There is another busy day of action in the Premier League on Saturday as the matters that count continue to evolve although the latest chapter in the title race is on hold for 24hrs as both remaining title chasers don’t play until Sunday.
That means to focus is on the Champions League places and the drop on Saturday with seven matches to dictate the way both scenarios are going to play out as we enter the final stages of the season.
Early TV game
The action all begins with Champions League chasing West Ham hosting a side who should be challenging for the title in Arsenal given that they sit in third but who realistically are just playing out time trying to secure third spot this season.
This should be a great game with some really good players on the pitch not least Dimitri Payet, one of the stars of the season. If Arsenal want this game then I would imagine it will be quite competitive but on a dank Saturday lunchtime in a fairly hostile environment it is the kind of match they have the potential to go missing in.
I was tempted with a bet on West Ham but the odds are just in that in between section which means I’ll leave the game alone.
Non TV games
In all we have five matches in the traditional 3pm games. Aston Villa host Bournemouth, Crystal Palace take on Norwich in a big game at the bottom while Southampton host Newcastle, Swansea play Chelsea and Watford welcome Everton to Vicarage Road.
With Palace’s form you would have to suggest Norwich are overpriced and they will be bouncing after their late win against Newcastle last week but the pressure is really on the Canaries and I’m not rushing in to take them on the road.
I nearly took Swansea against a Chelsea side who are playing for nothing but their new manager Antonio Conte was in town earlier in the week and that visit might just inspire another performance out of them before they mentally hit the beach.
A much stronger case could be made for Everton despite their defeat at Man Utd last week. Watford look to have all eyes on their FA Cup semi-final and nobody can blame them for that but again Everton just look a little short for a side so inconsistent albeit generally better away from home.
You would think Rafa Benitez would get a tune out of this Newcastle side sooner or later so I’m wary about taking Southampton who aren’t really playing for anything anymore. 4/6 is just too short for a side with little in the way to motivate them.
That leaves the Villa vs Bournemouth match and while the visitors on the face of it at least look a touch short at 5/4 I can’t not back them.
Villa gave up on this season months ago and if you look at their last four matches at Villa Park they have shipped 15 goals and scored just once and the way Chelsea tore them apart last week spoke volumes. It is almost like they’ve not even got any pride left. A sorry state in truth.
Bournemouth have lost their last two but they need to be given some slack as those defeats were against Spurs and Man City and they face nothing like as strong as that here. Prior to that the Cherries were on a run of four games unbeaten and all things being equal I fancy them to get back on that unbeaten run here. The fact we can get some draw cover and still get an acceptable price makes them a must bet in that game.
Late TV game
The action concludes with Man City facing West Brom. As you would expect City are pretty short and that would normally be justified given their motivation to win and stay in control of their destiny in the race to finish in the top four but Tony Pulis teams can be a pain in the neck at the best of times.
I’d still expect City to win but after a fast paced game in Paris on Wednesday and a massive match to come on Tuesday there’s no way I’m ploughing in at odds on or on a huge handicap. Obvious no bet game to me to finish with.
Tips
WON – Back Bournemouth (-0.25AH) to beat Aston Villa for a 4/10 stake at 1.88 with 12bet
Back them here:
