English Premier League action returns this weekend and we take a look at selected matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday including Arsenal v Bournemouth, Liverpool v Fulham, Sunderland v Spurs and Chelsea v Manchester City
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Arsenal v Bournemouth (Saturday)
As far as the league is concerned Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 8 with 6 wins and 2 draws and they are 9 points clear of Manchester City having played a game more. Their most recent league game delivered a 2-0 home win over Everton but much has happened since then. A 2-0 defeat to Man City in the EFL Cup final at Wembley was followed by a 2-1 loss at Southampton in the FA Cup quarter finals. That reduced a potential trophy haul of 4 to a maximum of 2 but there was a boost in midweek when the Gunners won the first leg of the UCL quarter final with Sporting 1-0 in Lisbon.
Bournemouth are just below half way in the standings although with 42 points they could yet finish in the European qualification places. Having finished all square in 15 of 31 league games they are the draw specialists of the EPL. There hasn’t been a winner in any of their last 5 league games, 3 of which were goalless plus score draws at home to Sunderland and most recently Man United.
There is a lot to like about this Bournemouth side but they have failed to score in their last 2 road trips to West Ham and Burnley and hence I'm siding with a multi score for the hosts to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0.
Bet: Arsenal to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 at 2/1 with Sportingbet
Liverpool v Fulham (Saturday)
Liverpool went down 2-0 to PSG in Paris in the first leg of their UCL quarter final clash in midweek and they now have it all to do in the return at Anfield. Last weekend they crashed to a 4-0 loss away to Man City in the FA Cup and unless they can turn things around in the UCL, the sole focus now is on qualifying for that competition next season which means a top 5 finish. Liverpool are fifth right now but they are 5 points shy of Villa who are fourth and a number of sides from sixth to just below halfway are on their heels. Recent league results include defeats at Wolves and Brighton either side of a 1-1 draw at home to Spurs.
Fulham have 44 points and although they are ninth they are just 5 shy of their opponents here. They have won 3 of their last 5 and 2 recent road trips delivered a win at Sunderland and a draw at Forest. Fulham also played out a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the first league meeting of the season at Craven Cottage.
Needs must for Liverpool here, I'm not convinced about them but I do expect them to have plenty of pressure which will hopefully see them register 6 or more shots on target.
Bet: Liverpool shots on target over 5.5 at 9/10 with Sportingbet
Sunderland v Spurs (Sunday)
Sunderland completed the double over arch rivals Newcastle with a 2-1 win at St. James Park 3 weeks ago and they haven’t been in action since. That might be a blessing as they have been missing some key layers but with 43 points they are safe as houses and they will be targeting a top half finish. After going well over half the season unbeaten at home the last 3 league games at the Stadium of Light have ended in defeat, to Liverpool, Fulham and Brighton.
After parting company with Thomas Frank and then his replacement Igor Tudor Spurs have turned to Roberto de Zerbi to keep them in the top flight. Should West Ham beat Wolves on Friday night Spurs will kick off in the bottom 3. They are without a win in their last 1 league games, 5 draws and 8 losses and 6 of the last 7 have ended in defeat. Most recently they went down 3-0 at home to Notts Forest who are also battling against relegation.
Another coaching change at Spurs could bring about a change in fortunes. I certainly think the visiting players will be more fired up than they have been in their more recent matches. Ex Arsenal player Granit Xhaka will be at the heart of the midfield battle and I think his price to pick up a card is value.
Bet: Granit Xhaka to be shown a card at 13/5 with Sportingbet
Chelsea v Man City (Sunday)
Chelsea thrashed minnows Port Vale to reach the FA Cup semi finals last weekend but before they face off with Leeds in that competition they need to get their league campaign back on track. They have lost 3 of their last 4 league games with their only win in the last 6 coming away to Villa. Chelsea failed to hit the target in their last 2, a 3-0 defeat at Everton and 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle. Chelsea finished the previous round in sixth spot, only 1 point behind fifth placed Liverpool but back in a scrum with a number of other European hopefuls.
City have dropped points in their last 2 league games, both against sides in the relegation battle They were held at home by Notts Forest and then away to West Ham and they are 9 points behind Arsenal but have a game in hand and they still have to host the Gunners in Manchester. Since their last league action City were deserved 2-0 winners over Arsenal in the EFL Cup Final at Wembley and last weekend a Haaland hat trick helped them to a 4-0 home win over Liverpool in the FA Cup and they will meet Southampton in the semi’s.
I'm think City win a game of 3 goals or more in total.
Bet: Man City win and over 2.5 goals boosted to 2/1 with Sportingbet
