Premier League Preview: Stoke v Palace, Wenger’s goodbye and more
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All the talking points in the top-flight this weekend
It’s the penultimate weekend of the Premier League and there’s still plenty to be decided at both ends of the table.
The most exciting action comes at the bottom of the division, where every single side could mathematically still be relegated. That makes Stoke City’s clash with Crystal Palace one of the biggest of the weekend.
Elsewhere, Chelsea take on Liverpool in a titanic encounter, while Arsene Wenger bids farewell to North London after 22 years.
The Coral News Team have covered it all in their weekend talking points…
Another Baggies miracle v Spurs?
West Brom aren’t going down without a fight. The Baggies have strung together a four-game unbeaten run under the stewardship of caretaker boss Darren Moore.
They’ve beaten Manchester United and drawn with Liverpool in that sequence. And now they’re looking to add Tottenham Hotspur to that list.
Spurs will be wary of a trip to the Hawthorns having drawn at Brighton & Hove Albion in their last away match. Add in that these sides have drawn four of their last five meetings and you can back a draw this afternoon at 7/2.
Coral also go 9/5 about West Brom or Draw on the Double Chance, while Jay Rodriguez is 13/5 to bag his third goal in five matches Anytime.
Last chance saloon for Stoke
Lose against Crystal Palace and Stoke can kiss goodbye to their 10-year stay in the Premier League. The Potters are three points adrift of safety and have a goal difference of -33.
A draw could keep them alive against in-form Palace. But really, only all three points will give them a realistic chance of survival. A run of six defeats in their last seven against the Eagles will do little to boost confidence in Staffordshire.
You can back Paul Lambert’s men at 13/8. The visitors are 17/10, with the draw priced at 23/10. In what could be a tight encounter, Under 2.5 Goals is 5/6.
Chelsea v Liverpool at the Bridge
Chelsea have played out some classics down the years. Remember the two Champions League semi-finals? Gerrard’s slip in 2014? And what about Jordan Henderson’s corker at Stamford Bridge just last season.
With those events still fresh in the memory, the Coral News Team are hoping for another stunner at the Bridge. Liverpool may opt to rest players due to their UCL commitments, and that could give the hosts the encouragement they need to take all three points.
Antonio Conte’s men are 6/5 for success. Only twice in the last 15 iterations of this fixture have both sides failed to find the back of the net. It’s 8/13 for Both Teams to Score on Sunday.
Mind the goal difference, Huddersfield
When you’re languishing near the bottom of the table, a trip to Manchester City is the last thing you need. Unfortunately for Huddersfield Town, that’s the task they’re saddled with on Sunday.
Given the Terriers’ away record of three wins all-season long, this match could be about damage limitation.
Goal difference could be vital come the final day, so David Wagner will be wary of City adding to their tally of 58 goals at the Etihad Stadium in their penultimate home match of the season.
However, the Coral News Team think that Town will find things tough against the Citizens. It’s 4/5 for Over 3.5 Goals and 7/4 for Over 4.5 Goals on Sunday.
Wenger’s home farewell
Exactly 7,870 days after taking charge at Highbury for the very first time, Arsene Wenger will bid farewell to the Emirates. But far from a peaceful swansong, this is a vital game in the Gunners’ season.
Defeat will put them level on points with opponents Burnley and at serious risk of finishing seventh in the Premier League. That would mean a July start for the Gunners and their new manager in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
The good news, then, is that the North Londoners have an excellent record against the Clarets. They’ve won their last seven matches against the Lancashire side. They’re unbeaten at home versus Sean Dyche’s men since 1971.
It’s 8/15 that Wenger signs off with a win. You can back Alexandre Lacazette to continue his good form with a goal Anytime at 6/5, while it’s 7/1 that the Gunners rack up a third successive 2-1 home win in this fixture.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
