Premier League Betting Tips And Predictions: 4 more and it’s a wrap
With nine fixtures left on the plate, Manchester City are on their way to probably the most straightforward title of all time, with guile, style and finesse, all hail the new kings of English football, the best in the land and a contender for the European stake. The loss to Basel in midweek doesn’t mean much harm having won emphatically away from home earlier, back to domestic hustles, Stoke City are the next casualty, with relegation on the cards for the potters, it might be worth some talking points but if you remember the outcome of the first leg, a whooping 7:2 success for the Citizens, you’ll know it’s going to be a very long afternoon for Paul Lambert’s men; Stoke on their parts are giving it everything they have to avoid the drop, upcoming fixtures can give them solace, not this one, except they want to learn from the discipline of Basel and the precision of their finish in front of goal. Everton will host Brighton on Saturday, a fixture that is sure to provoke the hosts following the visitors’ success at home against a pathetic Arsenal side, the fear of the drop isn’t very heavy at either side following recent results but comfort would be assured with wins for either side.
Before the visit of Sevilla in midweek, Manchester United will first entertain the Scoucers in the famous lunchtime edition of the famous red derby, with second place the ultimate prize, Liverpool are through to the last eight of the champions league following a goalless draw at home to Porto, but the Red Devils have it all to do against a very unpredictable Sevilla side, United are expected to win and advance, but can’t say the same with their domestic fixture, Liverpool are on the rise, Mo Salah is on another level, and the big question is, which United would turn up? The frustrating goalless draw at Anfield earlier in the season deflated hopes, fans would expect better this time. Huddersfield and Swansea are both three points off the drop with goals separating them, wins for either side is a big boost but a draw would suffice for either side, largely depending on the outcomes of surrounding teams’ games. Carlos Carvahal has done massively well with the Welsh club, lifting them above the drop zone, David Wagner isn’t doing badly with his wards too, they most likely would be around next term except a disaster of sort happens.
Newcastle are just two points off the top, Southampton are just one off, making this an epic relegation six pointer, Rafa Benitez would rue the two points he dropped at Bournemouth from a position of comfort, followed closely by a gallant loss to a much better Liverpool, now they play a team that must win or sink further, the Saints are probably the most disappointing team in the division, talented but unproductive, Newcastle on their parts, are all of hard work and less of talents, the intelligent tinkering of their manager as well as their massive organization bails them out sometimes. Whoever wins this climbs while the other sinks further into despair, it’s a must win. West Brom are on their way to the championship and there seems to be nothing they can do about it, their opponent on the day, Leicester aren’t impressive, to be honest but they will finish well, and part of the confidence will come from here, whatever is left of the fight in the Baggies would be killed totally if they don’t win here, a point is as useless as nothing.
West Ham were living fine at some points but now they have to win at home to Burnley or voices would come screaming at David Moyes, the scot had a fine run to lift the Hammers out of the relegation zone but now lives just three points off it, they play Burnley, a team that hardly concedes but of late, they’ve been poor, shipping late goals and failing to close out games, Sean Dyche is only safe due to his early season form, his team lies seventh and would not be needing ambulances at least not this season, but if they want to be in Europe, they have to find their grip. Chelsea have Barcelona in midweek, huge to say the least but they can believe in history, Crystal Palace is a massive distraction, the Eagles would still be hurting from the hurtful late capitulation on Monday, Manchester United rallied from two down to beat palace with a late Nemanja Matic volley, Chelsea must be wary of them, priorities might come to play for the Blues too, but whichever way, this would be a sensational end to the Saturday games.
Arsenal halted the rot at Milan on Thursday, scoring twice without conceding for the first time in a long while, the victory in Milan means the Gunners have a strong foothold in the Europa championship and can dream, Watford beat Arsenal with a comeback performance at the first leg, which Arsenal would turn up? The Hornets have been revived under Jarvi Gracia and they can trouble the weak Arsenal if they man up, with Kolasinac injured, Monreal out, Arsenal would labour hard at left back with Maintland Niles the obvious pick. Tottenham were badly hurt in Europe, losing a massive advantage to Juventus to crash out of the UEFA champions league and they now have to focus on the top four hustle which is their only piece of hope apart from the FA Cup; Bournemouth aren’t so threatened, 33 points and counting, they will have to give it everything they have to get a result against a wounded Tottenham side, for Spurs, with Liverpool and Manchester United squaring up, they can gain some ground.
It’s the twilight of the competition and everyone needs a point, here we go with the premier league predictions for this round, tricky ties everywhere but someone has to do this... so let’s do it.
Fixture
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Verdict
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Manchester United vs Liverpool
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Both teams to score
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Everton vs Brighton
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Both teams to score
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Huddersfield vs Swansea
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Swansea to win or draw
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Newcastle vs Southampton
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Newcastle to win or draw
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Westbrom vs Leicester
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Leicester to win or draw
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Westham vs Burnley
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Westham win or draw
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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
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Chelsea to win
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Arsenal vs Watford
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Arsenal to win or draw
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Bournemouth vs Tottenham
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Tottenham to win
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Stoke vs Manchester City
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Manchester City to win
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Strictly the writer’s opinion
