Rafa could have a rough welcome as Leicester edge ever closer
Once again we ring up the ex-Scottish international to get his picks on this week's Premier League action.
I love a good derby weekend. Tyne-Wear, Manchester and London derbies with two of them on the television, what more could you ask for? We have the same old question, just how long can Leicester keep it going? Can Spurs catch up if there’s a slip up? The boys from White Hart Lane make up a leg of my 3/1 treble of them, Man City and Swansea.
I haven’t won a goalscoring fourfold in a while but I’m confident in my choices of Romelu Lukaku, Sergio Aguero, Saido Berahino and Graziano Pelle. That brings up odds of 31/1!
Everton vs Arsenal – 12:45 Saturday (Live on BT Sport) –Bet now
I think this is very close. If you go by form, Everton will have this in the bag. They were so impressive against Chelsea last week. Arsenal need to play better than they did against Watford and Barcelona over the last week. They know if they lose, then their title challenge is well and truly over. They need to win every game they have left.
Everton’s home form is poor, but I fancy them in this match. Players like Lukaku and Deulofeu are coming into form now.
Andy’s bet: Everton 2-1 Arsenal at
Swansea vs Aston Villa – 17:30 Saturday (Live on Sky) – Bet now
I don’t see any hope for Aston Villa. They might come along and surprise us with a good result, but I don’t see where it’s going to come from. It’s at the stage where they need to be blooding the youngsters from the under 21’s into the team for the Championship next season. I got relegated with Villa in 1987, and there was far more fight and guts in that team than there is in this one. Easy Swansea win.
Andy’s bet: Swansea 3-0 at
Newcastle vs Sunderland – 13:30 Sunday (Live on Sky) – Bet now
He’s baaaack! This is one of the biggest Tyne-Wear derbies in recent memory. I think if you go on current form then Sunderland have been playing the better football, only one defeat in the last five games.
I think Rafa will make Newcastle tough to beat, but they need to get their attack firing. We know Sunderland’s record in these games over the last couple of years. I don’t think they’ll win this one though. This is going to be open so I’m going for a draw
Andy’s bet: Draw at
Manchester City vs Manchester United- 4pm Sunday (Live on Sky) – Bet now
City have been disappointing at times, but they have the talent to change it around. United have been disappointing at times, but they don’t. If City even turn up to 70% of their level, they’ll win it comfortably. Louis Van Gaal can try and defend all he want, City will break you down at the Etihad. It’s been the away form that’s let Pellegrini down big time. City are right to be odds on because it reflects the gulf in quality. How many of United’s team would get into City’s starting XI? One – David De Gea.
Andy’s bet: David Silva first goalscorer at
Chelsea vs West Ham -3pm Saturday- Bet now
I love the look of this London derby. West Ham have a lot to play for because people seem to be forgetting about them in the race for fourth. I open my papers and I see people talking about Man City, Man United, Liverpool and even Chelsea, but no one is mentioning Slaven Bilic’s Hammers. Chelsea are in flying form but remember: West Ham have already beaten Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal away from home. Who says they can’t take another scalp?
Andy’s bet: Score draw
Crystal Palace vs Leicester -3pm Saturday (Live on Setanta Ireland)-Bet now
It’s the same old situation with Leicester. People don’t think they are going to win it. They’re still odds against vs Palace with Paddy Power which I am stunned at. Palace are showing signs of revival. The game against Reading showed me that there was a bit of fight in them. This is a tough one for Leicester, I think Palace might get something out of it.
Andy’s bet: 1-1 draw
Watford vs Stoke – 3pm Saturday – Bet now
Watford are on a high after beating Arsenal last week. They should be safe now barring a massive drop in form, but I think this could be the big surprise of the weekend. I’m looking at an away victory for Mark Hughes and Stoke. They’ll want to bounce back from a poor result against Southampton at home and I think they will
Andy’s bet: Stoke to win
West Brom vs Norwich – 3pm Saturday – Bet now
Tony Pulis is doing what Tony Pulis does. He’s quietly taking his team up the table, with no one really noticing. They’re comfortably mid table now, the same cannot be said for Norwich, who need every single point they can get. They did very well to hold Man City scoreless last weekend, but with Berahino back, I’m tipping a Baggies win.
Andy’s bet:West Brom win at
Southampton vs Liverpool – 1:30 pm Sunday- Bet now
Liverpool already beat Southampton this year in the cup 6-1 and it was absolutely brutal for Ronald Koeman. The Saints weren’t marching anywhere at that stage, but they are now. They’re much more difficult to beat now. The result at Stoke proved that. In the last 10 games, they’v only lost twice in the league. I think Jurgen Klopp might rest a couple of starters after the match on Thursday, and because of that, I’m backing Southampton. That might be unpopular with Paddy’s punters!
Andy’s bet: Southampton to win
Spurs vs Bournemouth – 4pm Sunday –Bet now
Spurs are out of the Europa League so they can focus now on going on a fox hunt at the top of the table. They will know what they have to do because Leicester play on Saturday evening. They’ll win this one though but not without a fight from Bournemouth. Spurs have looked a little nervy in the last couple of games. Bournemouth look comfortable now that they’re safe, they don’t play negatively. But Spurs had a rest on Thursday, so the big boys will be back.
Andy’s bet: Spurs to win