The Premier League title could be decided this weekend, with Liverpool requiring just one to win their 20th league title. Chelsea and Newcastle have massive games in the battle for fifth place, while Nottingham Forest face a must win clash against Brentford to keep their place in the top four. Jack Tobin has you covered with his best bets below!
EPL 2024-25: Matchday 34 Preview & Betting Tips
Chelsea vs Everton
Stamford Bridge, Saturday 26th April, 9:30pm AEST
Chelsea will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak when they host thirteenth placed Everton on Saturday night. Newcastle’s defeat against Aston Villa on Matchday 33 has kept Chelsea’s Champions League hopes alive, with Chelsea only two points behind fifth placed Newcastle. Chelsea scored in the 83rd and 93rd minutes to produce a stirring victory over Fulham last week, to capitalise on Newcastle’s slip up. David Moyes’ side fell 2-0 against Manchester City last week, conceding in the 84th and 92 minutes after nearly holding City at bay.
Everton have been a significantly improved side since late January. After winning just 3 of their first 20 games this season, the Toffees have had a 5-6-2 record from their last 13 games, which has avoided a relegation fight for the first time in five years. Remarkably despite being 13th, Everton are the equal fourth best defensive side in the league, conceding just 40 goals. The only teams that have conceded fewer goals than the Toffees, are the top three teams in the league.
Chelsea also rank equal fourth for fewest goals conceded, meaning this game will be tough to find clear cut goal scoring opportunities. The two sides have matched up well against each other across the last four years with a 3-3-3 record for each side in the last four league fixtures against each other. Everton have done a great job keeping games close, with just one loss by more than a goal across their last 15 games. The Toffees are excellent value in the handicap markets.
Everton +1
$2.30 (1 Unit)
Newcastle vs Ipswich Town
St James’ Park, Sunday 27th April, 12:00am AEST
Newcastle have a big opportunity to bounce back after a heavy defeat on Matchday 33, as they host relegation bound Ipswich. Newcastle’s five game winning streak was brought to an abrupt end in a 4-1 defeat against Aston Villa, which saw Eddie Howe’s side drop from third to fifth, with their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance. Sixth placed Chelsea are only two points behind the Magpies, meaning any slip up could prove costly if Chelsea beats Everton.
Ipswich’s season can’t end soon enough, recording just one Premier League win from 14 games since the turn of the calendar year. Ipswich need a miracle to avoid relegation, needing to win all of their remaining games and have West Ham lose all of their remaining games. It’s virtually a done deal for a side that simply doesn’t have the resources to compete against cashed up Premier League clubs. Ipswich have conceded the third most goals in the league this season (71) and scored the third fewest goals in the league (33). Only Leicester and Southampton, who have already been relegated, ranked lower than Ipswich in both stats.
Ipswich’s defence could get exposed badly by a Newcastle attacking unit that had been red hot prior to their defeat last week. Between the 10th of March to the 16th of April, Newcastle won five straight games, scoring 15 goals across those five games, and conceding only two goals. Eddie Howe’s side have been the fourth best attacking team in the Premier League (62 goals), and put 4 goals past Ipswich back in December. Expect a big bounce back in a must win game from Newcastle.
Newcastle -2
$2.45 (1.5 Units)
Liverpool vs Tottenham
Anfield, Monday 28th April, 1:30am AEST
It’s a dream scenario for Arne Slot in his first campaign as Liverpool manager, with an opportunity to win the league at Anfield. A win or draw against sixteenth placed Tottenham will see the Reds win the title for the first time since 2019/20. Tottenham’s terrible season continued with another defeat last week, at the hands of Nottingham Forest. Spurs have had five losses, one draw and one win from their last six games in the Premier League.
Liverpool have been the complete package this season, dominating in all three facets of the game. The Reds are the number one ranked attacking team (75 goals), the number two ranked defence (31 goals conceded) and rank third for possession (57.8%). Mo Salah is comfortably the highest goal scorer in the league (27 goals, 6 more than the next best), and also comfortably leads the league in assists (18, 7 more than the next best).
Every statistical factor points to this being a nightmare matchup for Ange Postecoglou’s side. Tottenham have been horrendous away from home this season, with a 5-1-10 record in away games, and haven’t won a league fixture at Anfield since 2011. Since September 2018, Liverpool have a 10-2-1 record in Premier League games against Tottenham, including 6-3 and 4-2 wins in their last two games. With the title in sight for the Reds, expect a dominant performance to secure the title.
Liverpool -2
$2.50 (1 Unit)
