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We have quite a weekend of football ahead of us
After a pulsating midweek fixture list in the Champions League, we turn our attentions back to domestic football for matchday 12 of the JOE Weekly Group Bet.
We’re getting to the – cliche alert – business end of the season and this weekend’s later matches (Saturday evening and Sunday) see five of the Premier League’s top six in action.
We’ll be focusing on these matches for this week, using Sky Bet’s Group Bet feature, and there’s no time like the present – so let’s get down to it!
The Fan Boy – Wayne: Manchester United to beat Arsenal
Arsenal ground out a hard-fought 1-1 draw with rivals Spurs in the North London derby last week, which keeps them in the chase for a Champions league spot.
And this week’s clash with Man United could be the decider on who wins the race for the final top-four place.
United have been in flying form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – beating PSG with an incredible performance on Wednesday night – and should they continue in their current vein it’ll be a surprise if they miss out.
In truth, I can’t see anything other than another United victory here. I am admittedly biased, but I believe United will have too much for the Gunners as they continue their surge up the table.
Captain Obvious – Reuben: Liverpool to beat Burnley
I don’t want to simplify things here, but I very strongly believe that Liverpool are going to defeat Burnley on Sunday. Liverpool have hiccuped a bit of late but when it comes to playing sides from the lower part of the table they tend to return to their strongest style, as they did in the recent battering of Watford.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will be buoyed by the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – even if he isn’t fit enough to start – and with Mane, Salah and Firmino all back in action, I think they should be able to dispatch Burnley without a great degree of difficulty.
Dark Horse – Si: BTTS in Chelsea vs Wolves
Chelsea’s victories over Fulham and Tottenham in recent weeks have removed some of the bad vibes around Stamford Bridge. There remains question marks over whether the players truly believe in Maurizio Sarri, of course, but for the time being they all appear willing to work together.
In Wolves they face a team that has taken to Premier League life with ease since promotion – and despite a surprise defeat to Huddersfield in their second to last league match they returned to form with a victory over Cardiff City. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have particularly excelled against the league’s top sides this season, and I feel they have enough about to them to at least get a draw at Stamford Bridge.
The Stat Man – Matt: Over 2.5 goals in Manchester City vs Watford
Manchester City have not lost a game to Watford in more than two decades, and haven’t failed to beat the Hornets since April 2007. That is very unlikely to change on Saturday evening.
Pep’s side have only conceded three goals in their last seven victories against Watford, and it’s very difficult to imagine a scenario in which the home side fail to score a few against the visitors – especially when they have looked increasingly laser-focused on the title in recent weeks as Liverpool have faltered.
I think this will be a routine win for City with plenty of goals.
