Chelsea’s grip on this season’s Premier League title was strengthened with their 2-1 win over Manchester City in midweek. Grosvenor Sportsbook now rate Antonio Conte’s side as 1/15 favourites – the shortest price they’ve been all campaign.
Tottenham v Watford | Saturday 8 April 12:30
Tottenham’s incredible late fightback at Swansea means Mauricio Pochettino’s men remain the Blues nearest challenges but, with a ten-point deficit to make up, even odds of 10/1 seem less than generous. The value might have gone when it comes to the outright top flight market, but that’s not to say there aren’t some terrific bets to be had this weekend, with the Premier League throwing up some intriguing fixtures as it embarks on its home stretch.
Not All Plain Sailing For Favourites
The top four clubs in the Premier League all play on Saturday, with Chelsea (5/9 away at Bournemouth), Tottenham (27/100 at home to Watford), Liverpool (22/25 at Stoke) and Manchester City (9/50 hosting Hull) all odds-on to win. Backing the four-timer for a tenner would return you a £33.80 profit should they all win, but Liverpool look to be the weak link of the quartet.
Stoke v Liverpool | Saturday 8 April 15:00
Jurgen Klopp’s team’s draw with Bournemouth at Anfield on Wednesday was the latest failure by the Merseysiders to beat a low-to-middle ranking team. In fact, they’ve now won only three of eight matches against sides currently placed between 11th and 15th in the top division this term – and yep, you guessed it, Stoke come in to that category. Mark Hughes’ side are 16/5 to beat Liverpool, which isn’t the worst bet, but a better punt might be the 49/50 on offer for the Potters +0.5 on the handicap.
Manchester City v Hull | Saturday 8 April 15:00
The other vulnerable jolly on the handicap are Manchester City. Since Marco Silva was appointed as Hull manager, only Chelsea, Spurs and Everton have managed more points in the Premier League, and the Tigers recent run of three wins in their last four might just boost confidence enough to stay within two goals of their hosts – Hull are 4/7 with 2.5 goal start. And given City haven’t kept a clean sheet in four matches, both teams to score ‘yes’, at 10/11, also seems a fair bet.
Middlesbrough v Burnley | Saturday 8 April 15:00
Middlesbrough are obviously a side not to trust on a weekly basis and are likely to be playing Championship football next term (they are 1/20 to be relegated). However, they can give their supporters a much-needed lift by beating Burnley at the Riverside. The Teessiders have beaten all the other bottom four sides either home or away in the league this campaign, and, at 29/20, are a fair price to defeat Sean Dyche’s men, who remain the only team yet to win away in the Premier League this term. It’s interesting that while Boro have scored the fewest goals (22) and had the fewest overall shots (273) in the league this season, Burnley have allowed their opponents to take more shots (560) than any other team in the top division.
Scorers Set For Sunday Special
Punters tackling Sunday’s Premier League doubleheader should be mindful of Manchester United and Leicester City’s involvement in European competitions the following week. Both could be forgiven for concentrating on their continental ambitions as they face Sunderland and Everton away respectively, with team selection tricky for bettors to predict.
Sunderland v Manchester United | Sunday 9 April 13:30
United are first up at the Stadium of Light, but with their hopes of a top four finish (15/4) fading after three draws in their last four top-flight games, can Jose Mourinho’s men really be trusted to win at just 7/20. Sunderland, 19/2 chances (the biggest price home team in the Premier League this weekend), haven’t won in front of their own fans in any competition since December, but have taken points off Liverpool and Tottenham on Wearside.
David Moyes’ side are 10 points from safety and 1/50 to go down and, as they’re yet to play both Chelsea and Arsenal away, it seems almost certain that the Black Cats’ luck is about to run out. Still, they are unbeaten in three at home against United and rather than predicting a winner it might pay to punt a tried and trusted goal scorer.
With United’s home game against Anderlecht upcoming, it’s fair to say only Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a certain starter for the visitors. The Swede’s record of scoring in seven of United’s last eight away league games suggests even odds of 77/100 to score at any time is more than acceptable.
Everton v Leicester City | Sunday 9 April 16:00
Leicester kick-off at Goodison Park shortly after the Sunderland-United game has finished, with their trip to Atletico Madrid sure to be on their minds. The Foxes have won only one of their previous eight matches prior to a European fixture this season – and none when they’ve had to travel to the continent.
Everton are 18/25 to win, with Leicester 41/10 and the draw available at 14/5. Ronald Koeman’s side have won their last six top flight home matches, scoring 22 goals and keeping five clean sheets. They haven’t won seven in a row since April 2014, but will fancy their chances of a first league double over Leicester since 1986/87.
Craig Shakespeare is looking to equal the Premier League record for consecutive wins from the start of his managerial career. Both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti won six on the spin – a number Shakespeare hopes to match on Merseyside. Again, though, it’s a goal scorer we’re looking to for a profit. Romelu Lukaku has hit 10 goals in his last six league games at Goodison Park and at 47/20 to score first and 39/50 to net at any time, the Belgian will be carrying my cash this weekend.
Grosvenor Price Boosts
SATURDAY: TOTTENHAM VS WATFORD (12:30pm)
Dele Alli to score first, was 39/10, now 9/2
Dele Alli to score anytime, was 13/11, now 7/5
Troy Deeney to score first, was 10/1, now 12/1
Troy Deeney t0o score anytime, was 7/2, now 4/1
SATURDAY: BOURNEMOUTH VS CHELSEA (5:30pm)
Eden Hazard to score first, was 9/2, now 5/1
Eden Hazard to score anytime, was 28/17, now 7/4
Joshua King to score first, was 8/1, now 9/1
Joshua King to score anytime, was 31/10, now 7/2
SUNDAY: EVERTON VS LEICESTER (4pm)
Romelu Lukaku to score first, was 40/17, now 3/1
Jamie Vardy to score first, was 13/2, now 17/2
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