THE season is reaching a crucial stage and teams at the top and bottom are scrapping for points.
With the Premier League schedule under a very real threat amid the global health crisis, fans will be eager to see their clubs in action this weekend and revel in the escapism that football brings.
Man Utd beat City on Sunday to maintain their solid formCredit: Getty
We’ve a bumper schedule to get through, with tips from four top-flight matches starting at the Amex on Saturday afternoon…
Brighton vs Arsenal (Saturday, 3pm)
ARTETA and Co are on a roll – but for how much longer?
It’s not been pretty at times, but the Spaniard’s side have taken nine from their last possible nine and it’s kept them just about in touch for the Euro spots.
The possibility of four wins on the spin is a plus, but it’s easy to forget amongst their Europa League turmoil that Arsenal are yet to lose a league game in 2020.
And fans will be relieved to see them back in action after the game against Man City was scrapped on Wednesday night.
Graham Potter’s side have seemingly forgotten what three points look like after a barren run of just one win in 14 Premier League matches.
But importantly, they’ve kept their heads just about above water by picking up hard-earned draws rather than losing games.
Four stalemates in their last five show just that, with a point at Molineux never a bad result and the Seagulls have to buoyed by that performance last weekend.
Going down the home stretch, the Amex needs to be a fortress.
Both these teams are the draw specialists of the division – of their combined 57 top-flight matches this term, 24 have finished level.
Last season, the Gunners came here and were bullied for much of the contest in a 1-1 stalemate.
And that’s exactly what we see happening this weekend.
Arsenal were let off the hook against West Ham and that 1-0 win papered over the cracks somewhat.
Brighton are scrapping for their lives and we can see them getting another point towards survival at an overpriced 12/5.
Despite failing to score in the last two matches, Potter’s side play some decent stuff and average exactly a goal-per-game on home soil.
Both teams to score is the safe play 8/13 and has won in every H2H at this stadium.
There’s only one way you play with an Arsenal goalscorer, provided the value is there – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
At 21/20 it most definitely is. The Gambian striker should be odds-on.
He has seventeen of Arsenal’s goals this term – ten more than anyone else at the club – and has been on target in both his visit’s to the South Coast since early 2018.
SunSport best bets
Both teams to score at the Amex: 8/13
Brighton to pick up a valuable point: 12/5
Aubameyang on the scoresheet again: 21/20
Neal Maupay outjumps Joao Moutinho in the Molineux stalemateCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Aston Villa vs Chelsea (Sunday, 5.30pm)
VILLA are in big trouble.
During their 4-0 surrender at Leicester, Pepe Reina’s moment of madness typified a performance lacking in basics and any semblance of hope.
It was a far cry from the side which battled to a late January victory over Watford and looked to be fighting tooth and nail to avoid the drop.
Dean Smith’s Villans have lost four on the spin – five if you include the Carabao Cup final, where they were unlucky not to take Man City to extra-time.
But what they need now is the opportunity to get points on the board. And fast.
Chelsea look to have finally found their groove under Frank Lampard, dispatching Liverpool in the FA Cup before trouncing Everton last week.
There’s also genuine optimism about Billy Gilmour, who emerged from the youth conveyor belt to dominate both the Red and Blue of Merseyside in the space of a week.
Lampard’s men have travelled well this year and have the third-best record in the league, although they are winless in four on the road.
Villa’s home form will be vital in the run-in, but they also have to face Man Utd, Wolves, and Arsenal at Villa Park before the season is up.
This one screams goals.
Of their combined 57 games in this season’s Premier League, 38 have featured three or more goals.
And on the road Chelsea matches have seen an average of 3.8 goals per match.
Back over 2.5 goals with confidence in this evening kick-off, which is 4/7 and one to boost all of your weekend accas.
The Blues have an excellent record here and have failed to score two or more just once in their last five visits, while also netting twice in their last two road matches at Leicester and Bournemouth.
It’s the same price for Chelsea to score two or more themselves and that is where your hard-earned should be going.
Tammy Abraham remains out injured and the value is all with the midfielders for a goalscorer.
Willian has two in his last two matches and is a massive 14/5 to score anytime. Overpriced.
SunSport best bets
Over 2.5 goals at Villa Park: 4/7
Chelsea to score two or more: 4/7
Willian to continue recent scoring streak: 14/5
Spurs vs Man Utd (Sunday, 4.30pm)
MOUR money, Mour problems?
It’s all going wrong for Spurs and Jose Mourinho, with Tottenham staring at another season without a trophy.
Their injury list grew even longer this week with the news that Steven Bergwijn is expected to miss the rest of the season with an ankle problem.
With Harry Kane and Son Heung-min both out, Spurs’ squad depth has been laid threadbare – and it’s cost them big time.
Man Utd arrive in good form and full of optimism following a dramatic 2-0 derby day win.
Bruno Fernandes has injected a real swagger and confidence into a midfield which had basically none before Christmas.
So much so that United are actually favourites for this one at 6/5.
We do admire this new-look Red Devils outlook – but backing them at that price on the road?
It wasn’t long ago they were that price to beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
And look what happened there.
Goals look set to be at a premium this Sunday, with Spurs so light up top and United stingy at the back.
Just THREE of Man Utd’s 12 Premier League away games this term have featured less than three goals.
That’s the play here – under 2.5 goals is a cracking price at 7/10.
As bad as Spurs have been in recent weeks, never write off Mourinho – he might not be so special anymore, but he never likes being turned over by his old club.
Slam a risk-free tenner on Tottenham draw no bet at a whopping 13/10 as a result.
For all their troubles Spurs have won three of their last five on home soil, and if United hold them to a draw we at least get our money back.
Both of these sides have big strikers out and it says a lot that Troy Parrott – a teenager without a top-flight goal – is third most likely to net for Tottenham in this one.
Instead have a tentative play on the only out-and-out forward likely to play.
Anthony Martial has four goals in seven games since Marcus Rashford got injured – 7/2 on him scoring the opener is far too large.
SunSport’s best bets
Under 2.5 goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: 7/10
Tottenham to win but money back if a draw (draw no bet): 13/10
Anthony Martial to net the opener: 7/2
Man Utd ace Bruno Fernandes hails Anthony Martial after brilliantly teeing up the Frenchman for the opener in Sunday’s 2-0 win over neighbours CityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Everton vs Liverpool (Monday, 8pm)
DERBY football under the lights – does it get much better?
A few weeks ago plenty of Everton fans were fancying their chances of ending Liverpool’s unbeaten run in this Goodison showdown.
Watford did the honours for them, while the Toffees have faltered after a good run with just one point from their last three games.
That’s seemingly put to rest any outside chances of European football next term, while Liverpool bounced back from that shock Hornets loss with a nervy 2-1 win over Bournemouth at Anfield.
You have to go back to 2010 for the last time the blue half of Merseyside got one over their rivals on their own patch.
Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta were on the score-sheet against a Liverpool team which featured such giants as Paul Koncesky, Milan Jovanovic and David N’Gog.
Sadio Mane was on target against BournemouthCredit: Reuters
Everton are 7/2 to end that decade long barren run at Goodison – but despite what happened at Vicarage Road, we can’t recommend you chase the shock.
Instead we’re going to focus on goals, or lack of them.
In the last five derby H2H’s on this ground, there have been just THREE goals. In total.
Both of the last two clashes have ended goalless, including a March meeting last season which was, to be honest, pretty dull.
Despite this, the bookies haven’t really taken note and have instead based their prices seemingly on the 5-2 epic at Anfield earlier this season.
With the unbeaten run gone, all Jurgen Klopp and Co are bothered about now is lifting that Premier League trophy for the first time in the modern era.
Everton were torn apart by Chelsea at the Bridge
Both teams NOT to score is a very tempting 23/20 and we won’t discourage anyone from backing that.
Everton will look to keep things tight and we don’t see this being a game played at 100mph.
Therefore taking the 5/2 on the first goal being scored in the second half is a very shrewd play.
That’s £35 back for a tenner and a bet which would have won in four of the last five Merseyside derbies at Goodison.
If you do have to do a goalscorer bet, then lean on the man in form.
Sadio Mane has three in his last six in all competitions – 4/1 to open the scoring is too high, while the 7/5 for a goal anytime is a steal.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams NOT to score: 23/20
Opening goals to be scored after half-time: 5/2
Sadio Mane to net the opener: 4/1
*Odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
