Midweek clashes between Chelsea and Tottenham, as well as Arsenal and Southampton provided even more fireworks as we inch closer to crowning a Premier League champion. Chelsea took care of Tottenham with rather ease with a 3-0 win. That gives them a six-point cushion atop the table with Manchester City in second place with 30 points. Southhampton is a distant third with just 26 points.
There’s a number of particularly entertaining games this weekend as Chelsea and Tottenham back in action while Liverpool looks to take advantage of Sunderland with a chance to make a jump in the standings. Here is a quick look at this weekend’s three best Premier League games.
Newcastle United vs. Chelsea — Saturday, 7:45 AM ET
Odds: Chelsea -235, Newcastle +665, Draw +321
Chelsea’s dominance was on full display against West Brom last weekend as Diego Costa and Eden Hazard each scored within the first 25 minutes of action en route to a 2-0 win. The Blues had little trouble breaking through the West Brom defense and never once looked as though they would have their lead threatened. They were supposed to have a tough test against Tottenham but it proved to be rather easy instead. The Spurs were hoping to get a win at Chelsea for the first time since February, 1990. Instead, Chelsea scored twice in the first 22 minutes and never looked back.
The Blues are right back in action Saturday morning against a Newcastle United team that has struggled in each of its last two games. Newcastle followed up a 1-0 loss to West Ham with a 1-1 draw against Burnley and the lack of cohesion up front is particularly worrying. Chelsea will expose their lack of scoring with another dominant performance this week and extend their lead atop the table with a victory. Manchester City isn’t showing signs of slowing down and United has climbed in to the mix so look for the Blues to bring their best this weekend.
As you can tell by the odds, Chelsea is favored heavily here. It’s hard to see Newcastle challenging them much. They’re ninth on the table and have just two wins in eight road games. Pick: Chelsea
Liverpool vs. Sunderland — Saturday, 10:00 AM ET
Odds: Liverpool -224, Sunderland +585, Draw +330
Liverpool is on the outside looking in at the top four in the Premier League standings and while there is still time to catch up to a Champions League spot there needs to be a greater sense of urgency with both Manchester United and Southampton playing better. Liverpool has rallied with back-to-back wins over Stoke and Leicester following consecutive losses to Chelsea and Crystal Palace and they should be able to build off that against a Sunderland team with just two wins so far this season. Sunderland’s minus-seven goal differential isn’t as bad as Burnley’s or Leicester’s but they showed little flare in a 1-1 draw against Everton and have no business stealing a point in this game. Look for Liverpool to really attack from the outset and win this game by two. Pick: Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace — Saturday, 10:00 AM ET
Odds: -197, Everton +496, Draw +339
Spurs have been on the cusp of breaking through and a win over Crystal Palace would provide a tremendous boost their standing this weekend. Back-to-back wins over Hull and Everton are one thing but taking down a Crystal Palace team that just upset Liverpool a couple of weeks ago would provide a major boost. And after losing to Chelsea midweek, they are in need of a pick-me-up.
While they can’t afford to take this opponent lightly (Crystal Palace is currently 15th in the standings), they also can’t afford to be too careful either. Tottenham has finally found its offensive flare with Roberto Soldado providing a spark and if they can continue to push the tempo up front they should be able to secure a victory. Pick: Tottenham
