Perhaps the two EPL squads with the greatest sense of urgency, Leicester City and Bournemouth, face off Sunday in an interesting match for Premier League betting.
Leicester are mere inches from losing ground in the Champions League race (up a single point on fifth-place Manchester United), while Bournemouth are currently facing relegation, three points back of Watford and West Ham for safety.
Both teams need to aim for a victory here. Do the EPL odds agree? Here are our best Premier League predictions and soccer betting picks for Bournemouth vs. Leicester City on Sunday, July 12, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. ET. (Odds courtesy of Bet365)
Bournemouth (+425) vs Leicester City (-150, Draw +280)
Quick Hitter
Leicester and Bournemouth should feel an impetus to find the net. A draw will do little to ease the tension that both sides are surely feeling on the EPL table.
Despite the need, Bournemouth have been pitiful offensively, scoring a paltry two non-penalty goals in five matches since the COVID layoff.
Leicester likewise have been struggling, averaging just one goal per six post-COVID matches, well down from their 1.88 season average. The anticipated absence of attacking mid James Maddison won’t help matters.
There will be dueling forces at play here, with motive and capability conflicting in interest. Look for Leicester to take an early lead, but not by much.
Pick: Half time correct score: Leicester 1-0 (+260)
Team/Player Prop
Jamie Vardy to score anytime seems like low-hanging fruit, but after a bit of a gamble with our first pick, it’s a lower-variance price, and still likely a good value.
Vardy has scored half of Leicester’s goals since the league restart, netting three in their past two matches. With Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hot on his heels for the EPL’s Golden Boot, Vardy will have extra incentive to score. Maddison’s absence only increases his likelihood of heavy lifting against a porous Bournemouth defense.
The price isn’t eye-catching, but this should be easy money.
Pick: Jamie Vardy anytime goal (-138)
Total Bet
The Over/Under could prove tricky, and a matter of desperation. The -110 odds on the Over 2.5 look particularly stingy given these squads’ recent difficulties scoring.
But the narrative suggests a more up-and-down rhythm to this game, as both sides will need to take chances. Leicester are particularly liable to open things up in the second half, where two-thirds of their 64 goals (third league-wide) have been scored.
Their quest for three points should ultimately prove successful, but an aggressive formation could leave the door open for an equally urgent Bournemouth side. Both squads have also cleared the O2.5 in more than half of their matches this season (Bournemouth 59%, Leicester 53%).
It’s tough to have faith in the Cherries to find the net, but circumstances – and in this case the price – are right.
Pick: Over 2.5 + both teams to score (+130)
Side Bet
There’s little reason to doubt Leicester will come away with a win here. Despite their recent road woes (thee draws, three losses in last six away games), they’re in need of a victory and are facing a side that could offer little resistance.
We’re already taking a flier on a Leicester 1-0 lead at the half, so let’s double down and take their half time/full time for the side bet.
Pick: Leicester half time/full time (+162)
Bournemouth vs Leicester City Premier League betting card
- Half time correct score: Leicester 1-0 (+260)
- Jamie Vardy anytime goal (-138)
- Over 2.5 + both teams to score (+130)
- Leicester half time/full time (+162)
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