The FA Cup semi-finals taking place this weekend means that there is a shorter set of games in the Premier League but three key matches take place on Saturday on a day where the top and the bottom of the table are under the microscope.
Just the one match is live on TV on Saturday and we actually have to wait until late in the evening for it to come along. Prior to that, the other two matches have updates in all the normal places if you don’t have a ticket for either.
Luton Town vs Brentford (15.00)
One of the two matches away from the live TV action comes from Kenilworth Road where Luton Town continue their quest to remain in the Premier League when they entertain Brentford, who will be as good as safe for another season should they win here.
The Hatters head into this match knowing that they will end the weekend outside of the relegation zone with a win with just four matches to play and that should be a huge incentive for them to bring out the best of themselves in an environment in which they generally thrive in. Brentford haven’t had a great season but they will make the relatively short trip up the M1 on an unbeaten run of four matches, although their critics will argue that there is only one win in that run and it was only against Sheffield United where it took an own goal and another in injury time to get the better of the Blades. Luton are undefeated in their last two home games, have scored in all but one match at Kenilworth Road this season and are yet to lose by more than a goal at home. I can’t really find too much that stands out here so although my hunch is that Luton will win this game I’m happy to leave it alone.
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Sheffield United vs Burnley (15.00)
The other match away from the live TV schedules comes from Bramall Lane as the bottom two collide in a contest where surely the losers will be relegated at some point as Sheffield United host Burnley.
Sheffield United begin the day 10 points from safety and will have just five matches left after this one while Burnley are six from escaping the danger zone and they only have four to play at the conclusion of this one so the win here is massive for both teams. I love these situations from a betting point of view because by and large these scenarios always lead to goals, especially if there is an early goal and the conceding team has to take more risks and open up not just to get back into the game but attempt to come from behind to win it. As it happens, given that these two sides have shipped 152 goals in 65 games combined this season, we don’t really need a scenario leg up to think there are going to be goals in this one. Sheffield United have noticed that they have to start winning games recently and while they haven’t done it, they have scored two or more in three of their last five. They haven’t stopped conceding though. Burnley have scored in five of their last six but are now 15 games in the Premier League without a clean sheet. Rather than decide who wins this I have to think we go beyond 2.5 goals here.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal (19.30 – Sky Main Event & Sky Premier League)
The TV game comes later in the day on Saturday and when it does come along the focus will be on the top of the table as Arsenal look to return to the summit until midweek at the very least when they head to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves are now pretty much playing for nothing with the European places not likely to come down low enough for them to get a shot at it so they can have a good go at completely spoiling the Arsenal title chances. Arsenal have had a terrible week. They lost to Aston Villa last Sunday to fall behind in the race for the league and they bounced out of the Champions League so they need to show their mettle here but that loss in Munich on Wednesday night might have taken something out of them. They do look to have fallen on their feet here though because if Gary O’Neil is to be believed, the Wolves injury list is rather extensive. With that in mind, I fancy a narrow, low scoring Arsenal win but given this comes less than 72 hours after that exit in Germany, I’m happy to leave this alone.
Tips
Back Sheffield United vs Burnley – Over 2.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
