Bournemouth vs. Chelsea - Thursday January 31, 6:45am
Bournemouth welcome Chelsea to town as the Cherries search for their second consecutive win.
Eddie Howe’s side are coming off an impressive 2-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday (all times AEST) as Callum Wilson and Joshua King both found the back of the net.
After a stunning start to the season, Bournemouth have struggled recently, getting pummelled by Tottenham and Manchester United prior to Sunday’s triumph over the Hammers.
The Cherries will be without captain Simon Francis (knee) and Lewis Cook (knee) for the remainder of the season, while Dominic Solanke remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Blues were downed 2-0 by Arsenal on Sunday in what has been an up and down season for Maurizio Sarri’s team.
Chelsea did pick up two FA cup victories in the last week and have the luxury of choosing from a fully fit squad ahead of Thursday’s game. This include boom recruit Gonzalo Higuain, who figures to add another dimension to the Pensioners up forward.
Last time these teams met in the Football League Cup quarter-finals on December 20, Chelsea claimed a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Tip: Chelsea to win 1-0 @ $8.00
Liverpool vs. Leicester City - Thursday January 31, 7:00am
Liverpool host Leicester on Thursday as the Reds look to continue their winning ways.
Jürgen Klopp’s side were too strong for Crystal Palace on Sunday in a high-scoring 4-3 win at Anfield as Mohammed Salah netted two to put him as many goals clear as the league’s top scorer.
Liverpool have only dropped one of their last 12 Premier League games in a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in early January.
The Reds may be without Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) again, but will get Georginio Wijnaldum to replace James Milner following his suspension against the Eagles.
The Foxes fell to the Wolves 4-3 on Saturday behind a hat-trick from Poturgese young gun Jota to drop four of their last five games.
Harry Maguire (leg) is expected to get up for Leicester in this one, who need all the help they can get after sliding to ninth following their recent struggles
In their last meeting in September, Liverpool emerged 2-1 victors.
Tip: Liverpool to win 4-0 @$11.00
Tottenham vs. Watford – Thursday January 31, 7:00am
Tottenham and Watford close out the mid-week fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It has been a horror week for the Spurs, bowing out of two cup competitions at the hands of Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Tottenham did record a 2-1 win over Fullham in their last Premier league match last Monday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team continues to soldier on without Harry Kane and Dele Alli, who are not expected to return until March, while Ben Davis is also in doubt. The Spurs will be boosted by the return of Son Heung-min to try and keep the Lilywhites stay in touch with the league-leading Reds, who they currently trail by nine points.
Watford sit in seventh place after drawing with Burnley FC on Sunday 0-0, knocking Newcastle out of the FA Cup in a 2-0 victory the following day.
Daryl Janmaat is expected to replace Kiko Femenia for the Hornets and Javi Gracia was confident that Abdoulaye Doucoure (knee) would also take the pitch.
Tottenham ousted Watford in penalties last time they met in the Carabao Cup on September 27 following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Tip: Tottenham to win 2-1 @ $7.50
