Premier League 3pm Kick-Offs: Stick with the Toffees for another easy win

Betting Tips | Article posted on January 10th, 2025

Mike Norman takes a look at this Saturday’s five 3pm kick-offs, and for the second week running he’s making an easy Everton victory his best bet of the day…
Cardiff 2.01/1 v West Ham 4.3100/30; The Draw 3.613/5
The momentum is most definitely with Cardiff ahead of this fixture, even if some key Opta stats aren’t.
The Bluebirds have a new manager, which generally gives a side an immediate lift, and they recorded an excellent away win at in-form Newcastle last week in the FA Cup. Now they host a West ham side in turmoil having scored none and conceded 11 in their last two away games.
But Opta tell us that Cardiff have won just one of their last 10 home meetings with West Ham, while the Hammers have won their last five meetings in all competitions between the two sides.
Current form is far more important than historical facts however, and although Cardiff haven’t been in great form themselves of late they’ve still been better than Sam Allardyce’s hapless Hammers who have lost five league away games on the spin, plus those two recent cup thumpings.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a good record against West Ham as a player and I’m backing him to do so as a manager too.
Recommended Bet: Back West Ham to Win @ 2.01/1
Everton 1.412/5 v Norwich 10.5n/a; The Draw 5.04/1
Apart from their Boxing Day blip against Sunderland, Everton have been very good at Goodison Park this campaign, winning six and drawing three of their other nine games. In fact the Toffees have lost just two games all season, less than any other club in the Premier League.
But there is a slight worry here if you believe in bogey teams/managers. Opta tell us that Everton have failed to beat Norwich in any of their last five meetings, and that Canaries boss Chris Hughton is unbeaten against the Toffees in the Premier League (five games).
Like the Cardiff game I believe there’s a lot of worth in ignoring those Opta stats for this clash however as it will require a brave person to oppose Roberto Martinez’ men here.
In the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season Norwich scored with just their two shots on target, whereas Everton had seven shots on target, scoring two. Everton have gone on to prove they are a very good team since that day while Norwich have struggled at times, and now that we’re at Goodison Park I can’t see any other outcome than a comfortable home win.
Recommended Bet: Back Everton -1 to Win @ 2.26/5 (best bet)
Fulham 2.245/4 v Sunderland 3.7511/4; The Draw 3.412/5
Having watched Sunderland a few times this season the conclusion I keep coming back to is that they don’t have a