2.75 |
Top |
3-1 |
Loss |
-123 |
4 h 32 m |
Show
|
At 3:15 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Liverpool (200045) and Brighton and Hove Albion (200046). THE SITUATION: Liverpool (W29-D2-L2) enters this match as champions of the 2019-20 Premier League coming off a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday. Brighton and Hove Albion (W8-D12-L13) look to build off a 1-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: Liverpool was fortunate to score against the Villans in what was a listless performance that remained scoreless after the 70th minute before they scored two late goals. The Reds registered a small 0.82 expected goal mark (xG) against the suspect Aston Villa defense in that match. Liverpool have scored just six times in their four matches since Project Restart. Mo Salah has registered just one Big Chance representing a scoring opportunity with at least a 35% success rate since the return of play. He may not even get the start this afternoon with manager Jurgen Klopp likely to rotate out some of his key players. Roberto Firminho did not start on Sunday so while he is likely to take the pitch again for this match, it is likely that either Salah or Sadio Mane will get the afternoon off with a higher-profile match against Arsenal on deck next week. The Reds lose some of their offensive cohesion when their big three are not together on the pitch. Klopp looks likely to also rest defenseman Andrew Robertson who is an important cog in their offensive attack. Liverpool has struggled to score goals when playing away from Anfield. They have failed to score in their last five road games across all competitions spanning an incredible seven hours and 42 minutes. But the Reds’ defense remains consistent — they have allowed only 13 goals in their sixteen road games in the EPL. Furthermore, Liverpool has only allowed 13 goals in their twenty-five league games against non-Big Six sides — and they have surrendered just 7 goals in their twelve road games against non-Big Six opponents. Brighton has scored only three goals in their four matches since the return to action while averaging just 0.85 xG. But the defensive play for manager Graham Potter’s side has been outstanding as they have allowed just four goals in these four matches while holding these foes to just 0.75 xGA. The Seagulls have allowed just one Big Chance in their four matches since the return which includes facing some formidable offensive clubs in Manchester United, Arsenal, and Leicester City. They have three clean sheets in their last five matches. Unfortunately for Potter, they have also been shutout in four of their last eight matches. They return home where they have scored only 19 goals — but they have surrendered just 19 goals. Furthermore, in their four opportunities to host a Big Six side, the Seagulls have scored just 6 goals while allowing only 5 goals.
FINAL TAKE: Liverpool won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 2-1 score back on November 30th. The Reds have not scored more than two goals when playing on the road in their last six road games going back to December 26th. Brighton has seen seven of their last eight home matches go Under 2.5. 25* English Premier League Midweek NBC-Sports Network Total of the Year with Under the Total in the match between Liverpool (200045) and Brighton and Hove Albion (200046). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-08-20 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers -0.25 v. Sheffield United |
|
0-1 |
Loss |
-116 |
0 h 6 m |
Show
|
At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Wolverhampton (200033) minus the goal-line versus Sheffield United (200034). THE SITUATION: Wolverhampton (W13-D13-L7) saw their three-game winning streak snapped last Saturday with their 2-0 loss at home to Arsenal. Sheffield United (W12-D12-L9) is unbeaten in their last two matches on Sunday with their 1-1 draw at Burnley.
REASONS TO TAKE WOLVERHAMPTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Sheffield United faces a challenging situation with this being their fourth game in the last eleven days. Because of needing to catch up on a delayed league match prior to the stoppage of play along being still alive in the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup, the Blades have played two more matches than the Wolves entering this contest — so fatigue is a real concern here. As a promoted side this season, Sheffield United simply lacks the depth of some of the other traditional EPL powers. As it is, the Blades are dealing with a number of injuries in their midfield with John Lundstram, John Fleck, and Luke Freeman all out for this match. Cracks are showing with this Sheffield United defense as they have allowed 48 scoring chances since the restart in league play while surrounding 2.5 Big Chances representing scoring opportunities of at least a 35% success rate. Regression was perhaps inevitable for manager Chris Wilder’s team on defense as they may be allowing only 1.00 goals-per-game but that numbers rise to a 1.44 expected goals allowed (xGA) mark. Furthermore, the Blades have allowed just 14 goals at home at Bramall Lane at home, their xGA at home rises to a 19.07 mark. Wolverhampton had shutout seven of their last eight opponents before losing to the Gunners on Saturday. The Wolves play consistently sound defense for manager Nuno Espirito Santo — and they are even better when they have Willy Boly healthy and paired with Roman Saiss as they will in this match. Wolverhampton has been consistent on the road where they hold their opponents to just 1.06 goals-per-game while averaging 1.44 goals-per-game. They are 3rd in the league with 27 points on the road — and they are 2nd in the EPL in expected points (xPTS).
FINAL TAKE: These two teams settled for a 1-1 drawback on December 1st back when Sheffield United was healthier and playing much better on the defensive end of the pitch. With the Blades dealing with knocks and a challenging makeup schedule, they are at a disadvantage when hosting (without fans) a Wolves team playing with one extra day of rest and two fewer matches under their belts since the return. 10* EPL Wednesday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Wolverhampton (200033) minus the goal-line versus Sheffield United (200034). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-07-20 |
Leicester v. Arsenal UNDER 2.5 |
|
1-1 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 2 m |
Show
|
At 3:15 PM ET on Tuesday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Leicester City (200029) and Arsenal (200030). THE SITUATION: Leicester City (W17-D7-L9) snapped a three-match winless straight on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Arsenal (W12-D13-L8) has won four straight games across all competitions with their 2-0 win at Wolverhampton on Saturday.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: Arsenal has registered three straight clean sheets in EPL play with their upset win over the Wolves. The Gunners have adjusted tactics under new manager Mikel Arteta to become more of a defensive-oriented side who finds their offense from the counter-attack. Over their last four matches, they are allowing only 0.71 expected goals (xGA) per game while giving up just one Big Chance of a scoring opportunity with at least a 35% success rate. Arteta inherited a team from manager Unai Emery who was allowing 1.61 Big Chances per game so it is understandable why Arteta shifted tactics. This has had an impact on the Arsenal attack as they have averaged only 1.36 expected goals (xG) under his leadership. The Gunners have scored only 49 goals this season which is far below the 73 goals they scored last season. And while they have 30 goals scored at home at the Emirates in their sixteen matches in league play, that number plummets to just a 23.89 xG amount. Arsenal has scored 12 combined goals in their last four home games but all those opponents were bottom of the table teams. In their six matches this season against one of the top four teams currently in the EPL table, they have managed only a combined 4.44 expected goals — but they have held those six opponents to just 3.58 xGA combined. Leicester City had managed to score only two goals in their three matches since the return before Jamie Vardy scored twice in the final 17 minutes for that 3-0 win over the Eagles. I suspect that scoring display had more to do with good fortune while facing a desperate Crystal Palace team trying to even the score at 1-1 late in that match. Vardy has not been himself in 2020 after enjoying a torrid stretch late in the fall. Since New Year’s Day, the Foxes are generating only 1.44 xG in their five league matches on the road. They have scored only three goals in those five road games. But they have also held their five home hosts to just 1.28 xGA per match.
FINAL TAKE: Leicester City won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 2-0 score back on November 9th. But the Foxes have scored only seven more goals in their eight other matches against Big Six sides. Leicester City has only allowed four goals since the return with two clean sheets in those four matches. Expect a lower-scoring match. 10* EPL Tuesday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Under the Total in the match between Leicester City (200029) and Arsenal (200030). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-06-20 |
Everton +0.5 v. Tottenham Hotspur |
Top |
0-1 |
Loss |
-106 |
3 h 1 m |
Show
|
At 3:00 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Everton (200017) plus the goal-line versus Tottenham (200018). THE SITUATION: Everton (W12-D8-L12) is unbeaten in their last eight matches after their 2-1 win over Leicester City last Wednesday. Tottenham (W12-D9-L11) looks to bounce back from a 3-1 loss at Sheffield United on Wednesday.
REASONS TO TAKE EVERTON PLUS THE GOAL-LINE: That was a devastating psychological loss for Tottenham who was playing with much more rest than the promoted Blades who had played in two matches since the Spurs’ last contest. And while Tottenham complained about a controversial VAR call that took a Harry Kane goal off the board late in the first half, they were not dealt a bad hand according to the deeper metrics as they lost the expected goals battle by a 1.46-1.08 xG margin. New manager Jose Mourinho expressed his displeasure with his team’s effort after the match because Mourinho can never fail — he can only be failed (in his world). I don’t that is going to sit well with a veteran locker room whose lack of interest already got Mauricio Pochettino fired earlier in the season. Mourinho wears his players thin — and that process may already be underway in these uniquely challenging circumstances with the Spurs’ players having little at stake. Frankly, the problems of this team are systemic of an organization not willing to get out their wallets to compete with the other Big Six franchises. Harry Kane has lost a step or two after two injury-riddled campaigns — and if he is no longer an all-world striker, this team’s quality quickly plummets. Mourinho changed Pochettino’s tactics from a pressing, possession team to a counter-attacking squad. While that makes the Spurs dangerous against elite possession sides like Liverpool and Man City, it can leave them flummoxed against other counter-attacking sides like Sheffield United. Tottenham was simply bereft of scoring ideas against the Blades when advancing the ball. Son-Heung-Min has been relegated to an afterthought playing wide on the wing. Dele Alli was perhaps the player who most benefited from Mourinho’s appointment — but he was suspended last week and remains a doubt this week with a hamstring injury. The sugar-high from Mourinho’s appointment has lone gone with the Spurs’ short-term improvement in play now overwhelmed by consistently troubling numbers. Tottenham’s defense is atrocious — they have the 5th most expected goals allowed (xGA) in the EPL since Mourinho took over in November with those numbers worsening to being 3rd worth in the league since the start of 2020. They also have the league’s worst xGA rate when playing at home in this calendar year. The Spurs are allowing 1.85 xGA under Mourinho which is not being neutralized by their offensive attack since they have produced only a 1.58 xG during that span with the manager which is only 8th best in the EPL. Tottenham under Mourinho is 11th in the EPL in net expected goal differential (xGD) and they are 13th in expected points (xPTS). I made the argument last week that those numbers should be taken with a grain of salt given the bevy of injuries that this team has faced all season. In retrospect, I should not have read too much into their recent victory over a relegation-threatened West Ham while appreciating that their 1-1 draw with Man United was both fortunate and a by-product of their counter-attacking tactics meshing well with the Red Devils’ forward aggressiveness. And, of course, any hopes that a healthy Spurs side will begin outperforming their metrics assume a team that is still playing hard for their manager. Returning home to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would normally be seen a positive for this team — but a stadium without fans is not what this group needs right now. Furthermore, the Spurs are averaging only 1.48 xG at home under Mourinho while seeing their opponents produce a 1.63 xG in those games. Everton has won two of three matches in Project Restart with their lone blemish being a nil-nil draw with Liverpool where they won the xG battle. The Toffees have played much better since Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the replacement of manager Marco Silva. In fact, Everton’s W7-D4-L3 record since his appointment is 4th best in the EPL. The Toffees have lost only three times under Ancelotti to Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal (in a game where the xG says they should have won). They are 4th best in the EPL over that span with a 1.93 xG on offense — and they have improved on defense with a 1.26 xGA which is an improvement over a 1.34 xGA under Silva. But Everton’s defense has particularly elevated in quality recently — they are allowing only 1.25 Big Chances (shots with a success rate of at least 35%) since match week 25 and they have surrendered just one goal in three matches since the return. The Toffees go back on the road where they have only 15 points — but the xG numbers indicate they are the second-most underachieving team in the league when playing away from home. Under Ancelotti, Everton has been the 3rd best road team in terms of expected goals with 1.93-1.34 xG marks — and they have been the most efficient team on the road in the EPL since Christmas.
FINAL TAKE: Everton’s 44 points puts them in 11th place and just one point behind Tottenham. But the metrics tell a different story with the Toffees rising to 7th best in the league in xPTS while the Spurs drop to 13th. Everton has a dominant +0.56 net expected points differential edge for Tottenham over the season — even before accounting for recent form. The Toffees still have a potential Europa League qualification alive as well with them being just four points behind Sheffield United in 7th place and the likely final qualifying spot. 25* EPL Monday NBC-Sports Network Match of the Year with the Everton (200017) plus the goal-line versus Tottenham (200018). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-05-20 |
Barcelona FC v. Villarreal +0.75 |
Top |
4-1 |
Loss |
-106 |
5 h 12 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Sunday, we will be playing Real Villarreal (201826) plus the goal-line versus Barcelona (201825). THE SITUATION: Real Villarreal (W16-D6-L11) enters this match coming off a 2-0 win at Real Betis on Wednesday. Barcelona (W21-D7-L5) has settled for draws in three of their last four matches after a 2-2 draw at home with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
REASONS TO TAKE REAL VILLARREAL PLUS THE GOAL-LINE: It has been a disastrous return to play for the reigning La Liga champions who have lost their grip on first place. Barcelona opened Project Restart last month with a two-point lead up on Real Madrid — but after Los Blancos late 1-0 victory over Athletico Bilbao this morning, Barca find themselves seven points behind their arch-rivals. The Blaugranas must win out their remaining five matches while hoping that Real Madrid drops points somewhere — without the benefit of another head-to-head match. Frankly, the writing is on the wall for this team with rumors of internal dissension with new manager Quique Setien who came on in January along with talk that Lionel Messi may be ready to jump ship when his contract expires next season. Antoine Griezmann is mired in a slump which has probably impacted Messi as he is enduring his worst statistical season in terms of efficiency in five seasons. Barcelona has systemic problems right now. They are too reliant on Messi to bail them out of trouble. They have been too slow in building up play when possessing the ball. They have been vulnerable against counter-attacks. And there have been too many issues with their backline that Setien inherited but has been unable to fix. Barca is just 6th in La Liga in fewest goals allowed which is unfamiliar territory for them. This team has not been the victims of bad luck as they lost the expected goals (xG) with Atletico Madrid while holding narrow edges with the xG numbers in their other two matches. The vulnerabilities of the Catalan Giants most often demonstrate themselves when playing on the road against the top teams in the league. Barcelona has won only two of their last eight matches on the road versus a top-ten La Liga opponent while losing three of these matches outright. They are also getting beaten in the xG numbers by a 1.22-0.90 xG margin in those eight road matches. Since Setien has taken over, they are generating 1.55 xG on the road while seeing their home hosts produce a 1.27 xG mark. Those are good numbers but not nearly the elite standard that Barca has set over the last five seasons where they have won four league titles. Real Villarreal was limping before the stoppage of play with three straight losses — but they have returned with a renewed focus by going unbeaten in their six matches with five victories. The Yellow Submarines have only allowed two goals in these six matches while producing five clean sheets. A switch to a 4-4-2 formation by manager Javier Calleja has helped trigger these outstanding defensive numbers by adding a fourth defender in their backline. Real Villarreal is holding their opponents to just 0.92 xG since the switch to a 4-4-2 while their quality in attack up top is still producing 2.06 xG in those games. The Yellow Submarines are also getting these good results against the best that La Liga has to offer. Real Villarreal has a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid along with a nil-nil result with Atletico Madrid and a 2-2 draw with Sevilla (the other teams in the top four of the table) along with a 1-0 win over Getafe. They now find themselves three points out of 4th place with serious Champions League aspirations in the fall. Real Villarreal is one of the mainstays in this league with top-six finishes from 2013 through 2018 before a disappointing 14th place finish last year. They have scored in 21 of their last 22 league matches — and they have also scored in 29 of their last 31 home games against La Liga competition. The Yellow Submarines are producing a healthy 2.16 xG in their sixteen home matches this season while holding their guests to just 1.46 xG.
FINAL TAKE: Real Villarreal will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou back on September 24th. These are much different less than ten months later with Ernesto Valverde no longer the skipper for Barca and the Yellow Submarines playing their best soccer in years. These two teams played to a 4-4 draw when playing at Real Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica last year — so the home dog will be confident that they can pull the upset this time around. 25* La Liga Sunday beIN Sports Match of the Month with Real Villarreal (201826) plus the goal-line versus Barcelona (201825). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-05-20 |
Manchester City v. Southampton OVER 3 |
Top |
0-1 |
Loss |
-115 |
14 h 54 m |
Show
|
At 2:00 PM ET on Sunday, we will be playing Over the Total in the match between Manchester City (200013) and Southampton (200014). THE SITUATION: Manchester City (W21-D3-L8) enters this match coming off a 4-0 victory at home over Liverpool on Thursday. Southampton (W12-D4-L16) comes off a 3-1 win at Watford last Sunday.
REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: Manchester City may have relinquished their two-season run as English Premier League champions — but they have been an offensive juggernaut and remain motivated to maintain their form with the FA Cup and Champions League titles still at stake later this summer. The Cityzens peppered a strong Liverpool defense with 14 shots while posting an expected goal mark (xG) of 2.99 which suggests that their four goals were not too much of an overachievement against the new champions of the EPL. Man City has scored 13 goals in their four EPL matches since the return to play while posting at least a 2.60 xG mark in three of those games. They also have scored 15 goals in their five overall matches since the return which includes their victory in the FA Cup Quarterfinals last weekend. The Cityzens are averaging a robust 2.56 xG per match in the EPL this season which is their highest mark over the last five seasons. They also lead the league with the most Big Chances of scoring opportunities with an expected success rate of at least 35% since the return to play. Man City averages a robust 3.1 xG in league play this season against opponents that are not in the top seven in the EPL table. But the Cityzens defense is what has held them back from a three-peat in the EPL this year. They entered this match week having allowed the most Big Chances since the return to action. Manager Pep Guardiola’s pressing system creates many scoring opportunities — but it leaves them vulnerable to great scoring chances with counter-attacks. Man City is allowing their home hosts to average 1.42 xGA in league play this year. But they are also generating 2.63 xG in their sixteen road matches in the EPL. The Cityzens have seen 83 combined goals scored in their twenty-two matches against non-Big Six sides for a 3.77 combined goal score total — and they have seen 43 combined goals scored in their 11 road matches in EPL action for a 3.91 combined goal mark. Southampton got two goals from forward Danny Ings in their victory over Watford last Sunday. Ings is challenging for the Golden Boot Award with 18 goals in the EPL this season. He has been galvanized by first-year manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s commitment to an aggressive high-press which increases scoring opportunities for the Saints. Southampton has scored six goals in their three matches since the return — and this philosophy has worked with them reaching the 40 point threshold in the standings while being safe from relegation by 13 points. But these tactics do make them vulnerable on defense — they have allowed 33 goals at home with an 1.78 goals-against average which is the higher home mark in the EPL. Even after throwing out the Leicester City 9-0 victory at St. Mary’s in the fall as an outlier, the Saints are surrendering 1.50 goals per game at home in the EPL this season. Furthermore, in their five home matches against traditional Big Six opponents (which does not include Leicester City), Southampton has seen 16 combined goals scored.
FINAL TAKE: Manchester City won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 2-1 score back on November 2nd. Southampton is seeing an average of 2.93 xG in their matches this season with 62% of their games finishing Over 2.5 goals. Man City is seeing 3.56 xG combined goal marks in their league matches this season — and that number has increased to a 3.74 xG combined goal mark in their last four contests. 25* English Premier League NBC-TV Total of the Year with Over the Total in the match between Manchester City (200013) and Southampton (200014). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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07-05-20 |
Aston Villa v. Liverpool OVER 3 |
|
0-2 |
Loss |
-125 |
0 h 5 m |
Show
|
At 11:30 AM ET on Sunday, we will be playing Over the Total in the match between Aston Villa (200009) and Liverpool (200010). THE SITUATION: Aston Villa (W7-D6-L9) has lost six of their last eight matches after their 1-0 loss at home to Wolverhampton last Saturday. Liverpool (W28-D2-L2) looks to rebound from their 4-0 loss at Manchester City on Thursday.
REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: The Reds lacked intensity in their showdown with the Cityzens in their first match as reigning English Premier League champions. Liverpool should respond with more focus in their attack this afternoon. They return home where they have won all sixteen of their matches while scoring 44 goals. They also have averaged 2.62 goals-per-game in their thirteen home games against teams outside the Top-Six traditional powers. But with the Reds having nothing else to play for with them being eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League competitions, don’t be surprised if the loss of vigor on defense that they displayed against Man City continues. Liverpool has lost five of their last nine matches across all competitions going back to before the stoppage of play — and that as many losses as they have experienced in their previous 76 matches combined! The Reds had been playing at an epic level for over a year — they did win the European Champions League last season. The decline seems to have begun. Aston Villa has allowed 14 goals in their last eight matches. The Villans have surrendered 60 goals this season which is the second-most in the EPL — and their expected goals allowed (xGA) worsens at a 64.21 mark which is the worst in the league. Aston Villa has also allowed 33 goals on the road which is last in the league. The Villans have only allowed four goals in their four matches since the return to play — but those results should not be overstated. They opened by facing a slumping Sheffield United team that is defensive-oriented before catching a rusty Chelsea in their first match in Project Restart. They then played an offensively-challenged Newcastle side before playing the counter-attacking Wolves last week. Their sketchy defense should be exposed by the new kings of the league.
FINAL TAKE: Liverpool won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 2-1 score back on November 2nd. Liverpool has seen at least three combined goals scored in four straight home matches with at least four goals scored in three of those contests. 10* EPL Sunday Morning Discounted Deal with Over the Total in the match between Aston Villa (200009) and Liverpool (200010). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-04-20 |
Watford v. Chelsea -1 |
Top |
0-3 |
Win
|
100 |
25 h 35 m |
Show
|
At 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Chelsea (200198) minus the goal-line versus Watford (200197). THE SITUATION: Chelsea (W16-D6-L10) looks to rebound from a disappointing 3-2 upset loss at West Ham on Wednesday. Watford (W6-D10-L16) comes off a 3-1 loss at home to Southampton last Sunday.
REASONS TO TAKE CHELSEA MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Chelsea was vulnerable to an emotional letdown after pulling off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Man City (which eliminated the two-time defending EPL champions from repeating this season) and then following that up with a 1-0 victory at Leicester City in the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup last Sunday. Sure enough, this young Blues team traveled on the road to face a counter-attacking Hammers team desperate for a victory as they fight to avoid relegation. Chelsea has still looked very good since the return to play last month with three wins in four matches. They remain very motivated to play well as they are in a dog fight to qualify for one of the four spots for next year’s Champions League. The Blues begin match week 33 in 4th place in the EPL table two points ahead of Manchester United and Wolverhampton. The underlying metrics love this team — while Chelsea sits in 4th place with 54 points, their expected points (xPTS) of 60.38 is 3rd best in the EPL. Those numbers would likely be even better since there without an injured Christian Pulisic for much of the season. The American appears to be the real deal — he leads the EPL in touches inside the box since the return to play last month. The Blues return home to Stamford Bridge where they are W8-D3-L5 this season. They have scored only 24 goals at home this year but the metrics suggest they have been unfortunate in that regard with an expected goals mark (xG) of 37.43. Chelsea’s xPTS at home jump to 37 with them averaging 2.34 xG and allowing just 0.74 xGA — and that +1.60 xG differential is the 2nd best home mark in the EPL this season. With Pulisic healthy and the Blues playing in a 4-3-3 formation that Frank Lampard shifted to midseason (which gets defender Marco Alonso on the pitch who is an effective player in their attack), Chelsea is one of the top teams in the league. Watford had been playing well after manager Javi Garcia was sacked for Nigel Pearson in early December. The Hornets responded by going W4-D2-L1 in their first eight matches under Pearson before things began to slide with them going W1-D1-L4 in their final six matches before the stoppage of play. Since the return, Watford is just W0-D1-L2 while scoring just two goals (with one of those goals being an own-goal by Southampton last Sunday). The Hornets are just listless on offense right now with little energy. Ismaila Carr displayed a glimpse of brilliance when Pearson was appointed but he has been mostly absent since the return to action. Watford simply may not be motivated to play out the string of matches after being quarantined for months — and they do not seem to be overly concerned about their impending relegation with them currently in 17th place by just one point over Bournemouth and Aston Villa. The Hornets have won only one match over their last ten matches while averaging just 1.22 xG. Now they go back on the road where they are W2-D4-L10 in their sixteen EPL matches while averaging just 1.00 xG in those matches. Watford has won only once in their last eight road league matches. The Hornets are not equipped to grind out a lower-scoring match either as they have allowed the 6th most goals in the league this year — and they are tied for allowing the 5th most goals when playing on the road. They have only one clean sheet in their last ten matches.
FINAL TAKE: Chelsea won the reverse fixture between these two teams back on November 2nd by a 2-1 score. With the Hornets out-of-form and with their motivation in question, an angry Blues team should bounce-back with a strong effort. 25* English Premier League NBC-Sports Network Match of the Year with the Chelsea (200198) minus the goal-line versus Watford (200197). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-04-20 |
Bayern Munich -1.5 v. Bayer Leverkusen |
Top |
4-2 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 28 m |
Show
|
At 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Bayern Munich (203002) minus the goal-line versus Bayer Leverkusen (203001). THE SITUATION: Bayern Munich reached the finals of the German Cup with their 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt back on June 10th. Bayer Leverkusen reached the finals of this tournament the day before when they defeated Saarbrucken by a 3-0 score. The 77th DFB-Pokal Cup will be played on a neutral field at Hertha Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
REASONS TO TAKE BAYERN MUNICH MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Bayern Munich may have become the best team in Europe once Hanso Flick was appointed manager of the team in early November. The Bavarians were underachieving in league play as they were perhaps a bit listless after seven straight Bundesliga titles. Flick made a few crucial adjustments that re-ignited this team. First, he deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation with a high press. Not only did this force more turnovers but the higher placed backline on the pitch served to force more suboptimal shots from their opponents. Flick also moved Joshua Kimmich from fullback up the pitch to a holding midfield position — and not only did this give more room to operate for this rising superstar but it opened up a starting slot for Phonzie at fullback with the Canadian thriving with the opportunity given his multiple skill set. It is a bounty of riches for this team with a reliable veteran at forward in Thomas Muller, a scoring machine as the attacker in Robert Lewandowski who has 49 goals in all competitions, and then a 19-year freak of an athlete in Alphonso Davies with the Canadian being the fastest player on the field. Bayern Munich easily went on to win their eighth straight Bundesliga title by 17 points and enter this match on a seventeen game winning streak. They won all ten of their matches in the return to play in May while scoring 29 times and conceding just seven goals. Bayer Leverkusen stumbled in the return to play in May as they only won five of their nine matches with three losses. They only outscored their nine opponents by +2 net goals while surrendering nine goals. Die Werkself controlled their own destiny to take one of the four qualifying slots for next fall’s Championship League — but a devastating 2-0 loss at home to a Hertha Berlin team going nowhere blew those chances. Bayer Leverkusen will have to again settle for playing in the Europa League — and that status may degrade their confidence in this match. Die Werkself finished 19 points below Bayern Munich. The weak link for this team is their defense — they allowed just the 8th fewest goals in the Bundesliga this season while dropping to 10th place for expected goals allowed (xGA) when playing away from home. The Bavarians are an offensive machine who scored 100 goals this season — and while the metrics (unsurprisingly) call for regression, their expected goals still amount to a whopping 92.85 figure.
FINAL TAKE: These two teams split their two matches in the Bundesliga — but Bayern Munich won the last encounter between these two teams by a 4-2 score playing at Die Werkself’s Bay Arena. The Bavarians won their 19th DFB-Pokal Cup last year when they defeated RB Leipzig by a 3-0 score. Bayern Munich also has serious Champions League aspirations — so it will be all systems go for this juggernaut as they look to stay fresh for that competition next month while defending their German national championship crown. Bayer Leverkusen proved once again that they are not yet in the class of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and this Bayern Munich organization after their disappointing finish. 25* Soccer ESPN2 Match of the Month with Bayern Munich (203002) minus the goal-line versus Bayer Leverkusen (203001). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-04-20 |
Arsenal v. Wolverhampton Wanderers -0.25 |
|
2-0 |
Loss |
-102 |
0 h 4 m |
Show
|
At 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Wolverhampton (200194) minus the goal-line versus Arsenal (200193). THE SITUATION: Wolverhampton (W13-D13-L6) looks to continue their hot run following a 1-0 win at Aston Villa last Saturday. Arsenal (W11-D13-L8) has won their last two matches after they defeated Norwich City at home on Wednesday by a 4-0 score.
REASONS TO TAKE WOLVERHAMPTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The Wolves have won all three of their matches since the return to action with clean sheets in all three matches with a low 1.23 expected goals allowed combined mark in those contests. Wolverhampton stymies Big Scoring chances (defined as those opportunities with at least a 35% success rate). They lead the EPL by allowing just 24 non-penalty kick Big Chances this season and they have held their opponents to just 0.75 Big Chances per match since match week 25. Their recent improvement in their already outstanding defense has been the return of Willy Boly to their backline who has missed much of the season to injury. Overall, the Wolves have the lost expected goals allowed mark (xGA) in the EPL. They are also 5th in the league with 52 Big Chances (non-PK) of their own. Arsenal has held their last two opponents scoreless while scoring six times — but four of those goals could be accurately described as gifts by the opposition (including three bizarre goaltender flubs). The Gunners are 8th in the EPL table but the expected points projections (xPTS) drops them to 11th. Now they go back on the road where they have only won three times this year — and they have won only one of their seven matches on the road under new manager Mikel Arteta. They are being outscored in the xG projections on the road by a 1.18 xG to 1.76 xGA margin. Furthermore, Arsenal tends to start fast but fade at the end of their matches. They have a net expected goal differential (xGD) of -4.88 in the final 30 minutes of a match — and Wolverhampton has a +9.64 xGD mark in the final 30 minutes of their games. The Wolves have won all three of their matches since the return with goals scored in the second half.
FINAL TAKE: The reverse fixture between these two teams resulted in a 1-1 draw despite the Wolves generating 25 shots in their counter-attack against an undisciplined Arsenal side. This is a terrible situation for the Gunners as they are playing their fifth match on the road since the return to play over eighteen days. Wolverhampton has had an entire week off while Arsenal has played two more matches during that break. 20* EPL Arsenal-Wolverhampton NBC-Sports Network Special with the Wolverhampton (200194) minus the goal-line versus Arsenal (200193). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-04-20 |
AFC Bournemouth v. Manchester United -1.75 |
|
2-5 |
Win
|
100 |
1 h 47 m |
Show
|
At 10:00 AM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Manchester United (200186) minus the goal-line versus Bournemouth (200185). THE SITUATION: Manchester United (W14-D10-L8) remained unbeaten in their last fifteen matches across all competitions with their 3-0 victory at Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday. Bournemouth (W7-D6-L19) are winless in their last seven matches after they lost at home to Newcastle United on Wednesday by a 4-1 score.
REASONS TO TAKE MANCHESTER UNITED MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Bournemouth is simply a mess right now — and they look like they are resigned to accept relegation. They have lost all three of their matches since the return to action while scoring just one time and conceding seven goals. The Cherries have been an aggressive team under manager Eddie Howe which has spurred some exciting soccer for a midlevel team — if they win, it is usually because they outscore their opponent in higher-scoring contests. Yet Bournemouth has been tepid in their attack with just two shots on target in their last three matches and only one Big Chance with an estimated success rate of at least 35% (according to the deeper metrics) — that latter mark is tied for fewest in the EPL since the restart. The Cherries will still be without forward Callum Wilson who is serving his second game due to suspension. His mate up top in Joshua King is in a complete funk as he has been ineffective either due to a loss of confidence or a loss of spirit in this doomed season (or both). Bournemouth finds themselves tied with Aston Villa with the second-fewest points in the league. They are in the bottom-five in both expected goals (xG) and expected goals allowed (xGA). Frankly, the problems have manifested themselves long before the restart as they have managed to produce only 11 points since November. Now they go on the road where they have lost seven straight EPL matches with three of these contests being by at least two goals. Manchester United is one of the hottest teams in the EPL with a W3-D1-L0 mark in their four contests since last month’s return to play. The issue for the Red Devils is whether they will win this match by at least two goals. Since they acquired Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the winter transfer window, Man United are unbeaten in all thirteen of his matches played with nine victories and nine clean sheets while scoring 31 goals and conceding just four goals. Fernandes has been just what the doctor ordered to provide cohesion in the middle of the field. The restart also afforded him the opportunity to begin playing with both midfielders Paul Pogba and forward Marcus Rashford who have spent much of the season injured. Suddenly, the Red Devils have a bounty of scoring talent. Fernandes and Pogba have combined for three goals and one assist since the return to play — and I have not even mentioned the hat trick Anthony Martial pulled off two matches ago against Sheffield United. But it is the play on defense that makes this Man United team so dangerous. The Red Devils have allowed only two goals while registering six clean sheets in their last eight matches in the EPL. Since match week 25, Man United is allowing only 1.0 Big Chances per match — and they have allowed both the fewest shots and the fewest Big Chances since the return to action last month. They return home to Old Trafford where they have won each of their last three matches by at least two goals with eight combined goals scored and none conceded over that stretch. The Red Devils have five straight clean sheets at home having not surrendered a goal at home since January 22nd. Their expected goals allowed (xGA) at home of 0.80 is 3rd best in the EPL. And they have scored 13 goals in their last four home matches.
FINAL TAKE: The cherry on top of this situation (pun intended) is that Man United will not be taking Bournemouth lightly after losing to them on the road in the reverse fixture between these two teams on November 2nd by a 1-0 score. Motivated by revenge and their pursuit of a top-four spot on the EPL table to ensure qualification for next fall’s Championship League, I think the chances of a 3-0 (or better) result are higher than a 1-0 (or 2-1) final score (and we can live with a 2-0/3-1 push). 10* EPL Saturday Morning Discounted Deal with Manchester United (200186) minus the goal-line versus Bournemouth (200185). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-03-20 |
Mallorca v. Atletico Madrid UNDER 2.5 |
Top |
0-3 |
Loss |
-114 |
14 h 14 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Mallorca (201941) and Atletico Madrid (201942). THE SITUATION: Mallorca (W8-D5-L20) snapped a two-game losing streak on Tuesday with their 5-1 victory over Celta de Vigo. Atletico Madrid (W15-D14-L4) remained unbeaten in their last thirteen matches across all competitions with their 2-2 draw at Barcelona last Tuesday.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: It was an offensive explosion for Mallorca with the last-place team in La Liga breaking a three-game losing streak with those five goals. They had scored just two goals in their first five matches since the return to action before scoring five times on just nine shots. The analytics indicate that Los Bermellones were rather fortunate to put up five goals considering that their expected goals (xG) for that match were just 1.69 xG. Now Mallorca goes back on the road where they are last in La Liga with just 5 points based on their W1-D2-L13 record this season. Los Bermellones have scored just 13 goals in those sixteen road matches. Mallorca has failed to score at least one goal in nine of their last ten losses. They will also be undermanned in this match with the biggest loss being their leading scorer in Ante Budimir who is suspended for this match due to yellow cards. Budimir has scored 12 of Mallorca’s 35 goals this season. Manager Vicente Moreno’s team still has plenty to play for with them occupying the final relegation spot in 18th place being five points shy of safety in 17th place. Moreno’s team is playing better on defense as of late as they have allowed eight combined goals over their last five matches with only one of these sides scoring more than two goals. Atletico Madrid is a dominant defensive team that has registered three clean sheets while allowing just four combined goals in their six matches since the return last month. Los Colchoneros have allowed only 25 goals this season which is 2nd best in La Liga — and they lead the league with the lowest expected goals allowed mark. Atletico Madrid is also tied for 2nd by conceding only 10 goals in their sixteen league matches at home. But Los Colchoneros have scored just 23 times in those sixteen home matches. Manager Diego Simeone is likely to sub a number of his key players who played in that showdown with Barcelona when now hosting this lightly regarded Mallorca team. Six of Los Colchoneros’ last ten home games resulted in them shutting out their opponent.
FINAL TAKE: Atletico Madrid won the reverse fixture between these two teams on the road by a 2-0 score. Four of the last five meetings between these two resulted in a game that finished Under 2.5 combined goals. Expect another lower-scoring match. 25* La Liga Friday beIN Sports Total of the Year with Under the Total in the match between Mallorca (201941) and Atletico Madrid (201942). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-02-20 |
Getafe CF v. Real Madrid UNDER 2.5 |
|
0-1 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 5 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Getafe (201951) and Real Madrid (201952). THE SITUATION: Getafe (W14-D10-L8) snapped a five-game losing streak with their 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Monday. Real Madrid (W21-D8-L3) has won all five of their matches since the return to action last month with their 1-0 win over Espanyol last Sunday.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: Getafe’s two goals on Monday almost eclipsed the three combined goals in their previous four matches. Manager Jose Bordalas has his team play a defense-first style of play supported by a sturdy backline led by center-back Djene. The Azulones have allowed just five goals in their five matches since the return to play. Getafe is 3rd in La Liga with fewest goals allowed — and they are surrendering just 1.13 expected goals per game. The Azulones are even stingier when playing on the road as the 15 goals they have allowed in fifteen league matches are tied for the second-fewest in the league. Getafe will likely park the proverbial bus against mighty Real Madrid — and Los Blancos are likely to be comfortable with that style of contest. Manager Zinedine Zidane is happy with his team playing pragmatically. Real Madrid has scored only five combined goals in their last three matches. But Los Blancos may have the best defensive team in all of Europe (we will learn more next month when the Champions League returns). Led by Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s backline does a very good job of conceding few chances. They have only allowed two goals since the return of play with three clean sheets in those five contests. Overall, they have surrendered just 21 goals this season which is the best number in La Liga. Eight of Los Blancos’ last eleven victories have been via a shutout — so a 1-0 or 2-0 final score is likely.
FINAL TAKE: Getafe will be looking to avenge a 3-0 loss at home to Real Madrid back on November 4th. The Azulones have not scored in their last three matches against Los Blancos. Expect another lower-scoring match. 10* La Liga Thursday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Under the Total in the match between Getafe (201951) and Real Madrid (201952). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-02-20 |
Liverpool v. Manchester City -0.5 |
|
0-4 |
Win
|
107 |
0 h 8 m |
Show
|
At 3:15 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Manchester City (200178) minus the goal-line versus Liverpool (200177). THE SITUATION: Manchester City (W20-D3-L8) looks to bounce back from a 2-1 loss at Chelsea last Thursday in their most recent English Premier League match. Liverpool (W28-D2-L1) clinched the 2019-20 EPL championship with that loss from the Cityzens combined with their 4-0 victory at home against Crystal Palace last Wednesday.
REASONS TO TAKE MAN CITY MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Liverpool may suffer an emotional letdown after winning the championship. While this team did not have the opportunity to hit every bar in London given COVID-19 social restrictions, the emotional intensity for this team may not be the same who now have nothing else to play for after being eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup competitions earlier in the year. As it is, the Reds seemed to have let up a bit in their focus earlier in the year when their championship became considered inevitable. They dropped more points in a three-match string of games than they had in the previous thirty-eight EPL contests before defeating Crystal Palace last week. They also had been shutout in two of their previous three matches before scoring four goals against the Eagles. Now Liverpool goes back on the road where they are winless in their last four matches while losing three times. They have not scored a goal in their last four games — and their star attacker, Mo Salah, has scored only two of his 17 league goals away from their home pitch at Anfield. The Reds have 86 points — but the deeper expected goals metrics projects them with just 64.04 expected points (xPTS). Man City tops that mark with 68.97 xPTS. Man City did respond from their elimination from defending their two-straight EPL titles by defeating Newcastle United on Sunday by a 2-0 score. Yet manager Pep Guardiola should have his team razor-focused for this match. Throwing out their response to a 2-0 loss to Manchester United since COVID-19 delayed their next league match by three months, Guardiola has seen his team win all six of their next EPL matches after a loss while scoring 19 goals and conceding just one goal. They still have plenty to play for being alive in both the FA Cup and the Champions League. And while Sergio Aguero is out for this team, Gabriel Jesus is more than capable as the team’s striker in his absence after not playing in that match against the Blues. Aguero averages 0.74 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes — but Jesus tops those numbers by average 0.77 xG per 90 minutes.
FINAL TAKE: Man City will have a chip on their shoulder having to watch the traditional Guard of Honour recognizing Liverpool’s championship on their home pitch. The Cityzens have won six of their last seven matches at home at Etihad Stadium while scoring 19 goals and allowing just four goals. And they will be looking to avenge a 3-1 loss at Liverpool back on November 10th. Look for Man City to stun the new champions. 10* EPL Thursday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Manchester City (200178) minus the goal-line versus Liverpool (200177). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-02-20 |
Tottenham Hotspur -0.5 v. Sheffield United |
Top |
1-3 |
Loss |
-107 |
10 h 6 m |
Show
|
At 1:00 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Tottenham (200173) minus the goal-line versus Sheffield United (200174). THE SITUATION: Tottenham (W12-D9-L10) enters this match coming off a 2-0 win over West Ham last Tuesday. Sheffield United (W11-D11-L9) comes off a 2-1 loss at Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday that followed up a 3-0 loss last Wednesday at Manchester United in their last English Premier League contest.
REASONS TO TAKE TOTTENHAM MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The Spurs match with the Hammers was the first time under manager Jose Mourinho where he had a full complement of the team’s best scoring options at his disposal. Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min have been injured for much of time since Mourinho took over in mid-November and Dele Alli was suspended for their 1-1 draw with Manchester United in their first match back from the March stoppage. A healthy Spurs’ side generated a potent 2.53 expected goals against West Ham pointing to the still elite potential of this team. Remember, it was just over a year ago that this Tottenham team was in the finals of the Champions League where they lost to Liverpool for the European Championship. The team seemed tired of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s message in the fall with their sluggish play which led to him being sacked amidst disagreements with management over the direction of the team. Mourinho has ditched Pochettino’s pressing approach for a counter-attacking style that may be better attuned for the injuries he was facing midseason before the stoppage of play in March. Limiting the Hammers to just 0.84 expected goals is encouraging as is their 1-1 draw with Man United last week with the Red Devils being one of the hottest teams in the EPL. The most encouraging aspect of this team may from the play of Kane last week as he scored a goal and played with more energy and vigor on the pitch than he has demonstrated in a long time. The three months off may have been just what the doctor ordered for the forward who has won two straight Golden Boots in the EPL. Sheffield United is scoreless in their last six league matches — and they have only scored once in their four matches in the return to play last month. They have allowed eight goals in their last three matches. Perhaps a visit from the Regression Gods was inevitable — while the Blades rank 8th in the EPL with 44 points, their expected points (xPTS) drops them to 13th with 39.97 points in those projected rankings. This has always been a defense-first club under manager Chris Wilder — but injuries and a busy schedule testing the depth of a promoted side have challenged this team. Their best defender in center back Jack O’Connell remains a doubt with his injury for this match and defensive midfielder John Lunstram only played 35 minutes on Sunday with an ankle injury that may keep him out for this contest. After holding their opponents to just 6.82 inside the box before the break, Sheffield United have allowed 10 shots in EPL play since the return to play. And the Blades are allowing 3 big chances representing scoring chances of a 35% or better success rate per match since the return as compared to the 1.89 big chances they were allowed before the break. Or, maybe their injuries and challenges of the thin backline are just excuses for those inevitable Regression Gods: Sheffield United has allowed only 31 goals this season which is 3rd best in the EPL — but their 42.88 xGA is just 8th best in the league.
FINAL TAKE: Sheffield United was an overachieving team this season that was benefiting from great cohesion. All that was spoiled by the stoppage of lay — and the Blades have not only regressed back to the mean in terms of their underlying metrics but their lack of depth and experience has them playing like the promoted team they were expected to be when they rejoined the EPL this season. These two teams settled with a 1-1 draw in November. But now Tottenham is much healthier under a new manager — and Sheffield United has not only played twice as many matches since the return risking fatigue with their limited depth but they are also playing their third match since the Spurs last took the pitch last Tuesday. 25* English Premier League Midweek NBC-Sports Network Match of the Year with the Tottenham (200173) minus the goal-line versus Sheffield United (200174). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
07-01-20 |
Leicester v. Everton |
Top |
1-2 |
Win
|
100 |
2 h 34 m |
Show
|
At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Everton (200166) with the goal-line versus Leicester City (200165). THE SITUATION: Everton (W11-D8-L12) looks to build off their 1-0 win at Norwich City last Wednesday. Leicester City (W16-D7-L8) lost their FA Cup Quarterfinals match at home against Chelsea on Sunday by a 1-0 score after settling for a nil-nil draw at home against Brighton in their last English Premier League match last Tuesday.
REASONS TO TAKE EVERTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Leicester City was riding high after their first seventeen league matches where they had 39 points while generation 1.93 expected points (xG) and allowing just 1.05 expected points (xGA). But the Foxes have lost their mojo since that time as they have managed just 16 points over their last fourteen league matches. They have regressed on both sides of the pitch as they have averaged just 1.48 xG over that span while allowing 1.65 xGA. They have experienced a massive -1.04 expected goal differential drop over that span. What has happened? For starters, their talisman Jamie Vardy has not been himself as he got into a scoring funk that was exacerbated by missing a couple of matches to an injury. His big chances of scoring opportunities of 35% or higher have plummeted since his hot streak in the fall. This malaise has spread to the entire team that has seen its tenacity and pace decline. The Foxes are also not getting great play out of their midfielders — and they will be without James Maddison for this match. Leicester City has not scored in four of their last six league matches while averaging just 1.13 xG over those contests — and they were then shutout on Sunday by Chelsea. They have won only four times in their last fourteen EPL matches. Since the return to play this month, they have generated only 1.68 expected goals in both their EPL matches — and they lost the expected goals battle against two teams mired in the bottom-six of the table in Brighton and Watford. Not good, Bob. Perhaps what Leicester City is experiencing is simply a long-overdue visit from the Regression Gods. While they are 3rd in the league in the table, their expected points of 49.71 drop them to 6th best. Everton is unbeaten in their last seven EPL matches — and they probably deserved a win in their draw with Liverpool in their first game back from the break. This is a much-improved team under manager Carlo Ancelotti. They have generated 1.98 xG while holding their opponents to just 1.22 xGA with that xG differential being the 5th best in the league over that span. The Toffees are one of three EPL teams entering this match week that have yet to concede a big chance. They return home to Goodison Park where they have only scored 19 times — but their xG at home rises to 24.05 which strongly suggests they have experienced some tough luck. Everton plays very tough defense at home as they held their opponents to just 1.12 xGA on their home pitch — and they have also held the top half of the table to just 1.19 xGA at home this season. The Toffees are unbeaten at home under Ancelotti with three wins in those six matches while allowing just four combined goals. And in their last eight matches against non-Big Six sides under Ancelotti, Everton is beaten in those contests with six wins and a +7 net goal differential with 14 goals scored. The Toffees still have much to play for despite being in 12th place as they are just four points out of 7th place and the likely final spot to qualify for the Europa League next fall. Their 49.48 expected points (xPTS) are 7th best in the league a just behind Leicester City’s number.
FINAL TAKE: Everton will have revenge on their minds as well for this contest having lost three straight matches to the Foxes across all competitions. The Toffees lost the reverse fixture between these two teams on December 1st by a 2-1 score before then losing at Leicester City in the League Cup via penalty kicks after a 2-2 score back on December 18th. Manager Marco Silva was in charge of both those matches — so this is the Toffees' first opportunity to play the Foxes since Ancelotti took over the club. 25* EPL Midweek Match of the Year with the Everton (200166) with the goal-line versus Leicester City (200165). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-30-20 |
Manchester United v. Brighton & Hove Albion OVER 2.25 |
Top |
3-0 |
Win
|
100 |
12 h 8 m |
Show
|
At 3:15 PM ET on Tuesday, we will be playing Over the Total in the match between Manchester United (200153) and Brighton and Hove Albion (200154). THE SITUATION: Manchester United (W13-D10-L8) comes off a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United last Wednesday in their last match in the English Premier League. Brighton (W7-D12-L12) registered a nil-nil draw in their last match last Thursday at Leicester City.
REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: Man United followed up their win over the Blades on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory at Norwich City in the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup on Saturday. Eight of the starters that played in that midweek match with Sheffield did not start o Saturday against the Canaries so manager Gunnar Solskjaer should have a relatively rested starting XI despite their busy schedule since the return to action this month. The Red Devils have scored five goals in their two EPL matches this month — and they have scored seven goals while allowing one goal in their three matches overall since the return. The Red Devils have been transformed with the winter transfer acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes as they have not lost since he put on their uniform. The stoppage of play also allowed this team to get healthy. Now Man United has seen forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Paul Pogba on the pitch with Fernandes to make this starting XI loaded with talent. Forward Anthony Martial was the beneficiary last Wednesday as he scored a hat trick in the Red Devils’ 3-0 win against Sheffield United in EPL play. Martial, Rashford, and Pogba did not start on Saturday so they should all be fresh for this match. Man United is 2nd in the league since the restart in both big chances and expected goals. The Red Devils have also been outstanding on defense with five clean sheets in their last seven league matches. But while they have surrendered just two goals in their last seven EPL matches, their expected goals allowed (xGA) mark over those seven games rises to a 7.3 xGA mark which strongly suggests they have been very fortunate in not surrendering more goals. Furthermore, much of their defensive prowess has taken place at Old Trafford where they have resisted five straight clean sheets. Man United has allowed nineteen of their thirty goals when playing on the road this season in EPL action. Brighton has lost just once in their last seven matches in EPL play. They return home where they have scored in five of their last six matches. The Seagulls will be a confident group when playing at the Amex where they have already pulled off upsets against Tottenham, Everton, and Arsenal while earning draws with Chelsea and Wolverhampton. In their three home matches against Big Six sides, Brighton has scored six times. The Seagulls have scored 34 goals this season while conceding 41 goals — but the deeper metrics suggest that both those numbers are unexpectedly low given their expected goals mark of 40.80 (xG) and their expected goals allowed (xGA) figure of 45.82. Brighton still has plenty to play for being only six points safe from relegation. Manager Graham Potter will open up his team’s style of play if they fall behind to attempt to salvage at least one point with the draw. They have an expected goals mark of 1.53 when playing at home — and they allow their opponents to register 1.33 xGA when at home.
FINAL TAKE: Brighton are dangerous dogs in this match (which is why I am passing on the side play) — I expect them to score on this Man United team that is not as stingy when playing on the road. But the Red Devils are clicking on offense now with their best talent finally all healthy. Man United won the reverse fixture between these two teams when they won by a 3-1 score back on November 10th. But Brighton has won their last two opportunities to host the Red Devils where they have scored four combined goals. 25* EPL Tuesday NBC-Sports Network Total of the Year with Over the Total in the match between Manchester United (200153) and Brighton and Hove Albion (200154). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-29-20 |
Real Sociedad v. Getafe CF |
Top |
1-2 |
Win
|
100 |
11 h 29 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Getafe (201842) minus the goal-line versus Real Sociedad (201841). THE SITUATION: Getafe (W13-D10-L8) enters this match coming off a 1-1 draw at Valladolid last Tuesday. Real Sociedad (W14-D5-L12) has lost three straight matches after their 1-0 loss to Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
REASONS TO TAKE GETAFE WITH THE GOAL-LINE: Real Sociedad is a young and vibrant team that was making a serious challenge to finish in the top-four in the La Liga this season which would qualify them for next year’s Champions League. But this team has struggled in the return to play this month as they have lost three of their four matches with just one draw keeping things from being completely dismal. We had La Real in that opening match at home against Osasuna where I endorsed a strong play on Real Sociedad given the underlying metrics for both teams along with the apparent mismatch for both teams with Osasuna not having much to play for in the return to play. But watching that match made it evident that La Real was simply not very motivated despite a rally from their 1-0 deficit to eke out the draw. There have been a handful of younger players across the European leagues who did not keep themselves in tip-top shape during quarantine who have then been slow to get back to game-shape. With Real Sociedad now on a three-game losing streak and seven points out of 4th place that would qualify them for the Champions League, the motivation for this team is in question moving forward. Injuries — or the lowered threshold of what is a debilitating injury — has made matters worse for this team. La Real will be without their captain Asier Illarramendi along with Ander Barrenetxea, Lucas Sangalli, and Ander Guevara are dealing with injuries that will likely keep them out for this match. And their key backline player in Diego Llorente is suspended for this match after receiving his second yellow card on Wednesday. This potential Champions League team is simply a shell of their best days pre-COVID. They have only scored two times in their four matches after being 3rd in the league in scoring before the stoppage in play. Now Real Sociedad goes back on the road where they are 8th in the La Liga with 20 points — but their expected points (xPTS) of 16.20 in their fifteen road matches are just 11th best in the league. Getafe is winless in their last five contests — but they have only lost once in their four matches since the return to action. The Azulones engage in an intense style that may have been difficult to reproduce without a set of friendlies before returning to league action after three months off. But every week that passes should help Getafe return to the form that keeps them in 5th place in La Liga just 5 points out of 4th place (and Champions League qualification) entering this match in the live standings. Getafe has only allowed four goals in their four matches since the return to play. They return home for this match where they have lost only three times in sixteen league matches — and those losses were against Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid who are the top-three teams in the league. The Azulones have been a bit unfortunate at home with their 22 goals scored contrasting with their 28.12 expected goals (xG) at home which is 4th best in La Liga. They will also be without their best defender in center back Djene Dakonam who was suspended for this match after being dealt his second yellow card on Tuesday. But the Azulones have a bit more to play for at this point of the season — and they have one extra day of rest while being in better form than La Real.
FINAL TAKE: Getafe won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 21- score on the road. Getafe has won five of the last six meetings between these two teams — look for them to continue their dominance in this rivalry. 25* La Liga Monday beIN Sports Network Match of the Year with Getafe (201842) minus the goal-line versus Real Sociedad (201841). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-29-20 |
Burnley v. Crystal Palace UNDER 2 |
|
1-0 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 13 m |
Show
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At 3:00 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Burnley (200149) and Crystal Palace (200150). THE SITUATION: Burnley (W12-D6-L13) rebounded from a 5-0 loss at Manchester City in their return to action this month with a 1-0 win over Watford on Thursday. Crystal Palace (W11-D9-L11) saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday with a 4-0 loss at Liverpool.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: Burnley found their defensive acumen again on Thursday by limiting the Hornets to just 0.84 expected goals in that match. The Clarets are second in league with twelve clean sheets behind their underrated keeper Nick Pope. Burnley will have to lean again on their defensive cohesion in this game. Manager Sean Dyche is saddled with a host of injuries in their attack with forwards Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes out and Jay Rodriguez questionable with a knock after he scored Burnley’s lone goal since the return to action on Thursday. The Clarets have scored only fourteen goals in their fifteen matches on the road this season. But they have allowed only sixteen goals in their twenty matches against non-Big Six sides this season for a microscopic 0.80 goals-per-game opponent scoring average. Crystal Palace had registered four straight clean sheets in EPL action before Liverpool dialed up four goals on Wednesday. The Eagles also play a defensive-oriented style for manager Roy Hodgson where things can get rough if they fall behind by more than one goal. It was apparent that is was going to be a long day for Hodgson when star midfielder Wilfried Zaha limped off the field with an injury that likely leaves him out for this match. Crystal Palace only managed three shots against the Reds with none inside the box for a microscopic 0.09 expected goals mark. It has now been thirty-one straight EPL matches where the Eagles did not score more than two goals. They have scored only twenty goals in their twenty-two matches against non-Big Six sides — but they have given up its sixteen goals in those contests. They return home where they are last in the EPL with just twelve goals — but they have surrendered only thirteen goals which were tied for the second-lowest home mark to begin this match week 31. Furthermore, in their twelve home games against non-Big Six sides, the Eagles have scored only ten goals while allowing just eight goals for 0.83-0.67 average scoring marks.
FINAL TAKE: Crystal Palace has won the last four meetings between these two teams while surrendering just one time after their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture back on November 30th. There is a good chance that at least one of these teams fails to score in this contest. 10* EPL Monday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Under the Total in the match between Burnley (200149) and Crystal Palace (200150). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-28-20 |
Manchester City v. Newcastle United UNDER 3.5 |
Top |
2-0 |
Win
|
100 |
1 h 38 m |
Show
|
At 1:30 PM ET on Sunday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Manchester City (200413) and Newcastle United (200414). THE SITUATION: The Football Association Challenge Cup for men’s domestic soccer in England is the oldest soccer competition in the world. Manchester City reached the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup on March 4th when they defeated Sheffield Wednesday by a 1-0 score. Newcastle United punched their Quarterfinals ticket on March 3rd when they defeated West Brom on the road by a 3-2 score.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: Man City will be playing their first match since officially being eliminated from defending their two-time English Premier League championship with their 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Thursday. Those are the only two goals that the Citizens have allowed in their three matches since the return of play this month. Man City leads the EPL by allowing just 1.01 expected goals per game this season — and their defense is much better with a healthy Aymeric LaPorte at center back leading their backline. In the seven games LaPorte has played this season (before the return to play this month), the Citizens allowed a stingy 0.43 goals-per-game as compared to their 1.14 defense Goals-Per-Game average in their other twenty-one contests. And while Man City allowed 5.7 shots per match in the box along with 1.6 Big Chances per match before the return to play, those numbers fell to just 4 shots per match in the box along with just 1.2 Big Chances allowed per game with LaPorte healthy and playing. With holding-midfielder Fernandinho suspended for this match after being issued a red card in that game with Chelsea on Thursday, I expect LaPorte to be in the starting XI this afternoon. Manager Pep Guardiola will likely choose his best players for this match with FA Cup and Champions League championships in August still goals this season. But Man City will be without their best attacking forward in Sergio Aguero who suffered an injury last week that may keep him out for the rest of the EPL season. While Gabriel Jesus is a capable replacement at forward after being rested in that Chelsea match, it is Aguero that is the straw that stirs the drink. Newcastle is playing very effective compact soccer right now. They registered their third clean sheet over their last four matches with the only goal being surrendered over that span being on Wednesday in their 1-1 draw at home versus Aston Villa. The Magpies are particularly stingy when play at home in St. James Park where they have allowed only 13 goals in sixteen English Premier League matches which are tied for the second-lowest mark in the EPL. With all eight teams competing in the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup being from the EPL, I am comfortable using those statistics in handicapping these contests. The concern for this Newcastle United team is that their ambition on offense can stagnate. They registered a low 0.79 expected goals against a suspect Aston Villa defense on Wednesday while failing to generate even one big scoring chance of at least a 35% probability of success rate. The Magpies are averaging just 1.07 expected goals per game in the EPL which is second-to-last. Newcastle has scored only 16 goals at home this year which is the second-fewest in the EPL — and that is matched by their expected goal projection at home which is also 19th in the league.
FINAL TAKE: But manager Steve Bruce is content to grind out lower scoring matches on his home pitch. In their four home games against a big six side in the EPL this season, Newcastle has won two of these matches (while taking one point with a draw in a third game) while seeing only seven combined goals scored. 25* FA Cup Total of the Month with Under the Total in the match between Manchester City (200413) and Newcastle United (200414). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-28-20 |
Southampton v. Watford OVER 2 |
Top |
3-1 |
Win
|
100 |
1 h 35 m |
Show
|
At 11:30 AM ET on Sunday, we will be playing Over the Total in the match between Southampton (200145) and Watford (200146). THE SITUATION: Southampton (W11-D4-L16) has lost three of their last four matches with their 2-0 loss at home to Arsenal on Thursday. Watford (W6-D10-L15) looks to rebound from a 1-0 loss at Burnley on Thursday.
REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: Southampton has seen five combined goals in their first two matches since the return to action this month as they began with a 3-0 victory at Norwich City. The Saints have played better under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl after hitting rock bottom in a 9-0 loss to Leicester City. Hasenhuttl doubled-down on his high-press aggressive style of play which has helped generate scoring chances. Southampton is averaging 1.59 expected goals per match this season — and they have the 7th best expected goals mark when playing on the road. But this approach does make them vulnerable on their back end. The Saints are allowing 2.42 big scoring chances with an expected success rate of at least 35% which is the 4th highest mark in the EPL. Their challenge on defense in this match is heightened with starting defensive back Jack Stephens suspended for this match after receiving a red card in that match against the Gunners on Thursday. Southampton is averaging 1.66 expected goals (xG) when playing on the road — but they are allowing 1.79 expected goals (xGA) in these fifteen road contests. The Saints have scored at least one goal in seventeen of their last eighteen road matches — and they have scored at least two goals in six of their last eight games away from home. Watford has only seen three combined goals in their first two matches since the return to action. But they return home to Vicarage Road where they are average 1.80 xG per match which is 8th best in the EPL. The Hornets have scored in seven of their last eight matches at home. But they are also allowing their opponents to average 1.51 xGA in their fifteen home matches. Additionally, Watford has only generated just one clean sheet in their last nine matches.
FINAL TAKE: Watford has seen an average of 3.03 combined expected goals scored in their fifteen matches at home. 60% of their home games have finished Over the Total. Southampton is averaging 3.04 combined expected goals per match in their fifteen road games. 67% of those matches have finished Over 2.5 goals — and they have seen eight of their last ten road matches finished Over 2.5 goals. 25* EPL Sunday NBC-Sports Network Total of the Month with Over the Total in the match between Southampton (200145) and Watford (200146). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-27-20 |
Manchester United -1 v. Norwich City |
Top |
1-1 |
Loss |
-135 |
10 h 54 m |
Show
|
At 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Manchester United (200401) minus the goal-line versus Norwich City (200402). THE SITUATION: The Football Association Challenge Cup for men’s domestic soccer in England is the oldest soccer competition in the world. Manchester United reached the Quarterfinals of this event back on March 5th when they defeated Derby County on the road by a 3-0 score. Norwich City reached the Quarterfinals of the FA Cup the day before on March 4th when they upset Tottenham via penalty kicks after a 1-1 score.
REASONS TO TAKE MANCHESTER UNITED MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The big six powers in the English Premier League tend to rotate players for these FA Cup matches with this competition not as prestigious as the English Premier League and the Champions League. But Gunnar Solskjaer has never won a championship as a manager so he may be keener to produce a lineup that will lead to victory in this match. At the very least, Solskjaer will likely call on his big guns if his team does not have a lead in the second half. And he certainly has the benefit of a deeper bench than what this Norwich City team has available to them as the last-place team in the EPL. Man United is unbeaten in their last thirteen matches with nine victories over that span. The Red Devils have been transformed with the winter transfer acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes as they have not lost since he put on their uniform. The stoppage of play also allowed this team to get healthy. Now Man United has seen forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Paul Pogba on the pitch with Fernandes to make this starting XI loaded with talent. Forward Anthony Martial was the beneficiary on Wednesday as he scored a hat trick in the Red Devils’ 3-0 win against Sheffield United in EPL play. Man United is 2nd in the league since the restart in both big chances and expected goals. But it is the play on defense that has made the biggest difference for Solskjaer’s side. The Red Devils have registered clean sheets in six of their last eight matches across all competitions. And they are just one of three teams to not allow even one big chance since the EPL returned to action this month. They go on the road for this match but they are averaging over 2.0 expected goals away from home in league play — and they are unbeaten in their last seven matches on the road in the EPL. While this is technically not an English Premier League match, I am comfortable looking at that data when assessing how they will perform against another EPL team. Norwich City is in deep trouble to be relegating as they are six points behind the three-way tie for 19th place in the EPL. They have managed only 8 points in their last eleven matches where they have won just one match. The Canaries have lost both their matches since the return to play while failing to score and allowing four goals. Norwich City is struggling on both sides of the pitch. They have been held scoreless in six of their last seven matches — and they scored just one time in that one game where they were not blanked. The Canaries have the worst attack in the EPL — and they have only managed two shots on target in their two matches since the return to play. They have also allowed a whopping 21 shots inside the box in their two matches this month — and they are last in the EPL in expected goals allowed.
FINAL TAKE: Man United swept the two EPL matches between these two sides this season as they followed up a 3-1 win at Carrow Road in October with a 4-0 win at home at Old Trafford on January 11th. While rotation risks exist with the Red Devils for this match, keep in mind that they play five straight matches against teams in the bottom seven in the EPL starting with this contest so Solskjaer may feel comfortable playing some of his key players to make sure his team advances to the Semifinals. And because Norwich City will be playing with abandon in this elimination contest, a Red Devils route is very possible. 25* FA Cup Match of the Month with the Manchester United (200401) minus the goal-line versus Norwich City (200402). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-27-20 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers -0.5 v. Aston Villa |
Top |
1-0 |
Win
|
100 |
6 h 15 m |
Show
|
At 7:30 AM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Wolverhampton (200141) minus the goal-line versus Aston Villa (200142). THE SITUATION: Wolverhampton (W12-D13-L6) is unbeaten in their two matches since the return to play this month after they defeated Bournemouth on Wednesday by a 1-0 score. Aston Villa (W7-D6-L18) looks to build off a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on Wednesday.
REASONS TO TAKE WOLVERHAMPTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The Wolves are playing outstanding soccer right now as they are unbeaten in their last five EPL matches with four victories. They have scored nine goals in those five matches while conceding just two goals. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s team is playing suffocating defense with six clean sheets in their last seven league matches. They have held their two opponents since the return to just 0.40 combined expected goals allowed after limiting a solid Cherries’ attack to just 0.13 expected goals allowed (xGA). Wolverhampton is significantly better — and more confident — in thwarting their opponent’s attack when Willy Boly is healthy and on the pitch. In their fifteen EPL matches with Boly, they are allowing just 0.50 goals-per-game with nine clean sheets while allowing 1.20 big chances per game and 6.80 shots inside the box per game. Those numbers all compare favorably versus sixteen league matches without Boly where they are allowing 1.60 goals-per-game with just one clean sheet while allowing 1.62 big chances per match and 6.87 shots inside the box per game. Overall, Wolverhampton leads the EPL by allowing only 24 big chances all season. The Wolves are a balanced team — they are also 4th in the league with 52 big chances on offense. These strong fundamentals help explain why they have won the expected goals battle in twenty-four of their thirty-one league matches. They are unbeaten in their last four EPL matches on the road with three victories. They are 4th in the league with 24 points on the road — and they rank 3rd in expected points (xPTS) when playing away from home. With Wolverhampton tied with Manchester United for 5th place in the EPL table, they are very motivated to keep playing well to qualify for one of the four spots for next fall’s Champions League (with Man City’s eligibility still up in the air). Aston Villa is tied for second-to-last in the EPL table having gone winless in their last seven matches with five losses. They have only scored twice in their three matches since the return to play this month. On paper, it appears as if the Villans have significantly improved their play on defense with manager Dean Smith using the stoppage of play to adjust his defensive tactics. Smith had to do something — his team had allowed the most shots inside the box through twenty-nine game weeks since the EPL starting measuring that data. But the Villans have also benefited from a relatively weak returning schedule facing a Magpies team this week that is second-to-last in scoring in the EPL along with a rusty Chelsea side, and an undermanned Sheffield United group that leans heavily on their defensive play. Aston Villa remains desperate for points — so they will play more aggressively if and when they fall behind in this match. The Villans have not registered a clean sheet in eleven straight matches. They are winless in their last nineteen matches in English top-flight in the top-six of the standings in the time of the match — and they have lost seventeen of these contests including their last thirteen.
FINAL TAKE: Wolverhampton won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 2-1 score back on November 10th. With seven days off before their next contest, Nuno can comfortably play his best starting XI. Don’t get worried if the Wolves lack a lead at halftime as they have outscored their opponents in the second half by a whopping 32-10 margin. And they have allowed only one goal in the EPL this season after taking a one-goal lead. 25* English Premier League Match of the Month with the Wolverhampton (200141) minus the goal-line versus Aston Villa (200142). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-26-20 |
Real Valladolid v. Sevilla -1 |
|
1-1 |
Loss |
-146 |
1 h 53 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Sevilla (201874) minus the goal-line versus Valladolid (201873). THE SITUATION: Sevilla (W14-D11-L6) is unbeaten in their last eight matches after their 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Monday. Real Valladolid (W7-D13-L11) also comes off gaining a point in the La Liga table with their 1-1 draw at home to Getafe on Tuesday.
REASONS TO TAKE SEVILLA MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Sevilla entered Matchweek 32 in the Spanish top-flight four points above the 5th place team with the top four teams in the league qualifying for next year’s Championship League. Manager Julen Lopetegui rested a handful of his key players in that match to begin the week including leading scorer Lucas Ocampos — so Los Nervionenses should be primed for a big effort in this match. Sevilla is a very consistent team that has scored in twenty-two straight matches in La Liga play. They also have generated the fourth most clean sheets in the league this year. They have allowed only three goals in their four matches since the return to action — and they have only allowed one opponent to produce an expected goal rate of over 1.0 xG in those four contests. Los Nervionsenses have also generated 5.28 expected goals on offense since the return to play which is the 5th most of all the teams in La Liga. This quality play on both sides of the pitch is one of the reasons why Sevilla has only lost two matches in their last twelve league contests. They stay at home at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan where they are W7-D6-L2 this season. Real Valladolid has won just once in their last six contests in league play. They have only scored three goals in their four matches since the return to action this month. This Pucela team is last in La Liga in creating scoring chances. Motivation may be an issue for this team as they rank 15th in the standings while being 8 points clear of the relegation zone. But the deeper metrics suggest that Real Valladolid are overachieving as their expected points (xPTS) drops them to second-to-last in the league. Now this team goes back on the road where they are tied for 9th place in points — but their xPTS drops to just 17th in the league when playing away from home. This team is undermanned in this match with defenseman Pedro Porro and forward Sandro Ramirez dealing with injuries.
FINAL TAKE: Sevilla won the reverse fixture between these two teams on the road by a 1-0 score. Look for Los Nervionenses to register another victory against Real Valladolid who does not have much to play for at this point of the season. 10* La Liga Friday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Sevilla (201874) minus the goal-line versus Valladolid (201873). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-25-20 |
Manchester City v. Chelsea OVER 2.5 |
|
1-2 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 4 m |
Show
|
At 3:15 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Over the Total in the match between Manchester City (200137) and Chelsea (200138). THE SITUATION: Manchester City (W20-D3-L7) has won four of their last five matches after they defeated Burnley on Monday by a 5-0 score. Chelsea (W15-D6-L9) won their first game in their return to the pitch on Sunday with their 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: Man City has scored eight goals in their two matches this month. While they lost their striker Sergio Aguero for, at least, a few weeks with a knee injury he suffered in that match, manager Pep Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches with options to replace him on the pitch. Forward Gabriel Jesus gets plenty of action as the lead striker for this team -- but do not be surprised if Guardiola moves Raheem Sterling to the number nine spot atop the field — that is the position Sterling plays for the English National team. The Citizens lead the EPL with the most goals scored — and they also lead the EPL by averaging 2.62 expected goals (xG) per match. Now Man City goes back on the road where they are generating 2.53 xG per game — but they are vulnerable in back as they allow 1.21 xGA in their fifteen league matches on the road. The Citizens are better on defense with a healthy Aymeric LaPorte healthy and playing at center back — but they have still allowed their opponents to see 14% of their non-penalty scoring chances represent “big chances” with at least a 35% expected success rate. Chelsea was lethargic on offense on Sunday until Christian Pulisic and Ross Barkley took the pitch as substitutes in the second half. They jump-started the Blues offense with Pulisic evening the score with the Villans in the 60th minute before Olivier Giroud scored the game-winner two minutes later. Chelsea returns home to Stamford Bridge where they are scoring just 1.47 goals-per-game as compared to the 2.07 goals-per-game they are averaging on the road. But the Blues have suffered some hard luck at home because they have an xG of 2.33 at home which is better than the 1.61 xG they have on the road. Chelsea will be without one of their starting defenders for this match with Fikayo Tomori out with an injury. The defense is the weak-link for manager Frank Lampard’s team — the 40 goals they have allowed this season is more than the 39 goals they allowed all of last season.
FINAL TAKE: Pulisic has been injured for much of the season — but the American is the real deal despite him warranting some initial skepticism as just a product of the US media hype machine. The Blues are already an aggressive team that deploys a press to put their young talent in positions to succeed — and that approach is bolstered when left-back Marcos Alonso is starting (as he is in this one). Chelsea’s attack is even better with Pulisic in the middle of the field. Man City is a juggernaut — but the Blues should be competitive. Look for, at least, a 2-1 result. 10* EPL Thursday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Over the Total in the match between Manchester City (200137) and Chelsea (200138). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-24-20 |
Mallorca v. Real Madrid -2 |
|
0-2 |
Push |
0 |
0 h 5 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Real Madrid (201830) minus the goal-line versus Mallorca (201829). THE SITUATION: Real Madrid (W19-D8-L3) has won all three of their matches since the return to action earlier this month with their 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Sunday. Mallorca (W7-D5-L18) looks to build off a 1-1 draw at home over Leganes on Friday.
REASONS TO TAKE REAL MADRID MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Los Blancos now control their destiny to win the La Liga championship with Barcelona suffering a draw this month. Real Madrid is three points behind Barca entering this match but control the potential tie-breaker between these two teams if both win out courtesy of their victory in the latest rendition of El Classico earlier this year before the stoppage of play. Real Madrid has scored eight goals in their three matches this month while conceding just twice. They return home where they are W11-D4-L0 will scoring 33 goals and conceding just 10 times. Mallorca has scored just once in their three matches this month while allowing six goals in what has included two losses. They were fortunate to escape with a draw on Friday considering that they lost the expected goals battle to Leganes by a 1.32-0.38 xG margin. The Balearic Islanders have been much better at home where they are now W6-D3-L7 — but now they go back on the road where they are just W1-D2-L11. Those 5 points away from home are the fewest in La Liga — and they are also last in the league in expected points on the road.
FINAL TAKE: A blowout is likely for Real Madrid. Six of their last ten victories have been by at least two goals. And there is little chance that manager Zinedine Zidane’s side will take Mallorca lightly considering that one of three losses this season was on the road at Estadi de Sonmoix. 20* La Liga Mallorca-Real Madrid beIN Sports Special with Real Madrid (201830) minus the goal-line versus Mallorca (201829). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-24-20 |
AFC Bournemouth v. Wolverhampton Wanderers -0.75 |
|
0-1 |
Win
|
50 |
0 h 11 m |
Show
|
At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Wolverhampton (200110) minus the goal-line versus Bournemouth (200109). THE SITUATION: Wolverhampton (W11-D13-L6) returned the pitch on Saturday with their 2-0 win at West Ham. Bournemouth (W7-D6-L17) looks to bounce back from a 2-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
REASONS TO TAKE WOLVERHAMPTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Bournemouth is in serious trouble to be one of the three relegated teams as they are currently tied for that spot in the EPL table with just 27 points. Manager Eddie Howe’s team lacked much ambition in the return to action on Saturday as they maned just 0.55 expected goals in their shutout loss to the Eagles. Over their last five matches, the Cherries have lost four of these contests with one draw while scoring just four times. But the defense has been even worse for Bournemouth as they have allowed at least two goals in each of those four matches while allowing 11 goals overall. Furthermore, in their last nineteen matches in the EPL, the Cherries are allowing 1.93 expected goals (xGA). They have not earned a clean sheet in league play in their last thirteen matches while conceding 25 goals during that span. Defense has usually been an issue under Howe whose attacking frenetic style leaves his team vulnerable. Bournemouth has stayed afloat in the EPL by scoring plenty of goals — which is why their scoring slump now is a significant cause for concern. They are averaging just 1.17 expected goals (xG) in their last nineteen EPL matches. Now they go back on the road where they have lost twenty-four of their last thirty-four matches in EPL play since the start of last season. Forward Joshua King did not look mentally prepared to return to play in that match — and he is now questionable with a knock for this match. Wolverhampton is undefeated in their last six matches with three victories and five clean sheets in that span. The Wolves have plenty to play for being tied with Manchester United for 5th place in the EPL table. They have registered three straight clean sheets when playing at home where they are now allowing only 1.06 xGA per match. Wolverhampton leads the EPL by allowing just 24 big chances on defense this season. They also feast against the bottom teams in the league as they have won five of their six opportunities to host a team in the lower half of the league while scoring 16 times and allowing just four goals.
FINAL TAKE: Wolverhampton won the reverse fixture on the road back on November 23rd by a 2-1 score. With Bournemouth looking mentally checked out this season, look for the Wolves to dominate this match. 25* EPL Midweek Match of the Month with the Wolverhampton (200110) minus the goal-line versus Bournemouth (200109). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-24-20 |
Sheffield United v. Manchester United -1 |
|
0-3 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 3 m |
Show
|
At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Manchester United (200122) minus the goal-line versus Sheffield United (200121). THE SITUATION: Manchester United (W12-D10-L8) returned to the pitch last Friday with their 1-1 draw at Tottenham. Sheffield United (W11-D11-L8) looks to bounce back from a 3-0 loss at Newcastle United.
REASONS TO TAKE MANCHESTER UNITED MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Man United is unbeaten in their last twelve matches with eight victories. The team has been jumpstarted with the winter transfer acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes who has scored nine teams across all competitions with the Red Devils not losing a match since he put on the red jersey for this franchise. Man United should have earned the 3 points with a win over the Spurs last Friday as they won the expected goals battle by a 1.69-0.47 xG margin. The Red Devils have been ravaged by injuries this season but they are as healthy as they have been al season with both Marcus Rashford and now Paul Pogba back on the pitch. Pogba came off the bench on Friday and the team looked electric on offense with him joining Fernandes in the middle of the field. Man United returns home to Old Trafford where they are averaging 1.98 xG this season while holding their opponents to 1.14 xGA. The Red Devils have allowed only three goals in their five home matches against a non-Big Six side. Sheffield United looks to have lost all their mojo after being unbeaten in six straight matches before the stoppage of play. The Blades’ lack of depth of defense was exposed in that match with the Magpies after center back John Egan was called for a red card in the 50th minute of that match. They were already missing their other starting center back in Jack O’Connell — and Sheffield United then conceded three goals in a 23-minute stretch to get dominated in that match last Sunday. Egan is suspended for this match while O’Connell remains a doubt for this match. To compound matters, the Blades cannot play their star goaltender Dean Henderson since he is on loan from his parent club which is Man United. That leaves Sheffield United undermanned at their strength which is their defense. The Blades have not done much on offense either with just 12 combined shots in their two matches since the return along with a mere 0.80 combined expected goals in those games.
FINAL TAKE: These two teams played to a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture on November 24th. Man United has dominated Sheffield United when playing at home with seven straight victories where they have scored 17 times while allowing just two goals. 20* EPL Sheffield United-Man United NBC Sports Network Special with the Manchester United (200122) minus the goal-line versus Sheffield United (200121). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-24-20 |
Everton -0.5 v. Norwich City |
|
1-0 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 1 m |
Show
|
At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Everton (20013) minus the goal-line versus Norwich City (20014). THE SITUATION: Everton (W10-D8-L12) comes off an impressive nil-nil draw at home against Liverpool on Sunday. Norwich City (W5-D6-L19) looks to rebound from a 3-0 loss to Southampton.
REASONS TO TAKE EVERTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The Toffees will be looking to register their first victory in their last five matches in this contest. They deserved to defeat the inevitable EPL champions this season on Sunday as they won the expected goals battle by a 1.13-0.73 mark. This team has been much better under new manager Carlo Ancelotti who replaces Marco Silva in late December. The three-time Champions League winner as the skipper for Real Madrid and AC Milan has pushed the right buttons to get more out of the talent that exists on this roster. Since he took over, Everton has averaged 2.08 expected goals (xG) while allowing just 1.29 xGA which is 5th best in the EPL over that span. Perhaps Ancelotti’s biggest contribution has been to unleash the potential of forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was the only player in the league to generate at least one big chance in eight straight matches before the stoppage of play. This team goes back on the road where they are averaging an impressive 2.11 xG in their last five matches. Norwich City has lost five of its last seven matches. Even worse for this team seemingly destined for relegation as they have managed only 8 points in their last ten matches with just 11.2 expected goals in this matches while allowing 18.81 expected goals during that span. The Canaries have been shut out in five of their last six matches while scoring just one goal in those games. Norwich City hosts this match where they are allowing 2.02 xGA per match. in their twenty-one matches against teams outside the Big Six, they have lost thirteen of these matches while conceding 32 times and scoring just 13 goals.
FINAL TAKE: Everton will be motivated to avenge a 2-0 loss at home to the Canaries back on November 23rd. That match was about a month before Ancelotti replaced Silva. Look for the Toffees who are in much better form to overwhelm a Norwich City in the last place and likely headed back to the English Champions League in the fall. 20* EPL Wednesday Afternoon Discounted Deal with the Everton (20013) minus the goal-line versus Norwich City (20014). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-22-20 |
Granada +0.5 v. Leganes |
|
0-0 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 9 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Granada CF (201801) plus the goal-line versus Leganes (201802). THE SITUATION: Granada CF (W12-D6-L12) suffered their first loss in their last seven matches with their 1-0 loss at home to Real Villarreal on Friday. Leganes (W5-D9-L16) comes off a 1-1 draw at Mallorca on Friday.
REASONS TO TAKE GRANADA CF PLUS THE GOAL-LINE: At first glance, Leganes appears to be the sharp play in this contest. With them tied for last place in the La Liga standings with just 24 goals, they are desperate for the three points a victory would produce in this contest with them currently five points behind safety from relegation. Los Pepineros are 14th in the table in expected points (xPTS) with 35.78 — so the deeper metrics think this team should be safe from demotion to the second tier Spanish professional league in the fall. But the team on the pitch this afternoon will not have three of the key players that helped produce those encouraging analytics. The Cucumber Growers lost two of their best forwards in the winter transfer period with Youssef En-Nesyri being sold to Sevilla and Martin Braithwaite transferring to Barcelona. Those two players accounted for almost half the team’s goals when they departed. Argentinian Alexander Szymanowski slid into the attacking role with their departures — but he will be out for this match with an injury. As it is, Leganes is last in the La Liga with just 23 goals scored — and they are second-to-last in expected goals (xG) scored. Their 14 goals at home are also second-to-last in the league along with their xG at home of just 15.82 which is also 19th. The Cucumber Growers have scored just five goals in their last eight matches — and they have scored only seven goals in the last eleven games. Furthermore, they have scored only two goals in their three matches since the return to play while conceding five times. They have only won once in their last eight matches. Granada is W1-D1-L1 in their three matches since the return to play. They are dealing with a host of injuries themselves — but they remain motivated to get a victory in this match with them being just five points out of 7th place and the final qualifying spot for next year’s Europa League. El Grana can struggle against the top teams in the league — but they do feast on the bottom teams especially when playing on the road. Granada has only generated one point in their eight matches on the road against one of the top-ten teams in La Liga. However, they have produced 12 points in seven matches against teams in the bottom half of the league when playing on the road. And while they have allowed the 5th most goals when playing on the road, the expected goals they should have allowed in those road matches are 6th best in La Liga.
FINAL TAKE: Granada won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 1-0 score back on September 28th. Granada has a very good chance to win this match — and a draw is likely their worst result against an opponent that lacks reliable scoring threats. 10* La Liga Monday Afternoon Discounted Deal with Granada CF (201801) plus the goal-line versus Leganes (201802). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-22-20 |
Burnley v. Manchester City UNDER 3.5 |
Top |
0-5 |
Loss |
-111 |
12 h 8 m |
Show
|
At 3:00 PM ET on Monday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Burnley (200025) and Manchester City (200026). THE SITUATION: Burnley (W11-D6-L12) was unbeaten in their last seven matches before the stoppage of play after their 1-1 draw at home with Tottenham. Manchester City (W19-D3-L7) comes off a 3-0 win at home on Wednesday over Arsenal in their return to the pitch.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Citizens’ victory over the Gunners was their third clean sheet in their last four matches in the English Premier League — and they have played six straight matches in EPL action where one of the teams was shut out. Man City suffocated the Arsenal attack on Wednesday as they allowed only three shots with none on target. Pep Guardiola’s team is much better with center back Aymeric LaPorte on the pitch after he missed much of the season with an injury. Before Wednesday’s match, in the seven games LaPorte has played this season, the Citizens allowed a stingy 0.43 goals-per-game as compared to their 1.14 defense Goals-Per-Game average in their other twenty-one contests. And while Man City allowed 5.7 shots per match in the box along with 1.6 Big Chances per match before the return to play this week, those numbers fall to just 4 shots per match in the box along with just 1.2 Big Chances allowed per game with LaPorte healthy and playing. Man City scored three goals against Arsenal but keep in mind that two of those goals were scored with a man advantage after the Gunners’ defenseman, David Luiz, was whistled for a red card. The Citizens struggled early to get their offense going in that match as they managed only two shots while posting a minuscule 0.13 expected goals mark in the first 30 minutes of that match. Forward Sergio Aguero did not start in that match so he is likely to be one of the starters up top for the two-time defending champions for this match — but who knows what will happen with Pep roulette with the remaining starting XI. Don’t be surprised if Raheem Sterling and/or Kevin DeBruyne does not start in this match. With Liverpool all but clinched the EPL title this season, the goal for Guardiola and this team is to slowly get his team in shape and form for a Champions League run in August which is the only championship to elude this team over their fantastic run in the last few seasons. Man City has the allowed only 12 goals in the EPL when playing at home in the Etihad while also leading the league in the fewest expected goals allowed (xGA). They have produced six clean sheets in their fourteen home matches at home. And in their ten home games against teams outside the traditional big six EPL clubs, Man City has surrendered just seven goals. Burnley will be significantly undermanned at forward with both Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes out with injuries for this match. Wood and Barnes are the Clarets’ two leading scorers with seventeen combined goals which account for half of the team’s 34 goals on the season. As it is when at full strength, Burnley has scored only seven goals in their ten matches against the traditional big six sides in the EPL. Expect manager Sean Dyche has his team park the proverbial bus to stymie the Man City attack in this match. Dyche would be ecstatic with a nil-nil draw. The Clarets have allowed at least three goals in only six of their twenty-nine matches — and they have given up more than three goals in just three of those games. When Burnley is playing in a defensive 4-4-2 formation, they enjoy a positive net expected goal differential of +4.85 (xGD) so they are comfortable with this approach. Defense has led the way for the Clarets’ good form before the stoppage of play. Burnley has allowed only one goal in the last three matches while giving up just two combined goals over their last six matches. But the Clarets have scored just four times in their last six matches.
FINAL TAKE: Burnley will be looking to avenge a 4-1 loss at home to Man City in the reverse fixture on December 3rd. The Citizens have allowed only two goals in their last five opportunities to host the Clarets in Etihad Stadium. 25* EPL Monday NBC Sports Network Total of the Month with Under the Total in the match between Burnley (200025) and Manchester City (200026). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-21-20 |
Liverpool v. Everton +1 |
Top |
0-0 |
Win
|
100 |
2 h 51 m |
Show
|
At 2:00 PM ET on Sunday, we will be playing Everton (200046) plus the goal-line versus Liverpool (200045). THE SITUATION: Everton (W10-D7-L12) is winless in their last three matches after suffering an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Chelsea in their last match back on March 8th. Liverpool (W27-D1-L1) returns to the pitch after a 2-1 win over Bournemouth back on March 7th.
REASONS TO TAKE EVERTON PLUS THE GOAL-LINE: I question the motivation of this Liverpool team returning from the three-month hiatus with little to play for. The Reds are a commanding 22 points up in 1st place in the EPL table so their championship is all but guaranteed. Liverpool was also eliminated already in the Champions League in a loss in the Round of 16 to Real Madrid so manager Jurgen Klopp does not have any expectations for his squad to prepare for an August run to defend their European championship. It has been a magical twelve or so months for the Reds — but it is probably impossible for them to continue to play at the incredible level that they had enjoyed. While they have 82 points in the EPL this season, the deeper metrics suggest that they should have only earned 59.61 expected points (xPTS) which is a dramatic dropoff (and below Manchester City’s xPTS mark). They have outscored their opponents by +45 goals this year in league play — but their expected goals differential drops to +32.34 (xGD). Cracks in their armor were showing before the stoppage in play. After the disappointing loss to Real Madrid, Liverpool then averaged just 1.55 expected goals (xG) in their final three EPL matches while allowing 1.44 expected goals (xGA) which is far below their scorching 2.16 xG - 1.12 xGA clip for the season. From the vantage point of my “eye test”, the Reds have lost some of their emotional intensity which resulted in less vigor in their effort on defense. Now Liverpool goes on the road where while they are W12-D1-L1 in EPL play for 37 points, their expected points on the road fall to just 26.00. Everton has been underachieving relatively to the deeper metrics all season. While they are in 13th place in the EPL table, their expected points are 6th best in the league. Those numbers suggest that the Toffees have been the second unluckiest team in the league. They had registered at least 2.0 expected goals per match in seven straight contests before their underwhelming effort at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Everton has played much better since manager Carlo Ancelotti was appointed to replace Marco Silva in late December. Ancelotti is the real deal with three Champions League titles as the manager of AC Milan and then Real Madrid. Ancelotti is considered a tactical genius with an ability to adapt his schemes to his talent along with the weaknesses of his opposition. The Toffees are W5-D3-L3 since Ancelotti took over which has improved the W8-D2-L9 clip they had under Silva. Over their last five matches, Everton led the EPL in big chances created on offense along with being second in total goals scored and third in expected goals. The Toffees were also second in expected goals allowed so they have played well on both ends of the pitch. Ancelotti has unlocked the potential of forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was the only player in EPL to record at least one big chance in eight straight match weeks. Overall, Everton is 2nd in the EPL since Ancelotti took over by averaging 2.17 xG — and they are 6th in the league on defense with a 1.37 xGA mark. This is a very underrated side. They host this match at Goodison Park where they are W1-D3-L1 in their five matches against a traditional big six opponent well scoring 6 goals and allowing just 6 goals.
FINAL TAKE: These two teams have played to a draw in six of their last seven Merseyside Derby’s at Everton. The Toffees will be very motivated to pull the upset as they lost the reverse fixture to Liverpool by a 5-2 score on December 4th before then losing to the Reds on January 11th by a 1-0 score in FA Cup play against a roster filled mostly of younger players. 25* English Premier League Sunday NBC-TV Match of the Year with Everton (200046) plus the goal-line versus Liverpool (200045). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-20-20 |
Crystal Palace v. AFC Bournemouth |
|
2-0 |
Loss |
-126 |
1 h 19 m |
Show
|
At 2:45 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Bournemouth (200022) with the goal-line versus Crystal Palace (200021). THE SITUATION: Bournemouth (W7-D6-L16) return to the pitch this afternoon with their last match being a 2-1 loss at Liverpool back on March 7th. Crystal Palace (W10-D9-L10) last played on March 7th when they defeated Watford by a 1-0 score.
REASONS TO TAKE BOURNEMOUTH WITH THE GOAL-LINE: The Cherries were slumping when play stopped as they had lost thirteen of their last eighteen league matches while allowing their opponents to register 1.99 expected goals per game. Injuries did not help their situation then — so three months to get healthy along with the extended time for manager Eddie Howe to rethink things on defense can only help. Remember that Bournemouth has become a staple in the English top-flight with this being their fifth straight season in the EPL. They have only lost five of their last fourteen league matches at home in Vitality Stadium. They also feast on the lesser competition of the league when playing at home — they have generated 10 points in their last six matches at home against the bottom-ten teams from the table. Crystal Palace may be lacking motivation in the return to action with them stuck in the middle of the table. The Eagles are 12 points safe from relegation in 11th place — but they are also 7 points behind 6th place with both Arsenal and Tottenham standing in their way of potential qualification for the Europa League next fall. The deeper metrics suggest that Crystal Palace has been fortunate to be in the position they are in as they rank just 15th in the EPL in expected points (xPTS). While they are allowing just 1.10 Goals-Per-Game (6th in the EPL), they have an expected goals allowed mark (xGA) of 1.53 which is just 10th in the league. The Eagles are being outscored by -6 net goals this season but their net expected goal differential (xGD) is -16.08. They have only won four of their fourteen matches on the road while being saddled with a 2.01 xGA mark. In their last five road games, they have a combined 11.67 xGA which has resulted in a net expected goal margin of -5.17 xGD.
FINAL TAKE: Crystal Palace has won their last two matches against Bournemouth after their 1-0 win in the reverse EPL fixture on December 3rd. But those two matches were at Selhurst Park. The Cherries host this match with a sense of urgency with a difficult stretch of matches on deck with road games at Wolverhampton, Manchester United, and Manchester City along with home matches against Tottenham, Leicester City, and Everton. 20* EPL Saturday Afternoon Discounted Deal with the Bournemouth (200022) with the goal-line versus Crystal Palace (200021). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-20-20 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers -0.25 v. West Ham United |
Top |
2-0 |
Win
|
100 |
7 h 23 m |
Show
|
At 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, we will be playing Wolverhampton (200013) minus the goal-line versus Wes Ham United (200014). THE SITUATION: Wolverhampton (W10-D13-L6) was unbeaten in their last five English Premier League matches before the stoppage of play with their 0-0 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on March 7th. West Ham United (W7-D6-L16) looks to rebound from a 1-0 loss at Arsenal back on March 7th in their last match.
REASONS TO TAKE WOLVERHAMPTON MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The Wolves were unbeaten in their last five games in the English Premier League while posting clean sheets in four of those contests. They are also still alive for the Europa League championship as their last match before the break-in play was a 1-1 draw at Olympiakos Piraeus in the first leg of their Round of 16 matches. Depth is an issue for this West Midlands team so the three-month break offers them an advantage as they are rested for this final run of matches. Wolverhampton is currently in 7th place in the EPL table while remaining alive to qualify for one of the four available Champions League slots. The deeper metrics are bullish on the Wolves as they have won the expected goals battle in twenty-two of their twenty-nine matches in the EPL this season. Wolverhampton ranks 5th in the league in expected points (xPTS). Over their last eight matches, the Wolves were posting an expected goals (xG) scoring mark of 2.08 while holding their opponents to just 0.94 expected goals (xGA) — and they held the advantage in this metric after matches with top-level teams Manchester United, Tottenham, and even 1st place Liverpool during that span. Now this team goes on the road where they rank 3rd in the EPL in xPTS. West Ham was just W1-D2-L6 in their last nine matches before the stoppage of play. Defense has been a major weakness for this team as they rank 2nd-to-last in the league by allowing 2.05 expected goals per match. The return of David Moyes as their manager at the end of December did not rectify this problem. The Hammers have allowed the second-most Big Chances for their opponents along with the second most shots inside the box since Moyes took over the reins of this team for the second time after he was skipper for the team in 2017-18. West Ham has generated only 8 points in their ten matches under Moyes when allowing 1.94 expected goals per match which is the 4th worst mark in the league during the span. West Ham hosts this match without fans in London Stadium where they are suffering with an expected goal differential of -5.61.
FINAL TAKE: West Ham has lost their last three matches against Wolverhampton after their 2-0 loss at Molineaux on December 4th. Look for the Wolves to outclass the Hammers who are struggling in 17th place in the EPL table. 25* EPL NBC-TV Match of the Year with the Wolverhampton (200013) minus the goal-line versus Wes Ham United (200014). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-19-20 |
Barcelona FC v. Sevilla +0.5 |
Top |
0-0 |
Win
|
100 |
0 h 19 m |
Show
|
At 4:00 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Sevilla (201910) plus the goal-line versus Barcelona (201909). THE SITUATION: Sevilla (W14-D9-L6) remained unbeaten in their last six matches on Monday with their 1-1 draw at Levante. Barcelona (W20-D4-L5) has won seven of their last eight matches with their 2-0 victory over Leganes on Tuesday.
REASONS TO TAKE SEVILLA PLUS THE GOAL-LINE: Sevilla suffered a hard-luck draw in that match on Monday as they scored an own goal in the 87th minute to forfeit their impending 3 points with the victory. They have yet to see an opposing player score against them in their two matches since the return to play. The Andalusians are in 3rd place in the La Liga table as they look to qualify for one of the four slots in the Champions League. Sevilla already had a strong attacking team but they fortified their stable of forwards in the winter transfer period by signing the 23-year old Youssef En-Nesryi along with acquiring Suso on loan from AC Milan. They join their summer transfer in Lucas Ocampos who is their leading scorer this season. Over their last ten matches, the Andalusians have lost now twice while posting 1.64 expected goals (xG) and allowing just 1.17 expected goals (xGA). They host this match where they are unbeaten since December while losing only two of their fourteen matches. They have an impressive +0.97 net expected goal differential when playing at home. And while some bettors may look to the fact that they have only produced 15 points in their last eight home matches, they have posted an impressive +1.03 net expected goal differential in those matches which suggests they were the victim of some unfortunate circumstances. Barcelona has won eight of their ten matches since manager Quique Setien took over the team in January. But both of their losses under Setien have taken place on the road against Real Madrid and Valencia. The reigning La Liga champions have not been as dominant when playing on the road as they are averaging just 1.5 points per road match which is their lowest mark in a decade — and their expected 1.64 points per match on the road indicates they have not been particularly unlucky with those results. The Catalonians have just a +3 net goal differential when playing on the road — and the expected goals metric concurs with only that slight edge as they are just +0.30 net expected goal differential per match when playing on the road. In their victory over Leganes on Tuesday, they only generated 0.88 non-penalty kick expected goals which is not very impressive. Superstar Lionel Messi did score the final goal in that match via a penalty kick. Yet they are averaging 2.34 expected goals per game at home — and now they go back on the road where they are scoring just 1.48 expected goals per match. Barca has feasted on the lesser teams in the league like the last place Leganes this season — they have only 9 points in their last seven matches against teams in the top half of the table.
FINAL TAKE: Barcelona did defeat Sevilla in the reverse fixture between these two teams on October 6th in their 4-0 victory at home at Camp Nou. But the underlying metrics suggest that the match was much closer than expected as Sevilla won the expected goals battle by a 3.27 to 2.46 mark. The Andalusians have a good chance to pull the upset on this Barcelona team that has been vulnerable on the road. A draw may be likely which makes getting the +0.5 goal very valuable. 25* La Liga Friday beIN Sports Match of the Year with the Sevilla (201910) plus the goal-line versus Barcelona (201909). Best of luck for us — Frank.
|
06-19-20 |
Manchester United v. Tottenham Hotspur |
Top |
1-1 |
Push |
0 |
6 h 43 m |
Show
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At 3:15 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Manchester United (200037) minus the goal-line versus Tottenham (200038). THE SITUATION: Manchester United (W12-D9-L8) returns to the pitch for the first time since they defeated LASK on the road by a 5-0 score in Europa League action on March 12th. Tottenham (W11-D8-L10) last played in the second leg of the Round of 16 of the Champions League where they were eliminated by RB Leipzig by a 3-0 score on March 10th.
REASONS TO TAKE MANCHESTER UNITED MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: The Red Devils had found their form under manager Gunnar Solskjaer as they had not been beaten in their last eleven matches across all competitions while scoring 29 goals over that span and conceding goals just twice. Man United was not simply feasting against weaker competition either as four of those eight victories came against teams currently residing in the top-six spots in the EPL table including Manchester City who they defeated in their last EPL match on March 8th by a 2-0 score. That was no fluke either against two-time defending EPL champions (and the best statistical team this year in the EPL according to the expected goals metric) — they won the xG battle by a 1.32-0.75 margin in that contest. The winter signing of midfielder Bruno Fernandes jumpstarted this team. The Portuguese star from Sporting Lisbon brought this team a risk-taking play-maker that they have been missing. Since Gameweek 25, the Red Devils are second in the EPL in shots on target. Now this team takes the pitch again healthy with forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Paul Pogba back from injuries that have sidelined both for much of the season. Rashford is the team’s best scorer — and he should thrive with a new partner in Fernandes on the pitch. Pogba is the real wildcard here as the enigmatic French star has not contributed much over the last two seasons. But do not underestimate Pogba’s talent — he was a key component in France’s World Cup victory in 2018 and tends to shine when surrounded with other elite players. Despite not being healthy all season, Man United sports an impressive W6-D4-L1 mark in their eleven matches against the top-eight teams in the EPL table while allowing just nine goals with five clean sheets. Their lone loss was at Liverpool who are running away with the EPL title. Now at full strength, the Red Devils could become very, very good for the rest of this unique season. Tottenham also gets healthy again with Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Moussa Sissoko, Steven Bergwijn, and Tangy Ndombele all recovered from the injuries they were dealing with before the stoppage in March. But the Spurs will be without one of their key pieces in the midfield with Dele Alli suspended for this match. Kane is a bit of a mystery for me as I worry that the 26-year old may be wearing down after years of extended service for this franchise along with the English national team. But the problems for this Tottenham side that are winless in their last six matches are more endemic than just some ill-timed midseason knocks. Manager Maurice Pochettino took this team to the Finals of the Champions League to conclude last season (where they lost to Liverpool) — but he returned for his sixth season with the franchise with a group of players that had lost interest in his leadership. The ensuing slow start prompted his firing in mid-November where he was replaced by the enigmatic Jose Mourinho. One of the tactical changes that Mourinho deployed was to abandon the pressing style that Pochettino favored that was no longer succeeding for counter-attacking tactics. Unfortunately for the Spurs, the results have been dreadful on the defensive side of the pitch for this team. In the seventeen matches under Mourinho, Tottenham have 29 expected goals allowed mark which is 5th worst in the EPL over that span — and their -2.6 expected goal differential in those matches in 12th in the league. Over their last ten matches, the Spurs averaging an xGA mark of 2.08 while twice allowing their opponents to cross the 3.0 expected goals mark. In their last EPL match against Burnley, they allowed a team not known for their attacking prowess to pepper them with 21 shots in eight on target in what concluded in a 1-1 draw on March 7th. Seeing the return of these talented offensive players will help — but the talent and cohesion of the roster of defensive backs remains a question. Against the traditional Big Six EPL teams this season, Tottenham is just W1-D2-L5 while conceding 13 times and scoring only 9 goals.
FINAL TAKE: The Spurs will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss at Manchester United back on December 4th. Tottenham has generated 26 of their 41 points in the EPL at home this season in their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — but the lack of fans in this contest will detract from their home-field advantage in this facility. The Spurs have lost two of their three opportunities to host a Big Six side this season. 25* EPL Friday NBC-Sports Network Match of the Year with the Manchester United (200037) minus the goal-line versus Tottenham (200038). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-19-20 |
Southampton v. Norwich City |
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3-0 |
Win
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100 |
1 h 51 m |
Show
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At 1:00 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Southampton (200033) with the goal-line versus Norwich City (200034). THE SITUATION: Southampton (W10-D4-L15) returns to the pitch after a 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle United on March 7th. Norwich City (W5-D6-L18) comes off a 1-0 loss at Sheffield United on March 7th.
REASONS TO TAKE SOUTHAMPTON WITH THE GOAL-LINE: The Saints started W1-D6-L8 in their first fifteen matches last year which prompted them to fire manager Mark Hughes. Former RB Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl took over the team and oversaw a W8-D6-L9 finish to the season to barely stave off relegation with Saints finishing in 16th place. The key to Hasenhuttl’s success was installing a high-press scheme that significantly increased the team’s aggressiveness. But Southampton struggled to start this season — and they hit rock bottom in the fall in a humiliating 9-0 loss to Leicester City. Hasenhuttl did not back down on his pressing approach but he did change formations to add a fourth defender for his backline after the international break offered him to reassess the team’s tactics. The Saints responded by going on a W7-D2-L3 run over their next twelve matches which catapulted them into the middle of the table. Southampton was slumping before play stopped in March — but the hiatus has allowed Hasenhuttl to once again tweak with his game management. The Saints press has been a success as they rank 3rd in the EPL behind Liverpool and Man City in passes allowed before a defensive action on their part. The deeper metrics are bullish on this team — while they are 14th in the table with 34 points, their expected points (xPTS) of 41.09 is 8th best in the EPL. Southampton has also been a good road team this season — they have won six of their fourteen matches with two draws with those 20 points being tied for 6th best in the league. Norwich City has lost three of their last four EPL matches — and they have been shut out in four of their last five contests. The Canaries lack finishers with only forward Teemu Pukki presenting a reliable scoring threat. They are converting a mere 7.5% of their 335 shots attempts with those resulting 25 goals being tied for the fewest in the EPL. But defense may be the bigger concern for this team with the 52 goals they have allowed this season being tied for the second-most in the league. The Canaries are giving up too many high-quality chances inside the 6-foot box — and this is in part because they are allowing the 4th most passing inside the 20-yard box.
FINAL TAKE: Norwich City will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss at Southampton back on December 4th. The Canaries will miss the emotional support of their home fans with this match being played in an empty stadium — 71% of their 21 points this season have been generated at home at Carrow Road. And because Norwich City is in last place, they need to play aggressively with the hopes of securing the 3 points with the victory. 10* EPL Friday Afternoon Discounted Deal with the Southampton (200033) with the goal-line versus Norwich City (200034). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-18-20 |
Valencia v. Real Madrid -1.25 |
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0-3 |
Win
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100 |
0 h 7 m |
Show
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At 4:00 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Real Madrid (201878) minus the goal-line versus Valencia (201877). THE SITUATION: Real Madrid (W17-D8-L3) returned to the pitch last Sunday with a 3-1 victory at home over Eibar. Valencia (W11-D10-L7) comes off a 1-1 draw at home against Levante last Friday.
REASONS TO TAKE REAL MADRID MINUS THE GOAL-LINE: Los Blancos looked dominant in that match on Sunday as they scored three quick goals in the first 37 minutes of that contest to cruise to their victory. Injuries have slowed this team down but manager Zinedine Zidane had the services of Eden Hazard again for that contest after the Belgium striker had been out with an injury for much of the season. Hazard did not score but he did assist on one of the goals. Real Madrid is second in the league to Barcelona — but they lead La Liga in both expected goals (xG) and the fewest expected goals allowed (xGA). They are allowing just 0.71 goals per 90 minutes in league play which is the best mark of all the four major professional leagues that have returned to play since the stoppages in March. They also lead La Liga with an expected goal differential (xGD) of +28.96 on the season. They stay at home where they will be playing the remaining of their matches at their training facility Estadio Alfredo di Stefano. While the 6000 seat facility is not as intimidating as their 80,000 Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos certainly retain a familiarity edge when playing in this arena. Real Madrid is W10-D4-L0 at home in league play where they have scored at least two goals in ten matches and where they have registered clean sheets in five contests. Half of their home victories have been by at least two goals. Valencia may be the most overvalued side in La Liga. They are the only team in the top-half of the table with a net goal differential — and they have a -8.42 net expected goal differential on the season. While they began the match week in 8th place with 43 points in the table, their expected points (xPTS) drop to just 34.83 which is 12th in the league. Los Che average the second fewest chances on offense in the league with under 9 shot attempts per match — and they are also allowing more than 15 shots per game by their opponents. They have managed only 3.87 expected goals combined over their last four contests for a meager 0.97 xG per match average. Their defense is undermanned with Ezequiel Garay, Gabriel Paulista, and Cristiano Piccini all dealing with injuries. They go back on the road where they are W3-D3-L7 but with an expected goal differential (xGD) of -11.03. They are winless in their last six matches on the road in league play with a -6.09 xGD — and they are averaging a mere 0.57 xG in those contests.
FINAL TAKE: Real Madrid won the last meeting between these two teams back on January 8th with their 3-1 victory on the road in Super Cup play. But these two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in league play on December 15th so Los Blanchos are not likely going to take this team lightly. 20* La Liga Thursday Afternoon Discounted Deal with the Real Madrid (201878) minus the goal-line versus Valencia (201877). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-17-20 |
Arsenal v. Manchester City UNDER 3.5 |
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0-3 |
Win
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100 |
0 h 18 m |
Show
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At 3:15 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between Arsenal (200001) and Manchester City (200002). THE SITUATION: Arsenal (W9-D13-L6) had won their last three matches culminating with a 1-0 victory at home over West Ham on March 7th before the stoppage in play due to COVID-19. Manchester City (W18-D3-L7) has been anxious to get back on the pitch after losing the Manchester Derby to Man United by a 2-0 score in their building back on March 8th.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: While the two-time defending champions have a roster packed with dynamic scorers, those players can distract from the fact that this team plays outstanding defense for manager Pep Guardiola. The Citizens lead the English Premier League in both fewest goals allowed along with the lowest expected goals allowed (xGA) in the league. They also led the EPL in giving up the fewest Big Chances in their last ten league matches before the March hiatus. The good news for Pep is that the extended layoff has provided the time for center back Aymeric LaPorte to recover from his injury. Man City’s defense improves significantly with LaPorte on the pitch. In the seven games LaPorte has played this season, the Citizens allowed a stingy 0.43 goals-per-game as compared to their 1.14 defense Goals-Per-Game average in their other twenty-one contests. And while Man City allows 5.7 shots per match in the box along with 1.6 Big Chances per match, those numbers fall to just 4 shots per match in the box along with just 1.2 Big Chances allowed per game with LaPorte healthy and playing. This will be the eighth match this season where they have played one of the perennial Big Six sides — the Citizens have scored only nine times in those seven matches. They host this match at Etihad Stadium where they lead the EPL in both the fewest goals allowed along with xGA. Arsenal has embraced more defensive tactics under new manager Mikel Arteta who took over in late December. The Gunners have allowed just nine goals in their ten matches under Arteta. However, these tactics have come at the expense of their offensive attack as they have scored just 16 times in those ten matches. Arsenal is likely to play cautiously in this match while hoping their attacking talent like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can strike on a counterattack. They have scored only nine goals in their seven matches against a Big Six side. They go on the road where they have scored just 14 times in their thirteen contests — and they have scored just four times in their five road matches under Arteta. But the Gunners have surrendered just four goals in those last five matches away from home — and this is a team that has registered three clean sheets in their last four contests.
FINAL TAKE: Arsenal has scored only twice in their last six matches against Man City across all competitions. These are unique circumstances with 100 days passing since the last EPL match — so it is very much like a second offseason. It is interesting to note that Man City delivered two clean sheets in their last two opening matches to a new season. 20* EPL Arsenal-Man City NBC Sports Network O/U Special with Under the Total in the match between Arsenal (200001) and Manchester City (200002). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-17-20 |
Mainz v. Borussia Dortmund UNDER 3.5 |
Top |
2-0 |
Win
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100 |
0 h 12 m |
Show
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At 2:30 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Under the Total in the match between FSV Mainz (202441) and Borussia Dortmund (202442). THE SITUATION: FSV Mainz (W9-D4-L18) looks to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at home to Augsburg last Sunday. Borussia Dortmund (W20-D6-L5) has won five of their last six matches with their 1-0 win at Fortuna Dusseldorf last Saturday.
REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: That was the fourth clean sheet for the Black-Yellows in their six matches since the return to play last month. Borussia Dortmund has only allowed three goals in those six contests. Manager Lucien Favre has transformed his team from a freewheeling attacking unit into a side that prioritizes sturdy defense. BVB has allowed only five goals in their last ten matches across all competitions — and they have surrendered just three goals in their last ten matches in the Bundesliga. Furthermore, they have registered a clean sheet in eight of their last twelve matches in league play. Borussia Dortmund returns home where they lead the league in both goals allowed and in expected goals allowed (xGA). On paper, the Black-Yellows also have a very potent offense that is second in the league with 82 goals scored this season. But Borussia Dortmund has been wildly fortunate with that haul since their expected goals drop to just 59.71. And while the BVB has scored 46 times at home, their xG at home also plummets to a 33.52 mark. Since the return to play, Dortmund has failed to register even 1.0 xG in three of their six matches — and they have only topped 1.76 xG once in those contests. FSV Mainz has not scored a goal in four straight maths — and they are just six goals in their last eleven contests. But Achim Beierlorzer has been seeing his team play better defense since he took over the club midseason. The 05ers have only given up 10 goals in their six matches since the return. They also limited Augsburg to just 0.76 expected goals on Sunday in that narrow 1-0 loss.
FINAL TAKE: Borussia Dortmund produced a 4-0 shutout victory over FSV Mainz back on December 14th in the reverse fixture between these two teams. The 05ers will struggle to score against an even more compact foe in BVB this time around — but they should allow fewer goals in this rematch. 25* Bundesliga Midweek FS2-TV Total of the Year with Under the Total in the match between FSV Mainz (202441) and Borussia Dortmund (202442). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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06-17-20 |
Sheffield United v. Aston Villa |
Top |
0-0 |
Push |
0 |
7 h 54 m |
Show
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At 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Sheffield United (200005) with the goal-line versus Aston Villa (20006). THE SITUATION: Sheffield United (W11-D10-L7) returns to the pitch for the first time since March 7th when they defeated Norwich City at home by a 1-0 score. Aston Villa (W7-D4-L17) has lost five games in a row across all competitions after their 4-0 loss at Leicester City back on March 9th.
REASONS TO TAKE SHEFFIELD UNITED WITH THE GOAL-LINE: The Blades were unbeaten in their last six matches before the stoppage in play. They had only lost to the top two teams in the league in Liverpool and Manchester City in their last thirteen matches on the road in league play. Sheffield United’s defensive-first approach has been very successful against the non-power teams in the English Premier League. In their nineteen matches against the traditional non-Power Six, the Blades are W10-D6-L3. They are also unbeaten in their eighth matches on the road in the EPL against non-Big Six sides with four victories and four draws. They have won seven of their last nine matches with two draws being their lone blemishes against non-Big Six sides while only allowing five goals in these contests. Aston Villa has allowed 12.24 expected goals in their last four league matches to compound to their defensive woes this season. The Villans are last in the EPL in both goals allowed and expected goals allowed. The metrics are not encouraging with this team at all either as they rank last in the league with an expected goal differential of -27.8 xGD. Aston Villa returns to action having allowed the most shots inside the box through the first twenty-nine game weeks since that metric started being measured. They have not registered a clean sheet in nine straight games. The Villans also do not pressure the opposing goalkeeper enough as they have the fourth feast big chances in the EPL while ranking last in both big chances and expected goals scored over their last ten matches. Aston Villa is getting their talented midfielder John McGinn back for this match after he suffered an injury in the fall — but his game fitness for this match is in question after the long layoff.
FINAL TAKE: Sheffield United won the reverse fixture between these two teams by a 2-0 score back in December. Aston Villa will struggle to score against the compact Blades defense — but they will likely allow at least one goal as their expected goals allowed of 2.45 xGA is -0.32 xGA worse than the next most porous defensive team in the EPL. 25* English Premier League Midweek NBC-Sports Network Match of the Year with the Sheffield United (200005) with the goal-line versus Aston Villa (20006). Best of luck for us — Frank.
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