With just three weeks of the Premier League season remaining, there’s more to play for at the bottom than the top.
Manchester City are champions, and the identities of the top four looks decided – though Chelsea will still hope to close the five point gap on Tottenham.
However – there’s likely to be twists and turns at the bottom, as Southampton and Stoke hope to climb out of the relegation zone.
Our football betting expert has run through the best bets for this weekend.
Liverpool v Stoke
Stoke need to start winning, and fast.
The Potters sit four points from safety – though they’ve played one game more than their nearest challengers, meaning time is running out for Paul Lambert’s men to haul themselves out of trouble.
It doesn’t get any easier for them though, with a trip to Anfield to face Champions League semi-finalists Liverpool.
Stoke are 9/1 for the victory here with Grosvenorsport.com.
Liverpool come into this on the crest of a wave, after hammering Roma 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Mo Salah now has an incredible 43 goals for the season, and may want to open up his lead over Harry Kane at the top of the Golden Boot table.
However, I can see Jurgen Klopp resting a few for this one with the return leg in Italy on the horizon, as he did at West Brom last week.
That may open the chance of nicking something for Stoke – the draw is available at 5/1.
However, I still think the class of Liverpool will shine though, but with them valued at 1/3, it might be worth looking a bit further to win some sizeable returns.
Danny Ings opened the scoring at West Brom last week, and with him set to lead the line once again, I think he could find the net again.
Back him to be first goalscorer at 9/2.
Southampton v Bournemouth
Like Stoke, Southampton need to start winning fast too.
The Saints’ run in the FA Cup is now over, and Mark Hughes has to focus his team’s attentions on staying in the division – starting with a south coast derby against Bournemouth.
The Cherries are more than safe, and have been for a while. They sit in 11th – and are 7/2 to win here.
Eddie Howe’s men haven’t won in three, and might prove obliging opponents for a Saints side who are desperate for three points.
Southampton have won just three home matches all season, but with so much at stake, I think they will drag a result out of somewhere against their near neighbours.
I’m backing a valuable win at 4/.
Manchester United v Arsenal
So often a flagship Premier League match, this weekend’s fixture has a distinct end of season feel about it – though Arsene Wenger’s departure from the Gunners gives this one a little extra edge.
The Frenchman will return to Old Trafford for the final time as Arsenal boss – so often the scene for some epic battles with Sir Alex Ferguson, and the stage of some of his best wins (Wiltord’s winner clinching the league in 2002), and some of his worst defeats (8-2 in 2011).
Wenger will have one eye on Arsenal’s Europa League tie against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, but would dearly love to sign off at Old Trafford with a win. Arsenal are 7/1 to claim victory here.
Jose Mourinho has enjoyed some clashes of his own with Wenger, and there’s unlikely to be much mercy from the Portuguese.
Simply, United are better in almost every department than the Gunners – as proved by the 17 point gap between the sides.
Incredibly, Arsenal are yet to even pick up a point from five away matches in 2018, and I don’t think they’ll be able to live with United, who I suggest backing at 2/5.
After netting in the FA Cup semi final last week, the stage is set for a motivated Alexis Sanchez to pour more misery on his former club.
The Chilean will be bursting at the seams to score against a club where it all went sour quite quickly – and I like the 9/2 for him to net the first goal here.
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