Things are becoming slightly clearer at the top end of the table as we head into week 30. 4th placed Tottenham enjoy a handy 5 point buffer over 5th placed Chelsea, but they’ll need to bounce back quickly from their stunning loss to Juventus in the Champions League during the week. It’s also a weekend that kicks off with a massive match between Manchester United and Liverpool. The fierce rivals will be battling with the added incentive of 2nd spot so don’t expect this one to be taken lightly. At the other end of the table, things are as clear as mud. West Brom look doomed, but there is just 3 points separating 13th to 19th so there is plenty to play out of the course of the final 9 matches.
Week 30 Best Bet: Newcastle versus Southampton – Under 2.5 goals at $1.6
Week 30 Best Value Bet: Huddersfield versus Swansea Draw at $3
Week 30 Head to Head Multi Bet: Huddersfield/Swansea Draw ($3), Tottenham Win ($1.45), Manchester City Win ($1.17), Chelsea Win ($1.25) = $6.44
**Odds from Sportsbet.com.au as of 8th March
Headline Fixtures
Manchester United vs Liverpool
One of the biggest matches of the season kicks the weekend off between fierce rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. Both are fighting hard to maintain their spots in the top 4 but there’s a lot to play for this weekend. A win for United will maintain their 2nd position whilst a win for Liverpool means they can leapfrog United to move into 2nd. It will however be a tough contest for both sides if recent meetings between the two is anything to go by. Over their last 5 matches, all have failed to register over 2.5 goals with the last 3 ending in draws. Given the way Mourinho likes to tackle these matches against top 4 rivals, it’s safe to say he’ll be refining his defensive tactics, particularly after letting 2 through against Crystal Palace last time out. They do also have the 2nd best defensive record in the league having conceded just 22 times in 29 matches and for all Liverpool’s scoring power, they may find it tough to breakdown United if they are at their best defensively. Liverpool too are coming off some mid-week Champions League action and despite resting key players such as Mo Salah, you can expect some tired legs in comparison to United who’ve enjoyed a couple of extra days break. Either way though, this looks as though it’ll be a pretty tight one where goals are tough to come by.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.87
Best Value Bet: Draw at $3.25
Remaining Fixtures
Newcastle vs Southampton
Newcastle might have only lost twice in their last 9 league games but they’ve only managed 2 wins in that time as well. Their last win though was at home against Manchester United so you can expect them to take plenty of momentum and confidence from that one against the Saints here. Southampton have been hard to beat when travelling lately being undefeated in their last 4, but they’ve also conceded 5 times in their last 3. Newcastle won’t give away a lot defensively and they’ll be confident at home to get the edge in this one.
Predicted Result: Newcastle 1-0
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.6
Best Value Bet: Newcastle to win at $2.63
West Brom vs Leicester
The Baggies are really struggling making it 5 straight losses in their last match when they lost away to Watford. It seems as though they’ve run out of ideas and Pardew isn’t making much progress. Leicester haven’t been all that convincing lately but their last minute home draw against Bournemouth may spark them into a bit of fight here. And it’s fight they’ll need because West Brom really have no choice then to fight hard here.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at $1.83
Best Value Bet: Draw and BTTS at $4.2
West Ham vs Burnley
The Hammers have lost 3 of their last 4 but are undefeated at home over their last 4 with 2 wins. It seems as though they just can’t get it right on the road but they’ve been able to turn things around when back on home turf. Burnley have lost only 4 times away from home this season but you can expect the Hammers to bounce back this week after their 4-1 thumping at the hands of Swansea last weekend.
Predicted Result: West Ham 2-1
Best Bet: West Ham to win at $2.1
Best Value Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $2.47
Everton vs Brighton
Everton are in a bit of a form slump losing 3 of their last 4 but Brighton look confident and are getting the results. They’ve won 3 of their last 4 and will take the game on here at Everton. It will be difficult though as Everton are one of those sides that doesn’t easily lose at home. They’ve won 8 of their 14 home matches and will back themselves to put in a good performance here. Given how Brighton are going though, they do look like they have enough fight and momentum to spoil the party here though.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Everton to win either half at $1.61
Best Value Bet: Draw at $3.1
Huddersfield vs Swansea
This has the makings of a pretty good contest. Swansea have been reborn after being on the brink of relegation for a lot of this season but they’ve powered their way into 13th. Huddersfield are a couple places below them in 15th but have been a fairly competitive outfit in a squad short on depth. Away from home though, Swansea have struggled. They’ve only won twice and they’d be pushing it to beat Huddersfield on their home ground. They have however only lost once on the road in their last 4 and given how they demolished West Ham last time out, a draw is not beyond them.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.51
Best Value Bet: Draw at $3
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
The Blues have now lost 4 of their last 5 conceding 9 times and scoring just the 5 goals. Their last 2 matches have been particularly tough with losses to Manchester United and Manchester City, but facing Palace here may just be what they need to reignite their top 4 ambitions. They sit 5 points adrift of Spurs in 4th and they have to win here to keep their hopes alive. Palace have been competitive enough of late but have fallen short. Keeping that fight going for this one will be difficult, particularly away at Stamford Bridge.
Predicted Result: Chelsea 3-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.65
Best Value Bet: Crystal Palace to score exactly 1 goal at $2.63
Arsenal vs Watford
There’s still no real sense of confidence in backing Arsenal right now because they’re on a 3 game losing streak that has no signs of slowing down if they continue on the way they are. Watford too will be looking to take advantage of it and although they have lost 5 of their last 6 on the road, there’s every chance of capturing something here. With that said, Arsenal could very well come out an put in a good enough performance that sees them to 3 points. End of the day this is a flip of the coin.
Predicted Result: Arsenal 2-1
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at $1.57
Best Value Bet: Half-Time Correct Score – Draw 1-1 at $6.5
Bournemouth vs Tottenham
This is an interesting match because Tottenham may come into this a little flat after being knocked out of the Champions League during the week at the hands of Juventus. The Cherries too are undefeated at home in their last 5 and they’ll fancy themselves particularly if they can get a fast start here. In the end you should expect Tottenham’s quality to drag them over the line, but it may take a fair bit of effort to get them there.
Predicted Result: Tottenham 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.56
Best Value Bet: Half-Time/Full-Time – Draw/Tottenham at $4.33
Stoke vs Manchester City
Stoke really have nothing to lose here given they sit in 19th place fighting for survival. The same can be said of Manchester City as they enjoy a 16 point lead at the top of the table and they’ll expect a bounce back to winning ways after being humbled 2-1 at home to Basel in the 2nd leg of the Champions League during the week.
Predicted Result: Manchester city 3-1
Best Bet: Manchester City win & Over 2.5 goals at $1.57
Best Value Bet: Manchester City to win and BTTS at $2.63
