Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! After an action-packed midweek, we return to domestic play before the International Break with a small four-game slate. The slate itself has one major favorite, Chelsea -325. Every other matchup also has a favorite (all home), however, the meetings are much closer than they appear.
If you want to be different and contrarian, look at stacking both Wolverhampton -153 and Watford +365.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me at bmwvolleyball94@gmail.com or via Twitter @df_solutions or on “SLACK”.
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!
The Kick-Off - EPL Matchweek 6
[H] Burnley (-110) at [A] Norwich (+300): Total: 2 1/2u
Neither club has done well this season so far and this is one of the most important matchups for the relegation portion of the table. Burnley has two points and was about to beat Leicester last weekend and Norwich has yet to lead a match. This would be a great spot for a get-right game for the Canaries, however, playing at Turf Moor, the hosts will have every reason to not lose.
Expected Outcome: 2-0 Burnley
BUR:
Cash/GPP:
D: Taylor($5K)
M/F: McNeil($8.3K), Wood($6.3K), Westwood($5.8K)
GPP: Pope($5.4K), Barnes($4.5K), Gudmundsson($4.3K)
NOR:
Cash/GPP:
D: Aarons($4.3K)
M/F: McLean($4.7K), Melou($3.3K)
GPP: Pukki($6.1K), Normann($5K), Krul($4.2K), Giannoulis($3.7K)
[H] Chelsea (-325) at [A] Southampton (+900): Total: 2 1/2o
Believe it or not, Chelsea has not won any of the last three matchups between these two clubs. They have lost and drawn twice respectively, however, their attack was not as potent as it is now. They will look for a win though after they have dropped two straight matches for the first time in at least a year. Southampton has shown that they can play with the big clubs of England and they could give the Blues a run for their money at Stamford Bridge, but will they?
Expected Outcome: 3-0 Chelsea
CHE:
Cash/GPP:
G: Mendy($5.9K)
D: Chilwell($6.6K)
M/F: Lukaku($10.5K), Mount($8.5K)
GPP: Werner($7.9K)
SOU:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: JWP($8.7K)
GPP: Livramento($4.7K), McCarthy($3.7K)
[H] Leeds (-137) at [A] Watford (+365): Total: 3u
This is the most surprising match of the slate in terms of vegas odds. After the start Leeds has had, plus the history between the two clubs, there is very little belief that Leeds is favored that much. Over the last four appearances, Watford has won all four matches with a combined score of 11-3. Plus, Patrick Bamford is still out and Raphinha is questionable to play for the hosts. It will take a lot for them to beat the Hornets and it is possible the spoils are shared here.
Expected Outcome: 2-2
LEE:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: Raphinha($10.7K)
GPP: Harrison($9.2K), Rodrigo($7.2K), Dallas($6.1K)
WAT:
Cash/GPP:
D: Rose($4.1K)
M/F: Sarr($9.3K), Dennis($6.7K), Cleverley($4.5K)
GPP: Foster($4K)
[H] Wolverhampton (-153) at [A] Newcastle United (+400): Total: 2 1/2u
Over the last five of six matchups, the game has ended in a 1-1 stalemate between the two clubs. However, things should be much different here. Both clubs are built for offense and the Wolves should be expecting Adama Traore back into the fold against the Magpies. Newcastle on the other hand continues to miss their primary striker Callum Wilson who is out until after the International Break. It will be worth watching this game to see if Wolverhampton can finally step up to the plate.
Expected Outcome: 3-1 Wolverhampton
WOL:
Cash/GPP:
G: Sa($5.6K)
D: Marcal($5.5K)
M/F: Traore($9.9K), Moutinho($6.4K)
GPP: Jimenez($9K), Trincao($7K), Neves($6K), Semedo($5.7K)
NEW:
Cash/GPP:
D: Ritchie($6K)
M/F: Saint-Maximin($8K), Almiron($4.9K),
GPP: Willock($6.2K), Longstaff($4.8K), Darlow($3.9K), Manquillo($3.8K)
Expected Corner Takers:
Burnley: Westwood/McNeil
Norwich: McLean/Lees-Melou
Chelsea: Mount
Southampton: JWP
Leeds: Raphinha
Watford: Cleverley/Dennis/Rose
Wolverhampton: Moutinho
Newcastle: Ritchie
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off! Good luck in all of your contests today!