Sports Blog 08/04/2016: Match Preview – Premier League, Saturday 9th to Sunday 10th April 2016

The race for the top four could look very different by the end of this weekend, with some potentially season-changing ties on the cards.

Meeting for the first time since their surprising season-opener the weekend starts with a trip to East London for Arsenal, who face West Ham at 12.45pm on BT Sport 1. If the Gunners are to keep up their unlikely dream of winning the title this season then a win at Upton Park is a must. They currently sit 11 points behind Leicester and 4 behind Tottenham (with a game in hand over both) and would blow whatever chances they have to nabbing the league from under those 2 sides if they are to put in a similar performance as they did when West Ham visited the Emirates back in August. Mesut Ozil, arguably Arsenal’s best player this season, could be the key, the German wizard at a Super Mega PGM of 15-19.



Whilst Arsenal’s season has become a case of diminished expectations West Ham are still on their way to seeing out their final few games at the Boleyn Ground in style, chasing a place in the Europa League at the very least. Though a disappointing draw against Crystal Palace saw them slip 2 points behind 5th place Man United they remain they remain one of the league’s most in-form sides, winning 3 and drawing 3 in their last 6 games. Much of their phenomenal season has been down to Dmitri Payet, the Hammers’ top scorer (who goes into the weekend at a Super Mega PGM of 17-21) somewhat of a revelation. Yet our Spreadex traders think that the away side might just have the edge this time around, offering an Arsenal/West Ham (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.45-0.65 with a Total Goals spread of 2.8-3.

If Arsenal are aiming to keep their title dreams alive then Manchester City are just trying to secure a top 4 spot when they host West Brom at 5.30pm on Sky Sports 1. Their inconsistent form in the league (March brought with it losses to Liverpool and United, a draw at Norwich and victory over Aston Villa, followed by a heavy victory over Bournemouth as April began) hasn’t yet properly filtered into the Champions League. If anything City have the upper hand in their quarter-final against PSG, away goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho giving them the edge in as the 1st leg ended 2-2. City will be looking to cap a strong week off with another win; if they manage to do so it will be the first time the club have managed back-to-back league victories since mid-October.



It’s been a mixed 2(ish) months for West Brom. Since the middle of February the Baggies have exited the FA Cup at the hands of Reading, lost at home to Norwich and failed to break the deadlock at Sunderland. Yet at the same time they have beaten Everton at Goodison Park, shocked Manchester United with a 1-0, bested Crystal Palace 3-2 and held league leaders Leicester to a 2-2 draw. Tony Pulis be looking to continue this predominantly impressive run, with West Brom still having a slim chance to finish the season in the top half of the table. They may have to wait for a less challenging tie to resume that push, however, Spreadex offering a Manchester City/West Brom Goal Supremacy spread of 1.5-1.7 with a Total Goals spread of 2.75-2.95.

Whilst Saturday could have important ramifications for who is in Europe next season, Sunday may well end up having a huge impact on who actually wins the title. First up sees an ostensibly easy trip to Sunderland for Leicester at 1.30pm on Sky Sports 1. Unbeaten since their Valentine’s Day loss to Arsenal the Foxes have a sweet 7 point lead at the top of the table, but some potentially tricky ties still to come. Sunday’s match is arguably the easiest of Leicester’s final 6 games, though with Sunderland aiming to avoid relegation, and the Foxes’ own power waning (5 of their last 6 games have been 1-0 wins), Claudio Ranieri and co. may find it slightly more difficult than it looks on paper.



For Sunderland, in 18th place and 4 points behind Norwich but, crucially, with a game in hand, should by all rights be desperate for a win on Sunday. Technically the Black Cats are unbeaten in 4 games, draws against Crystal Palace (thanks to a 90th minute strike from Borini), Southampton (the Saints’ van Dijk denying Sunderland all 3 points in the 93rd minute), Newcastle and Norwich leaving Big Sam’s side with a slim chance of avoiding the drop. However, for all the doubters the Foxes haven’t really faltered since they ascended to the top of the table, and there is no real reason for that to change, Spreadex offering a Leicester/Sunderland (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.2-0.4 with a Total Goals spread of 2.3-2.5.

Finally, in what is probably the weekend’s biggest game, Tottenham host Manchester United at 4pm on Sky Sports 1. Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool saw Spurs relinquish more ground to their title-contending rivals, slipping 7 points behind Leicester with a few tough fixtures still to come before the season comes to a close. Yet things aren’t over for Mauricio Pochettino’s men; a win over United at the weekend would be a huge mental boost, the kind of confidence-lifter that could spur them on to the title. Of course the likelihood of such a victory may fall on the shoulders of Harry Kane; with 25 goals this season (22 of which have come in the league) the English forward has more than compensated for his early drought, and could well make the difference on Sunday.



Like their City cousins Manchester United still aren’t sure of their place in Europe next season or, indeed, what competition they would actually be playing in. Stuck in 5th place, 2 points ahead of their closest rivals West Ham and 1 point away from City Louis van Gaal will likely be looking for Sunday’s trip to White Hart Lane to be a turning point late in the season. Yet United also have a FA Cup replay to think of next week, something that perhaps complicates van Gaal’s choice between a place in Europe and the club’s one chance of silverware this season. That potentially tentative mind-set may well end up working in Spurs’ favour, with Spreadex offering a Tottenham/Manchester United Goal Supremacy spread of 0.5-0.7 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.3-2.5.

Recent Posts: