WITH ONLY TWO rounds of games left in the Premier League and almost everything decided it is quite tough to call which way many of the remaining games will go.
It’s that time of season when some players are already on the beach in their minds, while others have it all to play for, especially in the bottom half.
Southampton vs Aston Villa over 2.5 goals – Evens
Southampton have the second best defensive record in the league but after shipping eight goals in their last four games they look to be struggling. The fact they conceded two goals to Sunderland, Leicester and Stoke is a worry for Ronald Koeman. An even bigger worry is that they’re facing Christian Benteke this weekend. Graziano Pellé has learned how to score goals again however.
Aside from Manchester City, Aston Villa have been the league’s top scorers since Tim Sherwood and his ‘gillet’ graced the north of England so backing three goals or more to be scored in this one seems a banker. Over 3.5 goals is available at 9/4 for those feeling more adventurous.
Stoke City to win to nil at away to Burnley- 7/2
Burnley finally found the net after seven goalless games away to Hull last time out. Sean Dyche’s men have been a joy to watch this season as their limited squad has performed slightly above expectations, as patronising as that sounds seeing as they have been relegated.
With relegation confirmed, top scorer Danny Ings will have his mind elsewhere as he looks to sneak out the back door of Turf Moor during the summer. They simply have no other scoring options. Stoke should do enough to see this bet through.
Newcastle to draw with QPR- 5/2
It’s perhaps fitting that in what could well be QPR’s last Premier League fixture at Loftus Road for many years to come, the league’s two worst run clubs come up against each other.For QPR the likes of Rob Green, Matty Phillips, Leroy Fer and Charlie Austin are too good for the second tier so they should all be trying to put themselves in the shop window.
Papiss Cisse makes his return for the Magpies and they really need him. No wins and just five goals scored in their last seven games has put them in an unexpected relegation battle. A draw here may keep them up, considering Hull City have Spurs away and Manchester United at home in their final two games.
Hull City v Spurs under 2.5 goals- 11/10
Hull City spent €55 million on transfers this season yet their team has only regressed in the last eighteen months. They’re almost certainly going down and will struggle to shift expensive deadwood such as Abel Hernández and Robert Snodgrass. They’ve been pretty toothless up front over the course of the season so don’t expect goals.
The fun seems to be over for Harry Kane at Spurs, he’s scored once in his last six games and apart from Nacer Chadli (who may not start) and Christian Eriksen (who has scored once since January) they have no other goal threat. This could be painful to watch.
Arsenal draw no bet v Manchester United- 11/10
This has all the hallmarks of a ‘do not touch’ game when it comes to betting, but it is the big game of the weekend. United are in pretty poor form, a David De Gea inspired win over Crystal Palace being their only positive result in their last four games.
With Michael Carrick missing you would expect Francis Coqeulin and Santi Cazorla to dominate that area of the pitch. If they do so I can’t see Arsenal losing.
Originally published on Friday at 18.00