There's no shortage of intrigue heading into this weekend's Premier League action, both in terms of table implications and betting opportunities.
Which team will win the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs? Can Manchester United finally put their defensive woes behind them? And will Manchester City finally pick up a Prem win after failing to secure three points in three straight league matches?
Here's a look at where the best betting value lies among four Premier League matches going on this weekend.
Arsenal (home) vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Asian handicap: Arsenal -0.75 (-104) vs. Tottenham Hotspur +0.75 (-102)
3-way line: Arsenal -136 / Tottenham Hotspur +412 / Draw +301
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 86 percent Arsenal
Total: 2.75 (Over -102, Under -106)
Asian Handicap
Asian handicap betting eliminates the draw and provides the possibility of getting your stakes back (depending on the bet you place). For example, if you back a team at 0 Asian handicap, your stakes will be returned if the game ends in a draw (as the handicap has been equaled).
If you back a team at minus-1 Asian handicap and it wins by a single goal, your stakes will be returned (as the handicap has been equaled). This safety net of having your stakes returned is the primary difference between Asian handicap and handicap betting.
It's often said that anything can happen in a local derby, but recent history suggests there is a pattern when these sides meet. Arsenal have won four of the last five Prem matchups against rival Tottenham, and Spurs have won just one of their last 21 Prem trips to Arsenal territory. Arsenal's scoring record in this fixture is fearsome, as the Gunners have tallied 38 goals in the last 15 home encounters (2.53 goals per game).
Arsenal also had an excellent record in London derbies last season (8-1-1). Then there's the fact that Arsenal go into the game in generally good form; they are unbeaten this season (2-0-3), keeping their first clean sheet last weekend (3-0 win at Aston Villa), and haven't lost a Prem game since April. In contrast, Tottenham are off to their worst start to a Prem season since 2008-09. Last weekend they were beaten 1-0 at home by struggling West Bromwich Albion.
The minus-136 price on Arsenal on the 3-way line is worth considering. If you're looking for bigger odds, back Arsenal minus-0.75 Asian handicap at minus-104. With this wager you will make a small profit if Arsenal win by a single goal and a bigger profit if Arsene Wenger's side wins by two goals or more.
The pick: Arsenal -0.75 Asian handicap (-104)
Manchester United (home) vs. West Ham United
Asian handicap: Man Utd -1.5 (+101) vs. West Ham +1.5 (-108)
3-way line: Man Utd -262 / West Ham +771 / Draw +450
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 85 percent Manchester United
Total: 3 (Over -128, Under +116)
It's hard to take a view on Manchester United at the moment. Their terrible form -- off to their worst start to a season in 25 years -- says one thing while the remarkable array of talent on the roster says another. It's conceivable that United could drop points this weekend as they have already struggled against similar sides (e.g., Sunday's 5-3 defeat at Leicester City). On the other hand, Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney and the team's other highly paid stars could easily click into gear and ensure a comfortable United win.
Amid such uncertainty over the outcome of the match, the goals market holds more appeal. Three of United's five games have featured three goals or more, with a combined goals per game count of 3.4. United's two home fixtures have both featured three goals or more.
Four of West Ham's five games have featured three goals or more, with a goals per game count also of 3.4. Away from home, the Hammers have conceded five goals in two games, so you imagine they will struggle to contain United's talented attack.
The pick: Over 3 goals (-128)
Hull City (home) vs. Manchester City
Asian handicap: Hull City +1 (-109) vs. Manchester City -1 (+102)
3-way line: Hull City +558 / Manchester City -174 / Draw +329
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 93 percent Manchester City
Total: 2.5 (Over -114, Under +104)
Hull City have started the season solidly (1-1-3), but that sequence of results is partially explained by the opposition faced: QPR, Stoke City, Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle. This encounter marks a considerable step up in quality, and there's little to suggest the host will be strong enough to hold Manchester City at bay. Hull's record against the Prem's top seven clubs last season was a dismal 1-12-1, including 1-5-1 at home.
Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners home and away over Hull last season, and I can see a similar outcome this weekend. The champions have gone three games without a win but last weekend produced a strong second-half performance against Chelsea (1-1) and this week thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 7-0 in the League Cup. With our pick, the worst that can happen in the event of a City win is you'll get your stakes back.
The pick: Manchester City -1 Asian handicap (+102)
West Bromwich Albion (home) vs. Burnley
Asian handicap: West Bromwich Albion -0.5 (+102) vs. Burnley +0.5 (-109)
3-way line: West Bromwich Albion +102 / Burnley +318 / Draw +250
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 69 percent West Brom
Total: 2.25 (Over -113, Under +104)
The stats point toward a low-scoring encounter. Three of West Brom's five matches have featured two goals or fewer. The Baggies have failed to score in three of those five games.
Burnley's last three games -- versus Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland -- have finished 0-0. Burnley have failed to score in their last four games, and four of their five matches have featured one goal or fewer. Further, the two teams' combined goals per game average is just 1.5.
The pick: Under 2.25 goals (+104)
Which team will win the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs? Can Manchester United finally put their defensive woes behind them? And will Manchester City finally pick up a Prem win after failing to secure three points in three straight league matches?
Here's a look at where the best betting value lies among four Premier League matches going on this weekend.
Asian handicap: Arsenal -0.75 (-104) vs. Tottenham Hotspur +0.75 (-102)
3-way line: Arsenal -136 / Tottenham Hotspur +412 / Draw +301
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 86 percent Arsenal
Total: 2.75 (Over -102, Under -106)
Asian Handicap
Asian handicap betting eliminates the draw and provides the possibility of getting your stakes back (depending on the bet you place). For example, if you back a team at 0 Asian handicap, your stakes will be returned if the game ends in a draw (as the handicap has been equaled).
If you back a team at minus-1 Asian handicap and it wins by a single goal, your stakes will be returned (as the handicap has been equaled). This safety net of having your stakes returned is the primary difference between Asian handicap and handicap betting.
It's often said that anything can happen in a local derby, but recent history suggests there is a pattern when these sides meet. Arsenal have won four of the last five Prem matchups against rival Tottenham, and Spurs have won just one of their last 21 Prem trips to Arsenal territory. Arsenal's scoring record in this fixture is fearsome, as the Gunners have tallied 38 goals in the last 15 home encounters (2.53 goals per game).
Arsenal also had an excellent record in London derbies last season (8-1-1). Then there's the fact that Arsenal go into the game in generally good form; they are unbeaten this season (2-0-3), keeping their first clean sheet last weekend (3-0 win at Aston Villa), and haven't lost a Prem game since April. In contrast, Tottenham are off to their worst start to a Prem season since 2008-09. Last weekend they were beaten 1-0 at home by struggling West Bromwich Albion.
The minus-136 price on Arsenal on the 3-way line is worth considering. If you're looking for bigger odds, back Arsenal minus-0.75 Asian handicap at minus-104. With this wager you will make a small profit if Arsenal win by a single goal and a bigger profit if Arsene Wenger's side wins by two goals or more.
The pick: Arsenal -0.75 Asian handicap (-104)
Asian handicap: Man Utd -1.5 (+101) vs. West Ham +1.5 (-108)
3-way line: Man Utd -262 / West Ham +771 / Draw +450
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 85 percent Manchester United
Total: 3 (Over -128, Under +116)
It's hard to take a view on Manchester United at the moment. Their terrible form -- off to their worst start to a season in 25 years -- says one thing while the remarkable array of talent on the roster says another. It's conceivable that United could drop points this weekend as they have already struggled against similar sides (e.g., Sunday's 5-3 defeat at Leicester City). On the other hand, Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney and the team's other highly paid stars could easily click into gear and ensure a comfortable United win.
Amid such uncertainty over the outcome of the match, the goals market holds more appeal. Three of United's five games have featured three goals or more, with a combined goals per game count of 3.4. United's two home fixtures have both featured three goals or more.
Four of West Ham's five games have featured three goals or more, with a goals per game count also of 3.4. Away from home, the Hammers have conceded five goals in two games, so you imagine they will struggle to contain United's talented attack.
The pick: Over 3 goals (-128)
Asian handicap: Hull City +1 (-109) vs. Manchester City -1 (+102)
3-way line: Hull City +558 / Manchester City -174 / Draw +329
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 93 percent Manchester City
Total: 2.5 (Over -114, Under +104)
Hull City have started the season solidly (1-1-3), but that sequence of results is partially explained by the opposition faced: QPR, Stoke City, Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle. This encounter marks a considerable step up in quality, and there's little to suggest the host will be strong enough to hold Manchester City at bay. Hull's record against the Prem's top seven clubs last season was a dismal 1-12-1, including 1-5-1 at home.
Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners home and away over Hull last season, and I can see a similar outcome this weekend. The champions have gone three games without a win but last weekend produced a strong second-half performance against Chelsea (1-1) and this week thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 7-0 in the League Cup. With our pick, the worst that can happen in the event of a City win is you'll get your stakes back.
The pick: Manchester City -1 Asian handicap (+102)
Asian handicap: West Bromwich Albion -0.5 (+102) vs. Burnley +0.5 (-109)
3-way line: West Bromwich Albion +102 / Burnley +318 / Draw +250
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 69 percent West Brom
Total: 2.25 (Over -113, Under +104)
The stats point toward a low-scoring encounter. Three of West Brom's five matches have featured two goals or fewer. The Baggies have failed to score in three of those five games.
Burnley's last three games -- versus Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland -- have finished 0-0. Burnley have failed to score in their last four games, and four of their five matches have featured one goal or fewer. Further, the two teams' combined goals per game average is just 1.5.
The pick: Under 2.25 goals (+104)
