Antonio Conte’s Chelsea maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table at the weekend, thumping Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park. Later in the day, Tottenham Hotspur kept up with the pace, beating rivals Arsenal 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
In the Sky Bet Championship, Brighton & Hove Albion missed another opportunity to win the title, as they were shocked at home by Bristol City. Newcastle United, meanwhile, have taken it to the last day, with their 2-0 win at Cardiff City leaving them just a point behind the Seagulls.
With things getting extremely interesting in England’s top two tiers, we’ve got five big matches to preview from this weekend’s Premier League fixtures. Meanwhile, the Championship season has reached its climax, with the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest fighting for their lives. Who will be heading down to Sky Bet League One on the final day?
- West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham Hotspur to Win and Both Teams to Score (9/5 at Coral)
- Manchester City v Crystal Palace – Manchester City to Win 3-0 (9/1 at BetVictor)
- Swansea City v Everton – Everton to Win (13/8 at Betfair)
- Liverpool v Southampton – Liverpool to Win to Nil (2/1 at Sky Bet)
- Arsenal v Manchester United – Draw (13/5 at Sky Bet)
- Chelsea v Middlesbrough – Chelsea to Win -1 (1/2 at Coral)
- Brentford v Blackburn Rovers – Blackburn Rovers to Win (13/8 at Sky Bet)
- Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town – 1-1 Draw (8/1 at BetVictor)
Premier League
To be fair to Tottenham Hotspur, although it looks as though Chelsea have done enough to claim the Premier League title, Mauricio Pochettino’s boys have kept them honest all the way. Spurs have the chance to pile the pressure on the Blues on Friday, however, as they could go within a point of the leaders if they beat West Ham United. Meanwhile, Chelsea host Middlesbrough on Monday. Elsewhere, Liverpool welcome Southampton, whilst Arsenal travel to Manchester United.
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur – 5th May
On Friday evening, London rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur square off at the London Stadium. A win for the Hammers will ensure their Premier League survival. As for Spurs, victory in east London will take them to within a point of Chelsea.
These two played out a thriller in the reverse fixture, with Harry Kane netting two late goals to give Tottenham a stunning 3-2 win. Last season, however, West Ham won this fixture 1-0, courtesy of a solitary Michail Antonio strike. In fact, the Irons have won two of their previous three home matches against the Lilywhites.
Mauricio Pochettino’s boys head into this one on the back of nine consecutive league wins. They look unstoppable, and we’re predicting Spurs to claim a 10th straight Premier League victory on Friday. The away team to prevail and both teams to score, which you can get at 9/5 with Coral, is a standout bet.
Tottenham Hotspur to Win and Both Teams to Score – 9/5 at Coral
Manchester City v Crystal Palace – 6th May
Saturday’s early kick off comes from the Etihad Stadium, as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace. Both have a lot to play for, with City still hoping to nail down a top four spot, whilst Palace have a little bit of work to do to keep their Premier League status intact.
Despite a wobbly last few weeks, the Citizens should have enough within their locker to see off the Eagles on Saturday. With rivals Manchester United breathing down their necks, they can’t afford another slip up. As for Palace, two home defeats in a week have dragged them back into the battle for survival.
We can see a comfortable home victory unfolding on Saturday. Therefore, check out BetVictor’s tempting price of 9/1 for Guardiola’s boys to win this one 3-0.
Manchester City to Win 3-0 – 9/1 at BetVictor
Swansea City v Everton – 6th May
Swansea City showed they were up for the fight at the weekend, taking a point off Manchester United at Old Trafford. This weekend, Paul Clement’s Swans welcome Ronald Koeman’s Everton to the Liberty Stadium for Saturday’s late Premier League kick off.
Swansea were excellent in Manchester, they probably should have taken all three points, in fact. In contrast, the Toffees were second best against a rampant Chelsea side at Goodison Park on Sunday. Incredibly, Everton have not beaten the Welsh club in six attempts.
After last weekend’s poor showing, Koeman’s troops will be looking to get back to winning ways in this one. We’re backing the away side to nick a close encounter in South Wales, with Betfair’s 13/8 being your best price.
Everton to Win – 13/8 at Betfair
Liverpool v Southampton – 7th May
Moving on to Sunday’s games, first up we see Liverpool entertain Southampton at Anfield. The hosts may be favourites, but the Saints have already won at the home of the Reds this season. They also held Jurgen Klopp’s men to a 0-0 draw in the reverse Premier League fixture.
After losing to Crystal Palace on home turf, Liverpool hit back with a priceless 1-0 win at Watford on Monday night. With City and United drawing, and Arsenal losing, the Reds were the big winners in the race for the UEFA Champions League. As for Southampton, they failed to see off lowly Hull City at St Mary’s.
Liverpool know they are nearly there in the battle for a top four position. Putting their recent defeat to Palace to one side, the Merseyside outfit have been pretty consistent of late. Because of that, we like the look of Sky Bet’s 2/1 for the hosts to win to nil on Sunday.
Liverpool to Win to Nil – 2/1 at Sky Bet
Arsenal v Manchester United – 7th May
The standout Premier League match of the weekend is Sunday’s Arsenal v Manchester United blockbuster at the Emirates Stadium. With these old rivals battling for a place in the PL’s top four, we should be in for another cracking match between the pair.
Both sides dropped points at the weekend, but United are in the better position to challenge City for the last remaining Champions League spot. Despite a slight improvement in recent weeks, the Gunners were brought back down to earth with a bang on Sunday, losing 2-0 to Spurs at White Hart Lane.
We’re struggling to pick a winner in this crucial clash, with both sides capable of toppling the other. United have been the draw specialists this season, and we can see them leaving the capital with another point on Sunday. Sky Bet have this to end all square at 13/5 with yet another 1-1 for United also worth a punt at even longer odds.
Draw – 13/5 at Sky Bet
Chelsea v Middlesbrough – 8th May
On Monday night, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea welcome Steve Agnew’s Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge. A Blues win will take them one step closer to the title, whilst it would also all but relegate Boro.
Chelsea have been outstanding this season, and even with Tottenham hot on their heels, they have remained calm and carried on doing what they do best. As for Boro, despite nearly taking all three points against Man City last Sunday, they look destined for an instant return to the Championship.
Unfortunately for Middlesbrough and Spurs fans, we can see the hosts steamrolling to victory on Monday. The standout bet is Chelsea to win -1, which is available at 1/2 with Coral.
Chelsea to Win -1 – 1/2 at Coral
Championship
As we go into the final weekend of the Sky Bet Championship season, there’s still an awful lot to be settled. With Brighton & Hove Albion a point above Newcastle United, Chris Hughton’s men will be hoping to secure the title at Villa Park. We’re focussing on the other end, though, as the likes of Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers are locked in a battle for survival. On Sunday, Rovers make the trip to Brentford, while Forest entertain Ipswich Town.
Brentford v Blackburn Rovers – 7th May
Blackburn Rovers will be hoping to better Nottingham Forest’s result and send them down to League One. On Sunday, Rovers make the trip to Griffin Park to face off against a decent Brentford side.
The Bees have had a solid season, as they will end their campaign in mid-table. As for Blackburn, it’s been a struggle from start to finish, but eight points from their last four games has given them a glimmer of hope.
With Tony Mowbray’s men fighting for their Championship lives, we can see them getting the three points they so desperately need in Middlesex. Check out Sky Bet’s 13/8 for the away side to seal a priceless win.
Blackburn Rovers to Win – 13/8 at Sky Bet
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town – 7th May
Whilst Brentford and Blackburn are slogging it out, Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest welcome Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town to the City Ground. Before a ball has been kicked this weekend, Forest are only ahead of Rovers on goal difference.
Three points from the last 12 on offer has taken the Reds to the brink of League One. However, if they better Rovers’ result, they will send Mowbray’s team down. Unfortunately for Forest, McCarthy is more than capable of setting his team up to spoil the hosts’ party on Sunday.
Last season, this fixture ended in a 1-1 draw. A repeat result this weekend may not be enough for Forest. At the tasty price of 8/1 (BetVictor), we believe it’s worth backing another 1-1 draw between the pair.
1-1 Draw – 8/1 at BetVictor