1. Man United and Chelsea to draw 1-1 — 11/2
MAN UNITED HAVE already drawn 12 times in the Premier League this season, though Sunday’s game will be more difficult than most.
They come up against Chelsea, the opponents who hammered them 4-0 in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge last October.
Since that humiliation, however, Jose Mourinho’s side have not lost a Premier League game. Their problem, however, has been an inability to win matches on a regular enough basis, with countless stalemates putting their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League in serious doubt.
Sunday’s clash sees the meeting of two sides with superior defensive records to everyone in the Premier League with the exception of Tottenham, so expect it to be tight.
In addition, a draw would arguably be a reasonable enough result for both teams — Chelsea don’t have any tougher league games in their end-of-season run-in than this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford — so that seems the most likely outcome.
2. Dele Alli to score two or more against Bournemouth – 6/1
All signs point to a Tottenham win on Saturday in the early kick-off.
Spurs are hoping to earn a seventh consecutive top-flight victory for the first time since 1967. Their home form has been particularly impressive — of their 16 games, they have won 14 and drawn two.
Bournemouth won’t roll over, of course — they caused Chelsea some problems last weekend and drew with Liverpool at Anfield before that.
Yet the Cherries haven’t won any of their past six away games, and they are unlikely to cause an upset against the side currently second in the Premier League, with Spurs set to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to four points should they prevail, until Sunday at least.
One man likely to be key to Tottenham’s hopes is 21-year-old star Dele Alli. With six goals in his past seven games, the young England international has been instrumental as his side bid to maintain a late title charge undertaken in hope more than expectation.
Therefore, don’t be surprised to see Alli heap more misery on Eddie Howe’s side this weekend.
3. West Brom to earn draw against Liverpool – 27/10
Liverpool will be favourites for this game, but only to a slight degree.
Jurgen Klopp’s team have often tended to struggle against the weaker but more pragmatic Premier League teams this season.
Moreover, the Reds’ away form has been less than convincing for a side with top-four ambitions, winning seven, drawing five and losing four matches on their travels.
West Brom, by contrast, have punched above their weight this season. At the Hawthorns, they have nine wins — more than either Man City or Man United have managed at home this season.
Consequently, expect Tony Pulis’ side to cause their opponents plenty of problems this weekend.
4. Manolo Gabbiadini to score anytime against Man City – 2/1
Southampton face a difficult game at home to Man City in Saturday’s late kick-off.
Not many people will be expecting the Saints to win, though it would be foolish to write them off.
Claude Puel’s men have already beaten Liverpool and Arsenal this season, and drew the reverse fixture with City.
Star striker Manolo Gabbiadini has been declared fit to play, but whether he starts at St Mary’s Stadium is another matter.
Nonetheless, with nine goals in his last eight games (a run that started in Serie A last December), the 25-year-old Italian is surely worth the gamble.
5. Alexis Sanchez to score in 00:00 – 14:59 against Middlesbrough – 14/1
Probably more than ever before in Arsene Wenger’s 20-year-plus tenure at the club, Arsenal are seriously under the cosh.
Monday’s comprehensive 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace saw the anti-Wenger critics sharpen their knives.
Yet one recurring theme of Wenger’s reign has been the Gunners’ tendency to pick up victories in turbulent circumstances.
This season, Alexis Sanchez in particular has rescued the side on several occasions.
With 18 goals and nine assists, the Chile international has been Arsenal’s best player by far, picking up a PFA Player of the Year nomination to boot yesterday.
Unlike many in the Arsenal team, Sanchez is also a fighter, and so it would be no surprise to see him lead by example in difficult circumstances on Monday.
Fixtures (all games kick-off 3pm unless stated otherwise)
Saturday
Tottenham v Bournemouth (12.30)
Crystal Palace v Leicester City
Everton v Burnley
Stoke City v Hull City
Sunderland v West Ham United
Watford v Swansea City
Southampton v Manchester City (17.30)
Sunday
West Brom v Liverpool (13.30)
Man United v Chelsea (16.00)
Monday
Middlesbrough v Arsenal (20.00)
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