Despite the fact Leicester have completed their miracle of winning the Premier League title, there is still much to play for, at both the top and bottom of table.
The early kick-off sees Norwich City welcome Manchester United to Carrow Road, in what must go down as a must-win match for both teams. Norwich currently sit in the relegation zone, 2 points behind 17th place Newcastle United and cannot afford to drop any more points, if they want to be in control of their own destiny on the final weekend of the season. However, Norwich have lost their last 3 games and failed to find the back of the net in any of them. Furthermore, Norwich have won just once in their last 8 home matches. Manchester United on the other hand, need to win in order to stand any chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Louis van Gaal’s team are unbeaten in their last 5 games in all competitions, conceding just 3 goals in the process. You can get 21/10 with 888Sport for Manchester United to win to nil. The 1-0 win for the Red Devils is also available at 7/1 with Bet365.
Sunderland, who also find themselves in the relegation zone, welcome Chelsea to the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Sam Allardyce’s team picked up a late point at Stoke last week and have tasted defeat just once in their last 9 Premier League games. However, there has only been 1 win during those 9 games and that came at Norwich. Chelsea are still trying to find some sort of consistency this season and they have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 Premier League games. With nothing to play for, it’s difficult to predict how Chelsea will play, especially after the effort they put in on Monday night. Sunderland will see this as an opportunity to pick up a crucial 3 points and are 15/8 with Ladbrokes to win the game. That being said, a draw is probably more likely and this result, with both teams to score, is on offer at 7/2 with BetVictor.
Newcastle, who find themselves just above the drop zone, make the trip to already relegated Aston Villa. There have been signs Rafa Benitez has turned things around at Newcastle and they have won 2 and drawn 2 of their last 4 league games. The draw at Liverpool in their last away match, was their first point on the road since mid-December and Benitez will be looking to build on that. Aston Villa have lost their last 11 league games, including the last 6 at home and things show no sign of improving. This must be classed as a huge chance for Newcastle to pick up 3 points and the Magpies are 13/20 with William Hill to do just that. Villa have started to score a few more goals of late, with Newcastle struggling to keep them out away from home and Newcastle to win, with both teams to score, is 13/5 with Coral.
On Sunday, Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad, in the battle of the under-achiever’s this season. Arsenal should be guaranteed Champions League football next season, whatever the outcome but Manchester City need to win, in order to maintain a cushion over Manchester United. City under performed in mid-week against Real Madrid and they cannot produce a repeat showing against Arsenal, who are undefeated in the last 5 games against City, including a 2-0 win at the Etihad last season. City have lost their last 2 games and Arsenal can be backed at 2/1 to make that 3 in a row. This is a game which tends to feature goals and Arsenal to win, with over 2.5 goals in the match, is 7/2 with PaddyPower.
It’s going to get very nervous down at the bottom of the Premier League this weekend, can any of the three relegation threatened teams, take a giant stride towards safety?
