AFTER a shorter than usual game week due to league teams having FA Cup commitments, the English Premier League is back into full swing, and there are a host of intriguing matches across game week 31.
Despite looking shaky in their 1-0 win over Newcastle, Leicester remain five points clear at the top of the table, however, their lead is far from assured as the Foxes face a tricky away fixture against Crystal Palace.
The second placed Spurs are within striking distance and will be confident of bridging the gap this weekend, but will not have it all their own way against the red-hot Bournemouth at White Hart Lane.
At the opposite end of the table Sunderland and Newcastle met in arguably English football’s fiercest derby, but this time the loser will face certain relegation so the match is a must-see.
It looms as the most important week in the English Premier League season to date.
We have pored over the games and chosen our four best value bets across game week 32 and put together a multi worthy of your hard earned cash.
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Week 31 EPL Multi:
Everton to defeat Arsenal ($2.50 with WilliamHill.com.au)
Double chance – Crystal Palace to beat Leicester or to draw ($1.50 with WilliamHill.com.au)
Newcastle to beat Sunderland ($2.10 WilliamHill.com.au)
Tottenham to beat Bournemouth ($1.57 WilliamHill.com.au)
Four leg multi pays $12.36 with WilliamHill.com.au
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Everton vs. Arsenal
Our tip: Everton to win ($2.62 with Sportsbet.com.au)
Everton host Arsenal in the opening match of the Premier League weekend.
The Toffees have had a sporadic season to date and should be much higher than they are right now, but lapses in concentration and poor defending has led to Everton conceding late goals when victory was within their grasp.
After promising so much for the majority of the season, Arsenal’s football campaigns across nearly every completion have fallen apart.
After losing to Watford at home in the FA Cup on the weekend, the Gunners travel to Spain on Thursday morning to face the unenivable task of toppling Barcelona, already down 0-2 on aggregate.
The Gunners are still mathematically in the hunt for the Premier League title and are all but guaranteed of Champions League football again next season, but their rabid fans are never satisfied with anything less than a trophy in every season.
Their spirited 2-1 home win against league leaders Leicester seems like an age ago and the Gunners have not won since that February 14th triumph.
Facing Everton at home on the back of a Champions League fixture against the rampaging Barcelona in Spain is a daunting prospect to any team, but especially so to the lacklustre Gunners.
Expect Everton to register the win here and condemn Arsenal to yet another title-less season under Arsene Wenger.
Crystal Palace vs. Leicester
Our tip: Double chance – Crystal Place to win or draw ($1.50 with Sportsbet.com.au)
I know what you are thinking; how could you possibly go against the league leaders and select a team who has not won in the Premier League in 2016?
Let us explain.
While Leicester are the title favourites ($1.90 with Sportsbet) they have looked vulnerable in their recent matches, only just scraping past strugglers Newcastle and Watford respectively..
Can the league leaders handle the weight of expectation? We saw what happened when the Foxes blew a 1-0 lead away to Arsenal, so the big question is: can they maintain the rage when the pressure is well and truly on?
Crystal Palace is close to ten points clear of the drop zone – a win against Leicester would ensure they are playing Premier League football in 2017.
Despite not winning in the league since mid-December, the Eagles have shown great form in other competitions, most specifically the FA Cup where they are $4.50 third favourites to hoist the trophy.
If they can translate their FA Cup form to the league competition will offer a substantial challenge to Leicester.
The last time the two teams met at Selhurst Park it was the Eagles who prevailed 2-0, and we are expecting them to at least register a draw here to chalk up another leg to our multi.
Newcastle vs. Sunderland
Our tip: Newcastle to win ($2.12 with Sportsbet.com.au)
The Tyne-Wear derby is the next match of our multi, and if this match lives up to expectations it should be an absolute stunner.
Newcastle have endured a horror run in the Premier League recently, having lost their last four matches on the trot; but with newly appointed manager Rafa Benitez taking over from Steve Maclaren, there is renewed optimism from Magpies’ supporters that they could stay up.
Sunderland, who are currently one point clear of the drop zone have secured some hard fought draws across their last fortnight of Premier League action, but will be desperate for a win to distance themselves from the bottom three.
The Black Cats have sensational form against their Tyneside rivals too.
Sunderland have won the last six Tyne-Wear derbies which is their best ever run against Newcastle United.
One thing playing in the favour of Newcastle is the terrific record of Rafa Benitez, who has never lost an opening home fixture as a manager of his last six clubs.
Newcastle have the far superior team on paper, and with Rafa Benitez at the helm there is no reason why they should not be leap frogging Sunderland on Monday with a much needed home win.
Tottenham vs. Bournemouth
Our tip: Tottenham to win ($1.57 with Sportsbet.com.au)
Can Tottenham’s dream run towards a maiden English Premier League title continue?
That is the question Spurs fans will be asking themselves ahead of their vital home clash against the Cherries on Tuesday night.
It is an interesting contest too with both teams having the credentials to win this match.
The Spurs have experienced an incredible run of form at White Hart Lane, losing just two games from their last 16 appearances at their home venue.
Bournemouth’s recent away record is one of the best in the league.
The Cherries have lost just one of their last nine away fixtures in the league this season, and only Leicester (34) and Tottenham (33) have won more points in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (28) since December.
Bournemouth will offer up a lot of fight on Monday but ultimately the Spurs need to win this match to keep in touch with the Foxes and we are tipping they will do exactly that.
