Premier League: Matchday 31 Tips & Predictions
There’s a packed midweek fixture list in the Premier League to look forward to and matchday 31 could have huge ramifications at both ends of the table.
Champions Manchester City host Aston Villa at the Etihad on Wednesday night and the Citizens appear to have the trickiest midweek assignment of the three title hopefuls.
Arsenal welcome Luton to the Emirates on the same evening and will be keen to regain the winning thread after their goalless draw at City on Sunday.
Leaders Liverpool are the last of the title-chasing trio in action with the Reds taking on ailing Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday.
Tip 1 - Newcastle v Everton over 3.5 goals @ 7/5
Champions League football won't be returning to St James' Park next season but Newcastle can boost their chances of European qualification with a home win over Everton.
The Magpies fought back to beat West Ham 4-3 in a crazy Premier League contest at the weekend and only Liverpool (40) have scored more home goals than the Magpies (38) this season.
However, the Toon have shipped 51 goals in 29 Premier League games this term and they have kept only one clean sheet in the league since mid-December.
Everton are without a win in 12 top-flight outings but the Toffees have found the net against Manchester City, Brighton, West Ham and in two meetings with Spurs during that run, so Sean Dyche’s men look capable of contributing to a high-scoring contest on Tyneside.
Tip 2 - Tottenham to beat West Ham @ 11/10
There’s a spicy London derby between West Ham and Tottenham on Tuesday night and it’s one that can go the way of Spurs.
Surrendering a 3-1 lead at Newcastle on Saturday will take a lot of getting over for West Ham, whose wafer-thin squad is looking badly stretched.
Spurs commanded nearly 70 per cent possession and registered 17 shots against Luton at the weekend and they can leave the London Stadium with a vital three points in the race for Champions League football.
Tip 3 - Aston Villa or draw double chance @ 14/5
Manchester City face a battle to retain their Premier League crown and the champions could face a further setback against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
City played out a goalless draw with Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday, when the Citizens failed to create a single meaningful chance.
Pep Guardiola’s men managed only one shot on target against the Gunners and while Mikel Arteta’s side are a superior outfit to Villa, the Villans are certainly no pushovers.
City have won only three of their last six Premier League games and two of those wins were narrow 1-0 victories over Bournemouth and Brentford.
Guardiola still has fitness concerns over John Stones, Ederson, Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake and Villa look capable of causing the Citizens more problems than the prices suggest.
Tip 4 - Chelsea to win & over 3.5 goals v Manchester Utd @ 5/2
Manchester United's top-four hopes look extremely forlorn following their 1-1 draw at Brentford and further disappointment may await the Red Devils at Chelsea.
The Blues failed to beat ten-man Burnley on Saturday but Mauricio Pochettino’s men have invariably been seen to best effect against the Premier League's elite.
Chelsea have taken points off all of the top three this term and the Blues have netted 14 goals in their last five matches at Stamford Bridge.
United are flattered by their league position and they are likely to fall short again in the capital.