We’ve got another enthralling batch of fixtures to look forward to from Europe’s top leagues this weekend. With Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both winning in midweek, the gap at the top of the Premier League table remains only four points.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle Untied are still battling it out for the Sky Bet Championship title. We’ve got five PL fixtures to preview, two big Championship matches, as well as the pick of the bunch from France and Italy.
- Crystal Palace v Burnley – Crystal Palace to Win (4/5 at Betfred)
- Manchester United v Swansea City – Manchester United to Win -1 (11/10 at Coral)
- Everton v Chelsea – Draw and Both Teams to Score (15/4 at BetVictor)
- Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal – 1-1 Draw (15/2 at BetVictor)
- Watford v Liverpool – Liverpool to Win -1 (6/4 at Betfair)
- Cardiff City v Newcastle United – Newcastle United to Win (21/10 at Sky Bet)
- Brighton & Hove Albion v Bristol City – Brighton & Hove Albion to Win 2-0 (9/1 at BetVictor)
- Nice v Paris Saint-Germain – Draw (10/3 at Bet365)
- Roma v Lazio – Roma to Win to Nil (10/3 at BetVictor)
Premier League
Chelsea beat Southampton on Tuesday night to extend the gap at the top of the table to seven points. The following day, Tottenham Hotspur sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win at Crystal Palace to close the gap back to four. This weekend, the Blues travel to Goodison Park to play Everton, whilst Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in a north London derby. Both are hugely testing games and we could see a massive blow struck in the title race.
Crystal Palace v Burnley – 29th April
Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace, who have been in fine form over the past few weeks, will be looking for three points when they entertain Sean Dyche’s Burnley at Selhurst Park on Saturday. With neither side mathematically safe, both could do with a win to be sure of survival.
In recent weeks, Palace have seen off the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – they also gave Tottenham a good game at Selhurst on Wednesday night. As for the Clarets, they have managed just one league win in their last 11 games.
The Eagles go into this one as the clear favourites with the bookies, and we can’t see anything other than a routine home victory unfolding. We like the look of Betfred’s 4/5 for Allardyce’s men to come out on top on Saturday.
Crystal Palace to Win – 4/5 at Betfred
Manchester United v Swansea City – 30th April
On Sunday, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United host struggling Swansea City at Old Trafford. With the Manchester derby to contest with City on Thursday night prior to this, this week could make or break United’s UEFA Champions League aspirations.
Meanwhile, Swansea are in desperate need of the points. Despite last weekend’s 2-0 home win over Stoke City, with Hull City sealing a 2-0 victory of their own, the Swans are back to square one.
Discounting Thursday’s fixture, the Red Devils have won their previous three PL matches on the spin. They have also not lost in the league since way, way back in October. We’re backing a big home win, with Coral’s 11/10 for United to win -1 standing out.
Manchester United to Win -1 – 11/10 at Coral
Everton v Chelsea – 30th April
The Premier League leaders make the trip to Goodison Park to take on Ronald Koeman’s Everton on Sunday in what promises to be a captivating affair. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea will be hoping to at least maintain their four-point lead at the top this weekend.
However, the Blues are coming up against a side who are extremely hard to topple on their own patch. In fact, only rivals Liverpool have taken maximum points at Goodison this season. Equally, only Chelsea have a better home record than Koeman’s men.
Spurs will be hoping the Toffees can do them a favour in this one. Although it will be a difficult test for Everton, we do fancy them to hold Conte’s men to a draw. BetVictor are offering 15/4 for the draw and both teams to score and that looks a fantastic bet in what should be a thrilling affair.
Draw and Both Teams to Score – 15/4 at BetVictor
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal – 30th April
The eye-opening fixture of the weekend comes from White Hart Lane, as north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal square off on Sunday afternoon. With both teams needing the points, we should be in for a cracking derby at the weekend.
Both sealed much-needed 1-0 victories in midweek, with the Gunners seeing off Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium, whilst the Lilywhites beat Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park. When they met at the Emirates back in November, there was nothing to split the rivals in a 1-1 draw.
With Chelsea still four ahead and games running out, Spurs can’t really afford any more slip ups this season. The same can be said about Arsenal, who still have slim hopes of a Champions League place. However, we can see the pair cancelling each other out at the Lane. BetVictor’s 15/2 for the 1-1 stalemate stands out.
1-1 Draw – 15/2 at BetVictor
Watford v Liverpool – 1st May
On Monday evening, Jurgen Klopp takes his Liverpool team to Vicarage Road to face off against Walter Mazzarri’s Watford. After losing at home to Palace last weekend, Liverpool still have plenty of work to do in the battle for the top four.
As for Watford, they have had another solid season, as Mazzarri’s men currently occupy 10th place in the Premier League table. However, when they travelled to Anfield earlier in the campaign, they were hit for six in an embarrassing 6-1 loss.
The Hornets are strong on home turf, but we believe the Reds will take all three points from this one. In fact, we feel there’s good value in Betfair’s 6/4 for Liverpool to win -1.
Liverpool to Win -1 – 6/4 at Betfair
Championship
Now Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United have both been promoted to the Premier League, they can move their focus on battling it out for the Sky Bet Championship title. Chris Hughton’s Seagulls are in pole position, as they lie four points ahead. Victory over Bristol City this Saturday would hand them the title. Meanwhile, the Magpies travel to Cardiff City on Friday night.
Cardiff City v Newcastle United – 28th April
Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United make the trip to Cardiff City on Friday evening knowing only a win will do in the fight for the title. The Bluebirds, who sit in mid-table in the Championship, won’t make it an easy night for the Premier League new boys.
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff have been strong on home soil over the past few months, winning four and drawing two of their last six Championship matches at Cardiff City Stadium. However, Newcastle have the best away record in the league, taking 43 points from 22 away fixtures.
With the title still in their grasp, we’re backing United to do the job in South Wales. The best odds you can get on an away win are 21/20 with Sky Bet, a price we feel is worth taking advantage of.
Newcastle United to Win – 21/10 at Sky Bet
Brighton & Hove Albion v Bristol City – 29th April
Brighton & Hove Albion host Bristol City at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. Victory for Chris Hughton’s Seagulls will see them claim the Championship title, regardless of what Newcastle do at Cardiff.
Brighton have been outstanding all season, certainly the most consistent team in the division. Albion would love to arrive in the Premier League with the Championship title in the trophy cabinet. Lee Johnson’s Bristol, meanwhile, have done enough to survive, having taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer.
We can’t see anything other than a home victory on Saturday. In the reverse fixture, Brighton ran out 2-0 winners. For a repeat 2-0 Albion win in this clash, BetVictor are offering the tempting price of 9/1.
Brighton & Hove Albion to Win 2-0 – 9/1 at BetVictor
Ligue 1
With Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain locked level on 80 points at the summit of Ligue 1, we’re in for a fascinating finale in France’s top table. This weekend, Monaco host Toulouse, whilst PSG travel to third placed Nice. It’s not all about Monaco and PSG, though, as victory for Lucien Favre’s men would take them to within three points of the Parisians.
Nice v Paris Saint-Germain – 30th April
Unai Emery’s Paris Saint-Germain will be keen on keeping the pressure on leaders Monaco with victory at the Allianz Riviera this Sunday. However, Nice, who have yet to be beaten on their own patch in Ligue 1 this term, will have other ideas.
Incredibly, Lucien Favre’s side have lost just two league games all season. They also earned a very respectable 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes earlier in the campaign. However, PSG head into this one in superb shape, having won their last nine matches on the spin in all competitions. This run has forced them back into contention in a title race that looked over earlier in the campaign.
With the Eaglets being so strong at home, they won’t want their unbeaten record to be broken right at the death. Because of that, we think they can nick a draw from this one. Bet365 have odds of 10/3 for the pair to cancel each other out on Sunday.
Draw – 10/3 at Bet365
Serie A
Juventus look destined to win yet another Serie A title, as Massimiliano Allegri’s side sit eight points clear at the top. However, there’s an interesting fight for second spot unfolding, with Roma just four points ahead of Napoli. We’re going to focus on Sunday’s intriguing Rome derby between Roma and Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma v Lazio – 30th April
Luciano Spalletti’s Roma and Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio go head-to-head in a crucial Derby della Capitale this Sunday. Roma may be the favourites, but Lazio are capable of causing an upset against their bitter rivals.
These two recently met in the Coppa Italia, with the White and Sky Blues prevailing 4-3 on aggregate. In the reverse Serie A fixture, the Yellow and Reds sealed a 2-0 win against Inzaghi’s 10 men.
In truth, we believe the table doesn’t lie and that Roma are the stronger of the two sides. With that said, we can’t see them having too many problems on Sunday. BetVictor are offering 10/3 for Giallorossi to win this derby without conceding.
Roma to Win to Nil – 10/3 at BetVictor