With the run in very much on in the Premier League, there’s still plenty to play for. Given the season of shocks we’ve had, it’s interesting that this weekend is a reverse of the opening weekend fixtures. It really shows how much has changed in a few months, given the ups and downs of the campaign so far.
This weekend is light on struggling sides, with all of the live games mostly revolving around the fight for the title and the race for the top four. With three sides hoping to secure fourth, even third placed Arsenal are looking over their shoulder. We’re looking ahead to each of the weekend’s live games, picking out our best bet on each clash.
Saturday 9th April 2016
West Ham v Arsenal (12:45) – Dimitri Payet to score anytime (12/5 with Betfair)
West Ham slipped a little behind the Champions League pace last time out, but they have a great chance to fix that here. They’re six points off third placed Arsenal, and they can move even closer with a win in Saturday’s early kick off. The Gunners head to Upton Park for the final time, looking to get a win which would almost secure them a place in the top four. Should they slip up here, they could end up tumbling out of the Champions League spots. Right now, this game seems like it could decide the fate of both sides this season. But just who will come out on top?
Well, the Gunners have a record of winning in these kinds of games, doing just enough to stay in the top four. That being said, it is hard to back against West Ham this season. They may have dropped points last weekend, but they’ve had a fantastic year. They could still end it in the top four and win the FA Cup, something Arsenal wish they could say. Most of that comes down to Dimitri Payet, the Frenchman has been outstanding this season. He’s got to be among the candidates for player of the year. We’re backing him to boost those credentials, getting another goal in this crucial clash.
Manchester City v West Brom (17:30) – City -2 handicap (9/4 with Sky Bet)
When Manchester City won 4-0 at West Brom in their first game, they were installed as title favourites. Now, they sit fourth, worried about making it into next season’s Champions League. With Pep Guardiola still arriving in the summer, he won’t want to inherit a team in Europe’s second tier competition. After City’s big win at Bournemouth last weekend, it doesn’t look like he’ll have to. The Citizens have really picked their game up, which they need to do with Manchester United and West Ham in pursuit.
As for West Brom, their season never really took off after that defeat. Ever since then they’ve been doing just enough to stay up, never really threatening to be anything more. That will delight the West Brom board, but their fans will start to get a little restless, especially given the style of football under Tony Pulis is hardly easy on the eye. It’s hard to see them having anything to shout about this weekend, even if City have the Champions League to keep an eye on. They’re likely to rest a couple of players, but we still see City pulling off a big win here. With Kevin De Bruyne back, they have more cutting edge, and that should help them win by a few. We’re backing City to win on the -2 handicap, at 9/4 with Sky Bet.
Sunday 10th April 2016
Sunderland v Leicester (13:30) – Leicester to win to nil (12/5 with Coral)
Leicester are so close to the title now, and they could edge a little bit closer still on Sunday. Their opening day win at home to Sunderland seemed like an early relegation six pointer, but that was far from the case. Since then the Foxes have gone from strength to strength, while the Black Cats have toiled at the bottom all campaign. Sunderland are desperate for points, but can they find a way to beat Leicester? It’s a feat that only Arsenal and Liverpool have achieved in the league this term.
Leicester’s recent form has seen them grinding out results, which is usually the mark of a champion. Chelsea were forced to do the same in the last few months of last season. It’s the same style that the Foxes had in the opening day against Sunderland, but now they’re playing much better in all areas. They’re more clinical, which means they don’t have to throw everything forward. That gives them more balance, which has seen their defence improve hugely. That’s why we’re going with an away victory and clean sheet here, as it has become exactly what Leicester do. Their last five victories have been 1-0 wins, and we see something similar coming here.
Tottenham v Manchester United (16:00) – Harry Kane to score any time (10/11 with Coral)
Following that Leicester game, second placed Tottenham host Manchester United. It’s crazy to think that an attacking, English based Spurs team isn’t the neutrals’ pick for the title, as they would have been in any other season. This term is Leicester’s year, meaning that Mauricio Pochettino’s men have gone under the radar slightly. That won’t be the case in the final few weeks, as they’ll be under scrutiny as they look to battle the Foxes for the title. The current seven point gap could become 10 by kick off here means Spurs need a victory, but can they see off a United side who have ambitions of their own?
At the beginning of the season, their ambitions were reversed. United were expected to be title challengers, while it was thought that Spurs could push for fourth. United won the opener narrowly, in a game that set the standard for their season. It was a dull affair, edged out by an own goal. This clash should be much better, as United need points to get themselves back in the top four. We aren’t so sure they’re going to be able to get them here, as Spurs have been pretty impressive at home. Harry Kane has just hit red hot form as well, with six goals in his last four in the league. That’s why we’re backing him to score any time, at 10/11 with Coral.