The Premier League rattles on apace with Club World Cup champions Chelsea sure to be full of confidence upon their return from Saudi Arabia. However, they are a hefty 16 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and are also fighting to keep pace with Liverpool above them. Below, sit Manchester United, Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Arsenal – five sides going toe to toe for European football next term. At the bottom of the table, Newcastle are the latest sides to show signs of a revival but for the likes of Burnley and Watford the writing appears to be on the wall already.
Here are our picks for the next round of fixtures in the Premier League:
Premier League Week 26 Picks
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West Ham vs Newcastle United – London Olympic Stadium
West Ham United ($1.75)
Newcastle United ($5.3)
Draw ($4)
Two sides operating at opposite ends of the table face off as West Ham United host Newcastle. The Hammers are very much in the mix for a top 4 finish again this season and David Moyes’s men are being rightfully lauded for their performances. They welcome a Newcastle side that have picked up three wins from their last three games and have climbed out of the drop zone as a result. Toon look a side reborn under Eddie Howe and whilst they will pose West Ham plenty of problems here, the Hammers should just about pick up all three points.
Betting tip: West Ham United to win the match ($1.75)
West Ham United to win 2-1
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Arsenal vs Brentford – Emirates Stadium
Arsenal ($1.48)
Brentford ($8.8)
Draw ($4.6)
Arsenal will be looking to press on with their top 4 agenda as they welcome London rivals Brentford to the Emirates. The Gunners have seen results and performances pick up steadily as the season has progressed and they will firmly believe they have a solid chance of European football next term. Survival remains top of the agenda for Brentford this season and whilst points and performances have stagnated a little, they have their fate in their own hands. This should be a very good game and the Bees will put up a good fight, but Arsenal should ultimately reign supreme.
Betting tip: Arsenal to win the match ($1.48)
Arsenal to win 3-1
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Aston Villa vs Watford – Villa Park
Aston Villa ($1.65)
Watford ($6)
Draw ($4.2)
Aston Villa will be looking to get back to winning ways as they take on struggling Watford. The Villains are a side that have kicked on under the stewardship of Steven Gerrard but remain very much in mid table and look to have a job on their hands to challenge the European places this term. Watford meanwhile are now being managed by Roy Hodgson and survival has already become quite a tall order for the Hornets, who look rather low on confidence. This should be one way traffic in the West Midlands and Aston Villa should prevail.
Betting tip: Aston Villa to win the match ($1.65)
Aston Villa to win 2-0
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Brighton vs Burnley – AMEX Stadium
Brighton ($1.76)
Burnley ($6.25)
Draw ($3.8)
High-flying Brighton will be looking to bounce back from defeat to Manchester United last time out as they host Burnley. The Seagulls sit 9th in the table and have impressed all season under Graham Potter and they have an outside shot of a European finish this term. Burnley meanwhile have only managed one win so far this season and look to be a side slipping back into the Championship. Sean Dyche will ensure his side don’t give up, but this could be a tricky game on the South Coast, with the Seagulls most likely to pick up the points.
Betting tip: Brighton to win the match ($1.76)
Brighton to win 2-1
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Crystal Palace vs Chelsea – Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace ($5.75)
Chelsea ($1.69)
Draw ($4)
Club World Cup champions Chelsea return home to a tricky looking tie at Crystal Palace. The Eagles have been solid this season under Patrick Vieira and are currently well clear of the relegation zone, their ultimate objective at the start of the campaign. Chelsea meanwhile, are in the Carabao Cup final and have progressed in the FA Cup and Champions League but their Premier League consistency has been lacking somewhat. This would be a chance to get back to winning ways and although it may be tricky at Selhurst Park, the blues should prevail in this one.
Betting tip: Chelsea to win the match ($1.69)
Chelsea to win 2-1
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Liverpool vs Norwich City – Anfield
Liverpool ($1.13)
Norwich City ($30)
Draw ($11)
Liverpool will be looking to keep pace with Manchester City as they host Norwich City at Anfield. The reds have started to click again after a tough festive period and whilst the gap to Manchester City is still significant, they are not without hope. Norwich were stuffed by the aforementioned City last time out but are still in the survival hunt this term and Dean Smith will be hoping to inspire his troops here. However, this will be a very tall order and Liverpool should win this one very comfortably.
Betting tip: Liverpool to win the match ($1.13)
Liverpool to win 3-0
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Southampton vs Everton – St Mary’s Stadium
Southampton ($2.1)
Everton ($3.6)
Draw ($3.6)
A resurgent Southampton side will be looking to continue their excellent recent form as they take on Everton. The Saints have picked up some excellent results in recent weeks and they will be relishing the chance to test themselves against this vulnerable Everton side. Frank Lampard has taken over at Goodison Park, but results have not improved as hoped and the Toffees look to be in a relegation scrap. This could be a tight game, with the draw the most likely outcome.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.6)
1-1 Draw
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Manchester City vs Tottenham – Etihad Stadium
Manchester City ($1.3)
Tottenham ($13)
Draw ($6.2)
Manchester City will be looking to keep the distance between themselves and the rest of the chasing pack as they take on Tottenham. City won well at Norwich and Sporting Lisbon in the past week, scoring 9 goals in the process and look back to their best. Spurs meanwhile have struggled massively in their last couple of games, losing to Wolves and Southampton and need a reaction here. Spurs are somewhat of a bogey team for City and will make this tricky, but the blues should edge out this one.
Betting tip: Manchester City to win the match ($1.3)
Manchester City to win 2-1
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Leeds United vs Manchester United – Elland Road
Leeds United ($4.1)
Manchester United ($1.95)
Draw ($4)
One of English football’s fiercest rivalries reignites as Leeds United take on Manchester United at Elland Road. The whites have picked up some good points in recent weeks to climb away from relegation trouble and are always up for taking on their old foes Manchester United. The Red Devils did manage to beat Brighton last time out but have struggled for form in recent weeks and are in danger of slipping out of the top 4 picture. This should be a tight game, with Manchester United most likely to edge it in the key moments.
Betting tip: Manchester United to win the match ($1.95)
Manchester United to win 2-1
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Wolves vs Leicester City – Molineux
Wolves ($2.36)
Leicester City ($3.45)
Draw ($3.3)
Wolves will be looking to press on with their European football charge as they take on struggling Leicester City. The hosts have been in great nick recently, epitomised by their win at Tottenham last time out and they should be bang up for this one at home. Leicester meanwhile have not hit the heights of previous seasons and are in danger of finishing in the bottom half this term. This should be a real hum-dinger, with no quarter given, making the draw the most likely result.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.3)
1-1 Draw
EPL Week 26 multi bet:
We’re backing four results this week in our multi bet with a stake of $50:
Liverpool vs Norwich City – Liverpool to win
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea – Chelsea to win
Aston Villa vs Watford – Aston Villa to win
Leeds United vs Manchester United – Manchester United to win
A $50 wager would pay out $424.00 if successful at the current odds.
