some fans are already turning their attention to the world cup in russia. with the title all but sewn up and the top four and bottom three looking close to decided, there is a danger of this premier league season fizzling out.
that said, nothing is decided quite yet, and man united showed that city can’t have things all their own way. pep’s men will be looking to confirm their title this weekend, but there are easier trips to make than a visit to in-form spurs. at the other end of the table, there are still plenty of teams in danger of the drop, while some are getting just a little desperate.
here we bring you our latest premier league tips and predictions ahead of some intriguing looking weekend fixtures, not least the late game on saturday between tottenham and man city.
southampton have been pretty woeful by their standards this season. of course, there were always going to be consequences after selling their best players year after year, but they always seemed to be able to pull more rabbits out of the hat. perhaps there is one final escapology trick up their sleeves?
there is little doubt that if 18th-placed southampton are to avoid the drop this term, they will need at least a point against the current champions chelsea in the early kick off on saturday. ordinarily this would seem a mighty task, but given that the blues have stuttered badly this term, we think it’s not beyond the home side.
mark hughes’ men are priced at best betting odds of 7/2 with betfair which could tempt some, but we’re opting for southampton +0.5 in the asian handicap market at 21/20 with 888sport to play it a little safer.
city had a great chance to wrap at the title against local rivals man united on saturday, but they fluffed their lines somewhat, losing 3-2 – much to jose mourinho’s delight. pep’s men have another chance to become champions this weekend (if united lose on sunday) when they visit the national stadium to face mauricio pochettino’s spurs. but with champions league exertions against liverpool in midweek, could city fans be forced to wait another week to celebrate?
tottenham are in excellent form of late having won their last six in the league. the disappointment of being knocked out of the champions league by juventus has been eased by back-to-back away victories against chelsea and stoke and we fancy spurs could get another three points against a tired city on saturday. back tottenham to win at betting odds of 31/20 with betvictor.
newcastle have started getting results at just the right time. after fluctuating form all season, three wins on the spin have elevated the magpies into the top half of the table. now on 38 points and 10 clear of 18th-place southampton, rafael benitez’s men might already be safe, but one more win would assure survival.
although arsenal are on a decent run themselves, we feel thursday’s trip to moscow in the europa league could take it out of them and we’re predicting the home side will get the job done. our odds comparison shows the best odds on the newcastle win are 13/5 with betfair, and we’ll grab that with both hands.
man united v west brom: high flying united to batter broken baggies
man united were more than happy to delay their noisy neighbours’ coronation as champions last weekend. being 2-0 up at half time, most observers expected city to cruise to victory and the title. united had other ideas, however. in a remarkable comeback, two goals from paul pogba and a rare strike from chris smalling won it for mourinho’s men.
we think the red devils will take heart from that victory and finish the season on a high. which is not going to help west brom’s almost hopeless quest for premier league survival when the sides meet at old trafford on sunday.
the baggies have been on borrowed time in the top flight for a couple of seasons now and they are surely doomed. unless something miraculous happens in this one, we think it will be an easy home win. we’re taking the betting odds of 6/4 with paddy power for united to win with a -2 goal handicap.
west ham v stoke: safety-seeking hammers to expose potters’ cracks
david moyes is gradually edging his west ham side towards safety, their 3-0 win against southampton and a creditable point against champions chelsea shunting them on to 34 points. not quite clear of the relegation dogfight, moyes knows this match presents an excellent opportunity to take a massive step towards their goal of playing in the top flight again next season.
stoke, meanwhile, look devoid of the battling spirit that was once their hallmark. paul lambert has not had the desired effect since being installed as mark hughes’ replacement, and the potters have lost to the likes of spurs, arsenal and everton of late. their last win came back on 20th january and there are some tricky fixtures to come. in short, we predict stoke will be plying their trade in the second tier next season.
in terms of predicting the outcome, we think it will be a relatively close encounter, but one from which the hammers will prevail. we are backing moyes’ men to win but with both teams scoring, which is available at best betting odds of 7/2 with william hill.