The Premier League is heating up at both ends of the table. Everton’s ten-point deduction has been reduced to six, adding fresh jeopardy for the sides around them at the foot of the table, while at the top, Arsenal are ruthlessly chasing down Liverpool and Manchester City, scoring 25 against their last six games, conceding just three.
Premier League 2up and win predictions: our picks
With so much on the line, teams are now going all out, in the hopes that a hefty goal difference could make the difference in the league table come the end of the season. Here are our picks for who could storm into a two-goal lead and earn you an early payout on your wager.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace
Beginning with Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs, our first pick is Spurs vs Palace. Ange Postecoglou’s men fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Wolves two weeks ago, but have had ample time to fix what went wrong against the Old Gold, thanks to their trip to Stamford Bridge being postponed on account of Chelsea’s involvement in the EFL Cup final.
Crystal Palace bid an awkward second farewell to Roy Hodgson recently, but new boss Oliver Glasner made an instant impression against strugglers Burnley, with the Eagles running out 3-0 winners.
Only Newcastle and Aston Villa have had more goals in their matches than Tottenham this season, such is Ange Postecologou’s uncompromising, attacking style. And their record against Crystal Palace indicates that more goals are in store. Spurs have won five of their last six clashes with the Eagles, and have taken a two goal lead in four of them.
Spurs may not stay two goals up, no side has dropped more points from winning positions than them, but they could still earn you an early payout in what promises to be an entertaining London Derby.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Liverpool and Arsenal supporters will be in the unusual position of cheering on ailing old rival Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on treble-winning Manchester City, who Liverpool and Arsenal are praying are not set to embark on one of their infamous late-season winning runs.
Despite a strong start to 2024, which saw them win four in a row in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag’s men will likely be no match for their cross-city rivals.
They are once again missing key men through injury, with Rasmus Højlund, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez all expected to miss out on this one. City only have one fitness doubt, in Josko Gvardiol
The head-to-head record in recent times also does not make for pleasant United reading. City have won five of the last six, with their only loss coming a year ago at Old Trafford, when Marcus Rashford’s controversial winner won it. Across the six games, City have won by an aggregate score of 18-7.
United will offer some resistance early on, but expect City to run away with this one once they break the deadlock.
Sheffield United vs Arsenal
Arsenal have drawn the short straw of playing last of their title rivals, and could be five points off the top by the time this one kicks off. Fortunately for the Gunners, their unenviable TV scheduling slot is ameliorated by their opponent.
Sheffield United have been comfortably the worst side in the league this season, conceding the most, scoring the fewest and sitting rock bottom of the league with just 13 points. The Blades look resigned to their fate, and there were ugly scenes in their recent defeat at the hands of Wolves, as Jack Robinson and Vinicius Souza squared up on the pitch.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are flying. The Gunners have been nothing short of electrifying since returning from their mid-season break in Dubai. Much has been made of their scoring exploits, led by Bukayo Saka, and from set pieces. But arguably even more impressive has been their cast-iron defensive record.
They have conceded just three goals in 2024, but remarkably only conceded 1.88xG or chances, despite playing two of the three top-scoring sides in the league in Newcastle and Liverpool. The next best record is Manchester City’s 7.04.
Football is always full of surprises, but this looks as safe a bet as any. Expect Arsenal to continue their rampant run.
