EPL Soccer Picks, Predictions, Best Bets: Can Igor Thiago catch Erling Haaland for Golden Boot?
Tensions rise for EPL matchweek 31 as the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 wraps up. Arsenal stands clear with a nine-point lead and a game in-hand, but will not play this weekend because of the upcoming EFL Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday.
Manchester United still has hopes of leapfrogging City into second if they can snag a crucial away win at Bournemouth on Friday, while Chelsea will need to record at least a point against Everton for a potential Champions League spot. Brentford’s goal machine, Igor Thiago, continues to challenge Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot trophy and could close the gap after netting at least one this weekend against Leeds. The English football drama never stops, so be ready to tune into Matchday 31 of the EPL, kicking off with Bournemouth vs Man United at 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
Bournemouth vs. Manchester United best bet: Draw (+270)
Manchester United has failed to beat Bournemouth in their last five meetings. Three of those five ended with a level scoreline, which was the case for the last two games in this fixture.
Bournemouth’s eyes are fully set on the EPL now that all their other competitions are out of the way. They are strong middle-table contenders and have claimed points on big opponents this year, including United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. The Cherries have drawn their last four consecutive matches (14 draws this season), with three of those ending completely scoreless. Their defensive posture has been their saving grace in recent games, as they’ve gone on to draw six of their last 10 matches in the EPL with exactly 10 goals.
United’s form was only recently muddled after their 11-game Premier League unbeaten streak was severed by Newcastle, but the Red Devils promptly bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Villa at home last weekend. They’ve found much better goalscoring form since January as they average two goals a game in their last 10, with five different goal scorers, Matheus Cunha (+280), Bruno Fernandes (+285), Casemiro(+330), Benjamin Sesko (+160), and Bryan Mbeumo (+210) all reaching seven or more this season.
However, Bournemouth will be inherently unwavering at home, with the Cherries going unbeaten at home since their last match against Arsenal on January 3. Considering the last fixture against United ended in a 4-4 draw (for the second draw in a row) with Bournemouth drawing four of their last five (three shutouts), I foresee a 1-1 draw coming out of this one.
Everton vs. Chelsea best bet: Chelsea ML (+110)
Everton is conducting a much better season than last year as they hold on to eighth place even after their difficult 2-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend. The Blackwatch were shut out in two of their last five games, but still managed six goals, while also recording wins against Newcastle and Aston Villa in their last 10 games. This one won’t be a walkthrough even at home against a fury-riddled Chelsea side, though, but if either Thierno Barry (+300 anytime goalscorer) or Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (+320) can find the back of the net after scoring six apiece already, the odds could shift in their favour.
Chelsea wearily exited the Champions League after being obliterated 8-2 on aggregate against PSG this week, which followed their 2-1 loss to Newcastle last weekend in the Premier League. Despite the Blues’ impressive spurts this year, they’ve only won one of their last five league games, which was 4-1 against Villa on March 4. However, the team has extremely competent personnel and is more than capable of turning things around, especially with players like Joao Pedro (+170) with 14 goals this season. Cole Palmer (nine goals) and Enzo Fernandez (eight goals) are also major key players to controlling the Blues’ midfield, set to score at +175 and +320 odds.
Given that Chelsea has nearly three players with double-digit goals in the league alone, the team’s inevitable positive response to being knocked out of the UCL, and their sights now set on a top-five finish to qualify for Champions League next year, Chelsea will likely take this one at all costs.
Best player prop bet: Igor Thiago anytime goalscorer (+145) in Leeds United vs. Brentford
Leeds are on their last legs as they hold on to 15th in the league with 48 goals allowed, which sets up the Brentford Bee’s striker, Igor Thiago, perfectly for continuing his rampant scoring streak as he pursues Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Count on Thiago to net his 20th goal of the season after scoring two in his last three EPL bouts, with two in the last FA Cup fifth round match against West Ham.