With the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup also taking place this weekend, we only have four Premier League games to look forward to. Nevertheless, the action from the top tier promises to be as thrilling as ever, as West Ham United host Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur travel to Aston Villa. Those four will all be hoping to secure European football next year whilst the Fulham v Leeds game could be huge in the relegation battle. The final match certainly will be important at the bottom and is a real six-pointer as Brighton & Hove Albion host Newcastle United. Where does the top flight value lie this weekend?
Fulham v Leeds United
20:00, Sky Sports, Craven Cottage
On Friday night, Fulham and Leeds United meet at Craven Cottage. With Newcastle United playing Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, three points for the Cottagers will lift them out of the drop zone for at least a day. Can Scott Parker’s boys seal a massive three points and make their fans really believe that survival is on the cards?
Fulham have really turned their fortunes around since the turn of the year, and the Londoners have won three of their previous seven in the Premier League. Leeds are in patchy form, have a number of injury concerns and have far less to play for than the hosts do. As such, our money is going on the home win here at the very solid looking price of 6/4.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United
20:00, Sky Sports, Amex Stadium
Brighton and Newcastle do battle in a vital fixture at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night. Only two points separate these two evenly matched sides, but the Seagulls are the odds-on favourites to get the points on home soil. Fulham may be hoping for a draw, though in truth these two may be happy with that outcome too. Things are evenly poised down at the bottom and the relegation battle looks set to go to the wire but defeat for either team here could be a real hammer blow.
After no wins in five, Brighton picked up a precious three points last time out, beating struggling Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s. That result in a derby clash will have boosted their confidence and they will fancy their chances here. Newcastle have drawn three in a row but have been unable to claim a win and things are not great on, or off, the pitch. This will be close but on balance we fancy Brighton to edge things. Check out the home win by one goal at 12/5.
West Ham United v Arsenal
15:00, Sky Sports, London Stadium
London sides West Ham and Arsenal square off at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Hammers have had a sensational season so far, although David Moyes’ men have lost two of their last three. Even so, they come into this clash riding high in fifth, some seven points better off than the visitors. Can they get back to winning ways this weekend to keep the pressure on the sides above them as they attempt to seal an unlikely top four finish?
West Ham have been excellent at the London Stadium over the past couple of months, winning six of seven league and cup home games. Arsenal had a superb derby success over Tottenham last weekend, but they have picked up just one away league win since January. Given the current league table we have to feel that the West Ham victory is generously priced at 9/5.
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
19:30, Sky Sports, Villa Park
The final Premier League game of the weekend takes place at Villa Park on Sunday night when Aston Villa host Tottenham. Jose Mourinho will be looking for a response from his player after their disappointing derby showing at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Aston Villa have had a solid season under Dean Smith, winning 12 of 27 league games to sit eighth in the league. They are four points behind the visitors but have a game in hand and will feel they can push for a top seven finish at least. It will not be easy though and before last weekend’s reverse at Arsenal, Spurs had won five league and cup games in a row. We like the look of the Tottenham win and both teams to score in this one at 10/3.