With 11 Premier League games between Thursday and Monday this week, we can’t complain about a shortage of top flight action. There are six live games on four separate days, which will delight as many as it enrages. However, we’re looking towards the biggest weekend games, which cover sides from the top and bottom of the league. While Man City close in on the title, the race to make the Champions League and avoid the Championship both have enough to keep us intrigued.
Among the featured matches this week are Newcastle’s trip to Liverpool, Brighton’s clash with Arsenal and Crystal Palace against Man United. All three are battles between teams chasing Europe and fighting for survival, while elsewhere leaders Man City face reigning champions Chelsea.
Saturday 3rd March 2018
Liverpool v Newcastle (17:30) – Liverpool and BTTS (6/4 with Betfair)
The big talking point from this game will be the return of Rafa Benitez to Anfield, and he has a strong record backing him going into this clash. One defeat in eight is a solid record for a Magpies side who are battling the drop, but does that mean they’ll frustrate the Reds in this trip? While some are pointing to Newcastle soaking up pressure, their one loss in that run came at Man City. Surely if City’s attack can break through then Liverpool’s will have just as big of an effect on the Toon defence?
Newcastle are coming into this clash a week after blowing a 2-0 led at Bournemouth, shipping twice at the mid-table Cherries. They’re going to face a lot worse against a Liverpool side who have averaged 2.21 goals per game at home this season, so we’re backing a home win in this clash. The hosts are justified favourites, but we can see them conceding here. Their solid defensive form at Anfield has eroded of late, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last four. Newcastle have scored at City, United and Chelsea this term, while they’ve scored in seven straight games. That has us going for a home win and BTTS at 6/4 with Betfair.
Sunday 4th March 2018
Brighton v Arsenal (13:30) – Brighton or Draw (Evens with Coral)
Arsenal’s troubles are only getting worse of late, and their poor display at Wembley last weekend showed how bad they are away from the Emirates. Arsenal’s home form has been a crutch this term and they’ve picked up 71% of their points at home. The Gunners have averaged less than a point per game on their travels, and they have the ninth best away points haul in the league, level with Newcastle and Bournemouth, while a point ahead of 16th placed Southampton.
In our opinion, the Gunners could be caught out on Sunday. The bookies still see this Arsenal form as a blip, but they’ve been suffering all season, picking up three wins from 14 trips. That awful form shouldn’t make them odds on favourites at any other ground. Given that Brighton have avoided defeat in all but two of their last 13 home league games, this could be the most obvious upset we’ve seen all season. Everything looks set up for a home result, so we’re backing Brighton on the double chance market at evens with Coral ahead of this clash at the AmEx.
Man City v Chelsea (16:00) – Man City & Over 2.5 Goals (13/10 with Coral)
The only meeting between two of the top six this weekend is a big test for Antonio Conte and his team, who will be hoping to catch City out following their midweek trip to the capital. However, with 13 straight home wins in the league, City aren’t likely to be stopped in Sunday’s game. The Blues should be looking to break through the Citizens’ defence, having scored in their last four away trips. However, is that going to be enough when they’re going up against the league’s top scorers?
City have been in excellent scoring form of late, hitting 3.57 goals per game at home this term. That has fired them to having the best home record in the top flight, which should continue against a Blues side who lost at home to City back in September. We’re backing the hosts to come out on top here, given how Chelsea struggled to deal with Man United’s attack in their recent trip to Old Trafford. We’re backing a home win, but we’re also going for over 2.5 goals – which has landed in 93% of the leaders’ outings at the Etihad this season.
Monday 5th March 2018
Crystal Palace v Man United (20:00) – Under 2.5 Goals (4/5 with Betfred)
Monday’s game pits together a mid-slump Crystal Palace and Manchester United. The Red Devils are on a high from their win over Chelsea, and now they’re pushing to confirm their place in the top four. They’re in pole position for a Champions League spot – after City of course – but could things come unstuck for them away to the Eagles? This has been a difficult trip for some sides this season, with the hosts becoming much more rigid when they take on the top teams. That’s been necessary for Roy Hodgson’s men, who have yet to score against any top four side.
With that in mind, Palace are likely to tighten up here, which doesn’t sound great ahead of a meeting with this United side. Jose Mourinho isn’t known for pushing his players on, so you get the feeling that he’ll be happy to wait for an opening. Of course, the Red Devils have lost to nil in two of their last three league away days, so they need to be wary of a Palace side who really need points on the board. With that in mind, we’re backing under 2.5 goals in this clash at 4/5 with Betfred.