There’s no rest for the weary and boy do we have some weary teams in the Premier League right now!
The football community are resigned to the fact that Manchester City will claim their third title in four seasons, with the focus now switching towards who will join them in the top four.
The undisputed match of the round sees the Citizens welcome their neighbours to the Emptyhad Stadium in the 185th edition of the Manchester Derby.
Elsewhere, Spurs take on the Eagles in a London Derby, while Liverpool hope to avoid a sixth straight home defeat when they welcome Fulham to Anfield.
Our office offside oracle has run the rule over all 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend and provided his best betting plays below!
Arsenal take to the road looking build on their solid showing against the Foxes last weekend.
Burnley have struggled to find their way to goals of late, scoring just twice across their last four PL outings.
The Clarets will take confidence from securing all three points in the reverse fixture at the Emirates, while holding the Gunners to nil across their last two meetings.
Seven of Burnley’s last nine competitive fixtures have finished with under 2.5 goals scored, four of which they failed to score themselves.
Arsenal are the form side here and should take home all three points, though there’s more value to be had backing the unders.
Southampton head to Bramall Lane and take on Sheffield in the Premier League’s ‘Participation Award’ Derby.
The Saints somehow managed to climb up to 3rd place on the ladder by GW13, before stepping into the abyss with one point from the last nine fixtures leaving them in 14th place.
Meanwhile, the Blades have been nothing but consistant, occupying last place for 20 straight game weeks!
Unfortunately we cannot back both teams to lose this fixture, though we can back this contest to be a low-scoring stinker.
Both Villa and Wolves will be attempting to bounce back following midweek defeats.
Wolves’ loss to City was their first across six PL starts, halting their march towards the top half of the table.
Meanwhile, the Villans have looked flat without the attacking presence of Jack Graelish, scoring just twice across their last four PL starts.
I’m backing Wolverhampton to take advantage of Villa’s form lull and take home all three points here.
Two sides in search of form are set to meet at Amex Stadium, when the Seagulls take on the Foxes.
Brighton are winless across their last five competitive fixtures, which included a 1-0 loss to Leicester in the FA Cup a month back.
Meanwhile, the Foxes are winless in three after being decimated by injuries to key players.
Despite this, the former Champions have never lost a Premier League fixture (7G) against Brighton and should be able to call on their deep squad to get the result here.
It’s a photo finish between this fixture and ‘Blades v Saints’ for worst match of the round, with daylight coming in third.
Newcastle will be without their top two attacking assets in Saint-Maximum and Almiron, while the Baggies have operated without any attacking assets for the entire season.
Neither side can afford a loss at this stage of the season, as such defence will be at the forefront of both Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce’s mind.
This could very easily end in a 0-0 draw ($8.50), but I’m happy to take the value on offer in the H2H market.
Liverpool lost their fifth straight home fixture for the first time in history when they went down 1-0 to the Blues on Friday morning (AEST).
One team has a single win from their last six PL starts, while the other has lost just once across the same trip. Try to guess which is the defending champ and which is the newly promoted club?
After a massive run of dominance, cracks are finally opening up at Anfield with points available for the taking!
The Cottagers held the Reds to a 1-1 draw earlier in the season and I believe they’re a real chance to take another point away here!
First plays second, as Man City attempt to claim their 22nd consecutive win in all competitions when they host their cross-town rivals, Man United.
Though the title race seems to be over, there is still plenty to play for in this historic derby.
United are attempting to remain undefeated away from home this season, whilst recording their third straight victory at the Ethihad Stadium in all comps for the first time since 2010!
The Red Devils have recorded three straight 0-0 draws across all comps, as a heavy schedule of fixtures looks to have taken its toll on their young offensive (misfiring) weapons.
United have face the traditional ‘Big 6’ sides seven times throughout this season, with five of those matches finishing 0-0, including the reverse fixture against the Sky Blues.
Man U games have been a struggle to watch of late and despite City’s attacking brilliance, I’m expecting this one to be a derby to forget.
I’m going to go out on the limb here and back United’s Big 6 form to continue with an 0-0 draw, though there is plenty of value to be had backing the unders for those who are more risk adverse (Under 2.5 $2.10).
Tottenham carry winning momentum into this fixture following three straight competitive victories without conceding a goal.
Meanwhile, Crystal are on a three match unbeaten run of their own, though remain scoreless over their last two PL outings.
Mourinho seems to have finally instilled his defensive ethos into the Spurs squad and I’m expecting them to claim their fourth straight win to nil here.
Chelsea’s stocks continue to rise under the watchful eye of Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues remain undefeated under their new manager (7W,3D), with a system change to five backs proving a stroke of genius.
Though defensively resolute, Chelsea’s attacking efficiency has taken a slight hit, with just one of their last ten competitive fixtures finishing with more than two goals.
Meanwhile, the Toffees have won their previous three PL fixtures to nil and will fancy themselves a chance to snag a top four position with a result here.
With both defensive units bossing at the minute, the safest play here is to back the unders.
Game Week 27 wraps up in style, with what is sure to be an entertaining encounter between West Ham and Leeds.
The Hammers are staking their claim for European football, winning seven of their last 10 Premier League fixtures (1D,2L), only Manchester City managing to secure more W’s across the same trip (10).
Alternatively, Leeds seem to have lost their legs, claiming just four wins over their last ten (6L).
No-one can question the Whites’ intent, with a league low of two draws across the whole season, Marcelo Bielsa’s side clearly go for broke!
Unfortunately I think they’ll go home empty handed again, with the Hammers instead taking another step towards a top four finish.
Man City will undoubtably return to. winning ways when they play host to the Saints on Thursday morning (AEST).
The Citizens 21 game winning streak came to a crashing halt over the weekend, when cross town rivals United spoiled the party with a 2-0 victory.
The Sky Blues haven’t lost back-to-back competitive fixtures this season and have won seven of their last eight against Southampton.
I expecting City to hold possession for the entire 90 mins of play, with the Saints only touches coming from the kickoffs.