Just six games to go in the 2017-18 EPL season and while Manchester City may have already wrapped up the title, there’s still plenty for teams to play for as they try to avoid relegation and qualify for European tournaments! We take a look at the Week 33 key matchups and give our tips below.
Everton vs Liverpool (Saturday 9.30pm AEST)
The Merseyside Derby gets Week 33 underway on Saturday night as Everton host Liverpool. At the time of writing, Liverpool are yet to face off against Manchester City in their midweek Champions League clash, but given it’s at home, we think they should be relatively fresh coming into Saturday night’s game. They’ll likely give some players a rest here, as a top four place in the EPL now looks to have been secured for the Reds, who currently sit 10 points above Chelsea in fifth place.
Everton have an 11-7-14 record on the season so far and currently sit in 9th place. They went down 3-1 to Manchester City at home on the weekend and have another really tough task here at Goodison Park. The home field, and the potential of facing some reserve players is the only advantage we can see Everton having here.
Liverpool are undefeated in the last 12 Merseyside Derbies in all competitions, dating all the way back to 2012. The last three games have been at Anfield, with the Reds winning two of them with a 6-3 goal difference. We think they continue their winning ways here.
TIP: Liverpool HT/FT - $2.63 at Ladbrokes
Manchester City vs Manchester United (Sunday 2.30am AEST)
Another massive Derby on Sunday morning sees the two Manchester teams going head to head. Manchester City will also be coming off their midweek Champions League clash, but once again shouldn’t be feeling too warn down as its just down the road in Liverpool. After a bit of a shaky patch which saw them drop points in three of six games, the Citizens have bounced back to win their last five games in a row, including big wins over Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton.
Manchester Untied will be disappointed at their exit from the Champions League, and as they currently sit 16 points behind City on the EPL table, they might throw all of their eggs into the FA Cup basket moving forward, where they are just one of four remaining teams.
Tough game to call here. Manchester City are still chasing the 100 point season, but could be tempted to rest a few players here after their Champions League clash. Great value for the Red Devils here and we like them to secure at least a draw.
TIP: Manchester United double chance - $2.05 at Ladbrokes
Chelsea vs West Ham (Monday 1.30am AEST)
After a loss to Tottenham on the weekend, Chelsea’s hopes of making the top four have all but faded as they now sit 8 points adrift of the Spurs. Like Manchester United, they’ll be hoping to pick up some silverware in the FA Cup, where they face Southampton in the semi final later this month. Chelsea actually looked quite impressive in the early parts of their game against Tottenham, taking a 1-0 lead before squandering it with a defensive playstyle.
West Ham currently sit five points clear of the relegation zone and will be desperate for at least a point here. They have some really tough games coming up as they Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Leicester and Everton all in the last five games of the season and also have a postponed game against Manchester United to play.
West Ham could easily go the rest of the season without securing another point, so a bet on them to get relegated might be a bit of a value play. We think the Blues should be too strong for them at home here.
TIP: Chelsea to win and both teams to score - $3.10 at Sportsbet
