The race for an automatic Champions League berth in the English Premier League is now down to four teams vying for three spots. And with just three points separating Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Wolverhampton, you can expect the jockeying to be fierce as EPL betting fans prepare for what should be an entertaining continuation of Matchday 32. Leicester and Chelsea have the upper hand, but both face tricky away matches this week.
Here are our top Premier League soccer betting plays for July 1-2:
Premier League Predictions for July 1-2
Everton vs Leicester (Wednesday, 1 pm ET)
Leicester have been one of the more disappointing top-tier clubs since play resumed following the COVID-19 hiatus, having settled for two points from two games before dropping a 1-0 decision to Chelsea in FA Cup action Sunday. Leicester have produced just one goal in those three matches and might find an offensive resurgence difficult Wednesday as they face a host Everton squad that kicked off its post-COVID break with an impressive 0-0 draw against Liverpool.
Everton’s home-pitch success is worth weighing heavily here: the Toffees have just one defeat from their previous 13 matches at Goodison Park, and have limited opponents to just four goals in their last seven home games. Oddsmakers are keen to this, making the U2.5 play a less-than-desirable -150, but with both sides having played in their share of low-scoring games of late, we could easily see a zero- or one-goal affair here.
Pick: Under 1.5 (+220)
West Ham v. Chelsea (Wednesday, 3:15 pm ET)
You could forgive bettors for wondering if the Blues would come out of their months-long respite in top form, considering they hit their apex prior to the break with a stunning win over Liverpool and a rout of Everton. But Chelsea have picked up right where they left off, reeling off three consecutive wins – including a 2-1 statement win over No. 2 Manchester City – to put themselves in prime position to lock up a Champions League spot (they’re currently valued at -350 to finish Top 4 in the league).
Don’t expect Chelsea to miss a beat in mid-week action, where they are heavy favorites against a West Ham club that has dropped its first two games post-shutdown — and hasn’t scored in league play since Feb. 29. These teams aren’t just headed in opposite directions, they aren’t even in the same stratosphere at the moment. Look for Chelsea to record another impressive victory as West Ham continue to search for a way to hit the scoresheet.
Pick: Chelsea -1 handicap (+140)
Manchester City v. Liverpool (Thursday, 3:15 ET)
Normally, a match between the top two teams in any European soccer league would be buzz-worthy. But there are two things working against the latest edition of the Manchester City-Liverpool rivalry, which goes Thursday at Etihad Stadium. Liverpool have already secured the league championship and own a 23-point advantage over Man City plus Thursday’s hosts have already been ruled out of Champions League competition due to rules violations.
But while the Premier League trophy is already theirs, Liverpool still have plenty to play for. Specifically, the league record for points in a season. They’re 14 points shy of equaling the mark set by Man City in 2017-18, and manager Jurgen Klopp would love nothing more than to move three points closer at the expense of the current record holders. Liverpool have been the class of European soccer, and are a great pick as a rare underdog.
Pick: Liverpool (+230)
Premier League Betting Card for July 1-2
- Everton-Leicester Under 1.5 (+220)
- Chelsea -1 handicap (+140)
- Liverpool (+230)
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