Fixtures come thick and fast at this time of year. There’s a full Premier League schedule in midweek with four matches on Tuesday night. Cardiff, Brighton, Newcastle and Burnley all have crucial clashes as they look to avoid relegation.
Everton, Wolves and Leicester are competing in mid-table for a few extra million in prize money. Huddersfield, well, they’re just playing the season out at this point. Below are a few thoughts on each fixture with a score prediction and a best bet tip.
CARDIFF CITY vs Everton
Cardiff’s heavy defeat at home to Watford on Friday was somewhat of a surprise. They have been up and down at home, mixing resolute performances with hefty losses.
It’s hard to know which Cardiff we will see against Everton on Tuesday. Prior to the Watford defeat, Neil Warnock’s side had notched two crucial victories – Warnock will hope his side can return to that form.
Everton had the weekend off, though their last match also saw them lose to Watford. Marco Silva is coming under increasing pressure at Goodison Park with the Toffees currently in the bottom half of the table, having lost four of their last five in the league.
Warnock will set his side up to get something here after Friday’s loss. The 8/11 on the hosts to avoid defeat is a good way to sit on the fence.
TIP: Cardiff to win or draw @ 8/11
PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 1-1 Everton (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
Huddersfield Town vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Just in case Huddersfield’s fate needed further confirmation, the Terriers were comfortably beaten away at Newcastle on Saturday.
Jan Siewert has been unable to right a sinking ship, leaving Huddersfield 14 points from safety. It’s a case of playing for pride now, though they face a challenge against Wolves in midweek.
Wolves relinquished the seven spot at the weekend, failing to beat Bournemouth while Watford thrashed Cardiff. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have had a dream campaign thus far and will be confident of a comfortably victory against Huddersfield.
Huddersfield have lost 20 of their 27 league matches. Wolves have a good away record. The 4/5 on an away win looks a very good bet.
TIP: Wolves to win @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Huddersfield 0-3 Wolves (Priced at 23/2 with 888sport)
LEICESTER CITY vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester sacked Claude Puel on Sunday after a 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Foxes are underperforming the talent in their squad this season and have fallen into the bottom half. We could see the change-of-manager-bounce for the visit of Brighton.
Brighton were due to play Chelsea at the weekend but have to wait for that fixture because of their opponent’s League Cup final commitments.
A poor run has pulled Chris Hughton’s side back into the relegation discussion – a home defeat to Brighton in their last outing will have set alarm bells ringing for some at the Amex.
888sport's Premier League betting odds have Leicester at 10/11 to get the win. That looks a good price after Puel’s sacking.
TIP: Leicester to win @ 10/11
PREDICTED SCORE: Leicester 2-1 Brighton (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs Burnley
Newcastle have a new fan favourite in Miguel Almiron, who shone against Huddersfield at the weekend. The Magpies still need 10 more points to be confident of safety.
Burnley are not the ideal opponent right now, but Rafa Benitez has seen his side win their last three at home and will be quietly confident of a win here.
Burnley are unbeaten in eight league matches, a streak bettered only by Manchester City. A dramatic and controversial win over Tottenham leaves the Clarets closer to 10th than they are to the relegation zone.
Sean Dyche’s side have turned things around after a woeful first half of the season and look like the team that finished seventh last season. This one is likely to be settled by the odd goal, but home advantage – and the thrilling Almiron – makes Newcastle favourites.
TIP: Newcastle to win or draw @ 27/100
PREDICTED SCORE: Newcastle 2-1 Burnley (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
