Week 5 of the English Premier League season kicks off with seven games on Saturday. We will preview each match up and give out the best picks for free on each game along with the EPL betting odds for week 5.
West Ham United (20th) at Stoke City (18th) – Britannia Stadium – Kick off: 7:45 AM ET – Saturday’s action kicks off with a meeting between 2 of the weakest teams in the EPL. West Ham has been bad all over the field, allowing 3 goals in each of their first four games, while scoring only 2 in the process. Fortunately for them, they will be going up against Stoke City, who hasn’t done much better. Stoke City has allowed 2 goals in each game, while scoring 3 total in the same span. Neither team has had any real positives to hold on to early in the season, so this one should come down to simply who can make the fewest mistakes.
Odds makers have the over/under for this one at 2½. The one consistent aspect for both teams has been their porous defenses, so definitely take a look at the over, available on Bookmaker at +255.
Birmingham City (5th) at West Bromwich Albion (16th) – The Hawthorns – Kick off: 10:00 AM ET – The latest installment of the Blues (Birmingham) vs. Baggies (West Brom) derby takes place this weekend with the teams separated by only 2 points in the standings. Birmingham’s solid start would have been even stronger if not for problems in the defense. They have had success scoring, yet have come away with only 1 victory and 3 draws. After the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea to open their season, West Brom has been solid defensively, but has not been able to get going offensively. The deciding factor in this one could prove to be the home field advantage for West Brom, especially with this being a derby match.
Despite being on the road for a derby, Birmingham has been the better team so far in the season, so they are a solid pick in this one. Bodog currently has them at +210 to win. The draw also has good value, available on Bodog at +230.
Fulham (6th) at Blackburn Rovers (15th) – Ewood Park – Kick off: 10:00 AM ET – Following the recent and potentially devastating news that their star Bobby Zamora will be out for 4 months due to a broken right ankle, Fulham will be trying to figure out how to replace their most effective striker. The task has fallen to still unproven Moussa Dembele, who has the talent but has yet to prove he can be an every day player. Blackburn, on the other hand, will be looking to take advantage of playing at home to repeat last season’s 2-0 victory over Fulham. Although Fulham is still the better team, they have trouble on the road, and it will be especially tough for them to play well especially after losing their strongest player on the attack
Fulham is capable of winning this one, and will at least keep it close if they don’t, so definitely take them at +½, available on Bodog. The draw also has good value. The best value on the draw is at Bodog at +225.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (9th) at Tottenham Hotspur (11th) – White Hart Lane – Kick off: 10:00 AM ET – Tottenham will be looking to follow a solid but disappointing UEFA Champions League match that saw the team blow a 2-goal lead with a more consistent effort against Wolverhampton. Peter Crouch has been in great form since the injury to Jermain Defoe, and he should be able to continue his recent form against Wolverhampton. After a great start to their season, the Wanders have slowly but surely been losing momentum, and that should continue this week as they go on the road against a Hotspur team that, despite injuries, seems to be improving with every game.
Tottenham should come out if this one with a victory. The best value in this one is Tottenham at -1, available on Bodog.
Newcastle United (14th) at Everton (19th) – Goodison Park – Kick off: 10:00 AM ET
After a disappointing start, this could be the week that Everton finally begins to live up to the expectations they had to start off their season. They should be inspired by the great effort they exhibited last week in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Manchester United. It will help to be playing at home against Newcastle, who, aside from the 6-0 aberration against Aston Villa, has managed just 1 other goal so far this season. Newcastle should once again struggle offensively. With Everton playing at home in front of one of the best home crowds in the Premiership, Everton should come out with their first victory of the season.
Everton is available at Bodog at -1. This is a solid bet, although it may not be offering enough value. The best value in this one is on the over/under, currently at 2½. Bettors should take the over.
Bolton (12th) at Aston Villa (7th) – Villa Park – Kick off: 10:00 AM ET – Despite the crazy start to their season, Aston Villa has somehow still managed a very respectable 6 points through the first four games of the season. The recent addition of new manager Gerard Houllier should further stabilize the team, who will be facing a depleted Bolton defense this week. Bolton will be looking to cope with the absence of star defender Gary Cahill. Already struggling defensively over the last few games, Bolton will face a severe challenge as they go on the road. Aston Villa will be inspired, and should come out of this one with 3 points.
Check out Bodog for this one, which has Aston Villa getting -½ at home on Saturday. Bettors should take Aston Villa at -½ here.
Arsenal (2nd) at Sunderland (10th) – Stadium of Light – Kick off: 12:30 PM ET – Sunderland has quietly put together what should become one of the most formidable attacks in the EPL. Recently signed Ghana international Asamoah Gyan will be paired n the attack with Darren Bent, who scored 25 goals last season. However, this probably won’t be enough this weekend when they host Arsenal. The Gunners have been on a tear to start their season, including a 6-0 over Braga this week to kick off their Champions League campaign. Over recent years, Arsenal has become notorious for dropping games they are favored to win at inopportune times. However, especially given their recent form, they should remain heavy favorites in their matches.
Although Arsenal should win, they do seem to be susceptible to difficult games, especially on the road. With Sunderland’s very talented attack and playing at home, they do have a real chance of keeping this one close. Bettors should check out Bodog, where Sunderland is getting great value at +1.
