We’re down to being able to count the remaining Premier League rounds on one hand and things could not be more exciting at the top of the table.
City, still with a game in hand, will surely put away Crystal Palace on Sunday night before Chelsea try to do everybody and favour and beat Liverpool at Anfield.
Boy I am excited for the weekend and that is reflected in the Week 34 Premier League tips below.
Leicester have found a sensational run of form and they’ll take a power of beating when they come up against the unbackable, extremely difficult to trust and unable to ever get a bearing on Newcastle. It’s not the side that won the Premier League a few seasons back, but that will literally never happen again and finishing seventh looms as both very doable and a terrific result. I’m largely looking forward to the end of the season because it will be a nice freshen up away from trying to tip Newcastle matches, but pretty confident I’ve landed on the right result here…
I’m truly running out of things to say about these matches between big clubs and the relegated contingent, so i’ve instead decided to talk about Aaron Mooy. The Aussie has a big decision to make at season’s end – stick with the Terriers in the Championship or seek a move to a different club. I feel like Huddersfield are a prime candidate to drop back into the 8th tier in the blink of an eye, while I also think that Mooy would look great in a Leeds kit. Spurs to Nil.
Fulham are also relegated and we’re sure to be treated to a snoozer at Craven Cottage on Saturday night. The Cottagers still have the chance to secure a record this campaign – most goals conceded in a Premier League season and boy, have they been going the right way about it. Another 4-1 loss to Watford earlier this week proved that they really want it. Once upon a time (ten years ago) this would have been a ripper match, but neither side really has that much to play for, and I think that the Toffees’ class will get them over the line.
Betting suggests that this will be one of the better contests of the week and I tend to agree. The Saints are still floating worryingly close to the bottom three, but a win this week would be a huge step towards survival, and I rate them as one of the few clubs with the appropriate stones to hold their nerve. A loss to Liverpool last week is understandable and they won three of their four prior to that, including one over Spurs. They face a Wolves side beat United last week and that obviously cannot be understated. Value around both sides so there’s something for you regardless of which side of the fence you’re standing.
Mat Ryan could become another Aussie casualty if his Seagulls don’t record another couple of wins, but they are faced with a prime opportunity to take one at the expense of the out of form Cherries. They’ve dropped their last two, but both against credible sides and there was a lot to like about their performance against Southampton in particular. Bournemouth meanwhile have conceded five and netted one in their last two league appearances and will surely find this desperate Brighton side a handful on the road.
If you find yourself bored an uninspired at midnight on the weekend and are looking to sink further into it, be sure to tune into the Burnley vs Cardiff match. Here’s two clubs that have literally made no impression on the league this season and neither would look out of place falling back into the second tier. The Claret faithful are all but confirmed another season after consecutive wins over Wolves and Bournemouth, however while another loss would make things almost impossible for the Bluebirds. I think that this might be it for Welsh clubs in the Premier League, for the time being.
United suffered a shock loss to Wolves last week, but it’s difficult imagining that happening twice in succession, particularly given they are faced with West Ham in Week 34. The Hammers have lost two in succession and they arguably face a tougher task here. I do not think that they have the backbone required to win at Scaffolding Stadium.
I’ve said it a few times, but I stand by Palace being a thorn in the side of some of the bigger clubs in the league. Surely, this City side is a bridge too far, though. They’ll be absolutely filthy with them for losing to Spurs in the Champions League midweek and I can’t imagine that they’ll allow Palace much room to break at all on Sunday night. Easiest tip of the week.
Match of the round and the resurgent Chelsea could do a real favour for everyone by defeating Liverpool and dashing their title chances. I’m happy to take it on board if you’re actually a Liverpool fan that is from Liverpool, but if your reasoning is ‘I’ve liked ‘em me whole life, mate’ or ‘Grandad’s cousin went there once, been on em since’, it does not go close to counting. Credit where it’s due, boy they’ve been outstanding this season, and this does look like their best chance of winning for a long, long time (since way before Grandad’s cousin went over). Go on you Blues.
It all wraps up early on Tuesday morning Australian time when the Hornets and Gunners step out at Vicarage Road. Watford have returned several pleasing performances this season and snapped a two-game losing streak with an emphatic win over Fulham. Some would disagree, but Arsenal are clearly a huge step up in class and even off the back of a loss to Everton (who themselves have looked pretty bloody good recently), I’m happy to be with them. $2.10 seems a touch of overs.