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Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

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Aston Villa v Chelsea

Saturday April 2, 7.45pm, Villa Park

In Remi Garde’s final match in charge of Aston Villa, his side put in another lacklustre performance by going down 1-0 to Swansea. Garde’s men failed to create any clear cut chances in a match which ensures relegation is almost inevitable after they lost their sixth successive league game.

Two goals from Cesc Fabregas helped Chelsea preserve their unbeaten Premier League run under Guus Hiddink as they drew 2-2 with West Ham United. At a goal down, Cesc Fabregas hit a superb free-kick three minutes into first half stoppage time. At 2-1 down, the Blues snagged a share of the points when Fabregas converted a penalty in the 89th minute after Michail Antonio brought down Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the penalty area.

Prediction

Garde only lasted 147 days in charge of Aston Villa where he presided over just two league wins. Chelsea, who last lost in the Premier League in Jose Mourinho’s final game on December 14, will have no trouble seeing off a doomed Villa.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Chelsea

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Oscar

West Ham United v Crystal Palace

Saturday April 2, 10pm, Boleyn Ground

Champions League chasing West Ham United had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Chelsea. On 17 minutes Manuel Lanzini put the Hammers ahead with a fine strike from outside the box but were hauled back when Cesc Fabregas hit a free kick on the stroke of halftime. Slaven Bilic’s men went 2-1 up when Andy Carroll latched onto Dimitri Payet’s pass. However, West Ham dropped two points when Fabregas converted an 89th minute penalty.

Crystal Palace’s alarming slide towards the relegation zone continued with a 1-0 loss at home to Leicester City. Palace failed to capitalise on a nervy Leicester on the day and they almost snatched a point late on when Damien Delaney volleyed against the crossbar in injury time.

Prediction

Palace last won a league game on December 19 and since then their attack has fallen apart. Against a versatile West Ham, who have not lost at home since August, Palace will struggle to get anything out of this encounter.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Enner Valencia

AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City

Saturday April 2, 10pm, Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth were thrashed 3-0 at Tottenham. The Cherries, who had won three successive league games before their trip to White Hart Lane, rarely threatened. Manager Eddie Howe admitted it was a terrible day for his side as they recorded no shots on target, only had 37 percent possession and could not contain Spurs hitman Harry Kane who scored a double.

Manchester City put in a poor display to go down 1-0 at home to city rival Manchester United. United played with a high amount of speed and energy which City could not counter. A calamitous defensive performance from Martin Demichelis and a rash of injuries marred a match which left City in a fight to maintain their place in the top four.

Prediction

City are in a battle to stay in the top four as their form is deserting them and injuries are starting to mount. However they still have the sublime Sergio Aguero and despite their troubles, Bournemouth’s expansive game plan will give City opportunities to strike. Crucially for City, Kevin de Bruyne and Samir Nasri are on the verge of fitness for this clash and they will add some sorely needed verve to a struggling City attack.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester City

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero

Norwich City v Newcastle United

Saturday April 2, 10pm, Carrow Road

Norwich moved out of the relegation zone as they beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 for their first victory since January 2, and their first clean sheet away from home all season. The Canaries scored their first goal away from Carrow Road since January 13, when on 50 minutes Matt Jarvis set-up Robbie Brady for the winner.

Newcastle scored an 83rd minute equaliser to ensure Rafa Benitez’s first home match in charge did not end in defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland. In a spirited comeback, Newcastle finally found the leveller in the 83rd minute as Mitrovic nodded home after Georginio Wijnaldum had stood up a cross to the back post. Despite the result, Newcastle remain in the relegation zone.

Prediction

A relegation six-pointer, 17th placed Norwich is two points clear of 18th placed Sunderland with Newcastle one point further back. Benitez has given Newcastle an added bit of organisation and structure but this will be an ugly basement battle. Two teams with poor attacks, so take a draw.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Ayoze Perez

Stoke City v Swansea City

Saturday April 2, 10pm, Britannia Stadium

Stoke City got back to winning ways with 2-1 win away to Watford. The Potters took the lead on 18 minutes when Jon Walters converted Phil Bardley’s cross and then extended their lead on 51 minutes when Joselu cleverly lobbed Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes from 25 yards. Watford pulled a goal back late on but Stoke held on for the three points needed to keep them in contention for a Europa League spot.

Federico Fernandez’s first Swansea goal eased his club’s relegation fears as they saw off Aston Villa 1-0. Fernandez had not scored in 57 appearances for the club but he fortuitously opened his account when Villa keeper Brad Guzan failed to collect Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free kick and the ball rolled into an empty net off Fernandez’s right shoulder.

Prediction

Swansea are just doing enough to limp to safety in the Premier League. The Swans have not been great travellers this season with a dour, safety first plan. Stoke are good for a home win at $2.11.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Stoke City

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Marko Arnautovic

Arsenal v Watford

Saturday April 2, 10pm, Emirates Stadium

Arsenal saw off Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park to end a run of three games without a win in the league. On seven minutes, Danny Welbeck latched onto Alexis Sanchez’s superb through-ball and rounded Everton keeper Joel Robles before slotting home. The Gunners doubled their advantage soon afterwards when Alex Iwobi, making his first Premier League start, broke free on the counter to score his first league goal.

Watford fell to 14th in the league after going down 2-1 at home to Stoke. In another troubling league performance from the Hornets, they struggled to create chances against a free-flowing Stoke with Troy Deeney’s close-range header late on a mere consolation.

Prediction

Watford’s season is in danger of petering out. The Hornets have lost their last three Premier League games and have only two wins from their last 13 matches. If Deeney and Odion Ighalo do not score, Watford are in trouble, such is their reliance on the pair. Arsenal will overcome Watford and gain a small measure of revenge for their loss to the Hornets in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Arsenal

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Danny Welbeck

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday April 2, 10pm, Stadium of Light

Sunderland would rue two dropped points in the Tyne-Wear derby after a 1-1 draw at Newcastle. The Black Cats took the lead one minute before half-time when a corner was worked deep to Fabio Borini, whose thumping drive was only palmed up into the air by goalkeeper Rob Elliot. The loose ball fell for Jermain Defoe, who made no mistake with the first-time volley. Unfortunately for Sunderland, Aleksandar Mitrovic struck late on to leave Sam Allardyce’s men in the relegation zone.

West Brom were poor in a 1-0 loss at home to relegation threatened Norwich. Norwich midfielder Robbie Brady grabbed the winner with the game’s only shot on target, to demonstrate how turgid the contest was. Norwich keeper John Ruddy had very little to do all match as the likes of West Brom forwards Stephane Sessegnon, Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon failed to click.

Prediction

With West Brom just about safe, their play will get more defensive. Sunderland are entering survival mode and will need to push for the win as a draw is a potentially damaging result. The Black Cats have only mustered six wins this but their January signings have given them a stronger spine. Sunderland are nicely priced at $2.02 for a vital win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Sunderland

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Jermain Defoe

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday April 3, 12.30am, Anfield

Liverpool blew a 2-0 lead to go down 3-2 away at Southampton. Jurgen Klopp’s men powered into a two-goal lead inside 22 minutes when Philippe Coutinho hit a 25 yard thunderbolt and then Daniel Sturridge calmly slotted a goal after being played in by Divock Origi. From there, the Reds capitulated despite Simon Mignolet saving a 49th minute penalty from Sadio Mane. A double from Mane and a strike from Graziano Pelle condemned Liverpool to their first loss in five league games.

Tottenham Hotspur reduced Leicester City’s lead at the top of the table back to five points with a convincing 3-0 win at home to Bournemouth. Spurs were in front after just 44 seconds through Harry Kane, sliding in to guide home a superb cross from Kyle Walker. Spurs made it 2-0 just fifteen minutes later when Kane finished off a fine pass from Dele Alli. And it was 3-0 seven minutes after the break when Kane’s long-range shot was parried by Artur Boruc, and Christian Eriksen was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Prediction

Kane is leading the Premier League goalscoring chart with 21 and his battle against Liverpool’s centre-halves will go a long way to deciding this contest. While Liverpool oscillate between the sublime and ridiculous. In a match-up between two teams who press quickly, Spurs will edge it and keep their title aspirations alive.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Tottenham Hotspur

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Harry Kane

Leicester City v Southampton

Sunday April 3, 8.30pm, King Power Stadium

Leicester City continued edging towards an unprecedented English title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Crystal Palace. Riyad Mahrez made the breakthrough on 34 minutes when he slotted home after Jamie Vardy’s determined run and cut back. It was not smooth sailing for Claudio Ranieri’s men as they held on in the face of continual Palace pressure for a fourth 1-0 win in their last five games.

Southampton produced a brilliant fightback to beat Liverpool 3-2 after coming back from two goals down midway through the first half. The match altered completely after the break, first Sadio Mane had his 49th minute spot kick saved by Simon Mignolet before Mane did get his goal in the 64th minute. Southampton levelled in the 84th minute when Graziano Pelle hit a 25 yard curler and just two minutes later Mane timed his run behind Liverpool’s defence to race through on goal and win the match.

Prediction

Leicester’s much hailed attack may have taken the headlines but Ranieri’s men have had to defend grimly over the last month. Southampton’s form has taken another upswing due to the improved form of key players Pelle and Mane. A draw is worth a look as the title race takes another twist.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw

Under 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Jamie Vardy

Manchester United v Everton

Sunday April 3, 11pm, Old Trafford

Manchester United’s young star Marcus Rashford grabbed the winner as United won the Manchester derby over City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. United took the lead in the 16th minute through a brilliant piece of skill from Rashford. After being played in by Juan Mata, Rashford left Martin Demichelis on the deck with a neat turn before coolly slotting past City keeper Joe Hart.

Everton were roundly beaten 2-0 at home to Arsenal to continue their poor league form at home. The Toffees best chance came when Seamus Coleman hit the woodwork shortly after kick-off, but by halftime, they were two goals down. Despite being a free-flowing team, Roberto Martinez’s men failed to test their opponents properly and had just two shots on target as their dreadful home form, four defeats in five in the league, continued.

Prediction

In an unusual season, Everton have only lost once away from home while having an atrocious defensive record. United have shown they can take the initiative in matches when they increase their tempo and stretch teams. United to take the points over an inconsistent Everton.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester United

Over 2.5 Goals

Anytime Goalscorer – Anthony Martial

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