This is when the Premier League should be at its most interesting. Teams have either six or seven matches to play. Everything should be on the line. Unfortunately, this year it’s a little different.
Few teams have much to play for even with over a month left, and the main storylines could well be about the contests for World Cup places.
The relegation battle is all we really have. That’s okay, of course, because it’s still a fierce competition in the bottom-half. We’re here to look at this weekend’s 3pm kick-offs, so here are a few thoughts…
AFC Bournemouth vs CRYSTAL PALACE
Late heartbreak at home to Liverpool makes this match even more significant for Crystal Palace. Roy Hodgson could see his team drop into the bottom three if they fail to win here. The Eagles picked up a vital win in their last away match, and they will be positive of doing the same on the south coast.
Bournemouth were held by Watford last weekend. Eddie Howe has comfortably guided his team to safety once again, however, despite only winning six matches at home so far this season. The Cherries have only won once in their last five, and it will be interesting to see how they deal with Wilfried Zaha here.
I like the 11/20 price on Palace to avoid defeat. Bournemouth have not been at their best of late and could begin to relax a bit.
TIP: Crystal Palace to win OR draw @ 11/20
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs Huddersfield Town
Brighton have suffered back-to-back defeats that have lurched them into the relegation conversation again. A stellar run took the Seagulls to 34 points, which probably has them a win from safety, but a daunting set of remaining fixtures has Chris Hughton’s side under pressure in this one.
The visiting Terriers have taken just a solitary point in four league matches. David Wagner’s team look the most likely to drop into the bottom three should Stoke or Southampton pull off a dramatic escape.
Brighton have been great at home all season. I expect that to continue here. It might be a low-scoring affair, but it’ll be enough to get Hughton across the line.
TIP: Brighton to win @ 4/5
LEICESTER CITY vs Newcastle United
Consecutive wins to nil have put Newcastle a whisker away from safety. Amid the talks of takeover and discontent around the club, stability of another Premier League campaign is a necessity. Rafael Benitez has worked his magic.
Leicester recovered from a bit of a winter blip to go unbeaten in four, winning their last two. Claude Puel’s side are playing fast-paced, quick-break football that made the Foxes a sporting sensation. Riyad Mahrez is back somewhere near his best, and the Algerian could be the difference maker here.
The hosts are without a win in three straight at home. The 19/20 price to pick up three points seems good value, though, given that Newcastle have picked up two points from the last 12 available on the road.
TIP: Leicester to win @ 19/20
Stoke City vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
A trip to the blustery Potteries used to be fearsome. That intimidation has waned as Stoke City have dropped from mid-table side to relegation candidates. Stoke have not won at home since January and have only been victorious at the Bet365 Stadium five times all season.
Spurs head to the West Midlands full of confidence. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have the best record in the league in 2018, and as good as confirmed their Champions League status for next season with an historic win over Chelsea last weekend.
Stoke put up a bit of resistance against Arsenal. Unfortunately for Paul Lambert, Spurs are simply a better team than Arsenal. This could get ugly.
TIP: Tottenham to win @ 8/25
WATFORD vs Burnley
Watford’s draw with Bournemouth last weekend took them to 37 points. That should be safe this season. The Hornets flirted with a special campaign in the opening months, but the turbulence around Marco Silva’s final weeks in the job have meant they will have to settle for a comfortable mid-table finish.
Burnley were the latest team to beat West Brom in their last outing. Sean Dyche’s case for Manager of the Year is only getting stronger, and the Clarets could yet catch Arsenal in sixth. Three straight wins have kept Burnley in seventh in this remarkable campaign.
The hosts are unbeaten in five on home soil. Burnley have made a habit of defying odds over the last two seasons, but I fancy Watford to put their Premier League status beyond doubt.
TIP: Watford to win OR draw @ 33/100
West Bromwich Albion vs SWANSEA CITY
West Brom sacked Alan Pardew this week but are yet to name a replacement for this match. The Baggies are already preparing for the Championship next season having won just one of their last 30 Premier League matches.
Carlos Carvalhal takes his Swansea team to the midlands boasting a great recent record, despite taking one point from their last two. The Welsh club have picked up more points in 2018 than Chelsea and Arsenal.
It’s meltdown time at the Hawthorns. I don’t think Pardew’s departure will change too much, but it could be enough to end the losing streak.
TIP: Swansea to win OR draw @ 4/7
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
