There are three Premier League matches on Wednesday on what could be a pivotal night at the bottom of the table. It is a night where the relegation places can be solved and it is also a big night for Liverpool.
Two of the three matches are live on Sky Sports with the other one resigned to highlights at another time. We’ll begin our preview with the really big match.
Sunderland vs Everton
The Black Cats go into this match knowing the simple equation. If they win they will secure Premier League football for another season and in the process they will relegate Newcastle and Norwich. They look to have picked a nice opponent for the night too as Everton have nothing to play for.
Everton’s lack of competitive motivation was there for all to see on Saturday night when they went to Leicester. I don’t like to question the heart or character of sportsmen but their performance that night, if you can use that word, was one of a complete surrender and shock waves must be coming throughout Goodison Park now.
Sunderland in contrast came through a topsy turvy game against Chelsea at the weekend to put matters in their own hands. They have taken eight points from a possible 12 now and are really moving in the right direction with just one defeat in nine games, that being against the runaway champions Leicester.
Everton have a good away record this season but for me they are a side who are done for the year. I’m going to take two bets here which is rare for me. I’m backing Sunderland to win. There isn’t a huge amount of value about them but with Everton’s recent performances 4/5 is just about acceptable and I’m also taking over 2.5 goals.
Everton’s last three have gone over 2.5 goals and they’ve only kept one clean sheet since the beginning of February. While they look to have jacked it in for the season they do still have some attacking prowess to cause Sunderland problems and so I would expect them to score but Sunderland with all the motivation they need can score more.
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Speaking of sides who look done for the season Chelsea are very much another. Although they finished with 10 men on Saturday their losing from a winning position was just a performance which an on song and at it Chelsea don’t do.
Liverpool might not care much for this game but they shouldn’t put all their eggs into next Wednesday’s basket because if they lose that match there is a very real chance they might not have European football next season which wouldn’t be good. If they win this game they are very much still in the hunt for the top six.
Chelsea haven’t been playing for anything for a while now and will be without captain John Terry for this match but they do have a good record over Liverpool which they may well want to maintain.
I’m expecting plenty of changes in the sides for this match but I don’t think that will detract from the goal scoring. If Sunderland can bang in three goals against this Chelsea side I’m sure Liverpool can score but whether Liverpool can keep a clean sheet is another thing entirely. I like the idea of goals in this one.
Norwich vs Watford
Defeat to Manchester United on Saturday took things out of Norwich’s hands but they one thing they can control here is the knowledge that they are down if they don’t win this match regardless of what Sunderland do on the night. If Norwich win and Sunderland win that’s too bad but Norwich have to get that win to keep any hopes of staying up alive.
It remains to be seen how much fight Watford will turn up with. You can’t help but feel the air went out of their balloon when they lost the FA Cup semi-final and tame defeats to Liverpool and West Ham and a struggled victory over Aston Villa recently haven’t given off the impression they are capable of much at the minute.
I don’t really feel Norwich are going to win anytime soon. Maybe the situation and the last chance saloon nature of the game will ensure Norwich do get something from this match but at odds on I’ll let them win if they are good enough.
Tips
WON – Back Sunderland to beat Everton for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Unibet
Back them here:
WON – Back Sunderland vs Everton – Over 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.76 with 188bet
Back Liverpool vs Chelsea – Over 2.75 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.81 with 188bet
Back them here:
