The international break meant we had no Premier League football last weekend, that was the final round of Euro 2016 qualifiers until June, so the league run-in really starts now. April and May are both full of Premier League action, and with nothing in between now and then to break it up, we’re heading straight for the end of the campaign.
That makes every point and game crucial from now on for managers who are panicking about relegation or missing out on the Champions League. While we don’t really have much of a title race to focus on (unless Chelsea slip up again), there’s plenty going on around the league right now. The fight for the top four and survival dominate attention, and this weekend has plenty of games that will affect both of those. Here we have previews and betting tips for all four of the live games this weekend.
Saturday 4th April 2015
Arsenal v Liverpool (12:45) – Both teams to score (4/7 with Coral)
The Premier League comes back with bang this weekend, with Arsenal hosting Liverpool in the early kick off. This is a huge clash in the race for the top four, with Liverpool in fifth and Arsenal in third. Both sides had disappointing Champions League campaigns this season, and they’ll want a return to the competition next season to properly do themselves justice. On top of that, these two know that, financially, they can’t afford to finish lower than fourth.
Liverpool’s loss against Manchester United last time out certainly hit their top four hopes, and the race could arguably be close to done with an Arsenal win here. That would likely leave the Reds eight points off the pace, with just seven games to go. That seems like too tall a task for Liverpool to pull off, so a loss here is unthinkable for them. This game is a tough one to call, Arsenal are probably a little too short at just under evens. Both teams to score looks like the best bet for this one, with neither side being very reliable defensively.
Chelsea v Stoke (17:30) – Chelsea to win to nil (5/6 with Sky Bet)
Chelsea have the chance to extend their lead to nine points in the late game on Saturday, as they face Stoke at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have yet to lose a game at home in the league this season, which has been a key part in their excellent campaign so far. With a comfortable lead and a game in hand with just two months of the season left, few are giving City a chance of retaining their title come the end of the season. Despite that, the Blues need to remain focused ahead of the run-in.
For Stoke, they look set to have their best ever Premier League season, but even that won’t be enough to pick anything up here. You just need to look at their stats to see how much they struggle against Chelsea. They’ve won just once in 13 meetings, with 10 defeats. The Blues have kept nine clean sheets in those meetings, including six of the last seven. With 16 clean sheets in their last 22 home games, Jose Mourinho’s side are tough to break down at the back. Given all that, Chelsea to win to nil looks to be the best value here. It comes in at just under evens, but it’s the bet that all the stats point to.
Sunday 5th April 2015
Burnley v Tottenham (13:30) – Both teams to score (4/6 with BetFred)
The Clarets’ tough run of fixtures continues this weekend, as Champions League-chasing Tottenham head to Turf Moor. Sean Dyche’s men are 18th in the table, the only side in the bottom three who have a realistic chance of staying in the division. They’ve had a hellish run of form, but so far they’ve come through it still in touch with the sides above them. After their win against Man City at home a few weeks ago, they’ll fancy their chances against Spurs here.
For Tottenham, they know that their hopes of Champions League football are fading fast as they keep losing ground on the top four. They come here knowing defeat would end their hopes, and basically end their season. Burnley aren’t going to be a walkover by any means, especially as they’re scrapping for their lives at the moment. Spurs aren’t in the most convincing form, and they can’t stop conceding goals. They’ve let in 14 in their last six, which certainly gives Burnley a chance here. Both teams to score looks to be the best bet, coming in at 4/6 with most bookmakers.
Sunderland v Newcastle (16:00) – Sunderland win (8/5 with Coral)
The final game of the weekend is the Tyne-Wear derby, with Sunderland looking to keep distance between themselves and Burnley. The Black Cats are 17th, and their poor run of form has seen them slip towards danger and while also having cost Gus Poyet his job. Luckily for them, bringing in new managers to turn around their form with a win against Newcastle is something of a Sunderland tradition now. Both Poyet and Paolo Di Canio have done it in recent seasons, and the Mackem faithful will be hoping that Dick Advocaat can follow in their footsteps.
For Newcastle, their season looks to be over, with their players seemingly on holiday already. They’ve lost four of their last five, and won just two of their last 10. They’re nowhere near relegation trouble, and nowhere near achieving anything. They look there for the taking for Sunderland this weekend, which must anger the Toon Army. A win at the Stadium of Light would leave their rivals on the brink of the drop, but the players don’t look like they care. This should be a home win, one which will do the Black Cats’ survival chances the world of good.