It’s another massive weekend of football ahead with some critical contests for the title hopefuls where results will play a massive role ahead of the final day next week. Liverpool’s loss last week opens the door to Manchester City so much so that they’ll win the title if they win their remaining 3 games due to a superior goal difference. A stumble and it puts the advantage back in Liverpool’s hands. One thing for sure is that this weekend will be a nervy affair for Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City which could play a part in its own right.
Best Bets
Manchester United versus Sunderland – Over 2.5 goals at $1.56
Arsenal versus West Brom – Arsenal at Half Time / Full Time at $1.81
Odds from Betfair as at 3/5/2014
West Ham ($4.3) versus Tottenham ($1.93), Draw ($3.9)
Tottenham take on West Ham as they look to atone for their embarrassing loss at White Hart Lane earlier in the season where they lost 3-0. West Ham look safe from relegation so I don’t think they’ll be playing with too much fear but there will be a bit of pressure from the manager as he’s feeling the need to get another win for his job security. There will also be a bit more pressure because they have lost their last 4 games and really need to finish the season with a positive result. With Manchester City to follow though, I dare say West Ham may continue to have a few mental lapses as they look to just play out the season. Spurs should be pretty solid as they’ve shown in recent weeks under Sherwood which should see them get the result in a tight contest.
Predicted result: Tottenham 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.78
Best Bet Confidence: 80%
Aston Villa ($2.52) versus Hull ($3.25), Draw ($3.3)
There’s plenty of pressure on Lambert here to produce a result against a tough Hull side this weekend. Villa have only picked up the 1 point in their past 6 games and are in danger of relegation should that trend continue in their last 3 games. In some ways Villa have perhaps been a little complacent in that they know they have a game in hand but now this is really crunch time where they need points. With Manchester City and Tottenham to follow though, nothing less than a win here could be trouble. Hull should be well and truly safe on 37 points so they’ll have the advantage of playing with less pressure but with tough matches against Manchester United and Everton to round out the season, they too will see this as a key game to get to that 40 point mark in what would be an excellent season having just been promoted. Looks to be a pretty even contest here where both sides will be up for it.
Predicted result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score at $1.97
Best Bet Confidence: 70%
Manchester United ($1.4) versus Sunderland ($8.4), Draw ($5.6)
Manchester United look to have had the shackles released under Giggs and they seem to be playing without second guessing themselves. They face a side battling their way out of the relegation zone and should provide a good contest here. Their last 3 games have been excellent with a draw against Manchester City, a win over Chelsea and a 4-0 thumping of Cardiff which has put them in a good position to avoid relegation. Connor Wickham has been excellent with 5 goals over his last 3 games and has truly propelled this side into a strong position of surviving. Manchester United though will be pushing for nothing other than a win under Giggs to finish off the season strong and whilst I can see a strong showing from Sunderland here I feel United will get across the line.
Predicted result: Manchester United 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.56
Best Bet Confidence: 95%
Newcastle ($2.12) versus Cardiff ($3.8), Draw ($3.7)
It’s been a tough season for both sides but with one side having more to play for we could be in for a pretty interesting game here. 6 losses in a row for Newcastle has heaped the pressure on Pardew and I think Cardiff could take advantage of this given their own predicament sitting at the bottom of the table needing nothing less than maximum points if they are to survive. With Chelsea to follow though it’s difficult to see them getting maximum points from their last 2 games. The 4-0 loss to Sunderland last week would have put another nail in the coffin but with a glimmer of hope against a side struggling themselves, you can’t put it past them not to get a bit of a surprise win here. Remy will be the key for Newcastle and if he plays well then you can see Newcastle winning but with Cardiff desperate for a win for survival don’t be surprised to see them get it.
Predicted result: Cardiff 2-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score at $1.65
Best Bet Confidence: 75%
Stoke ($2.36) versus Fulham ($3.25), Draw ($3.65)
Stoke face another tough task this week as they take on Fulham who are looking for points to ensure their survival for next season. Stoke have a small issue in covering for captain Ryan Shawcross as well after his send-off against Spurs last weekend. Fulham’s home draw against Hull last weekend though shows they are still susceptible to conceding and whilst Stoke are not a prolific scoring side they do pose a threat at home where they have lost just the 3 times all season. We should have a pretty tight contest here with the absence of Shawcross opening the door a little for Fulham. Stoke though will be tough at home and whilst I can’t see them winning against a Fulham side with their backs against the wall, I can’t see them losing either.
Predicted result: Draw 2-2
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.98
Best Bet Confidence: 65%
Swansea ($2.48) versus Southampton ($3.1), Draw ($3.5)
Swansea are now safe from relegation after an excellent win over Villa last weekend. Facing another side that is also just playing out the season in Southampton could mean that we’re in for an open game though with both these sides generally focused on possession (they are the two highest sides in the league for possession this season) it could also mean we end up with a stalemate with few chances. Swansea will want to win in front of their home crowd whilst Southampton will be looking to finish off the season with some strong results. Bony will be the main man the Saints will be looking to stop, though with 4 goals (2 penalties) in his last 2 games he could be hard to stop. It’s fair to say he’s a bit of a beast that can be hard to stop when he’s in good form. Southampton had a good win over Everton last week thanks to two own goals. Interesting contest this one that should finish pretty tightly.
Predicted result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $2.12
Best Bet Confidence: 75%
Everton ($4.8) versus Manchester City ($1.78), Draw ($4.2)
Big game here more so for Manchester City as the stumble from Liverpool against Chelsea last week gives them a great opportunity to take out the title. They do however face an Everton side that is a bit of a nemesis. Over the last 10 meetings between these two Everton has won 6, with 3 wins for City and 1 draw. At Goodison it’s been a tough place for City winning just the once in their last 5 attempts. I do think though that this time can be different. Everton’s injury list is growing and I think the pressure of getting into the top 4 has done them no good with some tough results in their past 3 games leaving them 4 points behind Arsenal. City will have been boosted hugely by Chelsea’s win over Liverpool last week and with all their key players back to fitness at the right time of the season I think they’ll get the win this weekend to put the pressure back on Liverpool when they take on Palace away which will be tough in its own right.
Predicted result: Manchester City 2-0
Best Bet: Manchester City to win at $1.78
Best Bet Confidence: 75%
Arsenal ($1.29) versus West Brom ($13.5), Draw ($6.5)
Arsenal look to have wrapped up 4th spot now with 2 games remaining at 4 points ahead of Everton. A win here though and it’ll be guaranteed so I don’t think Arsenal will be slowing down here. West Brom had a good win over West Ham last week which has taken some of the pressure away on survival with 3 games remaining. Arsenal though should have a bit too much for West Brom here and especially at home where the Arsenal fans will expect a win. Arsenal should be pretty switched on here and with Ozil back to form along with Ramsey back in the side I can smell a thumping.
Predicted result: Arsenal 4-0
Best Bet: Arsenal half time / Full Time at $1.81
Best Bet Confidence: 85%
Chelsea ($1.22) versus Norwich ($18), Draw ($7.6)
Mourinho may say they’re out of the title race but a few shock results for Manchester City and Liverpool and the title could be theirs for the taking. Chelsea will be hurt from being knocked out of the Champion’s League during the week where Atletico bundled them out with a fine 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. They now face a Norwich side battling to stay in the premier league but I dare say they’ll find it tough to get points here against a Chelsea side that’ll be playing for wins in the hope that Liverpool and Manchester City slipup in their final games. There’s a few injury doubts for Chelsea with Hazard, Eto’o and Terry all in doubt but Chelsea will still have too much quality for Norwich here.
Predicted result: Chelsea 3-1
Best Bet: Chelsea Half Time / Full Time at $1.67
Best Bet Confidence: 80%
Crystal Palace ($9.2) versus Liverpool ($1.42), Draw ($5.3)
Along with the Everton Manchester City game this is the other big one of the weekend with Liverpool travelling to London to take on Crystal Palace. Palace have been excellent over this second half of the campaign and will not be bullied by Liverpool here under Pulis. It was a tough loss for Liverpool last week against Chelsea and whilst there is a lot of conjecture about the whole parking the bus thing, in my eyes it’s the end result that matters at the end of the day and although we don’t like it (including me) we can’t dwell on tactics some managers employ. I suppose in some ways the tactics Mourinho put in place were smart given the situation. Liverpool though need to focus on a tough Palace side here who have shown they can mix it at the top with wins over Everton, and Chelsea this season showing their capabilities. I do think Liverpool will win here however I don’t think they’ll win convincingly. Palace may be safe but I doubt Pulis will be taking the foot off the pedal as he continues to demand performances from his players to finish off the season in a strong way.
Predicted result: Liverpool 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.64
Best Bet Confidence: 70%
Please Note:
All of the above are the opinions of the author and are not recommendations or advice. The author may not be taking every bet listed above. Bet at your own risk.
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