...
...
Read Article
EPL 2021/22 Matchday 34 Soccer Picks and Predictions
Updated: | First published:
Written by Prospector Sam, Contributor
There are two very distinct ways of looking at the EPL right now. One the one hand, things are going very well internationally (despite Chelsea’s hilarious calamity both on and off the field) as City and Liverpool reached the UCL Semis, West Ham made the Europa Semis, and Leicester even made the “Nobody Knows Why We Have This - Money Grab Cup” Semis.
On the other hand, when you look under the hood, everything seems to be in chaos aside from the aforementioned top 2. Chelsea are backing their way into a comfortable UCL 3rd spot, and I say “backing in” because it appears there isn’t a single damn other team who wants it. Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham all dropped points on the weekend, while United came out in the midweek and looked like a U12 team against Liverpool. So, if you want to put your money down on who’s going to grab those extra European spots and in what order, I’d probably think twice about trusting any of them. For my sanity I hope Spurs pull it out, God knows that history isn’t on my side though.
But hey, even though things are a mess we can still find angles to make some money on a game to game basis, and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do here. Time to make some wagers.
Prospector Sam's soccer best bets and odds are proudly brought to you by WynnBet.
WynnBET has arrived, so why not join thousands of others bettors (like Shaquille O'Neal) and create an account today?
Simply create your account, place a bet of $10 on any market with odds of -120 or better (i.e. +100, +500, +3000) and then you'll receive $200 in Free Bets – no promo code required!
Free EPL Picks 2021-22
Norwich vs. Newcastle: Saturday April 23, 10:00 AM EDT
Norwich haven’t been relegated yet, and that’s pretty much the best thing you can say about them after 9 months of the season. Sure, they come out and put a decent effort in every once in a while, but boy are they bad and nothing aside from a miracle (or maybe multiple) is going to keep them from dropping. So, while a match against a mediocre Newcastle side who are looking comfortable to survive relegation shouldn’t be quite that brutal, I just can’t buy into Norwich doing anything impressive. That said, caution is still necessary here (just like walking across the street - you don’t want to get blindsided by a bus). Norwich managed 2 goals against United last weekend and have enough piss and vinegar in them to give teams trouble on that end, but their defense gives up over 2 goals a game which makes that the right angle to attack. Newcastle to score over 1.5 is currently at +114, which is a pretty solid number for a team that’s improved dramatically since January. While recent form isn’t in their favor, nothing cures those blues like a trip to Carrow Road and a chance to beat up on the canaries (an appropriately weak bird). Take Newcastle to score 2+.
PICK: Newcastle Team Total OVER 1.5 (+114)
MORE: Norwich vs. Newcastle simulator
Brentford vs. Tottenham: Saturday April 23, 12:30PM EDT
I’m not even going to give my spiel about being a Tottenham fan on this one. Screw it. The numbers and my eyes like this bet, and nothing about my love for this forsaken team has anything to do with it. Spurs have offensive talent all over the board, and one dud of a game against Brighton doesn’t negate that reality. Sure, Tottenham are always liable to puke all over themselves like a freshman at a frat party, but that embarrassment will likely come at the defensive end (see; 89th minute goal to Brighton) rather than offensively. Brentford have done incredibly well to stay in the top flight for another season, and their form of late has been impressive (5 wins in 6), but they still aren’t as talented as Spurs and the visitors should find goals. Similar to the last bet, we go over 1.5 at -106, which has a solid payout for a team fighting for UCL soccer next year facing a newly promoted club with little left to care about. Probably my favorite bet of the week.
PICK: Spurs Team Total OVER 1.5 (-106)
MORE: Brentford vs. Tottenham simulator
Chelsea vs. West Ham: Sunday April 24, 9:00AM EDT
Speaking of bias, wouldn’t it be nice if the earth opened up and swallowed both of these teams whole? I don’t necessarily want them to die (there are limits to my vindictiveness), but maybe just incapacitate both clubs until they can no longer compete any more. A Prospector can dream… As for the game itself, I think the books have entirely too much confidence in Chelsea. Sure, West Ham have been completely inconsistent, but they didn’t have a midweek fixture to contend with (which Chelsea did) and they’re facing much more pressure as far as qualifying for Europe than the home side. I think they can find a way to grab at least a share of the points in this match. Is it worth going bold and taking the Hammers to win? Probably not. But with the Double chance at +140, I can’t help but take a shot here for that amount of payout. Chelsea are the better team and have home field, but they’ve faced some serious consistency issues of late themselves and their season is now about over having been knocked out of the Champions League. With West Ham pushing hard for a win and sporting some solid attacking options, I think they walk out of Stamford Bridge with at least a point.
BET: West Ham Team Double Chance (+140)
MORE: Chelsea vs. West Ham simulator
Follow Prospector Sam on twitter!
Prospector Sam is a cartoon man that handicaps as well as anyone on the planet. No one knows exactly who The Prospector is, but what is known is how well he does from sports betting.
Advertiser disclosure