The Premier League is back in action this weekend, after missing a week for the FA Cup quarter finals. For most sides in the league there are only 10 games remaining this season, so the finish line is now almost in sight. There’s still plenty to be decided in that time, with the race for the Champions League closer than it’s ever been and the relegation battle also very exciting.
This weekend’s action includes four sides who are fighting for the top four. Liverpool play Swansea on Monday night, while Manchester United face Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. That latter game is the highlight of the weekend, but there are a total of four televised games across Saturday and Sunday. Here we have a preview of those four live games, with a betting tip included for each.
Saturday 14th March 2015
Crystal Palace v QPR (12:45) – Palace to win (4/5 with Sky Bet)
The weekend gets underway on BT Sport with a huge clash in the battle to avoid the drop. Palace have pulled themselves towards safety since they appointed Alan Pardew, while QPR are currently stuck in the bottom three after a tough season. Palace haven’t been in great form at home in recent weeks, they’ve won just one of their last seven at Selhurst Park in the league. Pardew will want his side to correct that slide, and this game against a struggling London rival is the perfect opportunity for that.
While Palace’s home record is poor, QPR’s away record is completely awful. They’ve won just one game away from home all season, which is a big part in why they’re doing so badly. Their home form has dried up of late too, which has seen them three slip to points off safety. It’s hard to see them being able to get anything here, and Palace should well end that poor home record with a win. The recent meetings between these two have had very few goals, so Palace to win 1-0 at 6/1 with BetVictor looks like a good pick.
Burnley v Man City (17:30) – Both teams to score (5/6 with Betfair)
The late game sees another struggling side in action, as Burnley’s tough run continues. They welcome the current Premier League champions to Turf Moor but they’ll be boosted by the fact that they drew 2-2 at the Etihad after being 2-0 down earlier in the season. However, Burnley don’t need draws, they need wins. They’re starting to get cut adrift as they struggle for victories, their fruitless good performances just aren’t enough right now. That’s not likely to change against Manchester City, who haven’t been stopped from scoring on the road all season.
City took their foot off the gas in the first meeting between these two, and you have to wonder just how much they’ll put in here with a trip to Barcelona next up. City aren’t thought of as being solid at the back and you could see the Clarets troubling their backline in this one as Vincent Kompany continues to look a shadow of his former self. Burnley have troubled some of the best defences and teams in the league with their work ethic and pacey front line and they can do that again here. City have more than enough about them to get the win, but both teams to score looks like the best value bet and very much a banker.
Sunday 15th March 2015
Chelsea v Southampton (13:30) – Chelsea to win to nil (6/4 with BetVictor)
Super Sunday starts with the league leaders facing the season’s surprise package at Stamford Bridge. The Blues recently took the mantle of best defence in the league off the Saints, passing their number of clean sheets, although they have conceded two more goals. Despite that, Jose Mourinho has his side working exactly how he wants, churning out victories as they hold on to their lead in the league and march towards the title. With Nemanja Matic back from suspension for this one, the leader’s defence is only going to get better here.
That’s a worry for Southampton, as they’ve had trouble scoring goals in recent weeks. We saw them toil against Crystal Palace in their last game, eventually scoring very late on to steal the win. With their forwards being found out, the last thing they want to do is come up against a team like Chelsea, who should be able to contain the Saints’ attacking talent at Stamford Bridge. The smaller pitch at the Bridge should also have an effect, giving the visitors less chances to find space. Given that, a Chelsea win here looks likely, and a Chelsea win to nil looks to be the best value bet as Graziano Pelle continues to struggle in front of goal.
Manchester United v Tottenham (16:00) – Both teams to score (3/4 with Betfair)
These two sides are both gunning for Champions League football, with United in fourth and Tottenham down in seventh. Neither side have been at their best in recent weeks, but they’ll need to hit top form to stand any chance of winning the battle for the top four. After Spurs’ win over QPR in last weekend’s only league game, they sit just three points off United. They may be the outsiders right now, but Mauricio Pochettino’s team know they will be right in the middle of the race if they can get a win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
They are in good shape to do that, as they’re just the third side ever to go five games unbeaten against United in the league. They’ve won on their last two trips to Old Trafford, so they will be confident ahead of this one. The Red Devils will still be smarting from their FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, and they’ll want to get back to winning ways. They had a good record at home before that cup loss, and they’ll need to keep that up to stay in the top four hunt. This game looks like a tight one to call, but both teams to score seems like a good bet given their recent form.