Premier League Sundays and Mondays are less than super when there’s European football the following week. This is one of those weeks.
While we might not have the best teams or most exciting players on show, there are still two very interesting, competitive matches that will be televised on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening.
Here are a few thoughts and tips…
Cardiff City vs BURNLEY
Cardiff may well be bottom of the Premier League by the time this match kicks off.
Neil Warnock’s side are yet to win a game this season and have taken just two points from their first six league outings. It’s looking bleak already. These are matches they simply must win if they are to even a slight chance of safety.
Things have been rough for Burnley so far too. The Clarets had just one point from 15 available when they demolished Bournemouth at Turf Moor last weekend.
The scoreline flattered Burnley – and with the balance of chances Bournemouth could easily have won – but Sean Dyche is about results, and he got one when he needed it most.
Both of these teams play similar football. Warnock and Dyche are pragmatists. This is unlikely to be a festival of flair and team passing moves, but a battle of attrition, a case of the most organised team being victorious. Both teams to score (no) at 8/11 looks a solid bet.
Neil Warnock is back in football with Cardiff and looks delighted. pic.twitter.com/uM7faWyFd9
— 888sport (@888sport) October 5, 2016
Home matches are what will define Cardiff’s season. They failed to get a victory at home to 10-man Newcastle and could quickly be cut adrift if they do not turn their fortunes around at home.
This match is a test of whether the Welsh club have the quality to compete in the Premier League.
Burnley have that extra bit of quality in the final third that could see them edge this one. It won’t be pretty, but this is a big match for both teams.
TIP: Burnley to win @ 21/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 0-1 Burnley (Priced at 13/2 with 888sport)
AFC BOURNEMOUTH vs CRYSTAL PALACE
Despite a good start to the season for Bournemouth, these two teams are separated by just three points. It’s likely Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are mid-table teams this season and may not finish too far from where they are right now.
This should be a close-fought match. Bournemouth have had a very Bournemouth start to the season, impressing at times – like when they beat Leicester 4-2 – but then slumping to a 4-0 defeat away to Burnley.
Eddie Howe deserves all the credit he gets for the job he has done on the south coast. He has made the Cherries specialists at winning matches they should win.
Crystal Palace’s reliance on Wilfried Zaha has been clearer than ever this season. When he’s been good, they’ve won. Last weekend, he was not, and Palace failed to score at home to Newcastle.
Zaha is the most important player to any team in the league. Against a Bournemouth defence that will give him space, he’s a brilliant price at 2/1 to score anytime.
Wilfried Zaha has now scored eight goals in his last 10 Crystal Palace appearances.
— 888sport (@888sport) September 15, 2018
Is he the best Premier League player outside the top six? ?#HUDCRY pic.twitter.com/X7JW8mctmh
Bournemouth’s good form at home meets Palace’s two wins from three away. This will be competitive at the very least, and goals are probable.
Bournemouth have scored at least two in all three of their home matches and have conceded 11 in total.
Over 2.5 goals is good value given Bournemouth’s record at both ends of the pitch. It might take some Zaha magic to separate the two sides.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Bournemouth 1-2 Crystal Palace (Priced at 19/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
