The penultimate weekend of the Premier League weekend is upon us. The schedule-makers and European commitments have left just two 3pm matches on Saturday.
The Friday night kick-off between Everton and Burnley and two of Saturday’s televised matches join the 3pm clashes in this weekend’s accumulator.
FRIDAY
EVERTON vs Burnley (8pm)
Everton and Burnley’s matches combined for a total of one goal last weekend. The under 2.5 goals in 888Sport’s Premier League odds will no doubt get a lot of backing as a result at 23/25.
Neither side has much to play for in the remainder of the campaign, with Everton needing two victories and a fair bit of good fortune to finish seventh after a slip up against Crystal Palace last time out.
Burnley are safe, but the accountants will hope they can push up the table to increase the season-ending prize money.
Everton are in fine form at Goodison Park, taking 10 points from their last four matches, which have all been against top six opposition. Marco Silva’s side are a good bet to get another win here.
TIP: Everton to win @ 4/7
PREDICTED SCORE: Everton 2-0 Burnley (6/1 with 888sport)
SATURDAY
AFC BOURNEMOUTH vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (12:30pm)
Bournemouth played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Southampton last weekend despite a long injury list and poor record in the second half of the campaign. Eddie Howe’s side face Spurs at a good time, though, and will be confident ahead of this lunchtime clash.
Tottenham were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at home to Ajax in midweek. Their attention is firmly on the return leg and Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rotate heavily for the trip to the south coast.
Spurs could yet miss out on the top four, but a draw would be a good result here with the other three teams all faltering.
Tottenham's attack should thrive against a weakened Bournemouth. This could be a high-scoring match, making over 2.5 a good bet.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 3/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Bournemouth 2-3 Tottenham (17/1 with 888sport)
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs Fulham (3pm)
Wolves remain in the box seat for seventh, having notched impressive wins against Arsenal and Watford in their last two matches.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have had a wonderful season, which is in stark contrast to their Saturday opponents, who were also promoted last term.
Fulham have finally shown signs of life. It’s been too little too late, but Scott Parker has some positives to build on, winning three in a row. They are outsiders for the trip to Molineux, however, and would be happy to avoid defeat.
It was a surprise to see Wolves at 8/15 to take all three points. Fulham’s improvement shouldn’t be ignored, but Nuno’s side should have too much.
TIP: Wolves to win @ 8/15
PREDICTED SCORE: Wolves 2-0 Fulham (13/2 with 888sport)
WEST HAM UNITED vs SOUTHAMPTON (3pm)
West Ham put in an impressive performance to earn victory away to Spurs last Saturday, ending a poor run of form.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been up and down this season, though they will be keen to put on a show in their final home match of the campaign.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has guided Southampton to safety and can begin to look ahead to next season after securing their top flight status last weekend. Their away form isn’t great, which could see West Ham get a lot of backing in this one.
With both teams able to relax, this should be an entertaining affair in east London. Over 2.5 goals at 3/5 is a solid price, but over 3.5 at 31/20 is the better value.
TIP: Over 3.5 goals @ 31/20
PREDICTED SCORE: West Ham 2-2 Southampton (10/1 with 888sport)
CARDIFF CITY vs Crystal Palace (3pm)
Cardiff must win their final two matches of the season to avoid relegation. Neil Warnock’s side have lost four of their last five at home and face a Crystal Palace side that have thrived on the road this season.
Roy Hodgson’s team have won four of five away from home, including a stunning victory away to Arsenal. Palace are stuck in the bottom half, and have been up and down in recent weeks, making them a hard side to predict.
The 1/2 price for Cardiff to avoid defeat is the best option here. Warnock will set his side up to absorb pressure in the first half and nick a goal.
It won’t be pretty, and it may well not be enough to keep their season alive, but Cardiff will make it very difficult for Palace.
TIP: Cardiff to win or draw @ 1/2
PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 1-1 Crystal Palace (23/4 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
