The end of the international break sees the return of Premier League action.
Players have been out in all corners of the globe after a curiously timed fortnight of national team matches, and are back for the final stretch of the league campaign.
With the restart of domestic action comes our Premier League tips, and the Saturday 3pm kick-offs are the focus of this piece.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs Southampton
This south coast clash could change the relegation picture. Brighton are on 33 points, five clear of the bottom three, and will be as good as safe with a victory here.
Southampton are just two points above 18th-placed Cardiff and could drop into the relegation zone if Cardiff and Burnley win.
Brighton ended a poor run with victories over Huddersfield and Crystal Palace before the break. Chris Hughton’s side were at threat of being sucked into the fight for survival, but those two wins have changed their outlook drastically.
Southampton have struggled away from home this season, winning just three of 15 matches. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side face a tough task at the Amex on Saturday afternoon.
Brighton are a hard side to beat at home. Their 2/5 price to avoid defeat is a good Premier League Odds option this weekend.
TIP: Brighton to win OR draw @ 2/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Brighton 1-1 Southampton (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
Burnley vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Burnley, like Brighton and Southampton, are in the midst of a scrap for their Premier League status.
Sean Dyche’s side have hit a slump at the worst possible time, though, losing their last four in the league, leaving them just two points ahead of Cardiff.
Despite a thrilling FA Cup run, Wolves’ league form has taken a bit of a hit. Nuno Espirito Santo has seen his team win just once in their last five league matches.
Confidence is high at Molineux, however, and they will fancy their chances of a positive result here as they look to cling on to seventh.
Burnley have been leaking goals this season and Wolves have the attacking talent to take full advantage. The visitors might have one eye on the FA Cup, but they’re still the team to back here.
TIP: Wolves to win @ 6/4
PREDICTED SCORE: Burnley 0-2 Wolves (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
LEICESTER CITY vs AFC Bournemouth
These late-season mid-table matchups are not going to be the talk of the nation. Leicester and Bournemouth could produce plenty of entertainment at the King Power on Saturday, though.
Brendan Rodgers has already transformed the Foxes into the free-flowing team we expect. Bournemouth are an attack-first team too and will look to take the game to their hosts.
Rodgers’ arrival makes Leicester an interesting story to follow for the remainder of the campaign, while Bournemouth’s approach makes them a very watchable team whoever they’re facing.
Leicester notched two impressive victories before the break, as Rodgers allowed their attacking talent to flourish. Bournemouth could only draw at home to Newcastle thanks to a late Matt Ritchie goal.
The visitors can go level on points with Leicester if they win in the Midlands on Saturday afternoon. Home advantage and the improvements made under Rodgers makes a Leicester victory a good bet.
TIP: Leicester to win @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Leicester 3-2 Bournemouth (Priced at 18/1 with 888sport)
MANCHESTER UNITED vs WATFORD
Manchester United are looking to bounce back after losing their last two matches. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has an array of injury doubts to worry about that could make that challenge harder.
This is a decisive moment in Manchester United’s season – they need a victory after previous results, and a win could put them level on points with Tottenham.
Watford are on a challenging run of away matches, having lost heavily to Manchester City and Liverpool in their last two.
A home win against Crystal Palace kept them in eighth, but the FA Cup is Javi Gracia’s priority for the rest of the season.
United have scored freely at home and Watford’s defence has been less than convincing. The 16/25 on over 2.5 total goals is the best value option.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 16/25
PREDICTED SCORE: Manchester United 3-1 Watford (Priced at 19/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
