The end of the Premier League season is sneaking ever closer, and we enter the business end of the season from this Saturday. Both title rivals are in action ahead of crucial Champions League fixtures next week, while the relegation battle continues as the sides towards the foot of the table look for vital points to stay in the English top-flight.
Don’t Expect Title Rivals To Flinch
The two main title rivals are back in Premier League action this weekend, and both play on Saturday. Liverpool will kickstart the weekend, and will be able to go top of the Premier League with a home victory against Watford. The Reds have a staggering home record in this fixture, as they have won 12 of the previous 13.
Their only defeat at Anfield against Watford came back in August 1999, and have won the previous six at home, scoring a total of 22. Watford’s record home or away against Liverpool is weak, as they have taken just four points from the last ten fixtures. Their famous win came at Vicarage Road in February 2020, as they won 3-0, but that did little to damage Liverpool’s title charge as they won the top prize for the first time that season at the conclusion. Don’t expect a Reds slip-up this weekend.
Manchester City will look to respond to the gauntlet thrown down by Liverpool just a couple of hours later, as they travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley. City have a slender one point advantage coming into the last nine games of the season, as they look to win back-to-back titles under Pep Guardiola.
Burnley have struggled in recent fixtures against City, as they have taken just a single points from the last eleven games. City’s dominance in this fixture is crazy, as they have won the last nine against the Clarets, and have scored 32 goals in total. Once again, don’t expect City to blink in the title race.
West Midlands Rivals Collide, United Face Difficult Task
The other two standout fixtures on Saturday see Manchester United host Leicester and a West Midlands derby between Wolves and Aston Villa. United desperately need the points against the Foxes on Saturday, as they look to continue their fight for a Champions League finish this season. The Red Devils are currently four points off Arsenal, and have the added disadvantage of playing a game more.
However, United have lost to Leicester on the previous three occasions, which is more defeats that they had suffered in the first 36 meetings. Leicester won away at United last season, but have never won back-to-back games away at the Red Devils. A slender United win may be the best bet.
In the West Midlands, the only game that matters this weekend is Aston Villa’s trip to Wolves. Both sides will be looking to get back to winning ways after recent defeats. Wolves have fine recent record in this fixture, as they have won three of the previous five Premier League fixtures between the sides.
However, Villa did win away at Wolves last season, and haven’t won consecutive away games away at their local rivals since January 2012. We would be willing to take a chance on Wolves this weekend.
Premier League Matchday 31 Picks:
- Liverpool (-800)
- Manchester City (-450)
- Manchester United (-188)
- Wolves (+187)
