All games kick-off Saturday at 3pm unless otherwise stated
Southampton v Everton 12:45pm
Everton are back to their best having laboured under the weight of the favourites tag in losing at home to Crystal Palace. They tore Manchester United asunder last weekend, with Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas [missing for the rest of the season after suffering a groin strain] all impressing. Arsenal do not play until Monday night so the Toffees will seek to claim fourth spot with an away win.
Southampton are in cruise control at present — well clear of the drop, and safe, but nowhere near a Europa League spot. Many of the Saints players may have eased off the throttle after witnessing the knee injury that looks to have ruled Jay Rodriguez out of a World Cup call-up. Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is also missing with injury.
Bet: Everton win 6/4
Fulham v Hull
The Cottagers are beginning to believe an unlikely escape could be possible. They marked abysmally to lose 3-1 to Tottenham last weekend but they have torpid Hull in their sights for a 3pm kick-off at Craven Cottage. Hugo Rodellaga has rediscovered his scoring touch and both Scott Parker and Kieran Richardson should be fit to start.
Hull were distinctly second best against Arsenal last weekend and Tigers boss Steve Bruce admitted his team need to shake off their current funk to secure the final, big result that will guarantee safety. With Cardiff and Sunderland playing each other, Bruce will know an away win should keep his team snug and in the Premier League next season. He is boosted by the return of Shane Long and Sone Aluko.
Bet: Draw 23/10
Stoke v Tottenham
Spurs were inspired by Christian Eriksen in their 3-1 win over Fulham and Stoke, for all their former set-piece glories, have struggled to defend corners and frees all season. Robert Huth is still out with injury, leaving a Robert Huth-sized gap in the Potters defence.
Spurs are all but assured of the dreaded Europa League spot but a win away to 10th place Stoke will be a tough ask. Paulinho seems to be back in the good books and Michael Dawson is fit again but Mousa Dembele is a doubt [ankle] and Erik Lamela remains a £30m missing in action man.
Bet: Stoke win 2/1
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Swansea v Aston Villa
Michu — the man once linked with Arsenal and Manchester United — looks set to miss the remaining games of the season with an ankle injury but Wilifired Bony is scoring important goals in his absence. Gary Monk has kept the Welsh club afloat after their squad was stretched to the limit with Europa League commitments.
A home win over struggling, listless Aston Villa should see them safe. It is hard to see where Villa’s next win is coming from. They are five games without a win and, with Christian Benteke out injured, very short on goals.
Bet: Draw 11/4
West Brom v West Ham
The bookies are calling this in West Brom’s favour with the Hammers unlikely to get caught in a late relegation scrap and finding goals, and points, hard to come by of late. The Baggies will be buoyed by their good, if fruitless, showing away to City and will see this as the game that should see them safe.
Morgan Amafitano and Stephane Sessegnon have woken up in recent weeks and chipped in with vital goals. The West Brom defence needs to hold firm as their attacking teammates should be able to deliver at least one goal.
Bet: West Brom win 19/20
Manchester United v Norwich, 5:30pm
Ryan Giggs takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in his incredible, 26-year association with the club. The Welshman shan’t have Robin van Persie of Rafael to choose from but Wayne Rooney will lead the line. Juan Mata and Michael Carrick are also certain to start but who plays alongside the trio will go a long way to seeing just what Giggs’ managerial philosophy is. Expect the likes of Welbeck and Januzaj to feature with Giggs holding himself in reserve.
The Class of '92 took training at Carrington on Friday morning.
The Class of '92 took training at Carrington on Friday morning.
Norwich boss Neil Adams followed the lead of old coach Chris Hughton by snubbing Wes Hoolahan’s talents in recent weeks. Robert Snodgrass remains the club’s biggest scoring threat while Leroy Fer and Gary Hooper have faded badly just as their team needs them.
Bet: United win 2/5
Sunderland v Cardiff, Sunday 12pm
Sunderland are believing in miracles after taking four points of Man City and Chelsea last week. Fabio Borini may yet get a permanent move to the Black Cats if he can continue to score the goals that will keep them up. As for Conor Wickham, the prodigal footballer has returned from exile in goal-scoring style.
Cardiff will ask for Craig Bellamy to lace up again while relying on Peter Whittingham’s set-pieces, David Marshall in goal and the Norwegian trinkets brought over by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer when he took the Bluebirds’ job.
Bet: Sunderland win 19/20
Liverpool v Chelsea, Sunday 2pm
The fitness of Daniel Sturridge is Liverpool’s big concern while Joe Allen will continue to deputise for the suspended Jordan Henderson. The real story of this game will be whether Jose Mourinho backs up his warning words from Tuesday and rests many of his star Chelsea players from a must-win league game.
John Terry, Petr Cech and Eden Hazard are all set to miss the game at Anfield while Ramires has been suspended for the rest of the Premier League season. Mourinho will need the likes of Mohammad Salah, Andrea Schurrle and Nemanja Matic to deliver in a big, unlikely way.
Bet: Liverpool win 8/11
Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Sunday 4:15pm
Palace have scored a horrendous 28 goals all season yet lie 11th in the league and well clear of the drop-zone. That is thanks in large part to players like Julian Speroni, Joel Ward, Scott Dann and a superb run of 1-0 wins. They beat Chelsea 1-0 at Selhurst Park earlier in the month and will fancy their chances against City.
Yaya Toure is out of Sunday’s game and David Silva [ankle] will also miss out. Edin Dzeko may survive the axe as he often revels in tough away fixtures. He is set to partner Sergio Aguero up front.
Bet: City win 4/9
Arsenal v Newcastle, Monday 8pm
Aaron Ramsey showed Gunners fans what they have been missing by inspiring his team to a handy away win over Hull last weekend, Mesut Ozil showed some signs of life while there were goals for Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud. All four should feature again.
Newcastle have faltered badly since losing Yohann Cabaye, in January, and Alan Pardew to a deserved stadium, then sideline ban. Pardew will be comforted by the news, then, that striker Loic looks set to return to the starting line-up.
Bet: Arsenal win 3/10
A bet of €10 on the matches above would see you claim a return of just over €16,025.
Premier League preview: How to fill out your weekend football accumulator
All games kick-off Saturday at 3pm unless otherwise stated
Southampton v Everton 12:45pm
Everton are back to their best having laboured under the weight of the favourites tag in losing at home to Crystal Palace. They tore Manchester United asunder last weekend, with Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas [missing for the rest of the season after suffering a groin strain] all impressing. Arsenal do not play until Monday night so the Toffees will seek to claim fourth spot with an away win.
Southampton are in cruise control at present — well clear of the drop, and safe, but nowhere near a Europa League spot. Many of the Saints players may have eased off the throttle after witnessing the knee injury that looks to have ruled Jay Rodriguez out of a World Cup call-up. Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is also missing with injury.
Bet: Everton win 6/4
Fulham v Hull
The Cottagers are beginning to believe an unlikely escape could be possible. They marked abysmally to lose 3-1 to Tottenham last weekend but they have torpid Hull in their sights for a 3pm kick-off at Craven Cottage. Hugo Rodellaga has rediscovered his scoring touch and both Scott Parker and Kieran Richardson should be fit to start.
Hull were distinctly second best against Arsenal last weekend and Tigers boss Steve Bruce admitted his team need to shake off their current funk to secure the final, big result that will guarantee safety. With Cardiff and Sunderland playing each other, Bruce will know an away win should keep his team snug and in the Premier League next season. He is boosted by the return of Shane Long and Sone Aluko.
Bet: Draw 23/10
Stoke v Tottenham
Spurs were inspired by Christian Eriksen in their 3-1 win over Fulham and Stoke, for all their former set-piece glories, have struggled to defend corners and frees all season. Robert Huth is still out with injury, leaving a Robert Huth-sized gap in the Potters defence.
Spurs are all but assured of the dreaded Europa League spot but a win away to 10th place Stoke will be a tough ask. Paulinho seems to be back in the good books and Michael Dawson is fit again but Mousa Dembele is a doubt [ankle] and Erik Lamela remains a £30m missing in action man.
Bet: Stoke win 2/1
Swansea v Aston Villa
Michu — the man once linked with Arsenal and Manchester United — looks set to miss the remaining games of the season with an ankle injury but Wilifired Bony is scoring important goals in his absence. Gary Monk has kept the Welsh club afloat after their squad was stretched to the limit with Europa League commitments.
A home win over struggling, listless Aston Villa should see them safe. It is hard to see where Villa’s next win is coming from. They are five games without a win and, with Christian Benteke out injured, very short on goals.
Bet: Draw 11/4
West Brom v West Ham
The bookies are calling this in West Brom’s favour with the Hammers unlikely to get caught in a late relegation scrap and finding goals, and points, hard to come by of late. The Baggies will be buoyed by their good, if fruitless, showing away to City and will see this as the game that should see them safe.
Morgan Amafitano and Stephane Sessegnon have woken up in recent weeks and chipped in with vital goals. The West Brom defence needs to hold firm as their attacking teammates should be able to deliver at least one goal.
Bet: West Brom win 19/20
Manchester United v Norwich, 5:30pm
Ryan Giggs takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in his incredible, 26-year association with the club. The Welshman shan’t have Robin van Persie of Rafael to choose from but Wayne Rooney will lead the line. Juan Mata and Michael Carrick are also certain to start but who plays alongside the trio will go a long way to seeing just what Giggs’ managerial philosophy is. Expect the likes of Welbeck and Januzaj to feature with Giggs holding himself in reserve.
Norwich boss Neil Adams followed the lead of old coach Chris Hughton by snubbing Wes Hoolahan’s talents in recent weeks. Robert Snodgrass remains the club’s biggest scoring threat while Leroy Fer and Gary Hooper have faded badly just as their team needs them.
Bet: United win 2/5
Sunderland v Cardiff, Sunday 12pm
Sunderland are believing in miracles after taking four points of Man City and Chelsea last week. Fabio Borini may yet get a permanent move to the Black Cats if he can continue to score the goals that will keep them up. As for Conor Wickham, the prodigal footballer has returned from exile in goal-scoring style.
Cardiff will ask for Craig Bellamy to lace up again while relying on Peter Whittingham’s set-pieces, David Marshall in goal and the Norwegian trinkets brought over by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer when he took the Bluebirds’ job.
Bet: Sunderland win 19/20
Liverpool v Chelsea, Sunday 2pm
The fitness of Daniel Sturridge is Liverpool’s big concern while Joe Allen will continue to deputise for the suspended Jordan Henderson. The real story of this game will be whether Jose Mourinho backs up his warning words from Tuesday and rests many of his star Chelsea players from a must-win league game.
John Terry, Petr Cech and Eden Hazard are all set to miss the game at Anfield while Ramires has been suspended for the rest of the Premier League season. Mourinho will need the likes of Mohammad Salah, Andrea Schurrle and Nemanja Matic to deliver in a big, unlikely way.
Bet: Liverpool win 8/11
Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Sunday 4:15pm
Palace have scored a horrendous 28 goals all season yet lie 11th in the league and well clear of the drop-zone. That is thanks in large part to players like Julian Speroni, Joel Ward, Scott Dann and a superb run of 1-0 wins. They beat Chelsea 1-0 at Selhurst Park earlier in the month and will fancy their chances against City.
Yaya Toure is out of Sunday’s game and David Silva [ankle] will also miss out. Edin Dzeko may survive the axe as he often revels in tough away fixtures. He is set to partner Sergio Aguero up front.
Bet: City win 4/9
Arsenal v Newcastle, Monday 8pm
Aaron Ramsey showed Gunners fans what they have been missing by inspiring his team to a handy away win over Hull last weekend, Mesut Ozil showed some signs of life while there were goals for Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud. All four should feature again.
Newcastle have faltered badly since losing Yohann Cabaye, in January, and Alan Pardew to a deserved stadium, then sideline ban. Pardew will be comforted by the news, then, that striker Loic looks set to return to the starting line-up.
Bet: Arsenal win 3/10
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