The 2024/25 Premier League title is well and truly Liverpool’s to lose at this point, but there is still plenty to play for below them.
The Game Week 28 action gets underway in Nottingham where the Tricky Trees look to consolidate their position in the top four with a victory over the Sky Blues.
Elsewhere, the Gunners bid to complete back-to-back league doubles over Man United, Salah aims to add to his goal tally against the Saints, and Tottenham host the Cherries in what promises to be an intriguing fixture.
The Offside Oracle has previewed all 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend and provided his best betting plays below.
An unlikely third plays a just as unlikely fourth, when Notts Forest hosts Man City on Saturday night (AEST).
The Tricky Trees have been dragged back to the top four chasing pack after dropping points in three consecutive PL fixtures (1D,2L).
Despite a rocky few weeks, Nottingham’s home form remains strong, going nine games without defeat across all competitions at the City Ground (7W,2D).
Meanwhile, the Sky Blues’ win at Tottenham in GW27 was only their fourth victory across their last 16 away games in all comps (2D,10L).
Nottingham’s fantastic home form is built on a strong foundation of defensive performances, conceding just 10 goals across 13 games, with a under 2.5 total goals saluting in eight of those fixtures, second highest in the league.
The last three fixtures between this pair at the City Ground have seen fewer than three goals scored, and I’m backing the unders to salute again.
The Reds will win this fixture, the only question is, by how much?
The Saints look to have accepted their fate in the league, not even a sense of pride seems to motivate this lifeless side.
Southampton has lost their last three EPL fixtures at an aggregate of 11-1, most recently playing Chelsea right back into form.
Meanwhile, the title winners in waiting have held both Newcastle and Manchester City to nil in back-to-back league victories, opening up a 13-point lead on Arsenal in doing so.
I’m expecting the Reds to put on a clinic at Anfield for this one, creating the perfect opportunity to dabble in a goalscoring SGM.
I’m backing both Salah and Gakpo to score on the way to a HT/FT victory for Liverpool.
I’d suggest waiting for lineups to be released then backing the Reds front three to all get in on the action.
Crystal Palace look to complete the double over the Tractor Boys when the pair meet in London over the weekend.
The Eagles have been one of the form sides through the middle third of the season, losing just three of their last 16 league games, climbing from 19th to 12th.
The same cannot be said for Ipswich, who have been consistently bad all season, losing 11 of their last 16 games, going from 18th place all the way to 18th, the only thing that has changed is the gap to 17th.
I’m backing Palace to continue their journey toward the top half of the league table, seeing off the Tractor Boys in a game which should see multiple goals scored.
Brighton look to secure a fourth win on the trot when they host Fulham this weekend.
The Seagulls run of league wins has taken them to within four points of the top 4, and just one point back from Newcastle and European football.
Meanwhile, the Cottagers are only one point further adrift, have won three of their last four league fixtures, and are looking to claim a sixth straight away victory across all competitions!
Fulham hold an incredible record against Brighton, going nine league fixtures without defeat (5W,4D), while winning three of the pair’s last four meetings (1D).
I’m backing both sides to put their best foot forward, with goals coming at each end of the field.
Brentford vs Aston Villa promises to be a high octane contest between two sides struggling to sustain a decent run of league form.
The Bees home form has gone out the window since Christmas, winless across their last seven games at the Brentford Community Stadium in all comps (2D,5L), including a FA Cup defeat to Plymouth.
Meanwhile, Villa have picked up they fifth fewest league points on the road this season, with only Wolves and the three promoted outfits sitting below them.
Defensive struggles have hamstrung Villa’s league form, with 20 of their 27 PL fixtures seeing both sides score (a league high).
Nine of the Bees 14 home fixtures have seen over 3.5 total goals scored, while the same can be said for 10 of Villa’s 13 away matches.
This fixture is an all you can eat buffet, and goals are on the menu!
Wolverhampton host Everton in the mediocre derby.
The Wolves have shown glimpses of life recently, winning two of their last five league fixtures (3L), dragging themselves five points clear of the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Everton are one of the form sides in the comp, going seven league games without defeat (4W,3D), in doing so, completely removing themselves from any relegation discourse.
The Wolves will head into this fixture without their best attacking option, with Cunha set to miss through suspension.
Without the individual brilliance of Cunha this season, Wolverhampton would be well entrenched in the drop zone, and ominous sign for this match.
I have the Toffees winning as traveling underdogs.
Much like Brentford v Villa, this fixture has all the building blocks to lay a foundation for a high-scoring thriller.
That being said, the last time this pair met, Bournemouth were able to claim all three competition points with a solitary goal.
Four or more goals have been scored in the last four meetings between these two sides in London, with Tottenham winning three of those blockbusters (1L).
Spurs are beginning to see first team players returning from injury, players who are far better suited to carry out Ange’s high intensity game style.
I’m backing the home side to salute in what should be an entertaining watch.
The Blues were played back into form against the Saints last week, now they have the opportunity to double down against the second worst outfit in the league, Leicester.
The Foxes have lost five straight fixtures across all comps, conceding 22 goals over the trip, while scoring just one in return.
Despite a small overall slump, Chelsea have been able to maintain their form at the Bridge, losing just once across their last 18 home games dating back to August last year (13W,4D).
11 of the Foxes 13 away fixtures this season have seen over 2.5 goals scored (a league high).
I am backing the Blues forward line to all get multiple shots on Leicester’s goal, combined with a home victory and the overs to hit.
The early 2000’s called… they want their Arsenal / Man United rivalry back!
The title defining matchups of the late 90’s early 00’s are long gone, in their place has arrived the battle of the meme clubs, with the Gunners “enjoying” their fair share of social riticule in the 2010’s before passing the belt onto Man U, who have well and truely made it their own, going undefeated year after year.
Anyway, let’s talk about the football.
Arsenal silenced a lot of critics (including me) who believed their only avenue to goal was through a set-piece, putting seven past PSV on the road in the UCL mid-week.
They’ll now make the shorter trip up north to take on the Red Devils, a side who knocked them out of the FA Cup on pens earlier this year.
The Gunners have dominated against Man United in league across the last couples of years, winning four straight clashes, with three of those fixtures seeing over 1.5 total goals scored.
I’m backing Arsenal to stay mathematically in the chase for the title with another win at Old Trafford.
Game Week 28 comes to a close on Tuesday morning (AEST), when the Irons host the Magpies.
West Ham are looking to complete a rare double over the Toon, after winning 2-0 at St. James Park at the backend of last year.
The Hammers enter this fixture with a air of confidence after knocking off Arsenal and Leicester in back-to-back league fixtures without conceding.
While, Newcastle have lost three of their last four league fixtures (1W), and were bundled out of the FA Cup last weekend by Brighton curtesy of a Danny Welbeck extra-time strike.
The Irons look a new side under Graham Potter, and I’m backing them to continue to rack up the W’s as the season wears on.