While there are only three Premier League fixtures kicking off at the traditional 3pm start time this Saturday, each of them could have huge consequences on where the teams finish at the end of the campaign. We’ve had a look through the stats to find a treble for you on these three crucial contests.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Both Teams to Score – 8/11
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are just off the back of two defeats to Sheffield United and Burnley and will now face Chelsea followed by Liverpool. What happens over these next two matches will surely define where the Cherries will be playing their football next season. The Blues, meanwhile, were given a lesson in European football by Bayern Munich in midweek and will still be licking their wounds.
Bournemouth’s league form at home isn’t as bad as their overall form – of their last five they’ve won two, drawn one and lost two. They’ve scored five goals in their last two matches at the Vitality as well. Chelsea’s away form is worrying as they’ve failed to win any of their last three matches on the road. They have, however, scored in four of those five.
Around this time last year Bournemouth played Chelsea off the park, winning 4-0 in a pulsating match. The pressure is really mounting on the Cherries here and they simply have to get three points, Chelsea though are the far stronger side on paper and we’d like to give them the win here but their form of late is worrying, so we’re going with Both Teams to Score at 8/11.
Newcastle vs Burnley: Draw – 2/1
Newcastle’s record at home of late isn’t good; two losses, one draw and two wins. They’re an absolute basketcase of a team, beating Chelsea at home and then failing to beat Norwich two weeks later. Since that draw with Norwich they’ve had two away matches, losing 4-0 to Arsenal and 1-0 to Crystal Palace.
To make matters worse for the Geordies, Burnley have won their last two away PL matches, beating Southampton and Man United and a win here could see them sitting as high as seventh in the table. Both teams have been very goal shy of late. Steve Bruce’s sides have only scored three goals in their last five home matches, while the Clarets have scored five in five, but failed to score in two of those matches.
We can’t see this being the lead match for Match of the Day. It feels like a 0-0 or 1-1 so we’re backing the Draw at 2/1.
West Ham vs Southampton: Both Teams to Score – 4/7
West Ham put in a spirited display against Liverpool last Monday night, making the home side work hard for their inevitable victory. There’s very little to be cheerful about if you’re a West Ham fan this season, the odd competitive performance aside they’ve been dreadful recently, winning just one of their eight fixtures since the turn of the year.
The only silver lining for the Hammers is that they’ve a decent scoring record at home, registering 1.54 goals on average per game. However, their goals conceded record is an eye-watering 1.92. If they could sort out that defence they’d maybe be a decent team. Maybe..
Southampton’s good run is over, isn’t it? Well, even though they’ve only won two of their five most recent PL matches their record away from St Mary’s is very impressive; four wins from their last five matches. They’re scoring plenty as well, nabbing nine goals over those five matches so with both teams in decent goal-scoring form we’re backing Both Teams to Score again here at 4/7.
These picks in a Treble will give you odds of just over 7/1
Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Both Teams to Score – 8/11
Newcastle vs Burnley: Draw – 2/1
West Ham vs Southampton: Both Teams to Score – 4/7
*All odds correct at time of publication
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