Premier League Matchweek 25: Preview, Betting tips and Predictions

Premier League Matchweek 25: Preview, Betting tips and Predictions - Deliver us from Liverpool

N'Golo Kante slips up at Stamford Bridge as Gabriel Martinelli runs through to score Arsenal's first goal during Chelsea 2-2 draw vs Arsenal (Source: premierleague.com)

West Ham and everyone else apart from those that live at Anfield watched in agony as Liverpool yet again dismantled West Ham to pull further clear of everyone else on the log.

The worst kept secret has busted into the public glare, like the protruding belly of a pregnant woman, like the thick flame in the air that snitches on the burning farm miles away, the seemingly endless wait is over, Liverpool will be champions and their win, yet again at the London Stadium confirms it long before May.

Southampton are the next in line for the champions-elect, nothing to worry about to be very honest.

Even their old boy Danny Ings won’t expect a miracle but the sweats of their shock win at Leicester are still very much fresh on their shirts, which tells a story of revenge, a sweet victory that comes after a great battle.

Anything can happen in football as it did at the KP Stadium, not many however would expect lightening on this same very spot.

Liverpool didn’t have Sadio Mane as reigning Africa footballer of the year is out injured but really didn’t miss him.

The team is built in such a way that anyone can come in for anyone without you noticing the difference, the structure is in place, plug and play, victory is assured regardless of the opposition.

Liverpool did let guards down in the cup game that means extra game, no one would still put it past them to annihilate their lower league opponent to book a date with Chelsea… Oh God of the Queen, mother of our land, deliver us from Liverpool!

Manchester United have a habit of coming out fuming on days you bet against them, they beat Manchester City, albeit to nothing as their 1-0 win at the Etihad counts for nothing having lost the first leg 1-3 at Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola could afford to play two DMs as CBs and the result was a win for their arch-rivals right on the sky blue part of the city.

Nothing to worry about as the Citizens can prepare for life in the final against a resilient Aston Villa side.

The Red Devils are home to Wolves late on Saturday and for real you can’t tell which United side will turn up.

Bruno Fernandez has been added to the squad and it remains to be seen if he’ll be ready for the visit of Nuno’s men.

But whichever way, it will be a very long evening for them with the form of Wolves and how dangerous they are on the break with Traore and Neto on either flank.

Leicester City host Chelsea early on Saturday, it’s the battle of 3rd and 4th.

Regardless of the result they both stay in the top 4 but the result could have a spiral effect on either side.

Chelsea are stuttering in the league, losing their lead twice against a ten-man Arsenal explains the need for experience in certain areas on the pitch.

And Leicester are also struggling to find consistency the latest of their failings coming in the cup ouster in the hands of Aston Villa.

Brendan Rodgers has it all to do, to be honest, and it’s hard to tell if Kelechi Iheanacho can carry the weight of goal scoring in the absence of Jamie Vardy but the return of Wilfred Ndidi does make life better in the middle.

The game of the weekend must be the one at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Pep Guardiola will be off to London with his lads who have played nineteen times since the beginning of December, jaded and tired no doubt.

And that explains the decision to play Rodri at the back against United in the second leg loss on Wednesday but this is entirely different.

Spurs are busy bolstering in the window that is very much in its twilight and going by history, it will take time for them to gel.

Christian Eriksen got his move, so how does the team shape up without him?

You can’t blame Spurs for sanctioning the move, it is pointless keeping an unhappy player that would rather be elsewhere but will Lo Celso and Fernandes do justice to the City midfield?

For Pep Guardiola, this has nothing to do with the rivalry with Jose Mourinho, he has absolutely nothing to prove and so does Mou.

But Guardiola has to make sure he gives a level of fight to keep his boys ready for the Champions League which must be the focus now having conceded his premier league crown to Liverpool.

The injured players are back for City, Laporte has taken his place in defense and Fernandinho can concentrate on midfield duties.

Jose Mourinho hasn’t impressed at Spurs and it’s time for him to start getting things right.

Honestly, it was never going to be a walk in an empty park and to look at a bigger picture, the capture of Steve Bergwijn from PSV should offer a lot in terms of attacking options to the Lily Whites and take the pressure off some necks at the new Spurs stadium.

Arsenal are becoming to look the part, no one saw them getting a point at Stamford Bridge and the away win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup ranks among their most commanding performances away from home in a very long time.

Mikel Arteta has breathed life into the team, now fans are looking forward to game day and some players that used to annoy the fans once they see their names on the line up are now beginning to impress.

Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira are both up for Arsenal’s player of the month and both of them had different fortunes under Unai Emery.

Torreira was on his way back to Italy and Arsenal already agreed terms with Hertha Berlin for Xhaka.

Both are now integral parts of the Arsenal team.

Step forward Burnley, slayers of Manchester United, owners of Turf Moor, that stubborn bogey team, can they stop a resurgent Arsenal?

Everton failed the last time out and look like they’re losing steam, is it too early to start questioning Carlo Ancellotti?

Or will Dominic Calvert Lewin keep carrying the team on his shoulders?

Watford are born again under Nigel Pearson, they host Everton next and you can be sure of a worthy showing.

Elsewhere it’s Westham against Brighton, interesting to see what Westham brings to the table on Saturday.

Huge relegation six-pointer at St James’s Park with the visit of Norwich, let the weekend begin!

Premier League prediction is next and we’ll always advise responsible gambling, but whatever you do, join us in prayers as we look to the skies and plead on the god of soccer… Deliver us from Liverpool.

Fixture	Verdict	Player to watch
Leicester vs Chelsea	Both teams to score	Ayoze Perez
Bournemouth vs Villa	Over 7.5 corners	Jack Grealish
Palace vs Sheffield	Under 3.5 goals	Jordan Ayew
Liverpool vs Southampton	Liverpool to win	Firminho
Newcastle vs Norwich	Newcastle to win or draw	Miguel Almiron
Watford vs Everton	Over 7.5 corners	Calvert Lewin
Westham vs Brighton	Westham to win or draw	Robert Snodgrass
United vs Wolves	Both teams to score	Armand Traore
Burnley vs Arsenal	Arsenal to win or draw	Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
Spurs vs City	City to win or draw	Sergio Aguero