Due to the FA Cup semi-finals there are only four matches in the Premier League on Saturday which gives us a chance to look at all of the matches in a little more detail. All the games kick off in the usual 3pm slot with the bottom of the table in real focus.
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Bournemouth vs Middlesbrough
The first match where the bottom of the table is in focus comes at the Vitality Stadium where relegation threatened Middlesbrough face a Bournemouth side who look to be safe in the top flight again now.
Bournemouth head into the match without a win in four matches but they have played the top three in their last three games so they will be pleased in the ease in schedule. That said we would be taking their confidence levels on trust which is never good. I’m guessing when Aitor Karanka left the Riverside, Middlesbrough fans would have been hoping for an improvement in fortunes but that hasn’t really come along.
In fairness there are doubts over both these sides and so I’m happy to leave this one alone especially with Bournemouth, in my eyes the more likely winners, shocking value.
Hull City vs Watford
Hull have escaped the bottom three and they now know the only way they stay out of it is to keep on winning. That is exactly what they will be aiming to do when they host Watford at the KCom Stadium.
Watford head north having lost their last three on the road since their win at the Emirates and they haven’t scored in those matches either. Hull City have taken 16pts from 18 available at home in 2017 and look a very solid side on their own patch. We know Marco Silva will do what it takes to get a win so that offers some comfort when taking them to win which I am doing. Watford are safe whereas Hull are fighting for their lives and that fight can be boosted by three more points here.
Swansea vs Stoke
Another side at the bottom of the table under pressure to win football matches are Swansea City and they will be aiming to do just that when they entertain Stoke in a match which is clearly bigger for the hosts than the visitors.
Swansea were looking like they were going to pull away from the relegation zone when Paul Clement came in and improved their form and fortunes but they have just stalled at the wrong time which is a concern. Stoke ended a losing slump last week but their form overall remains questionable.
Had this one been a few weeks ago I may well have chanced my arm with Swansea but I’m concerned that they have gone back to how they were pre-Christmas form wise. With that in mind I’ll leave this one alone.
West Ham vs Everton
The only match which has no connotations at the bottom of the table comes from the Olympic Stadium as West Ham host Everton. Everton will move into fifth in the table with a win but you wouldn’t think they would stay there for long.
Motivation for both sides is questionable in this game. I would imagine West Ham will want to win to make up for a poor season at home while Everton will be wanting to show Romelu Lukaku that their future is strong but I’m not convinced that will equate into a top performance from either side so I’ll sit this out too.
Tips
WON – Back Hull City to beat Watford for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with William Hill
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