Watford v Man City
This is a fixture that haunts Watford simply because they have lost the last two meetings with Manchester City by a combined score of 14-0. A 6-0 victory in last season’s FA Cup final was embarrassing enough before City went two better to win 8-0 in the first meeting this season at the Etihad. Watford has just sacked their manager Nigel Pearson despite the Hornets winning two of their last three to sit three points clear of the relegation zone. City were 5-0 within 18 minutes of the reverse fixture and after losing their FA Cup semi-final to Arsenal on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to take their frustrations out on somebody. Watford has been warned. Watford has failed to score the first goal in any of their previous eight EPL games while City has opened the scoring in their last three league matches. Since the lockdown, City has scored 12 first half goals to Watford’s one and it’s going to take an incredible effort for the home side to win this game. In the last seven meetings, over 2.5 total goals has paid out and that looks a solid bet in this game with City winning.
Bet: Man City win and over 2.5 total goals
Aston Villa v Arsenal
This game in hand for Aston Villa is the ideal opportunity for them to move level on points with Watford on 34 points and make Sunday’s final day of the season very interesting indeed. Villa has shown signs of improvement in recent games. They have scored first in their last two matches which helped them beat Crystal Palace 2-0, but they could not hold on against Everton in a 1-1 draw when Everton equalised in the 87th minute which has been a trend for Villa since the league restarted. Seven of the 10 goals Villa has conceded have come in the final 30 minutes of matches. One of Arsenal’s two goals to beat Manchester City came in the final third so Villa will need to be on their guard for a late surge from the Gunners whose best hope of qualifying for European football next season will be to win the FA Cup. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 17 league and cup away games against Villa and they have won the last seven meetings. Five of those seven were won to nil.
Bet: Both teams to score
Manchester United v West Ham
This is Manchester United’s biggest game of the season by a long way. Victory and they will climb above Leicester with a three points gap. Defeat and United and Leicester meet at the King Power Stadium level on 62 points in their battle to secure fourth spot and the final Champions League berth. United could climb to third if they beat West Ham and Chelsea loses at Liverpool. As for West Ham, the 37 points they currently have could be enough to ensure they are playing in next season’s EPL. If Aston Villa drop any points from their last two games, then the Hammers will be safe. West Ham’s recent revival in which they have taken 10 points from their last five matches, has seen them get to half-time in their last six games either winning or drawing. The last time West Ham won at Old Trafford came in May 2007 and since then, they have not one of any of their last 14 visits to the Theatre of Dreams. United, still smarting from their FA Cup semi-final defeat, has scored in both halves and won both halves in five of their last six league games. West Ham could look to do what Bournemouth and Southampton and take the game to their hosts and open the scoring. United will look to attack at every opportunity and after resting Paul Pogba against Chelsea, he should return to join Bruno Fernandes in United’s midfield.
Bet: Both teams to score
Liverpool v Chelsea
Tonight, after a 28-year wait, Liverpool get their hands on the Premier League trophy. They clinched their 19th domestic titles a couple of weeks ago, but only now will their coronation be confirmed when they are presented the trophy after this fixture with Chelsea. Chelsea may be invited to the party, but they will be keen to play the role of party poopers at Anfield. A win and Frank Lampard’s side will be guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League. Defeat and it comes down to the final game of the season at home to Wolves on Sunday. While Liverpool are the champions, they haven’t exactly been playing like champions with just one point taken from their last two EPL games. When the two sides meet, a total of 344 days will have passed since the season’s first meeting in the European Super Cup on August 14. Liverpool will hope to maintain a remarkable record of not conceding a goal in the final 10 minutes which they have managed to do in their previous 23 league matches. This could and should be an open game if Liverpool want to mark their trophy presentation with a win. Chelsea has the players to hurt Liverpool which means there could be goals for both sides.
Bet: Both teams to score