Relegation could be decided this weekend
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Battle on between Hull and Swansea
Hull and Swansea go into the weekend knowing that their Premier League future is hanging in the balance. Taking for granted that Sunderland and Middlesbrough are beyond help, it’s now between two teams to avoid one spot.
A 17th-place finish will feel like winning the World Cup to one set of fans, while 18th will be the end of the world to the other. The upcoming fixture list suggests Swansea have the better chance of saving their skin, but points on the board are worth more than games to play, putting The Tigers in a better place.
Coral traders have had their say, Boro 1/500 to take the plunge, while Swansea are 8/15 against Hull’s 13/8. Is that how you see it? Click here to place your relegation bets going into a vital month of matches, or read on as we run through how this weekend’s scores could change things.
Tigers to maul sorry Sunderland
Hull have put together an impressive run of form at the KCOM Stadium this season, and are always worth careful consideration at home. When matched with bottom of the league Sunderland, who are on a mammoth winless run and have nothing to play for, surely they are a gimme?
A home win here would give the locals a massive boost, as they are away to Crystal Palace and then at home to Tottenham in the final game of the season. That could be the same Spurs chasing a title win. Marco Silva’s side go in unbeaten in two, getting the better of Watford with a 2-0 score before ending goalless vs Southampton last time. A win to nil on Saturday has been chalked up as an 11/8 shot with us.
Hull have claimed each of their last four league games at this venue, but getting the points has never mattered more than it does now. Will they hold their ground and bank another maximum pay-out here, against a rival who has failed to score in nine of their last 10? Our football guys think so, pricing the locals as 4/9 jollies. That’s a fair call.
Swans in a sticky situation
The Swans are also at home this weekend, but they face a very different level of opponent in high-flying Everton. The Toffees have already done themselves proud this season, but have plenty to entertain themselves in the closing weeks, Arsenal and a top-six finish just two points away at present.
So far this year the visitors have been steady, if not spectacular, beating the weaker teams in the charts with minimal fuss, while throwing in a couple of upsets along the way for good measure. Ronald Koeman’s side were thumped 3-0 by Chelsea last time, but that is forgivable, given The Blues’ recent form.
Swansea could be dead and buried by now, but they have matched Hull’s mini revival, beating Stoke and getting a draw with Man Utd last time. The coming weeks sees them go to Sunderland and host West Brom, two very winnable ties, as neither have anything to play for. Therefore, losing on Saturday wouldn’t be game over for the Welsh reps. Both to score in an Everton win looks the value play here, with Coral handing out 18/5.
