Weekend tips: Everton struggle, Newcastle keep on winning

Newcastle travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend having won six of their last seven matches and unbeaten in their last nine. We've also got tips for the other Premier League games and Euro action.

These are worrying times if you are an Everton fan. The Blues are just a single point above the drop zone and they face a huge game on Sunday against Wolves. The Toffeemen have a huge wage bill and have spent some big money on transfers. If they dropped to the Championship it could prove disastrous and while most pundits feel they have enough quality to stay up, the “too good to go down” theory is a theory riddled with flaws.

When looking objectively at relegation prospects it is important to factor in the causes. As well as a lack of quality to cope with the sky-high demands of the Premier League, off-field matters can also take their toll. There’s no question Frank Lampard inherited a mess when he succeeded Rafa Benitez (a manager many Blues fans found difficult to love because of his association with Liverpool) and their form since Lampard took over has been patchy to say the least.

They are not without hope however. Five of Everton’s six league wins this season have come at Goodison. They are also facing a Wolves side whose recent form has been equally erratic. Prior to Thursday night’s 4-0 demolition of Watford, Wolves had lost three on the spin. Their away form has been much superior to their home form however and it is in truth a little bit of a surprise to see Bruno Lage's men chalked up as 12/5 outsiders here.

Wolves have claimed 23 points from 14 away matches. They’ve won more Premier League away games (7) than Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal this season.

Ruben Neves scored a delightful goal against Watford and bossed matters in the centre of the pitch on Thursday. If he brings that kind of level of performance to Goodison Wolves can add to Everton’s woes by claiming all three points

The Nap – Wolves to win at 12/5 (Betfred/Coral/Ladbrokes)

 

 

Chelsea battered Newcastle United 3-0 when the teams met on Tyneside earlier this season, but Eddie Howe's Newcastle revolution is now in full flow and the Magpies look a huge price at 10/1 to win at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. From zero wins in 14 to just four points off the top 10, with a game in hand, things are getting better and better for the Geordies.

Thursday’s 2-1 success at Southampton has opened up the path to the Premier League's top 10 in the same season Newcastle had been written off as relegation certainties by some pundits. They are on a nine-match unbeaten run and have won their last three in a row. Confidence will be sky high and while Chelsea represents a significant jump in terms of quality, they surely are too big here at 10/1?

News of the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich hot on the heels of him putting them up for sale must have rocked the club. They’ve only lost once so far at Stamford Bridge this season but they have also drawn five matches at HQ in the league. Chelsea beat Norwich in midweek to maintain their stroll towards next season’s Champions League, but these are uncertain times for the club and you wonder if off-field matters could start having a negative effect on the pitch sooner rather than later?

Newcastle have netted at least twice in four of their last six games and Howe, who has a reputation for being meticulous and rigorous in his approach, will have them up for this so an away win would not come as a complete surprise.

Value Tip – Newcastle to win at 10/1 (bet365/Betfair/Coral/Hills)

 

This weekend’s clash between Manchester United and Tottenham should be fascinating. Neither side has been particularly consistent this season but a win for Antonio Conte’s men would see them move above the Red Devils in the table.

It’s been a difficult week for Manchester United with Roy Keane’s explosive rant in the wake of that 4-1 drubbing by Manchester City - where he claimed 'five or six' players should leave Manchester United – going viral. And whether you think Keane was too harsh in his criticism or not, you have to say that performance at the Etihad was embarrassing.

They face another stiff test against Spurs on Saturday and Harry Kane looks interesting at 5/1 to open the scoring at Old Trafford. The Tottenham talisman scored a brace against Everton last time out and looked very sharp as he also surpassed Thierry Henry's Premier League goalscoring record.

Those goals against Everton were his 175th and 176th in the Premier League and he is now sixth on the all-time list.

Since the start of February, Manchester United have only managed to keep clean sheets against Brighton and Watford. They are leaking goals and Kane could expose them again this weekend.

First Goal Flutter – Kane to score first at 5/1 (Boylesports)

 

Real Betis can arrest a run of two straight La Liga defeats and put themselves right back in the race for a top four finish by beating Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Only three of Athletic’s nine league victories this season have come on the road and they were blitzed 4-0 by free-scoring Barcelona in their last away match.

Betis are enjoying a solid campaign with Willian Jose and Juanmi having scored 19 goals between them in La Liga. In truth they have enjoyed more success on their travels (23 points from 13 matches away compared to 23 points from 14 matches at home) but they’ve won 50% of their matches at the Estadio Benito Villamarin and can give their Champions League prospects a huge shot in the arm by winning this. They are just two points behind Athletico Madrid (who they lost to last time out) in fourth and there should be plenty of twists and turns to come in Spain before the end of the season.

Manuel Pellegrini has assembled a fine team and the likes of Guido Rodriguez, William Carvalho and Nabil Fekir can get them over the line this weekend.

The Euro Banker – Real Betis to win at 13/10 (Bet365/Coral/Ladbrokes/Paddy Power)