With just three weekends left in the Premier League season, Saturday’s action could be pivotal at both the top and bottom of the table.
The two chief title contenders open and close the day’s action, while five of the bottom eight feature across the three 3pm kick-offs.
Our fivefold includes a best bet from each of Saturday’s top-flight clashes, with teams firmly in must-win territory.
- ARSENAL TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE VS BOURNEMOUTH
- OVER 2.5 GOALS IN BRENTFORD VS FULHAM
- BURNLEY DRAW OR DOUBLE CHANCE V NEWCASTLE
- NOTTINGHAM FOREST TO BEAT SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
- MAN CITY -1 HANDICAP VS WOLVES
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Arsenal enter the weekend a point clear at the top of the table, but even three wins from three won’t guarantee them the title. The Gunners need to win each of their remaining games and hope for a slip-up from Manchester City, starting with their clash against Bournemouth at the Emirates.
The Cherries are enjoying a strong season under Andoni Iraola, who has led them into the top half of the table. While they head into this clash in fine form, Bournemouth have lost each of their away trips to the top five this season.
The visitors don’t seem to have the defensive discipline to keep the Gunners at bay, especially with some significant absentees at the back. Milos Kerkez is banned, while Chris Mepham and Illia Zabarnyi are both ruled out.
The Cherries continue to threaten going forward, having scored in their last 10 Premier League games and in each of their last 13 league trips. Bournemouth have scored in all but one of their away matches, including all four of those losses at the top five. Back them to net again, but Arsenal can still take the points.
ARSENAL TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Brentford vs Fulham
Both Fulham and Brentford are safe from the drop, which should add an air of relaxation around this clash between the two London rivals. Given that they’ve both been suspect defensively in recent weeks, that could lead to a high-scoring clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees have seen over 2.5 goals land in 71% of their home matches this term, with Thomas Frank’s side having allowed 60 goals in their 35 games so far.
The pair have scored over 100 goals between them with a few weeks to go, while Fulham head into this clash with five of their last six away games finishing with at least three goals scored.
Brentford come into this clash having scored 10 times across their last four matches and they can trouble this Fulham backline. Expect an open game between the pair, especially with no fear of the drop for either side.
Burnley vs Newcastle
Burnley have been stuck in the drop zone all season, but they are just two points shy of safety. The Clarets host 17th-placed Nottingham Forest on the final day, so they just need to stay in the mix over the next couple of weeks.
The Clarets host a Newcastle side who are seventh in the table, with a European place within their grasp. While this is an important clash for the Magpies, they head into the weekend with a questionable record on their travels.
Newcastle have managed only one win across their last six trips, while they’ve been beaten in 10 of their 16 away games this term. They have as many points on the road as 19th-placed Burnley, with only three teams in the division claiming fewer.
The Clarets have been shy on victories but they’ve put a run together to stay in the survival mix. Vincent Kompany’s team have lost just one of their last eight matches and they probably deserved more than the two wins they claimed in that stretch on the balance of play. Either way, the Clarets look good to avoid defeat against Newcastle this weekend.
Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s final home game of the season is against a Chelsea side who have something to play for, so they need results in their final two away games. Their showdown at Turf Moor could be decisive, but first they just can’t slip up at already-relegated Sheffield United.
The bottom club have lost five of their last six starts and have suffered a huge 25 defeats so far this season. This is a must-win clash for Forest, with both Burnley and Luton chasing them down.
The Blades have suffered 11 defeats in 17 home games this season and while Forest have struggled on their travels, they should have too much for the last-placed hosts. They were 2-1 winners when these two sides met earlier in the campaign and with the risk of finishing the weekend in the bottom three an obvious motivation, back Forest to take maximum points.
Manchester City vs Wolves
Saturday evening’s game sees Wolves head to the Etihad looking to complete a double over Man City. The visitors were 2-1 winners when the two met at Molineux, putting in an impressive display in a campaign which has seen them consistently steer clear of the relegation fight.
However, Wolves have seen their season tail off thanks to some damaging injuries. That cost them a chance to play at Wembley, losing 3-2 at home to Coventry in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Wolves have lost five of their last eight games and they meet a City side who are looking strong.
The hosts won 2-0 at Forest last weekend days after a 4-0 victory at Brighton. The Citizens have won their last five league games, with each victory coming by two goals or more.
City have won by two or more in nine of their 12 home victories this season and it’s hard to see much resistance coming from Wolves, so take City to clear a -1 handicap.
