Sports

Clint’s Premier League Preview

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Emirates Stadium

Arsenal almost confirmed their passage to the group stages of the Champions League with a spirited 2-2 draw away at Manchester City. Trailing to Sergio Aguero’s early goal, Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud hit-back with his first Premier League goal in 16 appearances and Alexis Sanchez earned the Gunners a point with a smashing goal from 15 yards.

In a backdrop of more fan protests, Aston Villa ended a run of 11 defeats with a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle United. Despite picking up a point it was another hugely uninspired performance from Villa, where they did not register a shot on target but were solid enough in defence against a team who were equally lacking inspiration in attack.

Prediction

Very simple equation here, Arsenal will easily defeat Villa and confirm their passage to the group stages of the Champions League.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Arsenal

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Alexis Sanchez

Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Old Trafford

An outclassed Manchester United blew their chances of Champions League qualification with a 3-2 defeat at West Ham United. United were played off the park in the opening 45 minutes and were lucky to only be a goal down at the break. Against the run of play, Anthony Martial clinically turned the game around and had United 2-1 ahead with only 18 minutes remaining. In a typically flawed season, United could not make that lead count as they conceded two late goals from set pieces.

Matt Ritchie’s goal eight minutes from time earned Bournemouth a share of the points at home to West Brom. The Cherries trailed to a goal from Salomon Rondon after he headed home following a poor clearance from keeper Artur Boruc. But Boruc made amends with a smart penalty save from Craig Gardner just before half-time. Eddie Howe’s side dominated with 69 percent of the possession but could not force their way through an organised West Brom side until Ritchie’s late goal.

Prediction

Bournemouth play attractive, passing football but lack the incisiveness against highly-disciplined defensive teams. United’s push for the top four is out of their hands due to their loss at West Ham but will edge this match and settle for the Europa League.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Anthony Martial

Southampton v Crystal Palace

Sunday May 15, 10pm, St Mary’s Stadium

A double from Steven Davis helped keep up Southampton’s chase for a Europa League spot after they triumphed 2-1 at Tottenham. The Saints fell behind early but equalised when Dusan Tadic superbly controlled a long ball and cut-back for Davis to slot home. In the second half, the Saints withstood waves of Tottenham pressure to take the lead when Davis accurately placed his shot from 18 yards, well out of the reach of Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris.

Crystal Palace finally secured their top-flight status by coming back from a goal down to beat Stoke. Trailing at half-time, winger Dwight Gayle staked a claim for a spot in Palace’s team for the FA Cup final with a match winning second-half double. His first came after finishing from Yannick Bolasie’s mazy run and then won it with a splendid 25-yard free-kick to guide Palace to just their second win in their past 20 league games.

Prediction

Southampton are finishing the season with a rush, losing just once in their last nine league matches. With Dusan Tadic, Shane Long and Sadio Mane the team offer variety and danger going forward.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Southampton

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Dusan Tadic

Chelsea v Leicester City

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Stamford Bridge

Eden Hazard was back to his best in his side’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Heavily involved, his incisive passing and direct dribbling gave Chelsea a dangerous attacking outlet. Hazard capped off a brilliant performance with a sublime solo goal. In a dour contest, he was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.

Champions Leicester comfortably beat a dispirited Everton 3-1 before being presented with the Premier League trophy during a day of jubilant celebrations. Jamie Vardy scored twice but missed out on a hat-trick by blazing a second penalty over the bar. Leicester’s longest serving player Andy King was also on the score-sheet with Kevin Mirallas netting Everton’s consolation.

Prediction

Former champions Chelsea’s welcomes new champions Leicester to Stamford Bridge. Look for an open encounter between two teams with little to strive for. Take Chelsea at home for $2.30.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Chelsea

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Eden Hazard

West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool

Sunday May 15, 10pm, The Hawthorns

West Brom’s winless run stretched to eights matches after conceding a late equaliser to draw 1-1 at Bournemouth. Salomon Rondon had given the Baggies a first-half lead but would rue missing a penalty, won by Gareth McAuley, just before half-time when Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc made a splendid save to deny Craig Gardner before Boruc tipped away the follow-up.

Christian Benteke’s injury-time header helped Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea. Trailing to Eden Hazard’s first-half goal, Benteke pounced after an error from Asmir Begovic to help extend Liverpool’s unbeaten home record to 12 matches. The Reds remain eighth and are within three points of sixth-placed West Ham.

Prediction

An experimental Liverpool side will be on show here as Jurgen Klopp’s best eleven will be rested for the Europa League final. Take a draw as West Brom are out of form but will show enough solidity against a Liverpool side who are already looking past this clash.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Christian Benteke

Swansea City v Manchester City

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Liberty Stadium

Swansea put in arguably their best performance of the season by putting four past a limp West Ham United. Wayne Routledge poked home Kyle Naughton’s low cross to give the Swans the lead. Andre Ayew doubled the lead from Stephen Kingsley’s cross, and Ki Sung-yueng put the result beyond doubt. Diafra Sakho netted a consolation before substitute Bafetimbi Gomis added Swansea’s fourth to inflict a third home defeat of the season on West Ham.

Manchester City missed the opportunity to confirm a top four finish Champions League after drawing 2-2 at home to Arsenal. In manager Manuel Pellegrini’s last home game in charge of City, Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne had twice given City the lead only for Arsenal to hit-back with goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez.

Prediction

Manchester City have the attacking strength to damage Swansea but they lack solidity in defence whenever their captain Vincent Kompany is down with injury. That could be exploited by an in-form Swansea who have bagged seven goals in their last two matches. Overall though, Manchester City will finish the season with a win and look for Sergio Aguero to continue his scoring hot streak, having already been on target in six consecutive Premier League games.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero

Everton v Norwich City

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Goodison Park

Everton manager Roberto Martinez appears to be heading through the exit door after his side put in another dire performance to go down 3-0 against Sunderland. The Toffees had more than 60 percent possession but displayed a lack of hunger against an opponent who demonstrated the required desire to succeed at Premier League level. It is the first time since November 2009 that Everton conceded three goals in consecutive league matches.

It was too little too late for Norwich as they were relegated to the Championship despite a thumping 4-2 victory over Watford at home. Sunderland’s triumph over Everton consigned the Canaries to the Championship, as they are now four points from safety with just one game remaining. A goal down early, Norwich responded through Nathan Redmond’s strike, Dieumerci Mbokani’s tap-in and a Craig Cathcart own goal before half-time before Mbokani added his second of the match in the second-half.

Prediction

Nothing to play for either side. Everton have conceded too much and have shown no resilience since the new year. Norwich finally put in a fine performance, yet it counted for nothing. Take the draw as both club’s look to banish their woeful seasons.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Romelu Lukaku

Watford v Sunderland

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Vicarage Road

Watford’s alarming slip in form continued as they were beaten 4-2 at relegated Norwich. Despite going in front through Troy Deeney, the Hornets were calamitous in defence with terrible errors gifting Norwich three first-half goals. Odion Ighalo ended a run of 12 league games without a goal when he slotted in Deeney’s cutback in the second half to reduce the deficit before the Hornets conceded once more.

Sunderland sealed their Premier League safety and relegated Norwich and local rivals Newcastle United with a comprehensive victory over an awful Everton. Lamine Kone struck twice from close range after Patrick van Aanholt scored with a 25-yard free-kick that was misjudged by keeper Joel Robles. The win capped an impressive great escape by Sam Allardyce’s side, who lost only two of their past 13 matches.

Prediction

Having performed exceptionally until February, Watford’s form has tailed off with two wins from their past 11 league games. While the pressure is off the Black Cats, having extended their stay in the top flight to a 10th season. With their Premier League status secured, they will finish the season off with another win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Sunderland

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Jermain Defoe

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday May 15, 10pm, St James’ Park

After Sunderland’s mid-week triumph, Newcastle United have been relegated following their lifeless 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa on the weekend. A dreadful first-half performance was barely livened up in the second-half as Rafa Benitez’s men showed a complete lack of initiative and urgency expected of a team hoping to survive.

Tottenham loosened their grip on second place in the league after a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Southampton. Spurs led when Son Heung-min chased a lost cause, skipped past Fraser Forster and kept his cool to finish into an open net. Leading 1-0 and having more than two-thirds possession, the lead evaporated thanks to Steven Davis’ double. Jan Vertonghen and Nacer Chadli went agonisingly close for Spurs but having challenged for the title for most of the season, Tottenham are now hanging on to second spot, two points ahead of local rivals Arsenal.

Prediction

Newcastle have little to play for while Tottenham have the attacking threats and rarely string poor performances together. Take Spurs at $1.85 to win and finish above Arsenal for the first time in more than two decades.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Tottenham Hotspur

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Harry Kane

Stoke City v West Ham United

Sunday May 15, 10pm, Britannia Stadium

Stoke City’s disappointing end to their season continued with a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace. The Potters took the lead when Giannelli Imbula and Marko Arnautovic combined to set-up Charlie Adam. Yet a dominant first-half made way for a poor second half, symptomatic of a team who guaranteed their safety weeks ago, as Crystal Palace winger Dwight Gayle took the game by the scruff of the neck with a brilliant double.

West Ham United marked their departure from the Boleyn Ground after 112 years with a thrilling 3-2 victory to just about extinguish Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League qualification. The Hammers dominated the first-half and led through Diafra Sakho’s goal. They contrived to throw it away when they went 2-1 down, yet roared back into the match with two towering headers in the space of four minutes from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid to give Slaven Bilic’s side a thoroughly deserved triumph.

Prediction

Stoke are winless in six matches, with five losses, and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League games. They already look like a team already on holiday. West Ham to win away is priced at $2.20.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Diafra Sakho

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