EPL Week 25: Hot-to-Trot Tips for Every Game This Week

We may well look back on Week 25 of the English Premier League as one that defined the season.

Anytime you have top eight teams playing against one another with Champions League spots still on the line, the week matters. Throw in the fact that the bottom six sides are all playing against each other with the right to stay in the top class on the line, and this week takes on a whole new level of importance.

Whether you're a diehard supporter or just a casual observer of the EPL, here are five hot-to-trot money-making tips that are sure to make this weeks games even greater for you.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool

Manchester United:

United has scored in every home games this year, and have scored the opening goal in 79 percent of their matches. Throw in the fact that they are chalking up a clean sheet at home a third of the time, and Old Trafford truly is an intimidating place to travel.

Liverpool:

Despite clicking recently, Liverpool has failed to score on eight occasions this season, and nearly two-third of their goals have been conceded on the road. As a result, 67 percent of their matches have had a total less than 2.5 goals.

Hot-to-trot tips:

Manchester United to win

Under 2.5 goals for the match

Blackburn Rovers vs. Queens Park Rangers

Blackburn Rovers:

Blackburn has conceded a goal in every single one of their matches this season, and as a direct result, 71 percent of their matches have gone over the 2.5 goal mark. They have struggled offensively as well—averaging only 1.3 goals per game at home.

Queens Park Rangers:

The storyline isn't much prettier for Queens Park Rangers.  They have conceded a goal in their last 15 matches, and are only averaging a single score per game away from home.

Hot-to-trot tips:

Under 2.5 goals for the match

First half as the highest scoring half

Bolton vs. Wigan Athletic

Bolton:

Despite remaining just inside the relegation zone, Bolton has improved of late, racking up 11 points in their last eight matches. However, the Wanderers are averaging just1.17 goals per game on the season, so they still have some work to do. Especially when 71 percent of their matches feature more than 2.5 goals.

Wigan Athletic:

Wigan on the other hand, has been going backwards—taking only three points from their last eight matches and no wins in their last nine. They average only 0.83 goals per game on the road, and have also conceded 72 percent of their goals away from home.

The home team looks to be heading in the better direction and should be too strong.

Hot-to-trot tips:

Bolton to win to Nil

Under 3.5 goals for the match

Everton vs. Chelsea

Everton:

Despite knocking off league leading Manchester City, Everton has only managed to win one other game in their last eight matches.  They and are known for playing tough, street-fight, bare-knuckle football that often results in few goals. As a result, 71 percent of their matches goes under the 2.5 goal mark. 

Chelsea:

Chelsea might be playing in matches that feature an average of 3.04 goals per game, but away from Stamford Bridge, this figure drops dramatically. They are scoring and conceding half the goals they normally would at home.

Hot-to-trot tip:

Under 2.5 goals for the match

Fulham vs. Stoke City

Fulham:

Fulham at home is completely different than on the road, scoring over 75 percent of their goals in front of their home fans. However, they still have some defensive problems at the back, especially in the second half, conceding over 65 of their total goals in the second half, and a league-high 11 goals in the last ten minutes of play.

Stoke City

Fortunately for Fulham, Stoke struggles away from home, scoring less than 40 percent of their goals on the road and conceding over 60 percent. Unfortunately though, they are second half weapons and have a far stronger second half than the first, despite only averaging 0.67 goals per game away from home.

Hot-to-trot tips:

Draw as the half-time result

Second half as the highest scoring half

Last goal to be scored in the 76th-90th minute

Sunderland vs. Arsenal

Sunderland

Since Martin O'Neill has taken over, Sunderland are the league leaders. Want the truth?  Check it out for yourself here.  At home, the Black Cats they are a serious danger to a Gunners side that is desperate for points. Throughout the year though, they have managed to lose by a single goal on nine occasions, and after an FA Cup thriller during the week, they might just have some tired legs.

Arsenal

With Tottenham, Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool all facing tough opponents, this game is a huge chance for Arsenal to take some valuable points towards their Champions League dream. They've conceded nearly 75 percent of their goals away from home, however, which they will need to fix before they take on Sunderland. Interestingly, Arsenal has won by a one goal margin on six occasions this year—the same margin of Sunderland's losses.

Hot-to-trot tips:

Arsenal to win by one goal

Both teams to score

Swansea City vs. Norwich City

Swansea City

It's almost "Fortress Swansea" this year.  Not only do they score over 60 percent of their goals at home, but Swansea only concedes an average of 0.58 goals per game there. They have managed to reach third in the league for clean sheets this year, but have struggled up front also—failing to score on ten occasions throughout the season, which is a league-high. 

Norwich City

For Norwich, the telling statistic is that they've conceded in every single one of their away matches this year, and traveling to Swansea is no easy place to try and rectify that. They have also allowed 61 percent of their total goals on year on the road, and whilst Swansea won't give them an absurd amount of offensive pressure, they will give Norwich City enough to find the back of the net.

Hot-to-trot tip:

Swansea to win

Under 2.5 goals for the match

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur:

How big could this game turn out to be for the Champions League dreams of both sides?

Despite dropping points last week, Tottenham is fortunate to be back in front of their home fans, where they play their best football. They have scored in every single one of their home games, and have allowed an average of just 0.83 goals at home.

Newcastle United:

Despite allowing over 60 percent of their goals on the year in away matches, Newcastle United holds no fear in traveling to Tottenham.  Why?  Because they have scored in nearly 75 percent of their matches on the road this year. These two  statistics cannot be separated from one another, and it should show on the score sheet.

Hot-to-trot tip:

Draw as the full-time result

Wolverhampton vs. West Bromwich Albion

Wolverhampton:

It has not been a great year for Wolverhampton. They have conceded goals in their last 21 matches and 92 percent of their home matches have seen them pick the ball out of their own net. It's no wonder that 71 percent of their matches go over 2.5 goals.

West Bromwich Albion:

When you score 62 percent of your total goals on the road, and have won 69 percent of your points for the season on the road, traveling to Wolverhampton holds no fear for West Brom. Their only concern will be the fact they've conceded in 92 percent of their away matches, though all this should do is drive the total goals up and not take the win from WBA.

Hot-to-trot tips:

West Bromwich Albion to win

Over 2.5 goals for the match

Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

Aston Villa

Hold that thought for a minute.

Manchester City:

Manchester City will win this game, but not just because the stats say so. I could talk about their 63 goals for and only 19 against, and I could mention the fact they have conceded 79 percent of their goals in the second half, but I won't.

The Citizens will take the win purely because of the context of this game. Manchester United plays Liverpool the day before this game, meaning Manchester City will know the outcome of that match, and they will understand that they are going to need the points to keep themselves in front of the title race.

And if the Red Devils lose or draw, City will know that a win puts them more than a game ahead in the race towards the Premiership title.

City's offense is known to click for some late goals, but they do allow plenty of goals in the second half as well, so expect the latter part of this match to light up the score sheet.

Hot-to-trot tip:

Manchester City to win

Second half as the highest scoring half

Suggested Treble

Swansea City to beat Norwich City

West Bromwich Albion to beat Wolves

Bolton to beat Wigan Athletic

Treble pays around 9/1, but throw in Manchester City to beat Aston Villa and that goes up to around 15/1.

Read more articles by Dan here or follow him on Twitter: @dantalintyre