LUTON v BRENTFORD: Sunday 21 April 12.00am
POSITIONS: Luton 25pts, 18th. Brentford 32pts, 15th.
LUTON FORM: Only one win in their last 12 but just doing enough to stay in touch with Everton/Forest. A very unlucky own goal in the second minute at the Etihad was followed by an hour of resistance before City's class shone through in their last game. A 3-1 loss to Sheffield Utd is the Hatters only really poor performance at home in the past dozen or so games.
BRENTFORD FORM: A run of four games without defeat has effectively elevated the Bees to safety. Took a long while to break down Sheffield Utd last weekend but a host of good chances were missed, and it should have been an easier win. Away form is a bit concerning with only four points picked up in their last 11 on the road.
HISTORY: Of the five recent meetings, Brentford has won four including a comfortable 3-1 at the Gtech in December.
Prediction: Luton win ($3.10 with bet365*)
SHEFFIELD UTD v BURNLEY: Sunday 21 April 12.00am
POSITIONS: Sheffield Utd 16pts, 20th. Burnley 20pts, 19th.
SHEFFIELD UTD FORM: Without a win since 10 February and only three for the campaign. With at least four needed in the next six to stay up, it looks mission impossible. Clung on for over an hour at Brentford last time before succumbing late. On a run of 16 without a clean sheet and not creating enough chances.
BURNLEY FORM: Clinging on for dear life; just one defeat in their last six has breathed some hope. Should have picked up all three points at home against Brighton last Saturday, an absolute howler by keeper Muric potentially the costliest schoolboy error in EPL history if they go down by one or two points.
HISTORY: Burnley's 5-0 win in the reverse clash was easily a season highlight. Recent clashes suggest the venue is crucial in this match-up – of the last 12 meetings the home side has won ten, with two drawn.
Prediction: Sheffield Utd win ($2.75 with bet365*)
WOLVES v ARSENAL: Sunday 21 April 12.00am
POSITIONS: Wolves 43pts, 11th. Arsenal 71pts, 2nd.
WOLVES FORM: Made it four games without a win when they shared the points in a thriller at the City Ground last time. Cunha's return was a shot in the arm. Form at Molineux isn't great of late, losing three of their last five. Gary O'Neil's side now one of four clubs with nothing to really play for over the final six weeks.
ARSENAL FORM: Potentially handed the title to Man City when they lost to Villa for the second time this season last weekend. Add to that their elimination from the Champions League on Wednesday evening in Munich and it has been a horrible week for the Gunners. All they can do now is keep winning and score lots of goals, and hope City falter. The goal difference, currently five in Arsenal's favour, may be decisive if City pick up a draw along the way.
HISTORY: Arsenal has won the last five meetings by an aggregate of 12-3. In fact, on seven of their last nine trips to Molineux they have come away with all three points.
Prediction: Arsenal win ($1.36 with bet365*)
EVERTON v NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Sunday 21 April 10.30pm
POSITIONS: Everton 27pts, 16th. Forest 26pts, 17th.
EVERTON FORM: The joy of their first win in 13 games was quickly expunged at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening, ripped apart 6-0 in a season-low performance. Things have been better at Goodison, with three wins and three draws from their last eight. Goals continue to be hard to come by – the Toffees have scored twice in a game just once since 16 December.
FOREST FORM: A good reaction to the FFP points penalty, collecting six points in their last five to just stay above the dotted line. Starting to look a bit better at home, their only losses at the City Ground in 2024 comings against top-seven opponents, but on the road they continue to struggle.
HISTORY: This might be the most important meeting of these proud clubs – only the appeals panel decisions hanging over both sides have a bigger bearing on their respective quests for survival. Just the three meetings since the turn of the century; Everton won 1-0 at Forest in December and both matches were drawn last season.
Prediction: Everton win ($2.00 with bet365*)
ASTON VILLA v BOURNEMOUTH: Monday 22 April 12.00am
POSITIONS: Villa 63pts, 4th. Bournemouth 42pts, 13th.
VILLA FORM: Put recent defensive woes behind them with a gutsy 2-0 at the Emirates last weekend, a pivotal game in the title race and the fourth-spot battle with Spurs. The high defensive line and some world class stops by Martinez frustrated the Gunners. Watkins showed why he must be considered in the England starting 11, his finish to wrap the game up was sublime. A late goal in their Conference League quarter final in Lille took that game to penalties and the Villains prevailed. A near miss but such a dramatic rescue will buoy the side.
BOURNEMOUTH FORM: Slugged out a 2-2 draw with Man Utd at home last weekend following a late capitulation at Luton. Enjoying this part of the season more than usual, safely clear of the drop zone which is normally not the case. Almost as effective away from the Vitality this season which has helped their cause.
HISTORY: Surprisingly, in the Premier League era this has been a good fixture for the Cherries – they have won four and drawn one of the seven encounters.
Prediction: Aston Villa win ($1.85 with bet365*)
CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST HAM: Monday 22 April 12.00am
POSITIONS: Palace 33pts, 14th. West Ham 48pts, 8th.
PALACE FORM: Every season they manage to pull off a monumental upset, and the 23/24 reincarnation came at Anfield last weekend. In a spirited defensive display, the Eagles kept Liverpool scoreless at home which is something only one other side has done in the last 66 matches there. The 33 points they have now reached thanks to that win should be enough to keep them up, and safely in 10th to 15th position for an 11th season running. Olise, Eze, and Mateta were sharp at Anfield and can cause the Hammers all sorts of bother.
WEST HAM FORM: The rigours of Europa League football for this thin squad might be beginning to show. It wasn't a back-foot performance at home to Fulham last weekend but in the end they looked weak in front of goal and deserved to lose. The Hammers took on the might of Beyer Leverkusen on Thursday evening and scored early, putting the tie in the balance. Fatigue set in late and an 89th minute equaliser spelt the end of West Ham's European campaign.
HISTORY: Palace has the ascendancy of late, winning two and drawing one of the last three meetings. Curiously, both sides have scored in the last 13 encounters.
Prediction: Crystal Palace win ($2.10 with bet365*)
FULHAM v LIVERPOOL: Monday 22 April 1.30am
POSITIONS: Fulham 42pts, 12th. Liverpool 71pts, 3rd.
FULHAM FORM: Ended a run of three plain results with a deserved 2-0 win at West Ham last weekend, just their third away success of the season. The Cottagers have won more than half their games at home this campaign, including the notable scalps of Arsenal and Tottenham. Playing for pride and contracts only from here, with European dreams dashed by successive defeats in early April.
LIVERPOOL FORM: We said they were struggling a bit before the last game at home to Palace, and lady luck finally turned on the Reds. Despite a plethora of scoring opportunities, the visitors eked out a 1-0 win and put a massive dent in Klopp's fairytale finish. To add to their woes, a 1-0 midweek win at Atalanta was not enough to keep them alive in the Europa League. On a bright note, Liverpool has won their last six away games against sides in the bottom half.
HISTORY: A win at Anfield during Covid is Fulham's only success in the last 13 against Liverpool in all competitions. Their last win at home was way back in 2011.
Prediction: Liverpool win ($1.55 with bet365*)
SUGGESTED WAGER:
Aston Villa to win and both teams to score at $3.00* with bet365.
Crystal Palace to win and both teams to score at $4.00* with bet365.
*Odds correct at 9.30am 19 April 2024.
