Burnley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Burnley host Wolves at Turf Moor on Thursday, July 16 at 3.00 am (all times AEST).
Only five points separate Wolves and Burnley with Wolves being five points clear and sitting in sixth position compared to Burnley’s 10th position. But don’t let that fool you as this should be an intriguing contest.
Wolves are coming off an impressive 3-0 win over Everton last week after some dour performances previously in which they went down to Sheffield United and Arsenal to cause a dent in their bid for Champions League football.
Meanwhile, Burnley are unbeaten in their last five matches, including ending Liverpool’s perfect home record last weekend when they drew 1-1 with the Premier League champions.
However, Wolves need a win here to keep their Champions League hopes alive. But for a team that likes to score multiple goals, they may find it hard to crack Burnley’s tight defence as they have only conceded two goals in their five games.
Tip: Draw @ $3.20
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Arsenal host the Premier League champions at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, July 16 at 5.15am.
Both sides would want to bounce back from last week’s games, with Arsenal going down to Tottenham on Monday 2-1 in the North London Derby. Although Liverpool didn’t lose, they would want a much more improved performance than their 1-1 draw with Burnley on the weekend.
Both sides still have plenty to play for though, as Liverpool still aim to break the points record and crack the 100 points barrier. Arsenal are only two points behind North London rivals Tottenham in a bid to get to eighth place and even potentially play in Europa League.
There are worries for Arsenal though, as they have not beaten Liverpool in 10 matches in all competitions, as well as the side’s defensive issues which at times has cost them results.
This contest could deliver goals in bundles, as Arsenal talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is currently on 20 goals for the season and trailing leader Jaimie Vardy by three goals. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is one behind on 19 goals and also eying leading goal scorer of the Premier League.
Tip: Liverpool win @ $1.83
Leicester City vs Sheffield United
Leicester host the Blades at the King Power Stadium on Friday, July 17 at 3.00 am.
This match is important for both clubs as they would both want to get a win and continue their charge for European action.
Leicester are five points clear of seventh place Sheffield United, but this is a must win game for the Foxes as they would want to keep hold of their fourth spot in a bid to play Champions League football. More importantly, they would want to rebound from their shock 4-1 loss to 18th place Bournemouth on the weekend.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United are closing in on a Europa League spot after being undefeated in their last four matches, which included a shock 3-0 win over Chelsea on the weekend.
Despite Leicester City’s striker Jamie Vardy’s great form with four goals in the last three matches to take his tally to 23 goals for the campaign, the Blades have been able to keep teams at bay offensively, boasting two clean sheets in the last two games.
Vardy, who is currently the leading goalscorer of the Premier League, may find it hard to score against a Sheffield United team as they will likely close down the space and play on the counte.
If the Blades can stop Vardy they are in with a chance.
Tip: Sheffield United win @ $3.80