A week of European action gives us a proper Premier League Super Sunday. There are three matches with the first two under the spotlight in this piece. Title-chasing Liverpool host Burnley in the lunchtime kick-off before high-flying Wolves visit Chelsea.
There is a midday start at Anfield, while Chelsea and Wolves will get underway at 2:05. Arsenal and Manchester United are also in action, kicking off at 4:30 at the Emirates Stadium.
LIVERPOOL vs Burnley (12pm)
Liverpool could be four points behind Manchester City by the time this match kicks off. Playing after your rivals heaps extra pressure on at this time of the season.
It is now 35 home league matches since they tasted defeat. Avoiding a loss is not enough for Liverpool at this stage of the campaign, though. Unconvincing performances of late will have plenty of the Anfield faithful feeling nervous ahead of this clash.
Burnley put together a good run, but consecutive defeats have put an end to it. Sean Dyche’s side are five points above the relegation zone, though the gap could be down to two if Cardiff beat West Ham on Saturday and Southampton avoid defeat against Spurs.
Dyche has been given a reminder of where is team are. Losses to Newcastle and Crystal Palace were no fluke, the Clarets were the inferior side on both occasions against who, until recently, were at threat of relegation.
To say they’re up against it as they head to Anfield is an understatement. A victory would be one of the biggest upsets in European football this season. Dyche’s men are 17/1 to pick up all three points.
Liverpool will no doubt be buoyed by the return of Brazil international Roberto Firmino to the starting line-up.
The relentless forward was only fit enough for the bench in last weekend’s Merseyside derby, but will join his frontline accomplices Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah from the opening whistle on Sunday. Firmino is a decent bet at 21/5 to score anytime.
For all of the concern about dropped points, Liverpool have won their last two home matches 3-0 and 5-0. Jurgen Klopp’s side haven’t conceded a Premier League goal since February 4th.
Anything other than a resounding home win would be a shock. Hesitancy has perhaps cost Klopp points against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United and Everton, but that’s not going to be an issue here. It’s a simple must-win.
TIP: Liverpool to win (-2) @ 59/50
PREDICTED SCORE: Liverpool 3-0 Burnley (Priced at 11/2 with 888sport)
CHELSEA vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (2:05pm)
Weird is probably the best word to describe Chelsea’s 2019. Embarrassing defeats have been mixed with all the usual drama, including a spectacular on-field argument between Maurizio Sarri and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
There have been reports that Sarri is a defeat away from the sack, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eden Hazard flirt with other teams. Jorginho has been booed by his own fans.
Even after all that, the Blues’ top four fate is in their own hands. A win this weekend could put them back into fourth as Arsenal and Manchester United play one another.
Winning all their remaining fixtures (they have a game in hand against Brighton) will guarantee a Champions League berth. Sarri’s side are 13/25 to win on Sunday.
Everything’s been serener at Molineux. Wolves are having the archetypal well-run-club-with-good-players campaign, often looking lightyears ahead of their mid-table contemporaries.
Raul Jimenez might be the best forward outside the top six. Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho have been excellent, and the supporting cast are impressing under the expert stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Midlands club are no strangers to upsetting a top six club either (as Chelsea know well having lost the reverse fixture). Wolves’ 8/5 price to avoid defeat will definitely get a lot of backing.
Chelsea’s January arrival Gonzalo Higuain is showing flashes of his best form. His movement was excellent against Fulham last weekend, and he took his goal superbly. Higuain is well priced at 3/1 to open the scoring in 888sport’s Premier League Odds.
No player outside the top six has scored more Premier League goals than Jimenez this term. Chelsea’s defence has been inconsistent of late – the Mexican is the most likely player to take advantage of that. He’s 14/5 to score anytime.
We don’t know which Chelsea side will turn up, though it feels like they might have turned a corner. There’s enough uncertainty to make both teams to score at 9/10 the best bet.
TIP: Both teams to score @ 9/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Chelsea 2-1 Wolves (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
