The Champions League may be taking a week off, but that doesn’t mean there’s any let up. The Premier League steps in to the gap, with five rearranged fixtures coming across three nights. There are three live games, including the fight for the title, top four and the relegation battle. Those matches include a London derby and Manchester derby, so there’s plenty for us to enjoy.
The week kicks off with Chelsea’s meeting with Southampton on Tuesday night. That gives the Blues a chance to restore their seven point lead, at least temporarily. That’s followed by a live game for Tottenham on Wednesday, then the Manchester derby on Thursday. In addition, the league’s two North East sides meet on Wednesday night. We’ve picked out a betting tip on the week’s four biggest games, which you can see below.
Tuesday 25th April 2017
Chelsea v Southampton (19:45) – Both teams to score (Evens with Betfred)
Chelsea make a quick return to Premier League action, following their FA Cup semi-final. The Blues continue to lead the way at the top of the table, and they need five more wins to secure the championship. That can start on Tuesday, as they look to pick up three points against the Saints. The Blues are heavy favourites to claim three points in this meeting at Stamford Bridge, especially given their excellent scoring record at this ground. They’ve found the net in 100% of their outings at the Bridge, so we’re backing them to trouble the Saints on Tuesday night.
The main worry for the hosts is keeping a clean sheet. They’ve been poor at the back, failing to keep a Premier League clean sheet since their meeting with Hull in January. The Blues have conceded in 10 straight games, their worst defensive run in over 20 years. That should see goals at both ends this week, especially as nine of Chelsea’s last 10 league matches have seen both teams score. We’re backing BTTS on Tuesday night, which seems excellently priced at evens with Betfred.
Wednesday 26th April 2017
Middlesbrough v Sunderland (19:45) – Both teams to score – no (19/20 with BetVictor)
Wednesday night sees Middlesbrough taking on Sunderland, which puts the two North East sides together. These two are also the bottom two sides in the Premier League, which puts them on course for the Championship next term. Both are going to be passed by Newcastle, who are on their way up from the second tier. However, Boro might just spark a revival if they could get a win this week. The only problem is that they lack the cutting edge to take advantage of these opportunities. They just don’t create enough chances, or commit enough men forward, to edge these relegation six pointers.
Sunderland are in a similar situation, having recently gone on a two month scoring drought. That has made these two teams the lowest scoring in the top flight, which doesn’t mark this game out as an entertaining match. We’re expecting a quiet affair on Wednesday, especially as neither side will want to suffer yet another defeat. With both short on talent up front, we’re backing against both teams to score in this meeting, which seems well priced at 19/20 given the form they take into this clash.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (20:00) – Palace or draw (7/5 with Bet365)
Tottenham have six games to topple Chelsea’s lead at the top, and none of their remaining fixtures seem straightforward. Their run-in starts with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, can Spurs keep their strong run of form going and continue to press the leaders? While they’ve been excellent recently, you have to wonder if they can keep that up in the final stages. Spurs fell apart last term to hand the title over to Leicester, and they could do the same this time around. With six tough matches to come, this could be the start of Tottenham’s struggles.
Palace have claimed some big scalps of late, taking out Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and hammering Arsenal at home. Sam Allardyce has his team in form, and that’s led them away from danger. They should be able to worry any side at this ground, especially after claiming three points away to the top side in the table. We suggest backing against a Tottenham win this weekend, given how the Eagles boss can find weaknesses in the top sides. Palace are excellent value on the double chance market, priced at 7/5 with Bet365 to dent Spurs’ title hopes.
Thursday 27th April 2017
Manchester City v Manchester United (20:00) – Draw (14/5 with Sky Bet)
The week rounds off with the Manchester derby on Thursday night, with both sides aiming to avoid Thursday night matches next term. These two are involved in the battle for the top four, and United could take a big step towards fourth with a victory at the Etihad. The Citizens have been struggling in big games, which will make Jose Mourinho even more confident. His record in matches like this is infamous, especially given how he manages to frustrate his rivals in crucial clashes. Getting one over Pep Guardiola would please the Portuguese more than any other result.
However, United are looking a little short at the back, leaving them with few options in this clash with City. The hosts, on the other hand, have got an awful record in matches against sides around them. In 10 league meetings with the current top seven, they’ve won just once. However, we can’t see City falling to a home defeat, especially against a struggling United side. We can see another draw in this game. United have seen 12 league draws so far, while City have drawn six at home, so odds of 14/5 with SkyBet for this to finish level seems like great value.