CHASE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTS Another weekend, another game between Champions League hopefuls as Liverpool host Spurs at Anfield. Elsewhere there is plenty to play for at the foot of the table as things get closer and closer for the bottom six sides with only two points separating last place from 15th place in the league. Things will surely continue to heat up at the top as well as the bottom of the league.
Sunderland v Southampton
3.00pm Saturday
I tipped Sunderland to get something from their game against Spurs during the week last week, and at huge odds they came through to grab themselves a draw against one of the in form sides in the Premier League. It is hard to say they are turning things around at the club as they still sit at the bottom of the league, but hopes of escaping the relegation zone have certainly grown since the start of 2017. Their home form has started to improve, as was seen in their 0-0 draw last week. Sure they didn’t look like scoring or grabbing the win, but Spurs certainly didn’t cause any huge danger either.
This Southampton side can be got at right now. They are in a bit of a vulnerable place having lost both starting centre backs in the past few weeks. They went from having possibly the best partnership in the Premier League this season to not knowing who is going to play in the heart of their defence in any given week. Van Dijk of course is the bigger of the losses as he is missing a couple of months, it is tough to miss such an integral player.
With the uncertainty at the back for Southampton I think Sunderland will be confident they can nick a goal. If there is one man you want a chance to fall to it is Jermaine Defoe. He has been in excellent form again this season and is the main reason Sunderland are even in with a shout of staying up come the end of the season. I don’t think they should struggle too much at the back. Southampton have been quite up and down in front of goal this season, with Shane Long and Tadic both struggling to grab goals on a consistent basis. Rodriguez has been quite good, but outside of him there hasn’t been much inspiration going forward. With concentrations for the season largely on their EFL Cup final I think Sunderland can sneak a win.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Sunderland at 3.95.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQ_SunSou
Liverpool v Spurs
5.30pm Saturday
Both sides are coming into this game on different form. Spurs look like the most likely side to capitalise if Chelsea slip up, where as Liverpool look like they could miss out on a Champions League spot which looked a certainty a month and a half ago. They have been in terrible form since the Christmas period, capped off by a 2-0 defeat against Hull last weekend. There seems to be something a bit off at Liverpool right now. They are lacking the energy and swagger they had at the start of the season, something they desperately need to get back.
I think this is the week they start to turn things around. The last time these sides met at White Heart Lane, Liverpool absolutely dominated but only came away with a draw. The last time out Liverpool were in a much different place however. Their tales were up, they were playing an excellent brand of football and many were picking them to challenge for the league title in Jurgen Klopp’s second season in charge. The midfield is the key area for Liverpool tomorrow, they really ran the show for them at the beginning of the season. They controlled the pace of the game, created and scored so much, in order for them to get back on a run they need to find their legs again.
One thing these sides will have had leading into this game was a full week of preparation. With no midweek games for either side they have had a longer period to get ready for this game, and I think Liverpool will benefit more from this. Some of their players who have lost a bit of their edge should be back on song this weekend and I expect a big, energetic performance from Liverpool to set up the rest of their season as they try to steady the ship and get back into the Champions League.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Liverpool at 2.3.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQ-LivSpu
Burnley v Chelsea
1.30pm Sunday
I’m hopeful of another short odds lay here. Last week I just felt that the price on Spurs was off, and it went my way in the end as Sunderland managed the 0-0 draw. This week I think the prices are wrong again when you look at Burnley against Chelsea. Sure Chelsea have been brilliant this year and have opened quite a gap at the top of the table, but I think 1.44 is very short for this game. Just look at Burnley’s home form recently and you know this will not be that easy of a game for Chelsea.
In all competition Burnley have won seven on the trot at Turf Moor. It has never been a place teams have like to travel to, especially this year. The last side to beat them at home was Man City, and that was a real struggle for them, grabbing a goal at the end of the game to clinch the victory. Since then Burnley have grown in strength. Sure nine times out of ten Chelsea will grab a win against Burnley, but with the form they have at home I think this is the time for them to create an upset. You know they will be stubborn at the back. Their aim will be to keep Chelsea out and hopefully catch them off guard at the back. It will be a big ask, and I certainly wouldn’t be backing a home win, but I think at the price available Chelsea are worth a Lay.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Lay Chelsea at 1.44.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQ-BurChe
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