Premier League betting is hotting up.
The first major casualty was confirmed last weekend when Sunderland dropped out after a decade in the top flight, and more key ups and downs will move a step closer to being decided with this set of football games.
WEEK 36 SATURDAY:
West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur
The chance for West Ham to end Tottenham’s title hopes will appeal to the Hammers. They won’t forget their last-gasp collapse at White Hart Lane earlier in the season when they somehow lost grasp of a 2-1 lead to emerge as 3-2 losers.
The chance for Spurs to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to just a point – for a few hours at least – will appeal immensely to them as well.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side is gathering belief and momentum and will want to crank up the pressure after their superb North London derby success.
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
As April proved, Palace love nothing more than a scalp and will relish taking on City.
It’s hard to imagine Pep Guardiola’s side not securing a top-four berth but they are seriously underachieving.
Guardiola will finish this season empty-handed which is inexcusable for a club which has so splashed the cash.
Bournemouth vs Stoke City
That the Cherries have survived another season in the Premier League, despite seriously limited resources (compared to most top-flight clubs) and a ground capacity of under 12,000, speaks volumes.
The managerial excellence of Eddie Howe may have largely gone under the radar, but Bournemouth know how valued he is.
Whether they finish ahead or behind Stoke in the final reckoning remains to be seen; the return of Jack Butland is a big boost to the Potters.
Burnley vs West Bromwich Albion
For Eddie Howe, read Sean Dyche. For what he has achieved at Burnley is no less of a feat.
The Clarets’ first away win of the season last weekend has all but guaranteed their survival.
Despite their season petering out, West Brom and Tony Pulis also deserve credit as they aim to consolidate the eighth spot – effectively the ‘best of the rest’.
Hull City vs Sunderland
Hull’s record on Humberside under Marco Silva has been impressive, and they remain hungry.
They will certainly relish taking on newly relegated Sunderland as they aim to stay ahead of the bottom three.
Eldin Jakupovic’s last-minute penalty save at Southampton last weekend surely boosted morale.
Leicester City vs Watford FC
The back-to-basics approach of Craig Shakespeare revitalised Leicester over the past two months.
As they enjoy their final few weeks as reigning champions, their March and April form saw them perform as such.
Both clubs are on 40 points – seen as the survival safety-net – going into this one.
WEEK 36 SUNDAY:
Swansea City v Everton
If Hull have won earlier in the day, all the pressure will be on Swansea.
If they haven’t, Paul Clement’s side may feel invigorated.
Either way, they need to build on a draw at Old Trafford with victory in their penultimate home match of the campaign against an Everton side missing some key personnel.
Liverpool vs Southampton
Liverpool have not scored against the Saints in three meetings this season.
That is a statistic they need to put right if they are to continue their bid for a top-four finish.
Will the Saints turn up and turn on the style again at Anfield or be too relaxed and in a holiday mood?
WEEK 36 TUESDAY:
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough
The position is simple.
If Hull have avoided defeat two days earlier, Boro will be relegated if they lose.
The relegation-threatened club deserved more than the 2-2 draw they mustered at home to Man City, but surely champions-elect Chelsea will be a different proposition?
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