EPL Matchday 29 Odds & Picks: Top-Four Race Could Take Major Turn
- Wolverhampton Wanderers host Brighton and they could move into the top four if other matches go their way on EPL Matchday 29
- In-form Everton travel to west London to face Frank Lampard’s Chelsea
- Get the odds, analysis and best bets for this weekend’s slate of EPL matches below
Matchday 29 of the Premier League season comes on the back of a bunch of FA Cup matches in midweek. Several of the league’s top teams were in action, with Liverpool slumping to a third defeat in four matches at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham needing a penalty shootout to get past Norwich on Wednesday.
Attention returns to league action for the weekend, however, and the race for Champions League qualification in the wake of Manchester City’s ban is fierce. Just five points separate fourth-placed Chelsea from Sheffield United down in eighth.
Wolves, Chelsea and Manchester United – all in that pack chasing fourth and fifth – are our focus for this week’s Premier League picks.
EPL Matchday 29 Odds
Team | Spread | Moneyline Odds | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Liverpool | -1.5, -2 (-105) | -400 | O 3, 3.5 (+109) |
Bournemouth | +1.5, +2 (-115) | +950 | U 3, 3.5 (-129) |
Draw | N/A | +460 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Crystal Palace | pk, -0.5 (+110) | +150 | O 2, 2.5 (-106) |
Watford | pk, +0.5 (-130) | +189 | U 2, 2.5 (-114) |
Draw | N/A | +210 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Arsenal | -1, -1.5 (-117) | -185 | O 3 (+100) |
West Ham | +1, +1.5 (-137) | +460 | U 3 (-120) |
Draw | N/A | +320 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Southampton | -0.5, -1 (-120) | -154 | O 2.5 3 (-108) |
Newcastle | +0.5, +1 (+100) | +400 | U 2.5, 3 (-128) |
Draw | N/A | +280 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Sheffield United | -0.5, -1 (-118) | -147 | O 2.5 (+100) |
Norwich | +0.5, +1 (-102) | +390 | U 2.5 (-120) |
Draw | N/A | +270 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Wolves | -0.5, -1 (-118) | -147 | O 2.5 (+100) |
Brighton | +0.5, +1 (-102) | +390 | U 2.5 (-120) |
Draw | N/A | +275 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Burnley | pk, +0.5 (-137) | +178 | O 2, 2.5 (-118) |
Tottenham | pk, -0.5 (+117) | +158 | U 2, 2.5 (-102) |
Draw | N/A | +210 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Chelsea | -0.5, -1 (+104) | -116 | O 2.5, 3 (-108) |
Everton | +0.5, +1 (-124) | +290 | U 2.5, 3 (-112) |
Draw | N/A | +265 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Manchester United | +1 (-115) | +420 | O 3 (+108) |
Manchester City | -1 (-105) | -169 | U 3 (-128) |
Draw | N/A | +300 | N/A |
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Leicester | -1, -1.5 (-108) | -250 | O 3 (-110) |
Aston Villa | +1, +1.5 (-102) | +600 | U 3 (-110) |
Draw | N/A | +380 | N/A |
Odds taken Mar. 4.
EPL Pick 1: Wolves vs Brighton
Consecutive league wins, with six goals scored across the two matches, have put Wolves in a great position. Sitting sixth before a ball is kicked this weekend, they can move fourth with a victory ahead of challenging matches for Chelsea and Manchester United.
Brighton are dropping like a stone. Eight matches without a win is a real concern for the south coast side, though they have proven a hard team to beat on that run, losing just thrice. They have been struggling in front of goal with just eight scored since the turn of the year.
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— Wolves (@Wolves) March 4, 2020
The likely absence of Adama Traore, who has a shoulder issue, lessens the Wolves attack, but goal-scoring hasn’t been a problem for them of late. Pedro Neto is a more than capable deputy.
The hosts are unlikely to blow this Brighton side away. Playing with confidence after beating Tottenham and having enjoyed a few days of rest, Wolves should have too much for Graham Potter’s team, however. The Seagulls are in trouble.
Pick: Wolves -0.5, -1 (-118)
EPL Pick 2: Chelsea vs Everton
Lampard was full of praise for his side as they knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup in midweek. Chelsea’s injury crisis forced Lampard to pick a weakened team with Billy Gilmour starting and starring in central midfield. Mateo Kovacic’s injury and Jorginho’s suspension make it probable that Gilmour gets the nod again on Sunday, while Olivier Giroud is expected to retain his place up front with Tammy Abraham sidelined.
Players currently injured:
❌ Pulisic
❌ Hudson-Odoi
❌ Loftus-Cheek
❌ Kante
❌ Abraham
❌ ChristensenAnd now Kovacic. Lampard is doing superb with what’s available. #CFC pic.twitter.com/fuTIjhwPpB
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) March 3, 2020
Everton felt hard done by in their draw with Manchester United, and have sneakily forced their way into European contention (they are just five points behind Wolves). Carlo Ancelotti has rejuvenated a talented group, bringing the best form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s career and seeing Richarlison return to his Watford peak.
The Toffees rattled Chelsea at Goodison Park under Duncan Ferguson. Their front two will trouble Chelsea’s fragile defense once again, despite Lampard’s side keeping a rare clean sheet in midweek. Everton are the team to back in this one.
Pick: Everton +0.5, +1 (-127)
EPL Pick 3: Manchester United vs Manchester City
Manchester United have won two of their three meetings with their closest rivals this season. A smash-and-grab victory at the Etihad Stadium in December provoked fresh hope for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. A heavy Carabao Cup semifinal first leg defeat followed as United were played off the park by City in the first 45. A fightback in the second half of the first leg and a 1-0 victory in the second leg give belief ahead of Sunday’s encounter at Old Trafford.
United have been at their best against the Premier League’s stronger teams this season. Their defense is sturdy, and their attack is most effective on the counter. The match will play out in a similar pattern this weekend, though the absence of Marcus Rashford and the niggling injury troubling Anthony Martial makes it a different dynamic from their meeting in December. Solskjaer’s side were fortunate to draw at Goodison Park last weekend.
More dubious goalkeeping but regardless of that, Bruno Fernandes is terrific.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 1, 2020
With the Carabao Cup secured, Manchester City are on course for a cup treble after progressing to the FA Cup quarterfinal. The Premier League is the bottom of their priorities right now. Pep Guardiola will likely name a strong team after resting a few in midweek, however.
United will be happy to contain, and City will have over 60% possession. The visitors have the quality to break through, but this is unlikely to become a goal-fest. City to win a low-scoring match is the best bet.
Pick: Under 3.5 total goals, Manchester City to win (+138)