EPL Saturday betting preview & top picks | Matchweek 26, 02/19/22

With a packed slate of games on Saturday that sees 16 of the 20 English Premier League teams play, there is a lot to choose from. We are heading into the stretch run of the season, and while there won’t be a very dramatic title race, there is still a lot of intrigue for the close of the 2022 season. This weekend is a big weekend for many teams who will be looking to improve their standing in the league and BettingPlanet has combed through it and found the three best picks for Matchweek 26 on Saturday, Feburary 19..

Newcastle United at West Ham United top picks

West Ham will come into this game as the deserving betting favorite. From the start of the season, they have surprised Prem fans and still sit in a top five position. If you would have told the West Ham brass this is where they would be, they would have been elated. And they haven’t looked like slowing down. With a strong, physical team they have been dominant off set pieces and scoring scrappy goals, West Ham will be motivated at home as they will want to get back in a Champions League qualifying spot. That being said, they may overlook their opponents and this game should be tighter than many see it being.

Newcastle made a ton of moves with their new Saudi leaders and it is starting to pay dividends. After a dreadful start to the season, they have won their last three league games and have clawed themselves to 17th place in the standings. Obviously, this is still a massive disappointment and not where you would expect a team of their caliber to be. But, there is reason for optimism. With their recent strong play, they are building a good baseline for next season. Expect them to continue their hot performances and keep this game closer than the books project. A draw at +285 is exceptional value even though it is a bit of a longshot.

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Chelsea at Crystal Palace betting preview

After their surprise Champions League win last season behind new coach Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea have been slightly disappointing to this point in the season. They are firmly in third place with 47 points in 24 games but sit 16 points behind Man City in first place. Fans would expect them to put up more of a title challenge but this season has not been the year. Big name signings like Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner have flopped in back to back years but they have been able to build a stout defense. It is that defense that should hold a clean sheet and have Chelsea coast by an inferior Palace squad.

Outside of Ivorian Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace have had a tough time scoring. These woes have them in 13th place with only 26 points. It is somewhat where a team of their talents would expect to be, however, and this season is just another year of mediocrity for Palace. They should not really push a team like Chelsea too much as their suffocating defense will do more than enough to keep Palace away from the goal. Take Chelsea -145 at Bovada and although it is a bit rich, it should be relatively stress free.

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Burnley at Brighton & Hove Albion betting picks

Burnley have one win this season. Is that enough said? They stink and in all likelihood, will be relegated. With 14 points through 21 matches, they haven’t been a threat in many matches and this season will be one to forget. In a year where they wouldn’t have had high expectations, they have still fallen firmly below those aspirations. In an away game against a crafty and stout Brighton team, Burnley will have a tough time scoring and in all likelihood, will only need to concede once in order for the lead to become insurmountable.

Brighton have surprised this year. With guys like Neal Maupay bagging goals and a midfield tandem clogging up the passing lanes, Brighton have impressed and sit in ninth place. They could easily be in a relegation battle just looking at their talent but have exceeded expectations and are truly building something. If they want to continue on their upward trajectory and garner respect from fans and pundits alike, they will have to win games like these. So, we expect Brighton to win convincingly and continue proving all the soccer doubters wrong.

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