The Premier League title wasn’t decided last weekend, but that doesn’t exactly leave it up in the air. Man City are aiming to move a step closer to glory this weekend, when they face yet another huge game in a packed Saturday of action. The Citizens head to Wembley on Saturday night to take on Tottenham, one of three live games spread across that day alone. With a total of six live matches this weekend, it’s fair to say that there’s a lot to keep an eye on.
Saturday’s action kicks off with Chelsea at Southampton on Sunday, as the Saints look to climb out of the bottom three. Liverpool host Bournemouth in Saturday’s evening game, while City’s trip to Wembley is the headline act. Sunday sees attention switch to Newcastle, as the in-form Magpies host Arsenal. Ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action, we’ve picked out betting tips on the biggest live matches for you to take a look at.
Saturday 14th April 2018
Southampton v Chelsea (12:30) – Draw (13/5 with BetVictor)
Chelsea continued their struggles last weekend, with a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham. The Blues were far from impressive in that game, and it continued their awful recent run of form. They’ve found themselves 10 points of Champions League football, having claimed 12 points from a possible 33 in a terrible run. With the top four now beyond them, what exactly do Antonio Conte’s men have to play for this weekend? Are they simply looking to avoid finishing sixth behind Arsenal?
We know what Southampton are fighting for, as they look to avoid the drop. However, the Saints haven’t exactly got the greatest home record backing them up in their quest for survival. The hosts haven’t won a home league game since November, while they’ve picked up three victories at their own ground in the top flight all season. The champions aren’t exactly in the right form to take advantage of that run, so we see these two sharing the spoils. Southampton have drawn seven of their 16 home games, so we see the draw as the best value here at 13/5 with BetVictor.
Liverpool v Bournemouth (17:30) – Both Teams to Score (4/5 with Bet365)
Liverpool will kick off on Saturday with the Grand National still running just down the road at Aintree. The Reds are hoping to make another galloping start of their own, especially after a disappointing showing in the Merseyside derby last weekend. They should find a few more openings when Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth visit Anfield, as the Cherries have been no strangers to a high scoring encounter in recent weeks. After claiming a 2-2 draw in this fixture last season, can the visitors produce another good display after some great attacking form?
Bournemouth come into this game having scored in 14 straight Premier League games. They’re pushing for a top half finish, and a point at Anfield would be a boost to those hopes. The Cherries are looking to catch Liverpool off guard in this one, having scored in six consecutive away trips. We have little doubt that the Reds will score, given that they’re averaging over two goals per game in the top flight this season. However, Bournemouth should hit back given their scoring form, and as a result we like the look of both teams to score at 4/5 with Bet365 here.
Tottenham v Man City (19:45) – Tottenham Draw No Bet (5/6 with Betfair)
Man City haven’t had the greatest of spells, and their fixture list gets even tougher this weekend as they take on Tottenham. After defeat to Man United last weekend, there’s plenty for Pep Guardiola to worry about going into this visit to Wembley. While the title is on the horizon for them, it seems like sides are working out that City aren’t all powerful if you pose an attacking threat to them, and that such an approach seems to counteract the domination they build through possession. The good thing for Tottenham is that they have an attack capable of hurting City.
Spurs are pushing towards a Champions League place, and having opened up a gap over Chelsea they’ll be desperate to wrap that up as soon as possible. They’ve got a chance of moving even closer this weekend, as City are clearly vulnerable. Spurs have their Wembley form working towards them here, as they’re unbeaten at home in the league since August, so we see them as the clear value on this game. We’re backing Tottenham on the Draw No Bet market at 5/6 with Betfair this weekend.
Sunday 15th April 2018
Newcastle v Arsenal (13:30) – Newcastle Double Chance (8/11 with Ladbrokes)
Arsenal have clearly made the Europa League their priority in the final stages of the campaign, but their good form in Europe has helped them improve in the Premier League. However, the Gunners haven’t quite upped the standards of their defending, as seen by their poor display at home to Southampton last weekend. Those kinds of slips can’t happen when they visit Newcastle this weekend, as a Rafa Benitez side should be able to shut up shop if they’re gifted a goal by this Arsenal backline on Sunday.
The Gunners do have some issues on the road this term, having claimed just three victories on their travels so far this season. With eight defeats to their name in 15 matches away from home, we struggle to back Arsenal at their current price. Meanwhile, Newcastle have won three on the spin, gone unbeaten in seven at home while they’ve lost one of their last eight overall. With the visitors coming in to this one on the back of a midweek trip to Russia, Newcastle look like massive value on the Double Chance market here at decent enough betting odds of 8/11 with Ladbrokes.