Hot on the heels of midweek Premier League action, Gameweek 25 hurtles into view, beginning on Saturday.
Starting out at Old Trafford, Manchester United host Southampton with the Red Devils still out of sorts under Ralf Rangnick’s temporary stewardship. Flattering to deceive away to Burnley on Tuesday night, United failed to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough and in truth, largely ran out of ideas in attack against a side who are battling relegation.
Their GW25 opponents Southampton, meanwhile, picked up an impressive win away to Tottenham Hotspur in midweek, and have now won three of their last four on the road in all competitions, including also at the London Stadium. That could spell trouble for the hosts here and punters should jump to back the Saints at a lusty 49/10 with SBK. If we look at United’s results of late also, four of their games have ended 1-1 – their last two outings in particular – and a similar scoreline does not look out of the question at a longer, but equally tempting price of 8/1 with PariMatch and BetVictor.
Saturday afternoon then sees a trio of 3pms kick-offs and arguably, the big focus will move down the M6 to Goodison Park as Everton hosts Leeds United. In what is something of a potential relegation six-pointer, the Toffees’ first league game under the stewardship of Frank Lampard ended in defeat. Make no mistake, Everton now look to have been drawn into the scrap of three teams from seven to make the drop to the Championship, of which the visiting Whites are also a part of, albeit sitting four points ahead of their opponents.
Every game for the Merseysiders is now vital with just a two-cushion to the bottom three. Leeds are not the sort of opposition Everton would have chosen in their attempts to pull clear of danger, however, and after Marcelo Bielsa’s charges put three past Aston Villa last time out, Everton’s flaky defence may be looking nervous. The draw at a decent market value of 11/4 with Betway looks appealing.
On the subject of the spectre of relegation, Newcastle United climbed out of the bottom three only days ago with their second win on the bounce. Having bought well in the transfer window, Steven Gerrard looks to put a fork in Eddie Howe’ progress on Tyneside here, but the Magpies look a revitalised side now with a more reliable back line, together the creative influences of Kieran Trippier. What price Newcastle to make it nine points from nine? SpreadEx’s odds of 9/5 shouldn’t be sniffed at.
Elsewhere on the menu in GW25, Norwich are no longer the forlorn Canaries dive-bombing in the cave of the second tier but visit of champions elect Manchester City will be a bench test of Dean Smith’s new ethos at Carrow Road. A City win looks nailed on, but the East Anglian side looks capable of at least finding the net on their own turf. For Both Team to Score, QuinnBet and Betway’s 13/10 pricing is worth checking out.
The pick of the games for goals meanwhile, looks like it could at The King Power Stadium, as Leicester City entertain West Ham. Though the Foxes are without a league win since their defeat of Liverpool during the festive period, Brendan Rodgers men have been involved in a number of goal-laden meetings, with 12 of the last 15 games having seen over 2.5 goals recorded across the board – nine of which have seen over 3.5. If we also consider that the Irons have hit a rather inconsistent run of form, the boughs could be breached at both ends here, but to play it safer, a 9/5 flutter with PariMatch and BetVictor, could again bring rewards.
