There are just three rounds of games left in the Premier League, and there’s a lot on the line this week. The title could be decided, while the relegation battle continues to heat up. We have a Sunday packed full of live games, while Saturday’s offering packs quite a few important clashes too.
Newcastle host Crystal Palace on Saturday, with the Magpies running out of time to get themselves out of the bottom three. Sunday sees three live games altogether, with Liverpool’s trip to Swansea kicking things off. Southampton against Man City rounds the day off but in between Leicester can win the Premier League title. They need a win at Old Trafford to seal the championship. Can they beat the Red Devils and make history? Here we’re looking ahead to that game and plenty more.
Saturday 30th April 2016
Newcastle v Crystal Palace (15:00) – Newcastle to win (19/20 with Sky Bet)
Could Alan Pardew put the final nail in Newcastle’s coffin? The relegation battle will become a lot clearer on Saturday afternoon, especially as the Magpies face this must win clash. They’ve played a game more than Norwich and Sunderland, and they need to find a way to overtake them in the final weeks of the season. A win here would be the perfect start, but even that might not be enough. Will they be able to keep up their strong momentum building under Rafa Benitez?
They face a Palace side who have won just once in the league all year. The Eagles will be resting now until the FA Cup final in May. We don’t see them putting up too much of a fight here. While Pardew would love his side to play a part in Newcastle’s relegation, we’re not sure they actually can. Since Christmas, the Eagles have fallen apart in the league. Compare that to a Newcastle side who are now more solid at the back and they’ve have started picking up points. The Magpies have a great chance to get a win here, they just need to keep playing the same way.
Sunday 1st May 2016
Swansea v Liverpool (12:00) – Over 1.5 Liverpool goals (23/20 with Coral)
Can Liverpool keep up their good league form against Swansea this weekend? The Reds head to Wales shortly after returning from Spain. They face a Swansea side who seem to have fallen apart, given that they have nothing to play for. The Swans are basically taking the field in their sandals, having been torn apart by Newcastle and Leicester in their last two games. Will they be in the firing line again on Sunday? The Reds are pushing for a top six finish, and they’re in good scoring form coming into their match at the Liberty.
With Swansea basically done for the season, their defence has become a lot more open. There have been no huge defensive displays for the Swans lately, they’ve simply caved in and seem themselves finish on the end of huge beatings. They met an out of form Newcastle and lost 3-0. Leicester beat them 4-0 without Jamie Vardy. We see Liverpool getting a few goals for themselves here, and we’re backing the Reds to score over 1.5. It’s priced at 23/20 with Coral, and that looks like fantastic value for a side who are starting to click under Klopp.
Manchester United v Leicester (14:05) – Both teams to score (10/11 with Coral)
This game could well be the opening match of next season. The bookies say that this will mostly likely be the Community Shield clash in August. Both teams are only one game away from a trophy, with Leicester now just a win from lifting the Premier League title. Can they complete their fairy tale season at the Theatre of Dreams – a fitting name for sure – on Sunday? Plenty of neutrals will be rooting for them to get a result, but they will face a determined United side with aims of their own.
United have a great chance of finishing fourth if they win their remaining games. The Red Devils know that any slip ups in the run in will leave them playing Europa League football next term. They simply have to push for a win in this game, they can’t afford to even draw. We see Leicester coming here playing on the counter attack, and if United open up that should give us a great game. Both teams to score seems very overpriced for these two, and we’re backing it at just below evens with Coral.
Southampton v Manchester City (16:30) – Man City win (8/5 with Betfair)
This game isn’t a great follow up to the Leicester one. After going from the Foxes’ amazing story, Man City’s push to finish third isn’t exactly getting pulses racing. Southampton are also after European football, as they look to make the top seven. To do that, they’ll need to pull off a shock win over the team from the Etihad. They may hope that City’s long night against Real Madrid in midweek has left them exhausted ahead of this one. After 90 minutes battling against Real’s incredible front three, there’s bound to be some fatigue within the City squad. Is that enough to cause an upset?
City’s recent league form has seen them get their season back on track. They had a wobble, but they’re now on course to finish inside the top four. Of course, a poor result here would damage their hopes of Champions League football. They can’t afford to slip up, especially with a game against Arsenal next weekend. Manuel Pellegrini will have his side fired up for this one, but they must also stay focussed on their second leg with Madrid. Since Kevin de Bruyne came back, City have been blowing sides apart in the league. We’re going with a win here for City, which is priced at 8/5 with Betfair.
See also:
- BTTS tips (30th April to 2nd May)
- Acca tips (30th April to 2nd May)