Our football punter takes a look at gameweek 34 of the English Premier League, which kicks off on Saturday the 14th of April 2018.
The English Premier League is reaching its climactic stages with a full set of fixtures to look forward to this weekend, as well as an additional four taking place the following midweek. Manchester City had to wait to lift their third Premier League title since 2012 as they were blown away by a rampant Manchester United side in the second half of last weekend’s tie, losing 3-2 on the day.
Elsewhere, no team in the current bottom half of the table managed to walk away with maximum points. Southampton, who have been drowned in a relegation battle, host last season’s champions, Chelsea, while bottom-placed West Brom visit the Theatre of Dreams to take on Manchester United in what both should be thrilling encounters. However, the most fascinating tie of them all will undoubtedly be the battle between Tottenham Hotspur and champions elect, Manchester City, this Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
Saturday 14 April
Southampton 33/10
Draw 51/20
Chelsea 17/20
Southampton were unlucky not to get something at the Emirates Stadium as their hopes for survival were dented by a late Danny Welbeck header. That defeat was the Saints’ third in succession, and with Chelsea coming to town this weekend, it’s not looking good for Mark Hughes’ men.
The Blues are surely out of the race for top four after letting their one-goal lead slip at home to London rivals, West Ham United. Chelsea have lost five of their last eight league matches, resulting in immense pressure for Antonio Conte as Roman Abramovich’s boot hovers over his head.
End-to-end action is expected with Both Teams to Score tipped at 17/20.
Burnley 16/10
Draw 21/10
Leicester City 19/10
The two best teams outside the top six lock horns when Burnley host Leicester City at Turf Moor this weekend. The Clarets have endured an upturn in form in recent months, winning their last four league matches on the bounce. Sean Dyche has proved yet again what a tremendous tactician he is as Burnley sit six points ahead of their opponents in seventh place.
Leicester City will be aiming for their third straight away win, and in the goalscoring form that Jamie Vardy is in, it certainly seems likely. Claude Puel’s fiercest Fox has 16 league goals to his name – netting more times than Roberto Firmino, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku. He’s in the form of his life, and even if he doesn’t spur his side on to victory, you can never back against him getting on the scoresheet.
Take Both Teams to Score here at 19/20.
Crystal Palace 19/20
Draw 23/10
Brighton 33/10
Crystal Palace moved three points off the relegation zone with a commendable 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth. The Eagles know that they’re not safe just yet, especially as Southampton have a game in hand over them.
Brighton have dipped in form in the worst possible time. They’re winless in their last three games, losing twice in that run. Palace have lost their last three home games on the trot, but all of those were against three of the top four sides.
This time around, Roy Hodgson’s men should come good at Selhurst Park.
Huddersfield 16/10
Draw 22/10
Watford 37/20
Huddersfield Town have been up there as one of the worst teams to watch this season. They’re languishing in 16th spot, failing to win in their last five matches. Watford are three points away from the 40-point mark, which in usual seasons, guarantees safety.
The Hornets are going through a bad patch of their own as well and have failed to find the back of the net in their last five Premier League matches, while they’re also winless in their last nine travels. If you’re looking for an entertaining matchup, I suggest you look at one of the other 4pm kick-offs.
Back Under 2.5 Goals at 13/20.
Swansea 15/10
Draw 21/10
Everton 2/1
Swansea City seem to be on the right path to safety. Carlos Carvalhal has led the Swans to a fairly comfortable spot on the table. They now face an Evertonian side looking to avoid a run of three games without a win.
Turkish striker, Cenk Tosun, has looked the part in recent weeks, giving us hope of seeing a cagey battle between him and Swansea’s Alfie Mawson.
Not much separate these two sides ahead of this weekend’s encounter, hence why my money will be placed firmly on a draw.
Liverpool 1/4
Draw 11/2
Bournemouth 19/2
After Manchester City’s defeat at the hands of crosstown rivals, Manchester United, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side are the only team unbeaten on home soil. After resting a large amount of stars and coming out of Goodison Park unscathed, the Reds will fancy their chances against Bournemouth, especially as the likes of Roberto Firmino and PFA Player of the Month for March, Mohamed Salah, are likely to return to the line-up.
The Cherries boast just a single victory in their last seven games and can only fear for what’s to come at Anfield.
Back Liverpool on the (-1) Handicap at 6/10 – one for all multiples.
Tottenham 15/10
Draw 51/20
Manchester City 17/10
Premier League leaders Manchester City take on in-form Tottenham at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. With a 13-point gap over United and six games remaining, City essentially need six points – or two wins – to be crowned champions. Victory for the Citizens will take them one step closer to winning the title, however, Spurs are unbeaten in their last 14 games at Wembley with 10 wins.
After witnessing City crumble over the last two weeks, Spurs will be confident they can inflict further misery on Guardiola’s side. The north Londoners are high on confidence, winning their last four Premier League games at Wembley, including victories over Manchester United and Arsenal.
With Spurs in great form and Kane still chasing Mohamed Salah for the Golden Boot, I’m backing Kane to Score Anytime & Tottenham to Win.
Sunday 15 April
Newcastle United 49/20
Draw 51/20
Arsenal 11/10
After a run of three successive wins in the Premier League, Rafael Benitez finds his Newcastle side in the top half of the table and just two points off the 40-point mark. The Magpies face an Arsenal side who are in a great run of form themselves. Arsene Wenger’s side have won their last six games across all competitions at the time of writing, scoring an average of three goals a game.
However, Wenger’s line-up last weekend suggests that he is prioritising the UEFA Europa League, so we should expect more changes. It’s always fireworks when the Toon Army come up against the Gunners, and although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been in scintillating form, I’m leaning more towards the home side.
Back Newcastle on the Win/Draw Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at a valuable 31/20.
Manchester United 1/5
Draw 57/10
West Brom 15/1
Manchester United will look to pick up where they left off at the Etihad Stadium as they romped to a dramatic 3-2 win over soon-to-be champions, Manchester City. That was a perfect example of how it doesn’t matter how you start the game, but how you finish it.
With Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku all finding form towards the end of the season, West Brom will be hoping to avoid more embarrassment as their campaign begins to fill with more doom and gloom.
The Championship awaits the Baggies, while another clean sheet awaits David de Gea. Get on United to Win to Nil at 11/20.
Monday 16 April
West Ham 1/1
Draw 49/20
Stoke City 29/10
Monday night holds an exciting matchup as two teams who usually finish around the mid-table, fight to avoid relegation. It’s West Ham up against Stoke City at the London Stadium. Marko Arnautovic will face his former employers and comes into the game in a superb run of form. The Austrian has thrived under David Moyes and has adjusted to filling the striking void left by Andy Carroll.
The Potters sit second from the bottom, failing to win in their last nine league encounters, including four consecutive defeats.
The home win offers great value and is another one for the multiples – get on!
Tuesday 17 April
Brighton 7/1
Draw 38/10
Tottenham 4/10
Brighton face yet another London outfit on Tuesday, however, from coming up against the lowest ranked side from the capital, they now host the best of the lot in Tottenham Hotspur. Chris Hughton’s men have been pretty decent at the Amex Stadium, winning three of their last five games played, losing just once in that run.
Depending on results elsewhere, or if they happen to beat Man City at the weekend, Spurs will leapfrog Liverpool into third place. This season, Spurs have come to grounds like these and have simply wiped the floor with their opposition.
At even money, Tottenham on the (-1) Handicap is where my money will be placed next Tuesday.
Wednesday 18 April
Bournemouth 9/2
Draw 31/10
Manchester United 6/10
After a mammoth task to overcome at Anfield, Bournemouth now host Manchester United in what should be an exciting encounter for the neutrals. Eddie Howe’s men thrive on fast-paced attacking football, while Jose Mourinho opts for a much more cautious approach.
Although, away to Manchester City and to date back even further, Arsenal, the Red Devils were electrifying in attack and blitzed away their rivals. United have come from two goals down to win 3-2 on both of their last two away games, so we should be in for another treat here.
Back the visitors to Win & Both Teams to Score at a tasty 2/1.
Thursday 19 April
Burnley 29/10
Draw 49/20
Chelsea 19/20
Chelsea travel to Turf Moor on Thursday night, a day which they should become accustomed to playing in with UEFA Champions League football now a long way away from last season’s champions. The reverse fixture produced a cracking display from the hosts as they inflicted the Blues’ first home defeat of the campaign, winning 3-2 against 10-men Chelsea.
Despite Burnley being in great form at the moment, they’ve won just one of their last six home matches, failing to keep a clean sheet in that run. Conte’s men have lost their last three away games at the time of writing, but I’m expecting a turnaround from the Blues, especially if things don’t go their way at St. Mary’s.
Back the away win here at 15/20.
Leicester City 23/20
Draw 49/20
Southampton 24/10
Leicester City will continue their fight for a spot in Europe when they host Southampton on Thursday night. The reverse tie ended 4-1 in favour of the Foxes, and if that result is somehow emulated, Hughes’ men can surely kiss the Premier League goodbye.
Southampton have conceded three goals each in their last three away matches, while Leicester have netted in every single home game since the start of the year.
Once again, I’m a firm believer of Vardy scoring again, but if I had to back a result, it’s the home win all day.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 7/1
Liverpool (-1) Handicap 6/10
Newcastle Win/Draw & BTTS 31/20
West Ham Win 1/1
