EPL midweek betting preview: Chelsea stumble in London derby

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.

The first portion of Matchday 32 was played over the weekend but was interrupted by the FA Cup. The remaining seven matches will be completed over the next three days.

We didn't enjoy a good start to Matchday 32, but there's plenty of time to turn it around and keep our winning run intact.

Leicester City (+160) at Everton (+160), Draw (+220)

With their grip on a top-four spot slowly loosening, Leicester City face a difficult trip to Goodison Park on Wednesday night, where Everton have not lost since Carlo Ancelotti took over on Boxing Day. The Toffees are 3-3-0 on Merseyside under the Italian's reign, including impressive draws against Manchester United and Liverpool.

Everton might, in fact, fancy their chances of claiming maximum points from this one. They come into the match well-rested after enjoying a weekend off while Leicester battled Chelsea in the FA Cup. Fatigue will certainly play a part for the Foxes, who are also likely to be without dynamic midfielder James Maddison.

Leicester haven't yet found their footing since the restart, stumbling to a pair of draws in the league. The Toffees will sense an opportunity to creep up the table here, but even with Leicester struggling a bit in attack, they concede so few goals in defense. The Foxes will be looking over their shoulder at the clubs behind them, and while a win at Goodison appears unlikely, they will make sure not to leave empty-handed.

Pick: Draw (+220)

Chelsea (-175) at West Ham (+400), Draw (+290)

It's been an impressive return to the pitch for Chelsea, who followed up a win at Aston Villa with victories over Manchester City and Leicester City in the league and FA Cup, respectively. Frank Lampard's side is flying high at the moment, but don't be surprised if there's a slipup here.

This is a prime letdown spot for the Blues, who will be mentally and physically drained following an exhausting week. While Chelsea were out in East Midlands on the weekend, West Ham were home preparing for this match. The latter will be by far the more rested of the two sides Wednesday night.

The Hammers looked very good for spells against Tottenham and certainly posed more of a threat than they did in their first match back against Wolves. The conditions are encouraging for them ahead of a date with a Chelsea side they've lost to just once in their last five meetings. This is a huge opportunity for West Ham - especially with the sides around them losing - and a point in this London derby will help kick-start their push toward safety.

Pick: Draw (+290)

Liverpool (+215) at Manchester City (+105), Draw (+260)

Liverpool were off celebrating their first league title in 30 years on the weekend, while Manchester City bounced back from that surprise defeat at Stamford Bridge with a professional display in the FA Cup on Tyneside, as they gear up for a tantalizing date with the Reds.

Unlike past meetings, though, this matchup between the Premier League's undisputed best proves anticlimactic with Liverpool having already secured the title. Don't expect the Reds to come out flat here, though. They are champions and Jurgen Klopp will want them to flash that championship mettle at the Etihad.

At the same time, this is a proud City side they're up against - one that will be keen not to lose here less than a week after officially being dethroned as Premier League champion. Matches where both teams focus on avoiding defeat usually end in a letdown. Don't expect fireworks as these sides amicably part ways with a share of the spoils.

Pick: Draw (+260)

Full card

• Bournemouth/Newcastle draw (+200)
• Everton/Leicester City draw (+220)
• West Ham/Chelsea draw (+290)
• Tottenham (+100)
• Manchester City/Liverpool draw (+260)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.