Soccer Betting Preview – Rivals go head-to-head in England
Online sports betting – English Premiership
There will be a pair of heated battles taking place in the English Premiership on Sunday, August 31st, as Chelsea, one of the top teams in Europe, will host London neighbors Tottenham in a good old-fashioned derby. Elsewhere, the two teams who waged one of the fiercest battles of the transfer market will go head-to-head as Aston Villa hosts Liverpool.
WHO: Tottenham at Chelsea
WHAT: English Premiership soccer
WHEN: Sunday, August 31, 8:30 AM ET
WHERE: Stamford Bridge, London, England
KEY STATS: Chelsea has won six and drawn three of their last ten meetings with Tottenham
SOCCER BETTING ODDS: Chelsea (-285), Tottenham (+750), Draw (+300)
Todd's Analysis: Tottenham fans always have high hopes of challenging the top four, but two losses to open the season puts them behind the eight-ball from the beginning. Spurs sent Robbie Keane to Liverpool, leaving their strike-force bare. Chelsea, on the other hand, just landed Robinho from Real Madrid, and the tricky forward is sure to make an impact. Chelsea is an overwhelming favorite with internet sportsbook odds of -285, and with their past record against Tottenham, combined with their brilliant home record, it would be a massive upset if Chelsea failed to win.
WHO: Liverpool at Aston Villa
WHAT: English Premiership soccer
WHEN: Sunday, August 31, 11:30 AM ET
WHERE: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
KEY STATS: Liverpool have won six and drawn four of their last ten meetings with Aston Villa
SOCCER BETTING ODDS: Aston Villa (+200), Liverpool (+120), Draw (+220)
Todd's Analysis: Liverpool just got some awful news as inspirational captain Steven Gerrard is out indefinitely because he needs groin surgery, and this magnifies this rivalry. Liverpool tried desperately all summer to prise Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, hoping he would form with Gerrard as the Reds' midfield pair. A loss to newly-promoted Stoke City was a punch to Villa's gut, but Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored three goals in the first two games for Villa. With soccer betting odds of +120, Liverpool are slight favorites, but Villa will be fired up and the absence of Gerrard really, really hurts Liverpool. Bet on Aston Villa to claim their first win of the season.
Are you a fan of “The Beautiful Game”? Then you should try Todd Shale's “Beautiful picks”. Though he enjoys a good rugby match, Todd is happiest when he can handicap a great soccer match - or football match, as he prefers to call it. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
