We approach the penultimate round of games and by this time next week, all of the top five leagues across Europe would have been concluded. We started the season strongly, dishing out our well-researched tips and predictions that have so far yielded more than 60% conversion rate. The season is coming to an end but that doesn’t mean we’ll take a back seat in any way. Still a lot to play for and we have the tips and predictions for today once again as the season draws nearer to a close.
Straight Wins
Manchester United will hope the authorized return of fans to Old Trafford can inspire them to a win that would confirm a second Premier League (PL) runners-up finish in four seasons. After their relegation was confirmed with three fixtures remaining, Fulham are playing for pride amidst a dismal eight-match winless run (D1, L7). Furthermore, the ‘Cottagers’ have won just one of their last seven league away fixtures (D3, L3) following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Southampton. We expect United to claim an easy win here today. Bet365 have 1.28 odds, Bet9ja have 1.30 and 1xbet have 1.34.
Champions Manchester City could extend the longest unbeaten away run by any side across the top four tiers of English football to 24 matches. Boasting a 100% win-rate in away league finales under boss Pep Guardiola (W4), the visitors have scored first in 13 of their 18 away league games played so far. Brighton have nothing to play for, except their pride and they have nothing to hold back against City. The Citizens might be suffering some title hangover based on their last result, but we still expect them to tussle Brighton regardless.
Lazio are doomed to finish sixth no matter what happens and they have just their pride to play for against Torino. Coming off a loss to Roma, they’ll be eager to get back to winning ways. Torino can only boast of one win in their last five games and we don’t expect them to win today. Sadly, a loss for them could mean they can still suffer relegation, depending on the result of Benevento. Bet9ja have 1.65 odds, Bet365 have 2.00 and 1xbet have 2.12.
Over 2.5 Goals
Chelsea have vengeance firmly in mind after defeat to Leicester City in last Saturday’s FA Cup final, but Leicester can seal a second UEFA Champions League spot since their promotion to the Premier League (PL) in 2014 with a victory at Stamford Bridge. Given the turnout of Saturday’s game, we expect a fiery encounter this time around and that should result in a good number of goals. Bet9ja have 2.08 odds, Bet365 have 2.10 and 1xbet have 2.24.
We already tipped Manchester United to win Fulham and we expect them to do it in style as well, in front of their returning fans. Those attending should expect entertainment given four of their last six league fixtures produced over 3.5 goals and the last five PL H2Hs featured an average of 3.8 goals per game (W4, D1). Bet9ja have 1.54 odds, Bet365 have 1.57 and 1xbet have 1.64.
Lazio have been involved in some high-scoring results of late and given they are favorites against Torino, we expect that to follow suit as well. Torino have a very porous defence, especially on the road and we expect that to play well into our goal prediction for this game. Bet365 have 1.61 odds, Bet9ja have 1.62 and 1xbet have 1.72.
Anytime Goal-scorers
Ferran Torres
A danger man in the opposition camp, Ferran Torres has registered all nine of his goal contributions vs sides currently tenth or below. His last match saw him become the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick for a team managed by Pep Guardiola. City have already won the league and Guardiola might fancy resting his key men ahead of the Champions League final, meaning Torres could be afforded yet another start. He could be eager to carry on from where he stopped against Newcastle. Bet365 have 2.62 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 3.15.
Greenwood
Mason Greenwood has scored six goals across his last seven PL appearances with his side winning all five league games in which he netted after HT this campaign. He has been rewarded with more game-time of late and has done justice to those selections. Against another poor side in defence, Greenwood will fancy his chances of adding to his goal tally and we expect he’ll get the nod once again. Bet365 have 2.05 odds while Bet9ja have 2.50.
Immobile
Immobile continues to remain the key man for Lazio and has registered a respectable 20 Serie A goals this term. He is also on decent form at the moment, scoring three goals in his last five games. Coming up against Torino, this could come as a good opportunity for him to get more goals. Bet365 have 1.72 odds and Bet9ja have 1.85.
Iheanacho
The Nigerian has been excellent in front of goal lately, racking up no fewer than 13 goals in his last 13 appearances in all competitions. In 2021, he is up there as the most in-form striker in the Premier League so far. He might have been blank at the weekend in the FA Cup but this is back to the Premier League, where he has simply been phenomenal of late. Bet365 have 3.75 odds while Bet9ja have 4.00.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
