Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Fulham vs Man City
Three games left for Man City to stumble. Are Fulham really capable of putting the kibosh on City’s Premier League title hopes?
The Cottagers aren’t obvious candidates to help Arsenal’s cause, with just one win in seven league games.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland put four goals past Wolves last week – and was annoyed to be substituted with ten minutes left, suggesting he’s hungry for more.
The Norwegian scored a hat-trick when City hosted Fulham earlier this season, too, with the game ending 5-1.
It gets worse when you look at previous meetings; City have won their last 15 encounters with Fulham in all competitions.
So there’s little reason to believe Marco Silva’s side can put a stop to that losing run, even if the west London team have occasionally shown some unexpected pizzazz in this campaign.
This lunchtime kick-off could prove pretty straightforward for the visitors, who have kept clean sheets in their last two away games; BTTS NO is a 23/25 shot. Otherwise you could take a chance on Haaland to score at least two goals, at 31/20.
Bournemouth vs Brentford
The Cherries were perhaps a little unfortunate against Arsenal last weekend as they lost 3-0 with some debatable decisions going against them.
Will they enjoy better fortune against a Brentford side that didn’t exactly shine in a 0-0 draw with Fulham a week ago? With the Bees underwhelming in recent months and Ivan Toney struggling for goals, the hosts look a good thing for the win. Back Bournemouth to win at 19/20.
Everton vs Sheffield United
Everton have won their last four home games without conceding a goal. Meanwhile, Sheffield United, already relegated, recently became the first Premier League side to ship 100 goals in a 38 game season. And they’re not done yet.
Still, the Blades have been scoring themselves at least, finding the net in eight of their last nine matches, so another clean sheet for Sean Dyche may not be on the cards.
In fact, Sheffield United have a good record at Goodison Park, winning five of their last seven league trips here (a run that dates back to 1992). Still, it’s tough to see the Blades adding to their meagre haul of wins this season against an Everton side that have found some form.
With Chris Wilder’s side continually struggling to keep the goals out, backing Everton to win and over 2.5 goals in a double at 4/5 could work out.
Newcastle vs Brighton
Newcastle are ending the season in swashbuckling fashion; Brighton, less so. The Mags have scored nine goals in their last two matches (against Sheffield United and Burnley, admittedly) and could enjoy another comfortable win against Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
True, the Seagulls did win last time out against Aston Villa. But they’ve earned just one point from their last five away games, and Eddie Howe’s side could capitalise against a side struggling with injuries.
Anthony Gordon has scored nine goals at St James Park this season, and may be able to sign off with a 10th in the last home game of the campaign. Gordon is 9/4 to find the net on Saturday.
Spurs vs Burnley
It’s been a disappointing few weeks for Ange Postecoglou – and Spurs fans in general, especially after the excitement of the opening months of this campaign.
Back in October the north London side topped the Premier League, with Spurs fans convinced they’d found the man to lead them to a new era of glory.
Six months later the side sit 23 points shy of league leaders Arsenal, have just lost their fourth consecutive match, and look unlikely to finish in the top four. Some of the shine has come off Big Ange’s reign; can he give the fans something to cheer with an emphatic victory against Burnley on Saturday?
If the Clarets can’t land a win here, relegation will be confirmed. The good news is that Tottenham should give Burnley opportunities to score; Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 13 home games in the Prem.
This one seems likely to feature goals; over 3.5 is a 8/13 shot. Or you could back Son to score at 4/7; he enjoyed a hat-trick against this side at Turf Moor back in September.
West Ham vs Luton
After an uninspiring campaign, David Moyes will depart West Ham at the end of the season. Can he at least see out his last couple of games in a manner befitting of a coach who brought West Ham glory in Europe last season?
The Irons have got Man City away in their last game of the season – good luck with that – so they could do with putting in a good showing against the eminently beatable Luton.
Rob Edwards’ side are still in with a chance of escaping relegation, so will be motivated to put in a good showing in east London. And West Ham have been pretty disappointing in recent months, with just one league win in their last nine.
Then again, against a club that have struggled, Jarrod Bowen is 11/8 to score. Bowen has 16 league goals so far this season, and found the net against Liverpool in his last home game – where the Irons drew 2-2 with Jurgen Klopp’s side. That sounds kind of ominous for the Hatters…
Wolves vs Crystal Palace
There’s no shame in losing to Man City – although going down 5-1 to Guardiola’s side last weekend probably doesn’t rank amongst Gary O’Neil’s most enjoyable memories this season.
More broadly, Wolves are finishing the season unspectacularly; it’s just one win in eight for the Midlands side.
Palace, on the other hand, are loving life with Oliver Glasner in charge; on Monday night, the Eagles saw off Man Utd 4-0; that’s Palace’s fourth win in five matches. At Molineux, can the Austrian guide his team to another victory?
Whatever the score, we can’t look past Jean-Philippe Mateta finding the net; the striker has nine goals in 11 games and may well get on the scoresheet again here. Mateta is 31/20 to score.
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Forest are out of the relegation zone for now, but not out of danger; victory against Chelsea and the Tricky Trees could be out of the woods.
That might sound easier said than done, with the Blues finishing the season pretty well. Certainly, they’ve impressed at Stamford Bridge. But the side’s away form is a different story, with Chelsea winless in their last five games on the road.
That travel sickness could mean the hosts may be able to take at least a point against Pochettino’s side, and the draw is a 14/5 shot. Otherwise, you could consider backing Callum Hudson-Odoi to score; he bagged a brace against Sheffield United last week, and is 8/1 to find the opener this week.
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