The Premier League certainly didn’t disappoint on its return with many upsets seen in gameweek 30, while there was also no shortage of controversy, mostly fuelled by the infamous VAR. Not much has changed since the lockdown. The bottom three remained the bottom three, the top five stayed as the top five, and David Luiz continuously makes schoolboy errors to cost his team some crucial points. All that’s left now is for Liverpool to be officially crowned champions, which will have to wait a further week after the Reds fail to beat Everton in an empty Goodison Park stadium.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Tuesday 23 June
Leicester City 7/10
Draw 28/10
Brighton 4/1
(19:00)
Leicester City were denied all three points at Watford as the Hornets scored an acrobatic equalizer to send the Foxes home with just a single point. Brendan Rodgers’ side did show signs in that game of what they’re capable of and will certainly feel more capable of getting the job done on home soil, despite playing in front of an empty King Power Stadium. Brighton picked up their first win of the calendar year as they came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1. Unlike Leicester, Brighton were the ones to inflict pain on their opponents in the dying stages of the game. Despite the well-deserved victory over the Gunners, I can’t see past Leicester City winning this one.
Tottenham 7/10
Draw 3/1
West Ham 15/4
(21:15)
The first London derby since the return of football in the Premier League sees West Ham travel north to face Tottenham Hotspur. Jose Mourinho will gladly welcome back Dele Alli after the English midfielder missed the game against Manchester United due to suspension. Spurs needed him in that match with their attacking trio of Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Steven Bergwijn all looking very unfit. West Ham remained in fingers reach of the relegation zone as they failed to earn any points at home to Wolves. With the return of Alli and the likes of Kane and Son given a few more days to reach full fitness, Spurs should win this one.
Wednesday 24 June
Manchester United 4/10
Draw 34/10
Sheffield United 15/2
(19:00)
If there was ever a time for Manchester United to play against Sheffield United, it would be now. Chris Wilder’s men come into this tie failing to score in both of their encounters since the return of action, while they will also be without Dean Henderson, who can’t play against his parent club, while John Egan picked up a red card in the Blades’ 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United. United have been rejuvenated since the signing of Bruno Fernandes and are now riding a 12-game unbeaten streak. We could also get to see Bruno and Paul Pogba starting together for the first time as the pair each played a part in getting the equalizer against Tottenham last time out. It’s a short price for United to win at 4/10, but certainly one I cannot see myself going against.
Newcastle United 13/10
Draw 47/20
Aston Villa 22/10
(19:00)
Newcastle United will consider themselves safe after they claimed their 10th win of the campaign in emphatic fashion over Sheffield United. That result saw Steve Bruce’s men climb up to 38 points, 11 clear of the relegation zone with eight matches remaining. Aston Villa failed to win any of their two games since returning to action, but can still take some delight in the fact that none of their relegation rivals won any of their matches too. Newcastle’s defence should keep Villa at bay, while despite scoring three goals against Sheffield United, their strikers have lacked consistency this term. Back Under 2.5 Goals here at 7/10.
Norwich City 28/10
Draw 26/10
Everton 19/20
(19:00)
Norwich look down for the count and it seems like this will be their last eight games of top-flight football for at least the next year or so. The Canaries suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Southampton, while Everton matched Liverpool pound for pound, and perhaps could have went on to beat their crosstown rivals in this past weekend’s goalless draw. They’ve looked like the real deal under Carlo Ancelotti and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison up front, the Toffees could pile more misery on Norwich. The away win is an absolute must for all midweek bets, get on!
Wolves 6/10
Draw 29/10
Bournemouth 47/10
(19:00)
Wolves moved level on points with Manchester United in fifth spot with their resounding 2-0 victory at West Ham. Their consistency is up there with the very best in the division with Wolves showing that they can get results against all sorts of opposition this season, after they famously made their name for beating the big guns. Bournemouth, like Norwich, is my personal favourites to go down. This is the worst they’ve looked in the top flight under Eddie Howe, and with arguably their best player in Ryan Fraser having his contract terminated, the Cherries are far from ripe for the picking. Wolves should claim maximum points at 6/10.
Liverpool 1/4
Draw 5/1
Crystal Palace 11/1
(21:15)
Wednesday’s action concludes at Anfield where Liverpool will be looking to take one step closer to their long-awaited 2019/20 Premier League title. They’ve got history against Crystal Palace when chasing the league, which came in the famous 2014 ‘Crystanbul’ fixture, where the Eagles came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3. The Reds will be much more focused now, especially after they dropped points for just the third time this season this past weekend. Palace have gone under the radar this campaign. They’re currently in ninth spot and have won four league matches in a row. I’m tipping them be the first side to get a point at Anfield this season with a draw, priced up at 5/1.
Thursday 25 June
Burnley 18/10
Draw 22/10
Watford 16/10
(19:00)
After their 5-0 defeat at Manchester City, Burnley will be looking to return to winning ways when they step foot at Turf Moor in a competitive game for the first time since the lockdown. They’re now, shockingly, being priced up as underdogs at home to Watford, despite going seven games unbeaten before the break in March. The Hornets moved one place up into 16th after they clawed their way back against Leicester City to draw 1-1. The bookmakers have clearly got this one wrong, I’m backing Burnley on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 5/10.
Southampton 16/10
Draw 49/20
Arsenal 33/20
(19:00)
Arsenal look there for the taking and now face the daunting trip to St. Mary’s to face Southampton. Funny enough, this was Unai Emery’s last opposition as Arsenal boss earlier this campaign, and some would argue that the Gunners have not changed much since his sacking. Now, they’ve got countless injuries in crucial areas, most notably to Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira in the heart of midfield, and goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who has been the diamond in their rough defence. Arsenal’s only glimmer of hope is that Southampton have the worst home record in the division and their pragmatic approach could see them get hit on the counter by Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. My money is on a draw.
Chelsea 3/1
Draw 28/10
Manchester City 17/20
(21:15)
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QUAD @ 8/1
Leicester City Win 7/10
Tottenham Win 7/10
Everton Win 19/20
Wolves Win 6/10
Written by Jesse Nagel