Premier League Preview: Gameweek 27
9 min read
Spurs were involved in a controversial, but high-quality game at Anfield last weekend and Mauricio Pochettino’s side entertain Arsenal in the North London Derby at Wembley in Saturday’s early kick-off.
As always, I’ve spoken exclusively to BetVictor on all the weekend action.
Tottenham v Arsenal
Spurs lost the reverse fixture 2-0 at the Emirates earlier in the season but I think they can get revenge for that loss against an Arsenal side who still have to prove they can be as effective on the road as they are at home.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a promising home debut against Everton last weekend and has scored four goals in his four previous games against Spurs when with Borussia Dortmund.
Premier League leading scorer Harry Kane has six in six against the Gunners and I think it will be the hosts who keep the points in what promises to be an entertaining clash with plenty of opportunities at both ends.
Tip:
Spurs to win and both teams to score at
Everton v Crystal Palace
Palace have not lost at Everton in their last four Premier League visits and the Eagles have actually won more times at Goodison (4) than at any other away ground in the PL.
The Blues need to bounce back after an abject performance at the Emirates and, worryingly, I am not convinced Sam Allardyce knows what his best XI is.
Two former England managers in opposition and I feel they will share the spoils at Goodison.
Tip:
Game to finish 1-1 at
Stoke City v Brighton
Brighton have only scored six times away from home in the league this season, three of those came at West Ham, and they haven’t scored a goal in their last four visits to Stoke.
I would be surprised if there were many goals in the Potteries but suggest my old club will edge a low-scoring affair.
Tip:
Stoke to win to nil at
Swansea City v Burnley
Swansea have improved out of all recognition under Carlos Carvalhal and they will certainly not be lacking in confidence having beaten Liverpool and Arsenal at the Liberty in recent weeks. The Swans put eight past a hapless Notts County in the FA Cup on Tuesday and Burnley are without a win in their last nine games.
The Clarets did show against City at Turf Moor last week, however, that they are capable of giving anyone a game and I expect to see a tight, close affair, but if there is to be a winner I think the Swans might keep the points.
Tip:
Swansea Draw No Bet at
West Ham v Watford
Javi Gracia is the first @WatfordFC manager to win his first ever home #PL match game in charge of the club pic.twitter.com/kqw93XOi51
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 6, 2018
West Ham are unbeaten in their last four home games but Watford were sensational against a below-par Chelsea on Monday and I feel they can get a point at the London Stadium.
I enjoyed watching the Hornets’ mix of pace and power at Vicarage Road earlier in the week, but Watford have only picked up five points from the last 30 on the road and this game has a draw written all over it.
Tip:
Game to finish in a draw at
Manchester City v Leicester City
City are unbeaten in their last 25 home league games, but they have had their share of injuries of late although both Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane are likely to be available to Pep Guardiola sooner rather than later.
Jamie Vardy has scored in his last three league games. He has some way to go to match his record run of 11 in the Foxes’ title season of 2015/16 but I feel Claude Puel’s side will score at the Etihad. That said it might not be enough to take a point.
Tip:
City to win and both teams to score at
Huddersfield v Bournemouth
Huddersfield have lost their last two home games by a three goal margin and go into the weekend in the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Only Spurs and Manchester United (12) have picked up more points in 2018 than Bournemouth but I expect the Terriers to show their true colours against the Cherries in a game of few opportunities.
Tip:
Under 1.5 goals at
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Two of my former clubs go head-to-head and I feel United will take the points at a ground where they have won more away PL games (12) than at any other club.
The Magpies are without a win in their last eight PL home games but, surprisingly, Jose Mourinho has never won a league game at St James’s Park in six previous attempts. Paul Pogba was left out of the United side against Huddersfield at Old Trafford last weekend but I expect the Frenchman to be back in the starting XI and a winning side at the weekend.
Tip:
United to win at
Southampton v Liverpool
Congratulations to Mo Salah on reaching 20 goals in his debut season in the PL with the promise of many more to come.
Virgil van Dijk returns to St Mary’s for the first time following his big-money January move and is likely to start. Liverpool have won both PL games he has not played in since he became eligible for the Reds, however, and not won either game he has started.
Saints begin the weekend just two points above the relegation places despite winning at the Hawthorns on Saturday. Sadio Mane is another former Southampton player and the striker has scored six goals in his last five games at St Mary’s. I expect to see goals with Liverpool getting more than their fair share and giving Jurgen Klopp his 50th PL win in his 95th game in charge of the Reds.
Tip:
Liverpool to win and both teams to score at
Chelsea v West Brom
Chelsea have won all three-league games against the Baggies since Antonio Conte took over and a month ago, you would have thought this was a banker home win.
The champions have conceded seven goals in their last two league games against Bournemouth and Watford, however, and looked completely out of sorts at Vicarage Road on Monday.
Conte will demand his side bounce back against an Albion side who go into the game bottom-of-the-league. The Chelsea faithful will demand three points and an emphatic victory and I think the Blues will keep the points.
Tip:
Chelsea halftime/fulltime at
My weekend wager:
Spurs, Liverpool and United to win at
