We’ve reached the penultimate week of the Premier League season and still we are no closer to working out who will be crowned champions in just over a fortnight’s time. That said, the same statement could be made in regard to the race for the top four and the battle to stay up.
When it comes to the Champions League positions, it’s almost a race that, on current form, no one actually wants to win. However, we will eventually see two teams finally get over the line and this weekend, will give us a better idea as to who.
At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is now down to just two teams and Brighton are in the box seat. At the same time, stranger things have happened in the Premier League and Cardiff will still believe that they can pick up a 17th place finish come May 12th.
Over the course of this extended weekend, the landscape of the Premier League may well change once more and when it comes to your loose change, it’s now time to take a look at our top 10 tips.
FRIDAY 3 MAY
EVERTON VS BURNLEY
Everton’s hopes of finishing seventh in the table and potentially appearing in next season’s Europa League took something of a knock last weekend, when they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
This Friday, sees them play host to Burnley and manager Marco Silva knows that anything less than a win, would see those European aspirations come to an end. However, Everton have been much better at home and will be confident of earning all three points.
Opponents Burnley have recently made life difficult for both Chelsea and Manchester City and will look to provide a test for the Toffees. That said, the roar of the Goodison crowd should boost Everton. (GMB odds - Everton 2-0 win 29/4).
SATURDAY 4 MAY
BOURNEMOUTH VS TOTTENHAM
Saturday’s action gets underway at the Vitality Stadium and with Bournemouth coasting towards the end of this campaign, it almost provides the perfect opposition for Tottenham to face and in turn book themselves a top-four finish at the end of the season.
That said, the same could have been said about West Ham last weekend, as Mauricio Pochettino witnessed his side fall to their first ever defeat at their brand new home. A result that has delayed any potential Champions League return by at least seven days.
Bournemouth played out an entertaining 3-3 draw against Southampton last Saturday, but their form has been largely indifferent as of late. With that in mind, Spurs will be favourites to win. (GMB odds - Spurs win and under 2.5 goals 17/4).
WEST HAM VS SOUTHAMPTON
West Ham’s win over Tottenham last Saturday will have bought some cheer to their fans after a rather inconsistent season and it is that win in North London, which perhaps sums up just how the Hammers’ campaign has panned out.
It’s clear to see that they are capable of turning in good performances, but they have been too few and far between for manager Manuel Pellegrini and it is inconsistency that has cost them the chance of challenging for a Europa League place.
This Saturday, they face a Southampton side who confirmed their top-flight status last weekend and now the pressure will be off the Saints’ shoulders. (GMB odds - Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals 20/31).
WOLVES VS FULHAM
Although Wolves have had the recent disappointment of missing out on the upcoming FA Cup Final, they have certainly made up for it in terms of Premier League performances that followed, and they now find themselves primed to finish the season in seventh place.
However, this is not a foregone conclusion just yet and manager Nuno Espirito Santo will no doubt be wary of their next opponents, who come in the shape of a Fulham side who have won their last three league outings.
Scott Parker may not have been able to keep the Cottagers up, but he is doing his hopes of earning a permanent gig no harm at all. Unfortunately, this will prove to be a much tougher test. (GMB odds - Wolves to win and over 2.5 goals 13/10).
CARDIFF VS CRYSTAL PALACE
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock knows that he is in the last chance saloon and quite simply the South Wales outfit have to win their remaining two Premier League fixtures, to have any chance of avoiding the ignominy of relegation.
The Bluebirds blew a huge opportunity in terms of marking themselves safe last weekend, as they fell to an already relegated Fulham at Craven Cottage and they will hope for better luck against a Crystal Palace side that are comfortably languishing in mid-table.
Even though it is do-or-die for Cardiff, the fact that they’ve only won one of their last six league outings will be of huge concern. That said, the Premier League loves drama and a win could take this relegation scrap down to the wire. (GMB odds - Cardiff 1-0 win 35/4).
NEWCASTLE VS LIVERPOOL
Could this be Rafael Benitez’s last home game in charge of Newcastle? That’s a question, we might not be able to answer until the start of the next season and if it is to be the case, then it’s quite fitting that former club Liverpool will provide the opposition.
At the same time, Liverpool will be in no sentimental mood and with them once again looking to apply pressure on leaders Manchester City, they know that nothing less than a win on Tyneside will aid their championship challenge.
The Merseyside outfit were in red hot form last Friday night, as they hit a dishevelled Huddersfield for five and once again Sadio Mane was among the goals. (GMB odds - Mane to score first 14/5)
SUNDAY 5 MAY
CHELSEA VS WATFORD
When it comes to the race for the top four, dropped points has certainly been the mantra of recent times and although Chelsea have been just as guilty as the trio of teams around them, they still find themselves lying fourth in the table.
A point against Manchester United last week, is one that could prove to be crucial in such a frenetic battle and they will look to add three more on Sunday, when they face a Watford side who may well begin to focus on their cup final exploits in just under three weeks.
With Javi Gracia’s men now lying 10th in the table, the Hornets’ hopes of earning a European place via the league have all but ended and therefore key men could be given a welcome rest. (GMB odds - Chelsea to win by two goals 14/5).
HUDDERSFIELD VS MANCHESTER UNITED
You almost have to commend Huddersfield for giving it a go against Liverpool last weekend, although after losing 5-0 at Anfield and conceding within the first minute of the game, you do have to wonder if manager Jan Siewert should have taken a more pragmatic approach.
At the same time, every game since their relegation has been a free-hit in essence and therefore, a similar setup may be deployed for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday and if that is to be the case, it will be music to the ears of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
This United side are now the outsiders in the top four race, but they do have the most favourable fixtures. Nothing else than a win will do on Sunday. (GMB odds - Man Utd half-time/full-time win 5/6).
ARSENAL VS BRIGHTON
If United’s recent form has been patchy, then Arsenal’s has been nothing short of abysmal. Three straight league defeats mean that the Gunners are now looking for a huge favour from elsewhere, in order to finish in the top four.
This Sunday, they play host to a Brighton side who finally ended their barren goal drought last weekend and that point at home to Newcastle, might just be the one that finally secures their Premier League status for another season.
Much has been made of Arsenal’s weakness on the road and therefore a return to the Emirates will be welcome. (GMB odds - Arsenal to win to zero 27/20).
MONDAY 6 MAY
MANCHESTER CITY VS LEICESTER
Manchester City have simply been relentless as of late, a run of twelve successive Premier League wins has put them within touching distance of winning the title and with two games remaining, success is very much in their hands.
Could the aim for win number thirteen prove to be unlucky on Monday night, opponents Leicester will certainly hope so and by extension, so will Liverpool fans watching on television all across the world.
Monday’s pairing met back in December at the King Power and it was Leicester who were victorious. However, this City side has been unstoppable and there’s little to suggest them falling at the second last. (GMB odds - Man City 3-1 win 10/1).