EPL Matchday 31 Odds & Picks: Crystal Palace to Sneak a Massive +1200 Win at Anfield?

• Matchday 31 of the restarted English Premier League is imminent with games starting on Tuesday
• With only eight games left, the fight for European places and to avoid relegation is hotting up
• We list the odds for all ten games and preview three, offering our best picks

It’s Matchday 31 of the English Premier League this week, with the finishing line in sight for Liverpool as they look to clinch their first title since 1990. But the real battles are only just beginning as teams battle for the European places and against relegation.

We’ll list the whole schedule for Week 31, show the odds, preview three games, and offer a pick for each.

English Premier League Matchday 31 Odds

All odds taken June 23

Pick 1: Tottenham vs West Ham

In normal circumstances, there would be a crackling atmosphere inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a London derby but minus any fans, there will be a very different feel and tempo to this one. The fireworks that normally accompany a Spurs/West Ham fixture will be missing when they face up on Tuesday even though both teams have still plenty left to play for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0fyZLzbHjE

Spurs restarted their campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Manchester Utd but it was a game they led for nearly an hour and will regard it as two points dropped. It was still a result that kept alive their outside chance of a Champions League place, and they’ll be boosted further still for Tuesday’s game by the return from suspension of Dele Alli.

The Hammers’ start was much less impressive and a 2-0 home defeat by Wolves has left them still very much in the midst of the relegation battle. But it’s still a squad that contains considerable talent – despite its league position –  and they have a very good record against Spurs. The current trend of away teams profiting from empty stadiums could come into play again here and so don’t ignore the away win which, for me, offers excellent value.

Pick: West Ham to win (+380)

Pick 2: Norwich City vs Everton

After denying champions-elect Liverpool the chance of three points on Sunday in a goalless draw in the Merseyside derby, Everton will fancy their chances at Carrow Road to earn their first win of the restart, as City struggled massively in their home opener against Southampton.

Daniel Farke’s men, who went into lockdown adrift at the bottom of the league, were expected to restart with all guns blazing but it simply didn’t happen. City looked unprepared for the huge task ahead of them and Saints ran out easy winners. They have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid the drop.

Given that the Canaries were so poor and Everton were so impressive against Liverpool, the smart money here has to be on the away win, especially when you consider Norwich have failed to score in five of their last six league games. With away teams generally enjoying crowd-less stadiums, an Everton win here looks easy money.

Pick: Everton to win (-109)

Pick 3: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Liverpool were hoping this would be the day they finally clinch their first league title since 1990 but their draw against Everton, and Man City winning two games since the end of lockdown, means they have to wait a bit longer for their socially-distance celebrations to begin.

And, while it’s a mere formality for Jurgen Klopp’s men, getting over the line is often the hardest part, especially when the rhythm that got you to that position in the first place has been interrupted by a worldwide pandemic that’s halted the season for three months.

There’s also the small matter of taking on a Crystal Palace team who are in bang in form – they’ve won four games in a row – and who, unlike others, have been able to hit the ground running after the break. Their win at Bournemouth was as comfortable as they come in the EPL, and with no Anfield crowd to roar their heroes home, I genuinely see value in a shock Palace win.

Pick: Crystal Palace to win (+1200)