Our midweek treble is still alive ahead of Chelsea’s European date with Eintracht Frankfurt but we took a hit in the Champions League as Liverpool somehow failed to score against Barcelona in Camp Nou. The big games keep coming for the Reds, who face Newcastle this weekend knowing a defeat would all but end their title dream.
Running total: -£73.25
The Banker
Chelsea have not been the most reliable team from a betting perspective in recent weeks but will surely get the job done at 2/5 against a Watford side who have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 games. A top four finish is still within Maurizio Sarri’s reach as long as they pick up maximum points this weekend. Back Chelsea to win in a double with Liverpool, who are 30/100 favourites to see off Newcastle. The Toon have a decent home record this season but this free-scoring Liverpool side is relentless and should take the title race down to the final day.
Selection: £6 on the double at 0.81/1 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
It’s not been a vintage season for Romelu Lukaku and the word is he will move away from Old Trafford this summer, with Serie A a possible destination. However the Belgian is still a world class striker and he looks a fair price at 100/30 to score first against Huddersfield Town. The Terriers have shipped 21 goals in their last six games and Lukaku, who has not scored in the Premier League since March 2, looks a good shout to get back among the goals.
Selection: £3 on Lukaku to score first at 100/30 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Tottenham travel to Bournemouth this weekend having won just one of their last nine away games. They will also have one eye on that massive Champions League semifinal second leg against so could rest players against the Cherries. With this in mind the draw looks appealing at 13/5 on the south coast. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace have won four of their last five away games so look a big price at 17/10 to beat Cardiff. The Bluebirds have scored just two goals in their last five matches and Palace, who beat Arsenal at the Emirates recently, look a fine price to win in the Welsh capital. Add in Arsenal (4/11) to beat Brighton at home on Sunday for a speculative Premier League treble paying over 12/1 with bet365.
Selection: £3 on the treble at 12.25/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Ajax have been a revelation this season. With an average squad age of just 24 their risk taking, high press, possession brand of football has won them a legion of new admirers and they are hot favourites to win Sunday’s KNVB Cup final. Willem II are their opponents and they’ve lost both meetings with the Amsterdam giants this season. However, Ajax face a crunch Champions League semifinal second leg with Tottenham just a few days later so this may not be as straightforward as the bookies think. We can see Willem II at least scoring here and, given Ajax have goals threats all over the park, backing over 3.5 goals in Rotterdam could be the way to go.
Selection: £5 on Over 3.5 goals at evens with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
It’s not been a vintage season for Everton fans. The Blues spent big money last summer but are ninth in the table as things stand and it will be interesting to see what business they do ahead of the 2019-20 campaign. They face Burnley at Goodison on Friday night and can sign off their season in front of their own fans with a win. Marco Silva’s men are a 7/1 shout to win 2-0 on Merseyside and with Burnley safe the Toffees can be trusted to claim three points.
Selection: £2 on Everton to win 2-0 at 7/1 with bet365.