The weekend is coming and so that means we are back with our weekly look at the games coming up in the exciting Premier League!
After Matchday 35, the latest Premier League table shows us that Arsenal are still very much in the title race, the battle for Champions League and other European qualification places is very much on and that the relegation battle also is now clicking into top gear.
With just three games to go for most teams, we are now at the business end of the season where every point gained or dropped can be the difference between a team achieving their aims, or missing out, or worse still, dropping into the Championship.
This weekend we have the full set of ten games taking place across Saturday, Sunday and Monday and we will of course be giving you our preview and top tip for each game.
If you are looking for the latest betting on the games coming up this weekend then you can find great value pre-match and in play betting markets while the matches are in progress at bet365 Sport.
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So let’s now begin by working our way through the matches taking place this weekend.
Premier League Matchday 36
All games kick off at 3pm unless otherwise stated.
Saturday 13th May
Leeds United v Newcastle United (12.30pm)
The pressure is really on Leeds United right now as last week’s defeat by Manchester City combined with other results going against them meant that they dropped into 19th place in the table. Sam Allardyce faces a huge task motivating his team for this massive game against a Newcastle side who have been one of the best in the Premier League this season. If Leeds are going to rescue themselves that will likely start with a result here, but I am not sure that they will get it.
Tip – Take Newcastle United to win at 4/6.
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
A big enough win for Aston Villa here would be enough to take them above Tottenham in the league table and that is going to be a big incentive for the home side with European Football very much a target for both these teams. Spurs form of late, away from home in particular, has not been great but they are showing some fight under Ryan Mason and they won’t make this easy and as such, I think this game has the look of a scoring draw.
Tip – A hard fought draw between the two at 11/4
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Both these teams enjoyed rare victories last week with Chelsea earning a 3-1 away win at Bournemouth while Nottingham Forest ran out dramatic 4-3 winners over Southampton in a pulsating game at the City Ground. Forest are battling hard to survive the drop from the Premier League this season but with Frank Lampard’s team finally getting a first win under their returning manager, I am expecting Chelsea to follow that up with another win here.
Tip – Take Chelsea to win – 1/2
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Roy Hodgson has done a brilliant job steering Palace to safety and he is now set to stay on as manager. Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil has also done a fine job moving his side to the brink of safety and with the pressure eased on both these teams I think we should be in for an open and exciting game. However, with home advantage, I’d expect Palace to get the job done here.
Tip – I’m backing Palace for the win here at 5/6.
Manchester United v Wolves
Both these teams have had their issues, particularly away from home, in recent times which seems to suggest that Manchester United have the big advantage here playing this at Old Trafford. Wolves are safe now and the pressure is off them a little so they may play a bit more freely here. However, United’s home record is generally very good and I would expect the home side to do more than enough to pick up the win here.
Tip – Manchester United to win – 4/11
Southampton v Fulham
There’s no option for Southampton now. They have to win the game and hope that results go their way in other games in order to stand any chance of avoiding the drop and in truth, I can’t see that happening. Fulham have proven to be a good side this season and they lie comfortably in mid-table and I can see them taking advantage of Southampton’s dismal home form to claim the win here that will send the Saints down.
Tip – Take Fulham for the win at 29/20
Sunday 14th May
Brentford v West Ham United (2pm)
A London derby game which has more riding on it for West Ham than it does Brentford. The Bees are safe in 9th place in the table and well off the danger at the foot and closer to the battle for the European places. West Ham’s win last week over Manchester United improved their position a great deal, but they are not safe just yet, mathematically at least, and I feel they need at least one more point to be sure of staying up. They may just get that here if Brentford take their eye off the ball.
Tip – Back the draw here at 13/5
Everton v Manchester City (2pm)
Can Everton follow up their sensational win at Brighton last week with an even better win at home to title chasing Manchester City? It would be an astonishing feat if the Toffees could beat the top two at home, having already beaten Arsenal 1-0 this season but in truth I can’t see it. City look unflappable at the moment and if Real Madrid can’t get the better of Pep’s side at the Bernebeu, I don’t hold out too much hope for Everton to do so here.
Tip – Manchester City to win – 4/11
Arsenal v Brighton (4.30pm)
Sunday’s later kick off sees Arsenal trying to maintain the pressure on Manchester City as they face a Brighton side who were stunned by Everton last week, losing 5-1 at home to the Toffees. That was probably the only blip on what has been a great season for the Seagulls all things considered but they will know they can’t have too many more defeats if they want European football next season. Arsenal though are very tough to beat at home and as such, I am backing them to land the win here.
Tip – Arsenal to win – 8/11
Monday 15th May
Leicester City v Liverpool (8pm)
With just one win in their last five games, and last week’s defeat at Fulham sending them into the bottom three after wins for Everton and Nottingham Forest, it is fair to say that Leicester City badly need to pick up points. The problem is that they are facing a Liverpool side that has finally hit form in the Premier League, winning all their last six to move in with a chance of a Champions League qualification spot. Defensively, I think these two sides have issues, with Leicester’s being more bothersome and hence I am going to go for a Liverpool win here.
Tip – Liverpool to win – 11/20
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing, but may have changed since.
