Round-up and tips featuring Liverpool, Stoke and Burnley
It promises to be a huge weekend in the Premier League as the campaign approaches the final stretch.
The race for the top four is heating up nicely. And half the table will still be wary of the drop – only five points separate Bournemouth in 10th from 18th-placed Southampton.
Ahead of the action, the Coral News Team have looked at the biggest talking points…
Mourinho and Conte go head-to-head
There could be as many fireworks on the touchline as there are on the pitch when Manchester United host Chelsea on Sunday. Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte were involved in a war of words earlier this season and both teams are battling for a Champions League spot.
Mourinho’s United side were criticised for their approach in the 0-0 draw with Sevilla in midweek. Will they be more adventurous here?
It could be a risk, as Chelsea looked very dangerous on the counter in their 1-1 stalemate with Barcelona.
United are 5/4 favourites, with Chelsea 23/10. With so much at stake, the fear of defeat may see both sides play fairly cautiously. The draw is 11/5.
Can Liverpool break their West Ham hoodoo?
Liverpool could climb above United into second place, or consolidate their lead above fourth-placed Chelsea, depending on what happens in Sunday’s game at Old Trafford. But before that, they’ll need to end a run of three home games without victory against West Ham United.
The Reds looked very sharp as they blew away Porto to take a 5-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League tie. They’ll want to keep their momentum going to tighten their grip on a top-four place.
It’s been a miserable few weeks for bottom-of-the-table West Bromwich Albion. And Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town could define the rest of their season.
West Brom are 10/11 to get only their second win under Alan Pardew. That would see them move within four points of the Terriers, who currently occupy 17th place.
But if Huddersfield get a 7/2 away win, the Baggies will find themselves 10 points off safety with only 10 games to play. It’s hard to see a way back from there.
Is Stoke’s hard work going to pay off?
Stoke City haven’t had a game for two weeks. And rather than take the players away for warm weather training, Paul Lambert has been pushing them hard on the training ground.
The Potters are two points from safety and Lambert will hope the fitness work they’ve been doing reaps rewards against Leicester City in Saturday’s early kick-off.
There could be value in Stoke getting a 4/1 surprise win at the King Power Stadium.
Will Burnley get back to winning ways?
Back in December, Burnley were riding high in fourth place. Sean Dyche’s side were deservedly winning plenty of plaudits back then, but they haven’t been winning games recently.
The Clarets haven’t won any of their last 11 matches in all competitions. They’ve only picked up two points in their last six league outings.
But Southampton could be ideal opposition. Saints are in the relegation zone after winning just five league games all season. It’s 9/5 that Burnley record their first win of 2018 on Saturday.
