The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2014/15: Round 24

Lukaku likes Dan's selection

All four editors drew a blank last weekend so they will be keen to get back to winning ways on a big weekend of Premier League football. Joe, Dan, Mike and Luke reveal where their tenners are headed...

Joe Dyer
Back The Draw @ 3.65n/a in Spurs v Arsenal
Saturday, 12:45
Live on BT Sport 1

The North London Derby looks so close and I'm drawn to the draw at what looks a generous price in the early Saturday kick-off. 

The game pits sixth versus fifth, with Tottenham one place below their fierce rivals. The current form table shows two teams in very good nick - Spurs have accumulated 26 points from their last 12 matches, 13 from their last six; Arsenal numbers read 25 from the last 12, and 15 from the last six. 

We all know the talent in the Arsenal squad but there is arguably not that much between the two teams and I think the home advantage evens things up a touch, as does Alexis Sanchez's absence.   

It's an interesting battle between the managers, too. The first game finished in a 1-1 stalemate and Pochettino's Southampton were able to secure a 2-2 draw in their home game against Arsenal last season.  

While a win for either would be celebrated with wild abandon in the stands I feel that both managers would not be too upset to take a point from this fixture. Don't forget, fourteen games remain to gain the upper hand once this derby is done and dusted. 

Joe Dyer 2014-15 P/L +50.50

Dan Thomas
Back a draw in Everton v Liverpool at 3.55/2
Saturday, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports 1

I was initially drawn to Liverpool when looking at the Merseyside derby, given their recent dominance (just one defeat in the last 16 encounters) but Everton arrested their poor form with a good win at resurgent Palace last time out and I sense they will be up for the battle on Saturday.

The Toffees have struggled to get wins on the board at home this season but five of their 12 games have been drawn, including a creditable point against Man City, and they are facing a Reds team who sent a first choice team to Bolton for what turned out to be a tough FA Cup tie on Wednesday night.

He might not have looked very happy in the photos, but Aaron Lennon could prove to be shrewd loan signing by Roberto Martinez as he will add a different dimension to Everton's attacking play, which has been laboured at times this season.

Liverpool have been much more solid in recent weeks but they can still be vulnerable in central areas and Romelu Lukaku will enjoy having a winger who gets to the byline rather than cutting in all the time.

Everton's last three home games have all ended in stalemate and, at 3.55n/a, I'm happy to throw a tenner at that becoming four on Saturday evening.

Dan Thomas 2014-15 P/L: -1.25

Mike Norman
Back QPR @ 4.84/1 to beat Southampton
Saturday, 15:00

Before Harry Redknapp decided to quit QPR I probably wouldn't have given this bet much thought, but now that he has gone I'm beginning to like a home win in this fixture more and more.

For whatever reason a high percentage of teams perform really well in the game immediately following a managerial departure so we've obviously got that on our side, but I'm also liking the fact that Southampton were well below par in their back-to-back losses to Crystal Palace and Swansea recently.

The Saints this season have had long runs of excellent form, and one long run of win-less form, so perhaps those two recent losses indicate another poor run is about to happen. They've still got some key players missing, and they are also without the suspended Ryan Bertrand following his dismissal last week.

QPR have been poor of late, there's no denying that, but it wasn't too long ago that they went through a long unbeaten run at Loftus Road where they regularly scored at least two each time they played. My thinking is that they could easily return to that form on Saturday, and they could be meeting Southampton at a perfect time.

Mike Norman 2014-15 P/L: -55.80

Luke Moore

Back The Draw in Leicester v Crystal Palace at 3.412/5
Saturday, 15:00 

I don't usually like backing draws. I feel like if I don't have a strong feeling for either team in the game, then I should leave it alone. But, I've drawn a blank in the last few weeks and it may well be time to change things up a little bit.

In addition to that, the game at the King Power stadium on Saturday afternoon has 'DRAW' written all over it in big letters and so it seems a ripe cherry for plucking at what looks to be an attractive price.

No team has drawn more games away from home than Crystal Palace (6) this season, and Opta tell us that these two teams are very evenly-matched historically - in 49 meetings, Leicester have won 18, Palace 17 and there have been 14 draws.

Palace are the better team, but Nigel Pearson's men should have enough about them to secure a point and get me back to winning ways.

Luke Moore 2014-15 P/L: -68.70

A 10 bet is placed on each selection on Betfair's Exchange. Profits are calculated before commission.

Editors 2014/15 Season P/L

1. Joe Dyer: +50.50
2. Dan Thomas: -1.25
3. Mike Norman: -55.80
4. Luke Moore: -68.70