Sports

Clint’s Premier League Preview

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Norwich City v Manchester United

Saturday May 7, 7.45pm, Carrow Road

Norwich City have been pushed to the brink of relegation after a 1-0 loss away at Arsenal. The Canaries battled well and caused the Gunners problems on the counter with Nathan Redmond having his side’s two best chances. But for all their endeavour Norwich still left empty-handed, and with their relegation rivals picking up points, their hopes of survival appear slim. The Canaries are second from bottom and two points behind Newcastle who are in 17th.

Manchester United evenly matched new league champions Leicester City with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. A fast start was well rewarded when in the eighth minute Anthony Martial swooped in at the back post to finish Antonio Valencia’s cross. Leicester captain Wes Morgan headed in a gutsy equaliser less than 10 minutes later from Danny Drinkwater’s free-kick. The point meant United lost ground in their chase for fourth position.

Prediction

Two points from safety with three games left, Norwich are out of form and running out of time. The problem with the squad is the lack of defensive resilience, they have kept the equal fewest amount of clean sheets in the Premier League this season with five. While United do not boast a lethal attack, they are difficult to break down and will come away with the points.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester United

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Anthony Martial

Sunderland v Chelsea

Saturday May 7, 10pm, Stadium of Light

Jermain Defoe’s stoppage-time penalty rescued a dramatic point for Sunderland at Stoke. In a frustrating afternoon Sunderland trailed to Marko Arnautovic’s second-half goal. Despite struggling to create chances, Defoe won and converted a 93rd minute penalty to keep alive his side’s hopes of avoiding relegation.

In a spiteful encounter Chelsea came back from two goals down to deny London rivals Tottenham a chance to keep their title challenge alive for another week. Chelsea were 2-0 down at the break but the half-time substitution of Eden Hazard turned the game their way. Awful all season, Hazard turned in an incisive display and capped it off with a beautiful equaliser in the 83rd minute.

Prediction

Sunderland have been committed and resolute in defence but much will rest on the shoulders of Jermain Defoe to push the side forward against Chelsea’s vulnerable defence.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Diego Costa

Aston Villa v Newcastle United

Saturday May 7, 10pm, Villa Park

Already relegated Aston Villa were denied what would have been only their fourth league win of the season when they blew a 2-1 lead heading into stoppage time to go down 3-2 at Watford. Ciaran Clark nodded home Villa’s opener from Ashley Westwood’s corner and Jordan Ayew’s low drive restored Villa’s lead. Aly Cissokho was then sent off with 17 minutes to play before Watford striker Troy Deeney struck twice to condemn Villa to their 11th consecutive loss in the league.

Newcastle moved out of the relegation zone as Andros Townsend’s superb free-kick and Karl Darlow’s penalty save helped the Magpies to a vital 1-0 win as their relegation battle looks to go down to the wire. A poor first-half from the Magpies livened up when Townsend gave Newcastle a 58th minute lead with a smashing 20-yard free-kick. Darlow then became another hero saving Yohan Cabaye’s 70th minute penalty.

Prediction

Unbeaten in four matches, this is a defining match for Newcastle. Their away form has been poor all season and they have to be committed to playing with a high tempo and forcing a lot of pressure on Aston Villa’s slow defence.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Newcastle United

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Papiss Cisse

Crystal Palace v Stoke City

Saturday May 7, 10pm, Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace were tepid and lacked inspiration in going down 1-0 at Newcastle United. Despite easily containing their opponents in the first half, Palace conspired to lose it all in the second half. Alan Pardew’s side conceded a free-kick 20-yards from goal which was superbly struck by Andros Townsend and then Yohan Cabaye’s poor 70th minute penalty was saved. The loss meant they have not won an away game in the league since last December.

Stoke maintained their safe mid-table position despite dropping two points with a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland. Marko Arnautovic gave the Potters the lead, firing home after Peter Crouch’s knockdown. Stoke were comfortable in protecting their lead, yet in stoppage time Geoff Cameron fouled Jermain Defoe in the penalty box and he converted the resulting penalty.

Prediction

Stoke have now gone eight matches without keeping a clean sheet while Crystal Palace are winless in four and continue to regress. In spite of their woeful 2016, look for Palace to get over the top of an equally out of sorts Stoke. Palace to win are paying $2.06.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Crystal Palace

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Connor Wickham

West Ham United v Swansea City

Saturday May 7, 10pm, Boleyn Ground

Mark Noble scored twice as West Ham eased past West Brom 3-0. After a slow start against, Slaven Bilic’s side began to stretch the Baggies and took the lead through Cheikhou Kouyate’s header. Kouyate turned provider when he set up Mark Noble, whose scuffed effort made it 2-0 before the break. Noble grabbed a second, and his fourth goal in two games, when he volleyed home from Andy Carroll’s floated cross. The Hammers are unbeaten in 10 league matches and have now reached their highest ever points haul in the Premier League with 59.

Swansea City humbled Liverpool 3-1 to confirm their Premier League survival. Andre Ayew’s header and a brilliant Jack Cork goal put the hosts in charge after a splendid first-half display. Christian Benteke pulled a goal back for Liverpool, but Ayew’s second goal sealed a fine victory. Swansea scored three goals for the first time in the league this season and the result moved them up to 13th in the table.

Prediction

Goals are possible from a variety of players in a free scoring West Ham squad. Ominously, the Hammers are converting draws to wins and they will see of Swansea at home.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Dimitri Payet

AFC Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday May 7, 10pm, Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth crashed to a third consecutive league defeat going down 2-1 at Everton. Eddie Howe’s men fell behind early, grabbed a swift equaliser through Marc Pugh and despite carving out the better openings for another goal it never eventuated. Instead, Everton exposed Bournemouth’s frailties at the back with a second goal just after the hour.

Already safe West Brom were seen off 3-0 at home by West Ham United. The hosts started brightly and pushed West Ham back into their defensive third, yet the game pivoted on Cheikhou Kouyate’s goal on 34 minutes. That goal sapped all of the confidence from the Baggies and they did not recover, barely being a threat in attack in the second half. The result leaves Tony Pulis’ side without a win in seven games.

Prediction

Despite playing attractive, positive football all season long, the issue Howe’s side has is their ability to consistently leak goals. The Cherries have conceded 63 goals this season. West Brom are in the midst of an insipid run and are barely playing out the season. Take Bournemouth for a home win which is priced at $1.87.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Bournemouth

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Callum Wilson

Leicester City v Everton

Sunday May 8, 12.30am, King Power Stadium

It happened. Leicester City are English Premier League champions. The Foxes astonishing achievement occurred when they drew 1-1 away at Manchester United and their nearest rivals Tottenham drew 2-2 at Chelsea meaning Claudio Ranieri’s men are seven points up with two matches to go. While there are many superlatives about the squad and their once in a lifetime triumph, it is their consistency, team ethic, cumulative skill and an unbreakable spirit that kept them top of the league for nearly two-thirds of the season and they never wilted in the face of any challenger.

Everton defender Leighton Baines was the match winner against Bournemouth as his second-half goal ended his side’s poor recent run and slightly eased the pressure on manager Roberto Martinez. The Toffees had taken a seventh minute lead when Tom Cleverley drove in a low shot to complete a neat passing move. Yet the worst of Everton came to the fore two minutes later when Marc Pugh equalised for Bournemouth. But it was Baines to the rescue as his goal helped Everton seal a first league win in nine matches.

Prediction

King Power Stadium is going to have one almighty party as Leicester’s fans celebrate their first top-flight title and the first first-time winners of the English top-flight since Nottingham Forest in 1978. The discontent around Everton is not subsiding. Look for Leicester to win at home.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Leicester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Riyad Mahrez

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton

Sunday May 8, 8.30pm, White Hart Lane

Tottenham’s hopes of the title vanished after squandering a two-goal lead to draw with Chelsea. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min put Spurs into the ascendancy but they froze up after half-time when Gary Cahill lashed in from a corner before Eden Hazard equalised with a curling shot seven minutes from time. It was a bad-tempered display all round as Spurs were shown nine yellow cards, which is the most by a single team in a match in Premier League history.

A brilliant Sadio Mane hat-trick propelled Southampton to a superb 4-2 victory over Manchester City. Shane Long kept up his fine form by opening the scoring for the Saints before Mane’s treble had his side cruising at 4-1 up with less than 20 minutes to go. Southampton had nine shots on target in the first half and relentlessly pushed City onto the backfoot all match. The victory ensured that Southampton’s chase for a Europa League spot is still on.

Prediction

Spurs’ hopes of claiming a first top-flight title since 1961 vanished for another season, while bitter north London rival Arsenal are just three points behind them in third. How they recover from such a mental blow will be the narrative that runs through the match. But after their bad-tempered performance at Chelsea, they can be rocked. Look for Southampton to cause an upset at $3.90.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Southampton

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Shane Long

Manchester City v Arsenal

Sunday May 8, 11pm, Etihad Stadium

Manchester City’s top four hopes remain in the balance as they were outclassed 4-2 by a dominant Southampton. City could not match Southampton’s swift counterattacking and desire to move the ball quickly. The only bright spot was Kelechi Iheanacho’s well-taken double which has again proved that he has a strong future for City.

With the sounds of dissenting supporters calling for his resignation, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger oversaw his side’s 1-0 triumph over Norwich City. After a tepid opening half in which the Gunners recorded no shots on target, it was Danny Welbeck who opened the scoring with a sweet half-volley after Olivier Giroud’s knockdown. The result kept the Gunners firmly placed in the top four.

Prediction

A crucial battle for third and an automatic place in next season’s Champions League. Arsenal have kept three straight clean sheets but are troubled with strikers who have gone cold. Manchester City will look to win the battle in midfield and could overload the middle of the park with defensive help. City are keenly priced at $2.27 to topple Arsenal.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero

Liverpool v Watford

Sunday May 8, 11pm, Anfield

A much changed Liverpool side were outplayed 3-1 by Swansea City. With an eye on the Europa League semi-final second leg, manager Jurgen Klopp played his youngsters and it backfired as they were humbled by a vibrant Swansea side who raced into a 2-0 half-time lead. Christian Benteke gave Liverpool a bit of hope with a 65th minute goal but that was quickly snuffed out by Andrew Ayew’s second goal. Brad Smith also saw red late on for Liverpool, whose hopes of Champions League qualification now rest on winning the Europa League.

Troy Deeney struck twice in stoppage time to mathematically seal Watford’s safety in the Premier League. Almen Abdi equalised for Watford with a curled free-kick just before half-time. Heading into the 90th minute at 2-1 down, Deeney rose to head home Steven Berghuis’s cross, before adding a second when he pounced on a loose ball in the box.

Prediction

Watford have won twice in nine matches and on the balance of play they struggled to match Villa. With Liverpool having close to their best 11 available after their Europa League clash, take them for a home win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Liverpool

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Daniel Sturridge

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