This weekend sees the final day of the Premier League season, with three sides fighting to avoid relegation. After a long campaign, the fates of three teams will come down to just 90 minutes, with the country watching on intently. We’ve seen so many twists and turns over the course of this league campaign, is there one more left to come this weekend?
Hull will certainly be hoping so, as they go in to the final day staring relegation in the face. They need a win to have any chance of survival, and they need results elsewhere to fall in their favour. Newcastle and Sunderland both head into the last day in trouble (assuming the Black Cats don’t get a result against Arsenal in midweek), and defeats for them would give Hull the chance to leapfrog them late in the day. Ahead of the final day drama, we have previews for this weekend’s big matches, plus a betting tip for each.
Sunday 24th May 2015
Aston Villa v Burnley (15:00) – Aston Villa to win (11/10 with Coral)
With four games to cover and only three meaningful fixtures, we’re starting with a dead rubber game here. Burnley are already confirmed to be returning to the Championship next season, while Aston Villa are coming into the game off the back of a 6-1 defeat to Southampton last week. The hosts are also looking ahead to the FA Cup final next week, so they’ll be hoping to get things back on track ahead of that massive game for the club. With an already relegated side to come at home, this is the perfect chance for them to get back to winning ways.
Burnley drew 0-0 in their final home game of the season last weekend, and they’ll be looking to give the Premier League a good send off with a win in their last game. They did recently win at Hull, but it’s hard to see them repeating the trick against Villa. Christian Benteke is in fantastic form, and he should fire Villa to a win here. He’s good value to score any time at evens with Coral, but our main tip is a Villa win at 11/10.
Hull v Manchester United (15:00) – United to win (23/20 with Sky Bet)
Hull City have never actually won a Premier League game in May. That incredible statistic stands in front of them as they look to pick up the win they need to avoid relegation. The team they have to beat on Sunday to end that winless run is Manchester United, a side that Steve Bruce has never beaten in his managerial career. To say things are against the hosts here is a minor understatement. They need a huge turnaround if they are to save themselves.
This game may well come down to what side Manchester United play here. They’re in the top four, probably can’t get any higher (if Arsenal beat Sunderland in midweek) and they’ve little reason to field a full strength team. Louis van Gaal seems focused on getting this season over with and getting into the summer, so will we see a few changes for this match? United’s squad is so big that changes are necessary, but they should still name a strong side. The fact that they will probably have nothing to play for is reflected in the odds, but given Hull’s record United are a massive price here. It may not be what the Tigers fans want to hear, but a United win looks the best bet.
Newcastle v West Ham (15:00) – West Ham to win draw no bet (27/10 with BetVictor)
Newcastle fans need to be thankful that Hull have seriously broken their fall. The Magpies’ collapse down the table looked set to put them in the bottom three, until Hull lost at home to Burnley. Newcastle’s form hasn’t improved since then, shown in their 2-1 defeat at QPR last weekend. A win against already relegated Rangers would have put have moved the Toon to safety, but their defeat has them just two points above the drop, keeping them in danger up to the final day.
It’s actually hard to tell if this fixture is a blessing or a curse for Newcastle. The Hammers haven’t won away from home since December, and they’ve won just twice since January. On the other hand, could Sam Allardyce relegate his former club? He’d love to. The Toon haven’t won a game since February, so West Ham will fancy their chances. They are close to 3/1 to win here, draw no bet, which is fantastic value. Newcastle don’t look like winning any time soon, so I’m betting against them at that price.
Chelsea v Sunderland (15:00) – Both teams to score (5/6 with BetVictor)
The final game conveniently covers the relegation battle and the only other interesting aspect of the Premier League weekend, Chelsea finally lifting the title. It does feel like the league held that back as they expected a quiet final day, but it seemingly hampers Sunderland’s task even more. If – as expected – they lose to Arsenal on Wednesday they need to pull off a shock at the home of the champions, on the day that they celebrate winning the title, to guarantee survival. It’s hard to see them coming out half focused, as this is the day they’ve been building towards all year. All the big guns will want to play in this fixture, so don’t expect a weakened side, either.
Sunderland did win here last season, but that came in an incredible run of games that saved them from the drop. To avoid relegation this time the Black Cats need a point, or, failing that, they need Hull or Newcastle to fail to win. That would be enough for them, but expect them to push for the result here as well. Given how poor Chelsea have been at the back since winning the title, both teams to score looks like good value here. Sunderland won’t keep a clean sheet, while the Blues aren’t as solid at the back as they could be.