12/19 Slate With *Thoughts* - Reposted! (Patreon)

Sorry gang! forgot the thoughts section so reposting! same picks with thoughts included!  

Also! I played the Chelsea BTTS tonight - but will wait for lineups for the Palmer ATGS! 

12/19 Slate:

Hoffenheim v Darmstadt. BTTS + Over 2.5 goals. -125. 2:30pm ET. German Bundesliga:

- Score Prediciton. 2-2/3-1 Hoffenheim.

*Thoughts*

-  I'm going to be betting on BTTS type bets a lot for Darmstadt, not necessarily because they're great goal scorers, but because relegation bound teams specifically in the Bundesliga tend to go ballistic early in the season. The pressure to stay in the top flight is already mounting on manager Torsten who coming off an embarassing 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg will be looking for a much needed bounceback. Hoffenheim at home specifically is defensively non existent, with a goal being conceded in every home game since April of this year. I wish this was a weekend fixture but 3+ goals is what I'm thinking here still! 

Spakenburg v Excelsior Rotterdam. Spakenburg to score in the 2h. +100. Dutch Cup. 2pm ET (Played on MGM) IF YOU CAN'T GET THIS BET. I'm okay with a light sprinkle on Spakenburg 1.5 TT at +200

- Score Prediction. 10000-0 Spakenburg.... or 2-1/2-2

*Thoughts*

Spakenburg is one of the greatest teams on the planet. All jokes aside this team rocked the Dutch footballing world when they made it to the semi finals of the KNVB Beker Kup last season. Since then they received a ton of money for their run, and have been shooting on all cylinders already this season. Excelsior is obviously better being in the top flight, but they've been shaky this season and will be focusing on the cup as well as domestic play. I can't back anyone but Spakenburg right now. 

SportsLine Plays:

NEWCASTLE UNITED at CHELSEA | 12/19 | 3 P.M. ET  ** WAIT FOR LINEUPS TO CONFIRM PALMER START** I'M PLAYING BTTS NOW BUT WAITING FOR PALMER
Picks:

• Both teams to score -135
• Cole Palmer anytime goal scorer +210

The quarterfinals of the EFL Cup are here as Chelsea host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. As we've talked about countless times, cup games can produce weird results as motivation for the teams involved can differ greatly. This is a prime example as even though Newcastle are the better side in their current state, it might not equate to a victory for the Magpies.

Newcastle currently are sixth on the English Premier League table. It's always nice to pick up some extra silverware, and while they are capable of producing a favorable result in this match, it's no secret that they are prioritizing a top-four finish in the EPL over any cup victories. Since they're sitting five points out of a coveted Champions League spot 17 matches into the season, this may be the time Newcastle bow out of the cup running so they can focus on their difficult EPL campaign.

Meanwhile, Chelsea need some positivity right now. The Blues have had a bit of a mixed bag of success and struggles so far this season. Sitting 10th on the table, they have pretty much have knocked themselves out of European contention and are far enough above the relegation zone that they're not too worried about that.

This is a club struggling to find its identity. Chelsea wants to produce results for its fans right now, especially at home. With the addition of Cole Palmer from Manchester City, and with the slow welcoming back of former RB Leipzig superstar Christopher Nkunku, this is a team I truly believe may be turning things around.

Palmer has been a star in recent matches, recording two goals in his last three games. This is the type of momentum the Blues need to find, especially against a Newcastle side that could be a bit distracted.