Premier League Preview Matchday 33
Southampton vs Liverpool
It is a game that can have ramifications on both sides. A win to Liverpool will keep them at the top of the table for another week, while a victory for Southampton will go a long way to their hopes of avoiding relegation.
On paper it appears Liverpool will ease past the Saints, but current form suggests the home side will not be easy beats. Southampton have won three of their last four matches including a 2-1 victory over Tottenham. Their only defeat in their past four games was a 3-2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in a game in which the Saints deserved a share of the points.
Liverpool needed a slice of luck to beat Tottenham last weekend. With scores level heading into the final minutes, Tottenham put the ball in the back of their own net to give the Reds all three points. Liverpool have won their last three games against the Saints but only two of their last five games at St Mary’s Stadium.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 @ $8.00
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
The prospect of relegation appears over for these two sides after some good performances in recent weeks. Rafa Benitez deserves to be in contention for the Manager of the Year award for his ability to work with a squad better equipped for the Championship. The Magpies may have won only two of their past five games, but their system has shown that it can work against tougher opposition.
Crystal Palace sit 13th on the table, eight points clear of the bottom three. Palace have won three of their last five games to steer away from trouble. Wilfred Zaha is key for Palace and has eight goals this season.
Prediction: Crystal Palace @ $2.87
Everton vs Arsenal
Everton will look to make it three wins in a row when they face Arsenal. Pressure has eased off manager Marco Silva after victories over West Ham and Chelsea. The Toffees may be without goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who was involved in an altercation in Sunderland last weekend.
They will play an Arsenal team in red hot form and in line to finish third on the ladder. The Gunners have jumped above their rivals in a bid to make the top four. Arsenal are undefeated in their last six games in the league and now sit fourth on the table. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have combined for 30 goals this season, making them one of the most lethal partnerships in the league.
Prediction: Arsenal @ $2.20
