The Premier League is back this weekend with a full set of fixtures across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
This weekend sees the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, and as such, the usual 12.30pm kick off game shown live has been moved to 3pm to accommodate this.
UK citizens also have an additional bank holiday this weekend, which is why we have three games played one after the other from 3pm on Monday.
There are plenty of absolutely critical games this weekend too with Manchester City facing Leeds United in a must-win game for both teams and with Sam Allardyce now installed as the new manager at Elland Road.
Newcastle take on Arsenal in a clash between two of the top four and it is a game which Arsenal must win in order to keep the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table. However, Newcastle have been superb at home this season so this should be a cracking game on Sunday afternoon.
Then on Monday the focus moves to the bottom of the table as Fulham face Leicester, followed by Brighton hosting Everton and then Nottingham Forest facing Southampton in a game featuring the bottom four teams in the table, all of whom badly need a win.
Remember bet365 Sport is offering excellent betting on all Premier League games every weekend of the season and also In Play betting on all matches when in progress.
Let’s now take a look ahead to the games this weekend and give you our preview and tips for each.
This weekend sees a trio of games on Monday as it is an extra bank holiday in the UK for King Charles III coronation. All kick off times are 3pm unless otherwise stated.
I find it staggering that Chelsea are still the 11/10 favourites to win this game. They are without a win in nine, have lost all their last six games and are facing a team that has won four of its last five games in the Premier League and who now have the same number of points (39) as Chelsea. I believe Bournemouth are already safe but will make that discussion a formality by picking up the points here.
Tip – Bournemouth to win – 12/5
Manchester City’s run of wins continued in midweek with a 3-0 win over West Ham which moved them back top of the table and with a game in hand on Arsenal, the Citizens are poised to land another Premier League title. Leeds struggles under Javi Gracia saw the Spaniard sacked this week and Sam Allardyce appointed in what is the biggest move of desperation I can recall in the Premier League. Big Sam will get a £1m if he keeps Leeds up. If he can beat Man City here, then I think the Leeds board should quadruple that alone.
Tip – Bet365 Bet Boost – Man City to win by 3 or more goals, Haaland to score anytime, Grealish over 0.5 assists – 7/2.
Tottenham have struggled to pick up results recently and have slid down the table despite more encouraging performances under Ryan Mason. A draw with Man Utd, followed by a narrow defeat at Liverpool, in both games seeing Spurs come back from deficits, is a positive but showcases their defensive issues too. Palace have been flying under Roy Hodgson and I think they will be confident of taking something from this short trip across London.
Tip – Draw – 14/5
Wolves will want to get back to winning ways after their 6-0 demolition by Brighton last weekend and they have a Midlands derby to do it in against Aston Villa, who have lost just one of their last seven games in the Premier League. That form has propelled the Villains up to fourth and with Wolves in 14th and on 37 points, both sides will want three points here, although I feel it may be the visitors that get it.
Tip – Aston Villa to win – 6/4
Brentford come into this game secure in 9th and having been unbeaten in their last three games. They also beat Liverpool 3-1 back in January in an outstanding performance. However, Liverpool are on their best run of the season, winning all their last five games and the Reds still have a fantastic home record in the Premier League. This is going to be another tricky one, but I am backing the home side to land the win.
Tip – Liverpool to win and both teams to score – 7/4
Arguably the biggest game of the weekend takes place at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Arsenal in a game both sides will be desperate to win. Anything less than 3 points for Arsenal will likely end their title hopes, but Newcastle also need to keep winning as they seek to confirm Champions League football next season. I am expecting a great game here with goals at both ends, but I have the feeling neither side will be overly happy as I see this one ending in a draw.
Tip – Draw – 11/4
Games between West Ham and Manchester United can be tricky to predict and this game on Sunday evening could well be one of them. Both sides come into this game in contrasting form, the visitors in solid form, while the home side has lost its last two games and remains in the relegation battle, albeit four points from the drop zone. Both teams have needs here but Man Utd’s away form does worry me, hence I am going for a more open-ended bet here.
Tip – Michail Antonio to score at any time – 10/3
Can Leicester pick up more than the point they managed at home to Everton on Monday night? The Foxes produced a bitty performance against the Toffees, looking good in some parts but then looking very weak defensively against infrequent Everton attacks. Fulham have little to play for here but they won’t make it easy for Leicester and as such, I am going for this one to end all-square.
Tip – Draw and both teams to score – 10/3
Can he Seagulls continue their impressive Premier League form? A 6-0 win over Wolves last weekend was not the result many expected and certainly not one Everton fans wanted to hear. Brighton could even be stronger in this game with a number of first teamers rested for the game against Man United in midweek. That may help Everton a bit here, but I can’t see it being decisive.
Tip – Brighton to win 3-0 – 9/1
It is the last chance saloon for Southampton now. The Saints have four games left to claw back a seven point gap and a defeat here could ensure that they do indeed go down next season. It is also a dire situation for Nottingham Forest who sit 18th and who desperately need points themselves to pull away from the teams at the bottom. You can bet this will be a nervy game at the City Ground, but I am backing Forest’s fine home support to cheer their team to the win.
Tip – Nottingham Forest to win – 11/10
*All odds shown were from bet365 Sport and were correct at the time of writing but may have changed in the meantime.
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