That means that the remaining set of Premier League fixtures contains both games with lots riding on them and dead rubbers, so we have to be careful with our bets this week.
That said, you would like to think there is still money to be made….
Arsenal vs Sunderland (Tuesday, 7:45pm)
When Sunderland beat Hull the other week you wondered if they were going to play out in that age-old, cliched fashion: once the pressure of the relegation battle is off, that’s when they show their best football.
Well, that hypothesis was blown out of the water when they crashed to defeat against Swansea last time out – a side that simply wanted the three points more – and so we can’t really give the Black Cats any hope ahead of their trip to the capital.
The Gunners have come to life since the pressure of finishing in the top four diminished, and they have now won five of their last six; with the 4-1 thumping of Stoke last time out perhaps being the best performance of the lot.
Expect another heavy Arsenal victory here.
Recommended Bet
Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score – No (8/5 with Coral)
Manchester City vs West Brom (Tuesday, 8pm)
Victory here would secure fourth spot for Pep Guardiola’s side – an underwhelming outcome for the campaign still, but at least it offers some green shoots of recovery.
West Brom have won just one of their last ten outings, losing five of their last six to boot. They have now scored in just two of their last ten appearances, and you sense that these end of season outings have been something of a nuisance for the players. They could be on the beach right now!
The Baggies have conceded at least two goals in five of their last seven outings, and with the Citizens desperate to claim three points and sign off their home campaign in style, you would expect their vibrant attacking play to yield dividends here.
Recommended Bet
Manchester City to Win to Nil (10/11 with Paddy Power)
