Following a weekend that saw Liverpool go back to the top of the Premier League table, albeit only by a point over Manchester City, City themselves clinch their second trophy of the season, the Carabao Cup, to add to their Community Shield win in August and also wins for Newcastle, Burnley and Crystal Palace enhance their chances of survival greatly, we now have a midweek set of games to look forward to.
Across Tuesday and Wednesday nights, all 20 teams in the Premier League will be in action on Matchday 28, leaving just ten games to play for almost all teams (bar Chelsea and Brighton) until the end of the season. As such, a strong run of form now, or the opposite, could have a disastrous effect on the teams hopes and dreams for the season.
[featured_offer id=”1750″]After the drama of last weekend, there’s more than ever riding on this set of games at both ends of the table and also in the battle for Champions League/European places for next season, which also means that many other games will have plenty riding on them too across both night’s action this week.
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This week is a great time to start with a double-header of games as following on from the Tuesday and Wednesday night matches outlined below, there is a full set of games being played at the weekend too, including a couple of cracking games influencing the top and bottom of the table.
So let’s begin with our tips for the games on Tuesday and Wednesday night this week and we’ll start by taking a look at the odds with bet365 Sport on the Full Time Result market for each of the ten games (Odds correct as of 11.30am on Monday 25th February 2019).
Tuesday 26th February
- Cardiff City v Everton – Draw – 12/5
Neither of these sides has particularly good form going into this game. Everton have been held to a succession of draws and defeats while Cardiff’s form has been similar. The Bluebirds were also thumped at home 5-1 by Watford at the weekend and Neil Warnock will be expecting a response to that from his players. I think he’ll get it as this Everton side may well be more intent on the Merseyside derby taking place this weekend. That said, while I can’t see Cardiff losing the game, I still think Everton will do just enough to claim the draw.
- Huddersfield v Wolves – Away Win – 4/5
Huddersfield are doomed in my view. I can’t see any way that Jan Siewert’s team can avoid the drop given their predicament at the foot of the table. They also face a very tough run in and that begins here against a Wolves side that are full of confidence and bang in form. The spirit of this Wolves team is excellent and they are extremely difficult to beat and as such, I am expecting that and their undoubted quality in midfield and attack to be the difference between the two teams and lead the visitors to a victory.
- Leicester City v Brighton – Home Win – 19/20
Claude Puel’s reign at Leicester came to an end this week after the Frenchman was sacked following Leicester’s 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. There were rumours Puel had lost the dressing room for many weeks before that result and his sacking did seem sadly inevitable. Brighton too are under real pressure after their poor form has seen them drawn into the relegation battle and they badly need a result. However with Leicester likely to experience a bounce in form following Puel’s sacking, I think the home side will clinch a much-needed win for them.
- Newcastle United v Burnley – Draw – 12/5
Both these sides have hit some good form at the right time once again and they have moved away from the danger zone at the foot of the table, dragging teams in mid-table in the Premier League into the relegation battle. Both sides have good form of late and I think both teams are similar to each other, perhaps lacking a little in attack but strong defensively. As such, I don’t think either manager will be too disappointed should this one end, as I suspect it will, in a draw.
Wednesday 27th February
- Arsenal v Bournemouth – Home Win – 4/9
The Gunners have hit a period of indifferent form of late, but that has generally been when they have played away from home. At home they have continued to earn decent results in the main and I’d expect that trend to continue at home to Bournemouth on Wednesday night. Eddie Howe’s south coast team have been wildly inconsistent at times this season and even though they have talent, I still feel that they are not yet at the level to pose a serious threat to beating the Gunners at the Emirates.
- Southampton v Fulham- Home Win – 10/11
This is going to be a crucial game in the battle to stay in the Premier League for both these teams. Defeat for Fulham would be more of a worry for Claudio Ranieri’s team but a loss for Saints would be a big blow for Ralph Hassenhuttl’s team too. Fulham won the corresponding game back in November but I think the Saints have improved a great deal since then, especially at home and I’d be surprised if they don’t win this one and put Fulham on the verge of relegation.
- Chelsea v Tottenham – Home Win – 21/10
The big question in this game is whether Chelsea keeper Kepa will be between the sticks following his Carabao Cup Final refusal to be substituted late in the game. Mauricio Sarri has struck a conciliatory tone in his dealings with the press since, but the Italian won’t be happy at being openly defied by Kepa in that match. Spurs meanwhile come into the game on the back of a defeat at Burnley and knowing one more loss could well end their title hopes. That may well happen here on a ground where Spurs have a generally poor record over the years.
- Crystal Palace v Man Utd – Away Win – 11/8
There’s an injury crisis brewing at Manchester United and with so many first teamers out for this game, it is going to be interesting to see the team that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picks. Palace are in a good run of form of late and I was very tempted to back them to land at least a draw here, but the one thing with Palace this year has been they are inconsistent and as such, despite that great win at Leicester at the weekend, I feel that United will still be too strong for them and land the win here.
- Liverpool v Watford – Home Win – 1/4
After thumping Cardiff City 5-1 away from home at the weekend, Watford will be in great spirits for the trip to Anfield to face a Liverpool side who have not scored a goal in their last two games, drawing both 0-0. The Reds can’t allow that to continue with Manchester City now just one point behind them in the league table and even though Firmino is a major doubt with injury, I still feel that the Reds will have just enough, as well as a packed Anfield crowd to steer them to victory.
- Man City v West Ham – Home Win – 1/6
With the Carabao Cup now in the bag alongside the Community Shield, City will now turn their attention to the Premier League once again. West Ham have suffered more against City than most teams in recent years and they were thumped by Manchester City at home in November, however I can see Guardiola resting players for this game which I think helps West Ham out a little, but even so, I still expect a run of the mill win for the home team.
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