EPL Matchday 34 Betting Tips
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Saturday 9:30pm AEST, Selhurst Park
The league leaders got back to winning ways after a shock loss against Leeds, grinding out a tough 2-1 win against Aston Villa. Manchester City take on Crystal Palace needing only six points to win the title, and could have it sealed this weekend if Liverpool defeat Manchester United on Monday morning. Crystal Palace are coming off two consecutive losses at the hands of Chelsea and Leicester, which has Palace in thirteenth place on the Premier League table.
With just one win from their past five outings, the season is petering out with nothing to play. On the other hand, City have everything to play for. With the prospect of a third title in four seasons in their sights, City will be putting everything on the line. Their excellent record against Palace should hold them in good stead coming into this fixture. Manchester City have won three of their past four Premier League games against Crystal Palace, and haven’t lost to Palace since 2018. City’s class in attack looms as the difference in this clash.
City lead the league in scoring with 69 goals this season, and haven’t relied on one source. Man City have five players who have scored more than five goals this season, in Ilkay Gundogan (12), Riyad Mahrez (9), Raheem Sterling (9), Gabriel Jesus (8) and Phil Phoden (7). In comparison, Crystal Palace have only two players that have scored over five goals this season, and are ranked fifteenth in the Premier League for goals. This clash presents a massive mismatch in talent, with one hand already on the title, expect a convincing victory from the soon to be champions.
Brighton vs Leeds
Sunday 12:00am AEST, American Express Stadium
After gaining promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2003/04, Leeds first season back in the top flight has been a huge success, occupying ninth place on the table with just five games remaining. Leeds’ last few weeks have highlighted their outstanding season, with a victory against Man City, followed by holding Liverpool and Manchester United to draws. Leeds head to the American Express Stadium looking to extend their five game unbeaten streak, when they come up against Brighton.
Brighton are struggling in seventeenth place on the Premier League table, with just two wins from their past eleven Premier League matches. Leeds ability to score this season has been a major strength of their game. Thanks in large part to Patrick Bamford’s 14 goals and 8 assists, Leeds have been the eighth highest scoring team in the Premier League with fifty goals in ‘20/’21.
Whilst Leeds have lifted since the turn of the calendar year, Brighton have fallen apart, and although they are at home, they just don’t have enough attacking threats to take down this in-form Leeds side. It won’t be a high scoring encounter, but Leeds will be confident that their front half game will be able to outplay Brighton’s defence. Leeds won’t have any troubles extending their undefeated streak to six games.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Sunday 1:30am AEST, Old Trafford
Old Trafford plays host to a crucial clash on Monday morning as Manchester United host arch-rival Liverpool. Both clubs are in excellent form, going undefeated across their last five Premier League games. The defending champs have worked their way back into the race for fourth spot, with the prospect of playing in the Champions League football next week still alive for the Reds who are only four points adrift from fourth placed Chelsea.
With Liverpool having a much easier fixture to finish the season in comparison to Chelsea, a win over United would go a long way towards the Reds playing in the Champions League. Liverpool have had an excellent record against Manchester United in the past three years, going undefeated against the Red Devils in the Premier League since 2018. The Reds defence has been the key to their success against United in the past few seasons, which hasn’t conceded more than one goal in a game against United since March 2018.
Another big factor going Liverpool’s way is Manchester United’s poor form against the rest of the ‘Big Six’ clubs this season. With United all but secured to finishing in second place, there is a lot more at stake for Liverpool, who will be desperate in this clash. Given the trend of recent fixtures between the two clubs this will likely be a low scoring matchup, however Liverpool will come out on top.
