WE’RE just three weeks out from the end of the English Premier League season, but for all intents and purposes, the title is wrapped up for Leicester.
The Foxes only need to claim just three points from their remaining three matches to secure the title, while Tottenham would have to rely on the league leaders losing every fixture from here.
Sportsbet is so confident that Leicester have an unassailable lead that they have moved the league leaders into $1.04 to be the champions of England.
The title is all but settled, so we look directly to the opposite end of the table, where Norwich, Sunderland and Newcastle are locked in a fierce battle for survival.
Newcastle have looked much better since Rafa Banitez has taken over the managerial position, but they still remain the $1.20 favourite of the three to go down.
Norwich prospects do not look much better at $1.22, while Sunderland have the best hope of escaping the bottom three in the eyes of WilliamHill.com.au at $1.91.
Enough of the boring stuff let’s get into this week’s multi.
All odds this week are provided by Sportsbet.com.au, who are running a terrific sign up bonus for those who are yet to register an online sports betting account.
Place your first bet with your new Sportsbet account and they will match your first bet up to the value of $501.
The EPL Week 36 multi:
Stoke to defeat Sunderland ($2.62)
Newcastle to defeat Crystal Palace ($1.95)
West Ham to beat West Brom ($2.10)
Liverpool to beat Swansea ($2.40)
Combined multi value: $25.74 at Sportsbet.com.au
Stoke vs. Sunderland
Sunday, May 1 from 12am at Britannia Stadium, Stoke City
Mid-table Stoke host relegation embattled Sunderland to kick off our multi this week.
Neither side take spectacular form into the match, but Sunderland in particular have been ordinary over the past month, taking only three points via draws from that time period.
The Britannia Stadium is typically a hostile venue that even the best teams struggle to get a result at, and even though the results have not been the best for Stoke over the the last six weeks they should prove far too strong for the Black Cats at home.
Multi tip: Stoke to win – $2.62
Newcastle vs. Crystal Palace
Sunday, May 1 from 12am at St James’ Park, Newcastle
An interesting battle awaits Newcastle and Crystal Palace at St James’ Park this weekend.
The Magpies looked dead and buried just over a month ago, but having taken five points from their last three games the spark seems to have returned to the Toon Army.
Relegation is not something Crystal Palace need to concern themselves with at this stage of the season, and they feel they have bigger fish to fry in other competitions.
Crystal Palace have the FA Cup final against Manchester United to worry about, while the Magpies fight for survival is the only thing occupying their minds.
We expect a rejuvenated Newcastle to surge past the Eagles and keep their Premier League status hopes alive.
Multi tip: Newcastle to win – $1.95
West Brom vs. West Ham
Sunday, May 1 from 12am at The Hawthorns, West Brom
It is a battle of the Westerners at the Hawthorns as the Baggies host the Hammers for the third leg of our multi.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis must be thanking his lucky stars that his side did enough to secure Premier League survival early in the season, as their tail end to the campaign has been nothing short of woeful.
The Baggies have lost four of their last six matches.
West Ham still harbour hopes of an unlikely top-four finish, but they cannot afford to drop any games on the run to the finish line if they are to make that dream a reality.
Sportsbet has the Hammers as a $31 chance to finish the 2015/16 campaign inside the top quartet.
It looms as an easy win for West Ham, who simply must win to ensure their slim top-four chances remain alive.
Multi tip: West Ham to win – $2.10
Swansea vs. Liverpool
Sunday, May 1 from 9pm at Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales
Struggling Swansea welcome Liverpool to the Liberty Stadium in the final leg of our multi this week.
The Swans have been terrible over the last fortnight, conceding seven goals against Leicester City and Newcastle United.
Liverpool have been magnificent over the last four matches, securing ten points from a possible 12.
Swansea have only one of their last nine meetings against the Reds, and if Liverpool are able to defeat the Swans they will make it five wins in a row against the Welshman.
We are backing the Reds to do exactly that to bring our multi home in style.
