English Premier League action continues on Saturday and we take a look at all 5 matches including Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Wolves v Spurs and Arsenal v Newcastle.
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Fulham v Aston Villa
Fulham are just below half way in the standings but their hopes of qualifying for the Europa or Conference League have taken a knock after a run of 1 win in their last 5. Their only recent win came at home (3-1) to now relegated Burnley and they have failed to find the net in a home defeat to West Ham, a draw away to Forest, a defeat at Liverpool and most recently a draw at Brentford.
Villa’s dramatic 4-3 home win over Sunderland last week saw them finish the round in fourth place and with the top 5 qualifying for the UCL next season, an 8 point gap to sixth placed Brighton (who have played 1 game more) looks significant. Villa haven’t won away from home in the EPL since the turn of the year and after this they have the first leg of their Europa League semi final match up with Forest.
I think Villa have broken the back of what they need for a top 5 finish and with the UEL semi final looming I’m wondering if they will bench a couple of regulars. That makes it a tricky call but 2-3 goals in total covers a number of scorelines I can see here.
Bet: Multi goal 2-3 at even money with Sportingbet
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Back to back wins at home to Fulham (2-0) and then away to Everton (2-1) have given Liverpool a grip on the all-important fifth place which will mean UCL football next season. They will kick off 5 points better off than sixth placed Brighton who have played 1 game more but they still have to face Man Utd, Chelsea and Villa in their 5 match run in.
Palace are thirteenth and whilst they could still force their way into Europa or Conference League qualification they are already in the semi finals of this season’s Conference League and they will take on Shakhtar with the first leg taking place in midweek. League results have improved over the course of the last 4 matches, wins at Spurs (3-1) and at home to Newcastle (2-1) alongside 0-0 draws at home to Leeds and most recently West Ham (also 0-0).
Liverpool are sweating on a return to fitness of goalkeeper Alisson otherwise they will be down to their third choice stopper. However I think Palace might have their Conference League semi final upper most in their minds and I’m with Isak to get on the scoresheet at some stage.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Isak at 14/10 with Sportingbet
West Ham v Everton
West Ham’s 0-0 draw at Palace on Monday night saw them finish the round fourth from bottom, 2 points and 1 place ahead of Spurs. If they are to stay up home form will be a major factor and West Ham are unbeaten in their last 5 in front of their own supporters, wins against Sunderland and most recently Wolves and draws with both Manchester clubs and Bournemouth.
Everton came unstuck late on in their 2-1 Merseyside derby defeat at home to Liverpool last weekend. Prior to that they struck late themselves to salvage a 2-2 draw at Brentford and although they have dropped to tenth, its very congested either side of halfway and they could still qualify for the Europa or Conference League next season.
I think West Ham might need something from this to keep themselves out of the drop zone and Everton also have a carrot to chase in terms of potential European football next season. With that in mind I’m with both teams to score in a game of 3 goals or more.
Bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals ? yes at 12/10 with Lucky Fish
Wolves v Spurs
Wolves are officially relegated and since returning from the international break they have suffered a couple of defeats without scoring, at West Ham (4-0) and then Leeds (3-0). Before that latest break Wolves had beaten Villa and Liverpool in successive home games.
Roberto de Zerbi’s first game in charge of Spurs saw them go down 1-0 away to Sunderland and last weekend they conceded a late goal in a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton. They finished the previous round third from bottom with 31 points, 2 shy of West Ham and 4 behind Forest who visit Sunderland on Friday night. It’s now 15 league outings without a win and including this there are just 5 matches remaining.
I could look foolish here as Wolves recent home form is very decent but they have looked way short of that in their last 2 road trips and I’m with Spurs to win with daylight.
Bet: Handicap Spurs -1 goal at 18/10 with Sportingbet
Arsenal v Newcastle
After holding top spot for what has seemed like an age Arsenal dropped to second when Man City won their catch up game in midweek. City, who beat Arsenal 2-1 in Manchester last Sunday are in FA Cup action this weekend and they are running neck and neck with the Gunners with both sides on 70 points and with a goal difference of +37. City have their noses in front as they have scored 66 goals to Arsenal’s 63. Arsenal had few excuses in a recent 2-1 EPL home defeat to Bournemouth and across all competitions they have won just 1 of their last 6.
Newcastle have lost 3 in a row and finished the previous round in fourteenth place. If they are to threaten qualification for the Europa League or Conference League they will need a strong finish and they have been well below par in recent defeats at home to Sunderland and Bournemouth (both 2-1) and away at Palace (also 2-1).
Arsenal have the first leg of their UCL semi final clash with Atletico coming up in midweek and they are obviously under huge pressure as the possibility of missing out on any silverware this season has been growing by the week. I’ve really struggled to call Arsenal games lately and my only offering here is another 2-1 defeat for Newcastle.
Bet: Correct score Arsenal to win 2-1 at 7/1 with Lucky Fish