Sports Blog 16/01/2015: Match Preview – Premier League, Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th January 2015

Another big weekend for the Premier League, as Southampton try to hold on to 3rd, West Ham try to restart their campaign and Arsenal try to get some points against a top 3 side.

The first televised game of the weekend sees Newcastle host Southampton at 17.30pm Saturday on Sky Sports 1. The departure of Alan Pardew hasn’t made any difference to the Toon’s dismal form, which has seen them concede 20 goals in their last 8 games. On top of this, they will be missing both Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse, who are off at the African Cup of Nations.



Southampton, on the other hand, have recovered from a dodgy start to December to enter the New Year on a high, culminating in their toppling of Manchester United at Old Trafford, and their entry into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a replay victory against Ipswich earlier in the week. After gaining 13 points from a tricky 5 game run, the Saints will be feeling confident of overturning this weakened Newcastle side, and our clients are fancying them at a Southampton/Newcastle (h) Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of 0.1-0.3.

On Sunday Hull City travel to Upton Park for a 13.30pm kick-off against West Ham on Sky Sports 1. Both sides will be desperate for a win, but for very different reasons. Hull City are now loitering in the relegation zone, and need a victory to try and drag themselves out of the mire. However, with 5 losses from their last 7 away games, the stats aren’t pointing in Hull’s favour, especially since they will be without both Jelavic and Abel Hernandez, leaving them rather weak upfront.



Over in East London, after a sterling start to the season, the Hammers have stagnated recently, with 4 draws and 2 losses from their last 6 games. However, they still remain in 7th and after a narrow penalty-win against Everton the FA Cup, Big Sam’s boy will be hopeful they can try and reignite their season against a side that, on paper, they should walk-through. Our clients seem to agree with this sentiment, with Spreadex seeing plenty of bets on a West Ham/Hull Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of 0.75-0.95, with a Total Goals spread of 2.35-2.55.

Sunday’s afternoon game is perhaps the biggest match-up of the weekend, televised or otherwise, as Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium at 16.00pm on Sky Sports 1. City have only lost 1 league game out of 17, as well as winning 6 out of their last 7 home games. This comes on top of the fact that in this game last year City thoroughly embarrassed the Gunners, beating them 6-3. However, City will be without Yaya Toure, which might allow Arsenal some space in midfield without his dominant presence.



Sitting in 5th place Arsenal’s season is following the same trend as it has done for the past few years: decent enough performances against smaller teams but dismal in the face of their supposed league rivals, leading to a meagre chase for a place in Europe. The Gunners have only managed to snag 1 point from their last 3 games against top 3 opposition, and will still be haunted by their thrashing last season. Yet, Wenger’s side managed a draw in September, as well as a 3-0 win in the Community Shield, so there is hope for Arsenal yet. However our traders have found it hard to look past the strength of the Manchester side, offering a Man City/Arsenal Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of 0.65-0.85; and with both Aguero and Sanchez in fine form, it might be the battle of the South Americans on Sunday, leading to a Total Goals spread betting quote of 3-3.2.