THERE was no shortage of drama as the Premier League returned to our screens.
After Arsenal’s surrender against Brighton yesterday saw us in the money, it’s time to turn our attention to a bumper pair of Super Sunday games.
N’Golo Kante has made 18 appearances in the Premier League this seasonteCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Aston Villa vs Chelsea (Sunday, 4.15pm)
Time to see whether Chelsea have any post-lockdown Blues.
It was Villa back in action on Wednesday and went toe-to-toe with a tough, organised Sheffield United.
They might have had a helping hand from HawkEye – or lack of it – but Dean Smith’s side were good value for their point.
Even so, time is running out to get out of this mess and home games are crucial.
There’s a certain amount of guesswork about how Chelsea approach this one, but it’s safe to say they looked sharp when putting seven past QPR in a friendly.
That draw against the Blades ending a run of five-straight defeats in all competitions for Villa, while the Blues haven’t won in four on the road.
Despite that poor sequence, Chelsea have been one of the best teams on their travels in the league this season, third only behind Man City and Liverpool.
Abraham has been a huge hit in his first full Premier League seasonCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
They’ve won seven of 14 away from the Bridge and in the new normal, we can see their class cutting through.
8/15 is a big price on a Chelsea win and we’re taking that on Sunday.
Both teams have an average of 3.1 goals per game in the Premier League this season, which is the second joint-highest in the whole division.
Basically, back over 2.5 goals with confidence at 4/7 – but we’d even recommend you have a play at 7/5 on four or more goals.
Eleven of Chelsea’s 29 league games this season have seen that happen, including three of their last five.
Tammy Abraham was a huge hit on loan at Villa and a big part of their rise back to the Premier League.
He knows Villa Park well and is 14/5 to open the scoring against his former club. Take that all day long.
SunSport’s best bets
Everton vs Liverpool (Sunday, 7pm)
The title party is on hold – but for how long?
After a season of domination, Liverpool are close to confirming their first top-flight title since 1990.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have swept aside all comers this term and only fell short of going unbeaten when losing to Watford back in February.
Everton under Carlo Ancelotti are a curious beast – plenty of initial bite, but turns into a bit of a softie when you figure out it’s weaknesses.
The Italian desperately needs a summer to shape the squad in his image and we’re not convinced this Toffees side currently have the weapons to worry the Reds.
How they’d love to spoil the party though – but don’t underestimate the lack of a Goodison crowd in this one.
With a full house behind them, perhaps the Blues could up their game enough to give Liverpool something to really think about. But with just stewards and subs watching on? We don’t see it.
After a superb season, surely it’s a matter of time before Liverpool seal the titleCredit: Reuters
Klopp’s side have shown themselves to be thoroughly professional all season and the value here is with a low-scoring Liverpool win.
Three of the last five meetings here have ended 0-0, while the other two featured just three goals between them.
We can see a similar, cagey encounter as the Reds so just enough to take the points – back them with confidence at 4/7 while under 2.5 goals in a huge 23/20.
For a team which has 12 of 14 on the road this term, that odds-on price isn’t too small to turn down.
And we have a strange feeling it will be Roberto Firmino to fire the winner – the Brazilian loves it on the road despite not netting at Anfield this term.
He’s 5/2 to net at anytime, while you can get the same price on Divock Origi who likely won’t start. Get on.
SunSport best bets
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
