Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen (right) battle for the ball during the Premier League match earlier this season. Adam Davy
Predictions
Who to back in the North London Derby and more Premier League bets to consider
Plus, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard to be first goalscorer against Everton on Sunday.
SUNDAY’S MATCH AT White Hart Lane will be Arsene Wenger’s 50th time taking charge of Arsenal for a North London Derby.
In that time, the French manager’s success rate has been impressive — the Gunners have won 22, drawn 20 and lost just seven of their games against Spurs.
Yet Arsenal’s more recent record in matches with Tottenham reflects a slight shift in the balance of power between the sides.
In their last eight trips to White Hart Lane, they have lost four, drawn three and won only once.
Spurs are also in excellent form currently, winning their last eight league games on the trot and triumphing in 12 consecutive matches at home, so deservedly go into this contest as favourites.
And not only would a Tottenham win jeopardise Arsenal’s top-four hopes, it would also ensure they finish above the Gunners in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
2. Eden Hazard to be first goalscorer against Everton — 9/2
Eden Hazard has undoubtedly been one of the players of the season, and the Belgian international is really excelling of late.
Chelsea’s other big attacking threat, Diego Costa, has looked somewhat subdued in recent times, scoring only five goals in the league since the turn of the year, though he looked back to his best with a brace in the Stamford Bridge outfit’s 4-2 defeat of Southampton on Tuesday.
Yet when Costa hasn’t been firing, Hazard has invariably stepped up, managing five goals in his last five games.
The 26-year-old also scored twice as Chelsea thrashed Everton 5-0 back in November, so it would hardly be a surprise if he did similar damage this weekend.
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3. Man United to draw against Swansea — 4/1
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
Man United are strong favourites going into Sunday’s fixture and will set a new club record of 25 matches unbeaten in a single top-flight campaign if they avoid defeat.
The Red Devils’ problems this season have been obvious, however.
For all their defensive solidity (only Spurs have conceded fewer goals), in a similar manner to top-four rivals Liverpool, they have found the weaker teams hard to break down at times. At Old Trafford this season, they have drawn more matches (9) than they’ve won (7).
Paul Clement’s Swansea, meanwhile, are fighting for their lives in 18th, with Hull currently two points ahead of them.
The Welsh side have, however, managed the occasional impressive scalp, taking points off Liverpool and Chelsea this season, while earlier this month, they were 1-0 up against Tottenham until the 88th minute.
The Swans are deservedly underdogs this weekend, but 4/1 for a draw is an attractive price given how United’s season has panned out so far.
4. Liverpool to win both halves against Watford — 11/4
Liverpool’s form has been as erratic as ever lately. This month has seen them secure hard-fought wins over Everton, Stoke and West Brom, as well as a disappointing draw against Bournemouth and a similarly galling loss to a Christian Benteke-inspired Crystal Palace at Anfield last week.
With both Man City and United hot on their tales in the race for fourth and each having a game in hand, it is absolutely vital that Jurgen Klopp’s side claim all three points on Monday to keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
Watford have reached the 40-point mark that is generally good enough to ensure Premier League survival, so they effectively have nothing but pride to play for in the final games of the season.
Consequently, if the Reds cannot overcome a mid-table side whose intensity is unlikely be at its highest given their current position of comfort, then they probably don’t deserve to finish in the top four.
5. Man City to win and over 3.5 goals against Middlesbrough — 13/8
With stars such as Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus to choose from, Man City boast one of the best attacks in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s men currently sit fourth but with United just one point behind them, there is not much margin for error in the race for a Champions League spot.
With six points separating Middlesbrough and Hull in 17th, the former need a minor miracle to avoid relegation with four games to play.
And it’s likely to get worse before it gets better, as they host a City side under similar pressure this weekend.
All games kick-off at 3pm unless stated otherwise
Saturday
Southampton v Hull City
Stoke City v West Ham
Sunderland v Bournemouth
West Brom v Leicester City
Crystal Palace v Burnley (17.30)
Sunday
Man United v Swansea City (12.00)
Everton v Chelsea (14.05)
Middlesbrough v Man City (14.05)
Tottenham v Arsenal (16.30)
Monday
Watford v Liverpool (20.00)
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Who to back in the North London Derby and more Premier League bets to consider
1. Tottenham to win and both to score — 11/5
SUNDAY’S MATCH AT White Hart Lane will be Arsene Wenger’s 50th time taking charge of Arsenal for a North London Derby.
In that time, the French manager’s success rate has been impressive — the Gunners have won 22, drawn 20 and lost just seven of their games against Spurs.
Yet Arsenal’s more recent record in matches with Tottenham reflects a slight shift in the balance of power between the sides.
In their last eight trips to White Hart Lane, they have lost four, drawn three and won only once.
Spurs are also in excellent form currently, winning their last eight league games on the trot and triumphing in 12 consecutive matches at home, so deservedly go into this contest as favourites.
And not only would a Tottenham win jeopardise Arsenal’s top-four hopes, it would also ensure they finish above the Gunners in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
2. Eden Hazard to be first goalscorer against Everton — 9/2
Eden Hazard has undoubtedly been one of the players of the season, and the Belgian international is really excelling of late.
Chelsea’s other big attacking threat, Diego Costa, has looked somewhat subdued in recent times, scoring only five goals in the league since the turn of the year, though he looked back to his best with a brace in the Stamford Bridge outfit’s 4-2 defeat of Southampton on Tuesday.
Yet when Costa hasn’t been firing, Hazard has invariably stepped up, managing five goals in his last five games.
The 26-year-old also scored twice as Chelsea thrashed Everton 5-0 back in November, so it would hardly be a surprise if he did similar damage this weekend.
3. Man United to draw against Swansea — 4/1
Man United are strong favourites going into Sunday’s fixture and will set a new club record of 25 matches unbeaten in a single top-flight campaign if they avoid defeat.
The Red Devils’ problems this season have been obvious, however.
For all their defensive solidity (only Spurs have conceded fewer goals), in a similar manner to top-four rivals Liverpool, they have found the weaker teams hard to break down at times. At Old Trafford this season, they have drawn more matches (9) than they’ve won (7).
Paul Clement’s Swansea, meanwhile, are fighting for their lives in 18th, with Hull currently two points ahead of them.
The Welsh side have, however, managed the occasional impressive scalp, taking points off Liverpool and Chelsea this season, while earlier this month, they were 1-0 up against Tottenham until the 88th minute.
The Swans are deservedly underdogs this weekend, but 4/1 for a draw is an attractive price given how United’s season has panned out so far.
4. Liverpool to win both halves against Watford — 11/4
Liverpool’s form has been as erratic as ever lately. This month has seen them secure hard-fought wins over Everton, Stoke and West Brom, as well as a disappointing draw against Bournemouth and a similarly galling loss to a Christian Benteke-inspired Crystal Palace at Anfield last week.
With both Man City and United hot on their tales in the race for fourth and each having a game in hand, it is absolutely vital that Jurgen Klopp’s side claim all three points on Monday to keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
Watford have reached the 40-point mark that is generally good enough to ensure Premier League survival, so they effectively have nothing but pride to play for in the final games of the season.
Consequently, if the Reds cannot overcome a mid-table side whose intensity is unlikely be at its highest given their current position of comfort, then they probably don’t deserve to finish in the top four.
5. Man City to win and over 3.5 goals against Middlesbrough — 13/8
With stars such as Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus to choose from, Man City boast one of the best attacks in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s men currently sit fourth but with United just one point behind them, there is not much margin for error in the race for a Champions League spot.
With six points separating Middlesbrough and Hull in 17th, the former need a minor miracle to avoid relegation with four games to play.
And it’s likely to get worse before it gets better, as they host a City side under similar pressure this weekend.
All games kick-off at 3pm unless stated otherwise
Saturday
Southampton v Hull City
Stoke City v West Ham
Sunderland v Bournemouth
West Brom v Leicester City
Crystal Palace v Burnley (17.30)
Sunday
Man United v Swansea City (12.00)
Everton v Chelsea (14.05)
Middlesbrough v Man City (14.05)
Tottenham v Arsenal (16.30)
Monday
Watford v Liverpool (20.00)
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