From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

One of the weirdest things about making football predictions is that correctly calling the side to win the League is pretty easy, but picking the winner of any single soccer game is much harder that it seems.

Whether it be the EPL, Ligue 1, Serie A, La Liga or Bundesliga the same few/familiar sides contend and win every season. They are typically the best outfits, full of star players, with abundantly strong performance metrics and, usually have the biggest wage bills. Over the course of the season their quality inevitably comes to the fore.

However, and this is the catch, because the currency of a goal is so high in a low scoring sport, any team can get beaten on any given day. That built in uncertainty is what makes soccer such an intriguing game to follow - and so compelling to wager on.

A moment of magic, a diabolical call by a “short-sighted “official or the width of the post can determine the result and see an inferior side topple a much higher ranked team, or maybe just hold them to a draw.

Upsets happen in soccer over 90 minutes, though over the longer term, the cream always rises to the top.

MANCHESTER CITY 61 V CRYSTAL PALACE 45: City, the home side are 5/10 faves to see off Crystal Palace and that seems likely to come to pass given their 15-point advantage on the Goal Guru Index. But, given that C.P. makes so few defensive errors and Mateta is always a threat to score goals, covering the draw is an option. [1] [2]

SOUTHAMPTON 18 V ASTON VILLA 38: This should go the way of the visitors. Southampton are already relegated after a dire campaign and will battle to contain Villa, a much superior outfit who are favoured at 5/10.[3]

BRIGHTON 46 V LEICESTER 27: The Seagulls are strongly preferred against the Foxes. That is reflected in the betting as they are at 1/3 odds on – a winning probability of near 75%. Hermansen, in goal for Leicester, could be in for a stressful afternoon.[1]

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 39 V EVERTON 34: whilst the first three matches in the sequence seem clear-cut (a bold statement like that is tempting fate, especially after the cautionary introduction!) this could go either way. Both sides have made themselves hard- to- beat, tough competitors and with a mere five-point edge it may be appropriate to cover ALL three results. [1][2]3[]

ARSENAL 62 v BRENTFORD 44: another short- priced fave in the mix as the Gunners are given a 66% probability of sending Brentford home empty-handed. But they will have to get past agile shot stopper, Flekken to do so. [1]

WOLVES 35 V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 48: Spurs have a 13-point edge on the G.G.I. metric but mix their form and cannot be trusted with their flakey defense. Big Ange is under pressure from what he terms “negative fans.” The betting market has rated it close, so let’s respect the prices and go ALL [1] [2] [3]

LIVERPOOL 70 V WEST HAM 35: though they wobbled last week it’s hard to envisage Liverpool suffering another puncture against West Ham, a spirited team that has nevertheless not got properly underway this season. Salah, with 27 goals so far this season, remains a matchwinner for Liverpool. [1]

CHELSEA 48 V IPSWICH 18: Chelsea are yet another short-priced side, also 1/3 odds on, just like Liverpool, that the efficient market expects to win. A thirty-point edge on the G.G.I. is telling and Muric could well be seen retrieving the ball out of his net several times.[1]

NEWCASTLE 50 V MANCHESTER UNITED 44: This should be hard fought! Newcastle are one of the most dependable sides in the EPL and so are marginally preferred. No arguments if you trust in Isak’s goal scoring prowess (20 to date) and chose to single them. But United’s metrics are trending positively and will give them a good go. Under fire goalkeeper, Onana will try standing firm to redeem his reputation. A draw or a United away victory would boost dividends nicely. ALL [1][2][3]

BOURNEMOUTH 53 V FULHAM 50: Expect plenty of goals in this clash between two flowing footballing sides who like to bat it speedily around the park and create many goal scoring opportunities. Should be an entertaining watch but let’s observe it from the “fence.” ALL [1][2][3].

Suggested perm for the Interbet EPL 10 which starts at 13h30 on Saturday when City opposes Crystal Palace, and concludes with the Bournemouth v Fulham clash on Monday night at 21h00:

1 2 X 3 X 1 X ALL X 1 X ALL X 1 X 1 X ALL X ALL = R162.

This amounts to R162 which can be taken by the cost conscious at the ten-cent minimum for just R16.20

Good luck and enjoy the soccer!