As we head into week 28 the Premier League title looks destined for Anfield as they remain top now a staggering 13 points clear of closest rivals Arsenal who despite having a game extra to play look too far behind and may have resingned themselves to settling for 2nd place now.
The gap at the top was extended last time out as Liverpool dispatched Newcastle 2-0 while Arsenal dropped further points as they could only manage a 0-0 draw with 3rd place Nottingham Forest last time out.
The focus will now be on the all important Champions League and Europa League spots and of course the drop zone!
Southampton lost 4-0 away to Chelsea making this a 22nd loss from 27 games played leaving them on 9 points and destined for a return back to the Championship with an unwanted record of the least points recorded in a season which is 11.
Leicester and Ipswich who make up the other two relegation places also both recorded further losses (2-00 to West Ham and 3-2 to Man Utd respectivley) as did Wolves (1-2 to Fulham).
Everton came from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 with Brentford making them unbeaten in 7 (4W, 3D) and now look safe as they sit 16th but are 15 points clear of the drop zone.
Elsewhere Brighton beat Bournemouth 2-1 and Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 4-1, and Manchester City jumped into 4th place after a 1-0 away win over Spurs.
This weekends action begins with Manchester City visiting Nottingham Forest in an intriguing Saturday afternoon clash 12.30 ko UK time.
Brighton v Fulham, Crystal Palace v Ipswich & Liverpool v Southampton all take place at 15.00 before Brentford v Aston Villa at 17.30 and a bonus evening game sees Everton travel to Wolves at 20.00
Sunday Chelsea play Leicester & Tottenham play Bournemouth both at 14.00 ahead of a clash of old time rivals Manchester United v Arsenal at 16.30 at Old Trafford.
The weekend is rounded up on Monday night as West Ham host Newcatsle at 20.00
Nottingham Forest Vs Manchester City
Pre-Match Summary
Forest head into this a point and a place above City in the table. Something almost noone would have predicted at the start of the season. Forest have had an unbeleivable season so far and would love nothing more to secure a Champions League spot which is certainly now a reality, City after a poor spell mid season look to be firing again and they themselves will be pushing to take that automatic Champions league spot off Forest.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: On paper this looks a great match and really could go either way. City in recent years have the upper hand in H2Hs and perhaps may edge this one. Away win a slightly favourable
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: The scoring prowess these two teams have is certainly worth noting and this could easily be a high scoring game. Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, both teams like to be on the front foot and there should be plenty of goalmouth action either end.
Pre-Match Summary
Europa League is the target for both these teams as they sit in 8th and 9th place coming into this. Both teams are in fine form right now and after both winning in the FA Cup last week to progress to the 1/4 finals will both be in great spirits as they come head to head in a very important game as far as the europe dream is concerned.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Not an easy prediction given the form of both sides coming into this, it was Fulham who won the reverse fixture (3-1) and do have a better H2H record in recenmt years so will that play a part today? Away win is possible.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: It is easy to see goals in this game, both teams seem to be scoring for fun of late, Over 2.5 goals yes.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, recent scoring form would suggest a strong chance of goals for both teams.
Pre-Match Summary
Palace upto 12th now have enjoyed some really good recent form and look like they will be playing Premier League football once again next season, Ipswich however are winless in 8 games now (6L, 2D) and are 5 points from safety, worrying times for the Tractor boys and Palace away is no easy game.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: The run of good form for Palace makes them favourites here and Ipswich who have struggled all season may find themselves defeated once more here. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Palace put 4 past Villa in the last game and with a visiting Ipswich side who dont have a great defence we could see more goals, Possible Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Ipswich despite poor results and losses, do tend to find the net so perhaps could sneak a consolation.
Pre-Match Summary
Top v bottom as the Saints visit Anfield, Southampton have looked doomed for a good while now and this game against a top Liverpool team looks certain to end in further missery as Arne Slots first season in charge of Liverpool looks like its going to be a successful one as they martch on at the top of the league a massive 13 points clear of closest rivals Arsenal in 2nd place.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: It is pretty much impossible to build any sort of case for anything other than a routine Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: If Liverpool come out firing early this could end up 4 or 5, Over 2.5 goals is very likely.
- Both Teams to Score: No, This could be one way traffic from the get go and its hard to see Southampton creating much going forward.
Pre-Match Summary
Villa 10th and Brentford 11th have had some mixed form this season and Villa will be slightly disapointed with where they sit after starting the season so well. That said they can jump to 6th with a win here and if all results go their way, also they do have the upper hand in recent H2Hs and Brentford have not beaten Villa in the last 5 games.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: We have to take recent H2Hs into account with this one and its Villa who have a better ecord with (3W, 2D) from the last 5 fixtures, Away win or Draw is a favourable selection.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This seasons reverse fixture was 3-1 Villa, and last season Villa won 1-2 here with a 3-3 draw at Villa Park, if them stats are anything to go by we can expect goals here, Over 2.5 goals yes.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, 6 of the last 7 H2Hs have seen both teams score.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Everton
Pre-Match Summary
Everton come here in excellent form and are unbeaten in the last 7 league games under new manager David Moyes. The Toffees are just one place above Wolves coming into this one however they are split by a massive 10 points. A win for Everton would surley secure their place in the league for next season while a win for Wolves would take them 8 points ahead of the drop zone, if Ipswich and Leicester were both to lose.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Evertons unbeaten run does have 3 draws in the last 4 games and Wolves know the importnace of this game, tough one to call but perhaps a Draw is on the cards.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Wolves defensive frailties have been evident all season, they do score goals though, and Everton now playing with confidence are also finding the net regularly, Possible Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this could be an open game with plenty of goal scoring opportunities.
Pre-Match Summary
Chelsea’s title bid has well fell off and now if the wins dont start coming they may even miss out on Champions league football too. Inconsistent performances has left the blues in 5th position however today they welcome Leicester who have a record of 1 win in the last 12 games the other 11 of them games being a loss leaving them in big trouble just one place off the bottom.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Leicester’s run of losing games has left them in serious trouble and a visit to Stamford Bridge is another tough assignment even with Chelsea not in great form this leads towards a Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: The Foxes have been leaking goals heavily and theres no signs that the defence have learnt any lessons, Over 2.5 goals has a strong chance.
- Both Teams to Score: No, Leicetser have only scored in 1 of the last 7 league games.
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Bournemouth
Pre-Match Summary
The Cherrys are chasing European football next season and after an excellent run of form this is within reach despite having lost the last 2 league games to Wolves and Brighton. Spurs however have endured a poor season and sit way down the table in 13th and have been way off it, they have welcomed back some players from injury recently and will look to end the season on a high.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Not an easy game to call, Spurs inconsistent manner makes this difficult, recent H2Hs have also been close with 3 wins for Spurs 2 for Bournemouth and 1 Draw in the last 6. Maybe the Home advantage will pay dividens for Spurs.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Two teams who are both certainly capable of scoring goals, this has the makings of a good game and we should see goals. Over 2.5 is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, an open game is expected which should lead to good opportunities for goals at both ends.
Pre-Match Summary
Realistically Arsenal’s title challenge is now all but over, they will not give up on it but they have given them to much to do and games are running out. This is a must win for the Gunners, likewise it is for Ruben Amorim and his Man Utd team who have had one of their worst seasons even in the Premier League currently in 14th place having won just 9 of the 27 games played so far.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Arsenal simply must win, anything other will more or less hand Liverpool the title so expect a strong Away perfomance.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Usually a close game between these two teams and can be a battle, this will be tight and maybe Under 2.5 goals is a better option
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, allthough a tight game is predicted, both teams have enough quality in front of goal to score.
Pre-Match Summary
West Ham recorded back to back wins for the first time in the league all season after defeating Arsenal 1-0 away which was followed up with a 2-0 home win over Leicester, this has almost ensured now they will survive a brief releagtion scare. Newcastle still have Champions League aspirations but now sit 6th below Man City and Chelsea so have their work cut out now.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: The pressure is now off West Ham after back to back wins and they will be confident going into this looking for a 3rd win on the spin, Newcastle may be lacking some confidence and a Home win could be possible.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Newcastle have a dangerous attack and West Ham now playing better and in form this looks likely for Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, 8 of the last 10 H2Hs have seen both teams score, this looks likely again.
This weeks TOP BET:
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City – Both teams to score YES
Brighton v Fulham – Over 2.5 goals
Crystal Palace – Home win
Brentford v Aston Villa – Both teams to score YES
Place this bet here at Sportpesa NOW!
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