23 June 2020, by Carl Lewis
Premier League Stat Pack – Gameweek 31
Wednesday 23 June
19:00 – Wolves v Bournemouth
Wolves –
Draw –
Bournemouth –
On the hunt for a Champions League spot, sixth-placed Wolves picked up a crucial 2-0 win away to West Ham. With the season they are having and the form they are in, Wolves expect 3 points against struggling Bournemouth. Wolves are unbeaten in 6 matches (3 W, 3 D) and kept a clean sheet in 5 of those. Wolves won the reverse fixture 2-1.
It’s certainly panic stations for Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. They are in the bottom 3 on goal difference but have lost 4 of their last 6 matches. Worse, Bournemouth have lost 6 matches in a row on the road.
Best Bet:
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19:00 – Manchester United v Sheffield United
Manchester United –
Draw –
Sheffield United –
Manchester United are unbeaten in 6 matches (W3, D3) and are 5 points behind Chelsea in fourth. Just 1 of the United’s last 8 matches have seen over 2.5 goals, while 2 of their last 11 saw both teams score. Solskjaer’s men have conceded only 0.8 goals per home match and have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 competitive fixtures at Old Trafford which should be good news for the ‘under pressure’ David De Gea.
Sheffield United were hammered 3-0 at Newcastle – as it stands they’ve scored just 1 goal from their last 3 matches. They have not been prolific this season, their average of 1 goal per match is the division’s sixth-lowest and they are in eighth spot on the log. 6 of the ‘Blades’ 8 away draws featured goals, and across those six they conceded the first goal in five. The reverse fixture ended in a fascinating 3-3 draw.
Best Bet:
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19:00 – Newcastle v Aston Villa
Newcastle –
Draw –
Aston Villa –
Newcastle are now 11 points clear of the relegation zone after a shock 3-0 win over Sheffield United on their return to action. The Magpies are back at home where they have only lost 3 times this season while they’ve kept a clean sheet in their last 4 home matches.
Aston Villa are winless since the restart after playing 2 matches (1 W, 1 W). Second from bottom but still only a point off safety, Villa would have imagined themselves getting some points in this fixture. Sadly, Aston Villa have conceded at least 2 goals in 9 of their last 11 away matches. Although Villa won the reserve fixture earlier in the season, they are winless in their 11 trips to St. James Park.
Best Bet:
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19:00 – Norwich v Everton
Norwich –
Draw –
Everton –
Norwich lost 3-0 at home to Southampton in their first game back which leaves them in last 7 points away from safety. The Canaries have failed to score in 5 of their last 6 matches. Good news for the home team, they beat Everton 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
Everton held Liverpool to a dull goalless draw at Goodison Park on Sunday but they will take confidence from that showing. Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased with that performance and aim for three points here. Both sides are yet to score goals since the restart but tired second half legs and Norwich’s desperation for results could mean goals in the second stanza.
Best Bet:
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21:15 – Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Liverpool –
Draw –
Crystal Palace –
Liverpool will want 3 points and to maintain their 100% home record in this season after an underwhelming Merseyside Derby. Pool have won 5 straight matches against Palace, although 4 of those came by a 1-goal margin. 14 of Liverpool’s 27 PL wins this season have been by a one-goal margin. Impressively, the title-challengers have won 12 of their 15 PL home matches at both half-time and full-time. Goals have been flowing, with an average of 3.47 total goals per match at Anfield making it the league’s most goal-friendly venue. Furthermore, the last 6 head to heads held here have featured an average of 3.67 goals per fixture, with both teams scoring in 5.
Palace are the form side after 4 straight wins, they had a solid 2-0 win at Bournemouth. This followed their 3 1-0 victories before the lockdown. Palace’s matches this campaign have seen an average of 2.0 goals per match, the second-lowest in the league.
Best Bet: