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Claudio Ranieri. Owen Humphreys
premier league bets

5 Premier League bets to consider this weekend

A vital win for Sunderland and Leicester’s party to be put on hold are included in our selections this week.

More than 3.5 goals in Everton v Bournemouth (13/8)

Britain Soccer FA Cup Everton boss Roberto Martinez. Tim Ireland Tim Ireland

THE TOFFEES ARE sliding and manager Roberto Martinez is feeling the heat. Defensive frailties have been the root of their problems, particularly at home. They have conceded 29 goals in their 17 Premier League games at Goodison Park and it’s hard to see them bucking that trend here this weekend.

Bournemouth’s attacking style has been a breath a fresh air and has already proved many wrong that such an approach can achieve survival in the Premier League. But the stats don’t lie; they also leak far too many goals and have the third worst defensive record in the division.

These sides are both on 41 points, separated only on goal difference, and the unpredictable nature of both teams makes this a hard one to call. Plenty of goals looks the sensible option.

Sunderland to beat Stoke away (9/5)

Stoke have been in horrendous form of late as they try and give meaning to their remaining three fixtures of the season.

Many of their squad will already be looking cautiously towards the Euros with a mid-table finish already guaranteed. They have shipped 12 goals in their last three Premier League games and are win-less at the Britannia Stadium since 2 March.

Sunderland, on the other hand, are fighting for their lives under the wily stewardship of Sam Allardyce. They have lost only once in their last seven Premier League outings and that was against likely champions-elect Leicester City.

They moved out of the relegation zone last week and with Jermain Defoe leading the line against a side that have kept just five clean sheets at home this season, an away win looks the value bet.

West Brom v West Ham to be a draw (5/2)

No team has drawn more games this season than West Ham (14) while their opponents this weekend have drawn just three games fewer.

West Brom also boast a defensive record bettered by only one side outside of the top eight and have not conceded more than two goals in a Premier League game since mid-January (at Southampton).

In West Ham, they are facing a side with a wealth of attacking options, led by PFA Team of the Year selectee Dimitri Payet. It’s a hard one to call, on paper you’d expect these sides to cancel each other out and it to finish 0-0 or 1-1, despite West Ham’s impressive record on the road.

Manchester United v Leicester City to finish in a draw (5/2)

Claudio Ranieri File Photo Claudio Ranieri. Owen Humphreys Owen Humphreys

This could be the weekend when Leicester are finally crowned Premier League champions, very few saw this day coming, even as recently as three months ago.

The bubbly is chilling in Manchester and the Foxes are aiming to be the first Leicester side to win at Old Trafford in 18 years.

But Manchester United’s home record deserves respect and Leicester are still without their top scorer, Jamie Vardy, through suspension.

Louis van Gaal’s side have a bit of a momentum behind them right now; there is a buzz around the club with a cup final to look forward to, and they have only lost two Premier League Games at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ this season.

A Leicester win at 31/10 does appeal here, particularly a 1-0 victory at 10/1, surely we have all doubted them long enough? But a draw still remains the sensible option when Vardy’s absence and United’s home record and late push for fourth spot is taken into account.

Liverpool v Swansea to finish 0-0 (10/1)

Swansea were absolutely atrocious against Leicester City last weekend but their uncharitable home form under Francesco Guidolin must be considered.

Liverpool could well be distracted by their Europa League exploits and the uncertainty around their attacking options makes them hard to fancy here.

The Reds have scored 17 times in their last five away games but Daniel Sturridge was an unused substitute in their 1-0 defeat against Villareal on Thursday night.

Phillipe Coutinho was substituted in Spain due to illness while Christian Benteke was introduced in the 90th minute to fulfill defensive duties. Roberto Firmino was largely ineffective on the night while Divock Origi’s season has been ended prematurely by an ankle injury.

The Swans have kept clean sheets in their last three home games and they may well continue that trend against a weakened and distracted Liverpool line-up. But their lack of options at the other end make this game hard to sell.

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