Premier League preview: all the final day’s action, part 2
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
It’s been a fantastic season for Aston Villa, who secured a top four finish and so Champions League football, after Spurs failed to get anything against Man City earlier this week.
In terms of recent games, Villa have perhaps shown a little fatigue – though they did fight back to earn a 3-3 draw with Liverpool earlier this week, when it looked like Klopp’s side had the points in the bag.
Still, for this match the Villans are coming up against a Crystal Palace side in formidable shape, having won five of their last six matches.
And there’s a fair chance the visitors won’t necessarily be at the peak of their powers for this one, having had plenty to celebrate during their end of season awards on Tuesday night.
Palace are 17/20 to win; Jean-Philippe Mateta continues to be a good bet to score for the hosts. The Frenchman has six goals in five games for the Eagles.
Incidentally, Palace fans may want to enjoy Mateta’s contributions while they can. There’s been talk in the last few days that both Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in securing his services…
Liverpool vs Wolves
Jurgen Klopp’s final game will be a tearjerker for the supporters, whatever the result – but surely the players will be striving to make sure the German’s last game in charge ends on a high note.
Klopp isn’t going out in the exact fashion he’d have wanted, but Liverpool did win their last home game 4-2 against Tottenham, and you’d think a similar flurry of goals could be on the cards against Gary O’Neil’s side.
Wolves haven’t kept a clean sheet in the Prem since hosting Sheffield United in late February; in their last two games alone, against Man City & Crystal Palace, they’ve shipped eight goals. Over 4.5 goals is a 5/4 shot.
Luton vs Fulham
Luton sign off having earned admirers for their willingness to have a go; but while Rob Edwards’ side have won plenty of goodwill this season, actual wins have proven trickier to come by.
Specifically, the Hatters won just one of their last 16 matches. The side did have a curious knack for putting in exciting performances against some of the Prem’s bigger names.
But while Luton’s approach occasionally translated into positive results, battling performances against the likes of Chelsea (Luton lost 2-3) and Arsenal (which ended 3-4 to the Gunners!) couldn’t alter the fact that those valiant defeats were defeats nonetheless.
Still, maybe they can go out in gung-ho fashion against a Fulham side that haven’t exactly been sensational over the last few weeks. The Cottagers have taken one win in eight games, in a run that saw them lose to Nottingham Forest – and draw 3-3 with Sheffield United.
That’s not to say the Hatters will win against Marco Silva’s side, but this one last hurrah could at least provide a few goals. Over 3.5 is a 59/50 shot.
Man City vs West Ham
I’m caught somewhere between Lenny Kravitz and Morrissey here. I know it’s over… But baby, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.
If City can beat West Ham, they’ll clinch their fourth straight league title. And while it would be foolish to take anything for granted, past results between these sides don’t encourage the idea that David Moyes’ team could upset the applecart here.
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their past 16 Premier League games against West Ham, winning 13 of those meetings. The Irons have also lost 15 of their last 17 trips to the Etihad.
City are also on an eight-game winning run; in their last five league games they’ve scored 17 goals, and conceded one. West Ham, meanwhile, have won just two of their last 10 League games.
There’s one thing to cling to; this is Moyes’ last game in charge of West Ham. He might not always have been the most inspirational figure. But last season he did steer the side to European glory; presumably the majority of players and supporters alike would love to see the Scot go out in fitting style.
Moyes to save his grandest gesture ‘til the very end, then? The former Man Utd boss to end this chapter of his career in stunning, mic-dropping fashion at the Etihad? If you love a longshot, West Ham are 22/1 to pull off a victory that, in a world of infinite possibilities, is technically not out of the question.
If that’s optimistic bordering on insane – after all, both Crystal Palace and Chelsea have put five goals past West Ham in the last month – you could go the traditional route and bank on goals. Over 4.5 is a 5/4 shot…
Sheffield United vs Spurs
The Blades are unlikely to go out with a flourish. But Spurs are ending the season in iffy fashion too, having lost five of their last six games.
Ange Postecoglou started his time with Tottenham in trailblazing fashion, but the straight-talking Australian appeared put out by Spurs fans failing to get behind the team when they faced City earlier this week.
Can manager and fans end the season on a harmonious note, by scoring a metric eff-ton of goals past the Blades?
Maybe, but on this occasion perhaps we should look to the hosts – and Ben Brereton Diaz looks a decent shout to find the net here at 43/20. He’s scored twice in his last four appearances and could be the host’s best chance of a goal.
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