Will we get a good idea of who will win the Premier League on Sunday?
League leaders Manchester City host Liverpool in the final game of the weekend (11:30 a.m. ET). Man City is a point ahead of Liverpool with eight games to play after losing seven points to Liverpool over the last nine games.
City is still a significant favorite to win the league at BetMGM despite an advantage in the standings that can disappear with a Liverpool win on Sunday. Man City is -225 to win the league while Liverpool is at +165. Chelsea is still in the running at +500 but the turmoil around the club makes it all but certain the Blues won’t be winning the league.
A win or a tie is a great outcome for City. Anything to help them keep the advantage over Liverpool. And City has a pretty easy schedule to finish the season too. The Citizens’ toughest game remaining over the final seven is a trip to West Ham on May 15. Every other opponent is outside the top 10.
Liverpool, meanwhile, has games against Manchester United, Tottenham and Wolves left on the EPL schedule. The Reds will be significant favorites in all three of those games — you’ve seen United play recently, right? — but there’s a bigger chance on paper of Liverpool stumbling down the stretch than there is of City dropping points.
But let’s not worry about the future schedule ahead of Sunday’s game. It’s the biggest game of the season. And it should be fantastic.
Here’s what you need to know to bet on any EPL game this weekend. All odds are from BetMGM and all games are on Saturday unless noted.
Newcastle vs. Wolves (over/under 2.5 goals) [Friday]
Newcastle (+130)
Wolves (+220)
Tie (+210)
Crazily enough, Newcastle is up to 15th in the table and is basically assured of playing in the Premier League next season. Wolves are set to finish eighth at worst and could even sneak ahead of Manchester United or West Ham. We’ll take Wolves at these odds but a tie is very possible too.
Everton vs. Manchester United (2.5)
Everton (+360)
Man United (-135)
Tie (+275)
We wouldn’t recommend betting on either team at this point but we’ve gotta go with United after Everton lost to Burnley on Wednesday. Everton is in real danger of getting relegated unless it scores a surprise win or two somewhere soon.
Southampton vs. Chelsea (2.5)
Southampton (+320)
Chelsea (-125)
Tie (+280)
Chelsea lost to Brentford over the weekend and then lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League. An upset by Southampton puts third place in play between Chelsea and Tottenham. We’re going with the Saints at home.
Watford vs. Leeds (2.5)
Watford (+165)
Leeds (+150)
Tie (+250)
Leeds will be plenty happy with a tie here as it sits six points above the relegation zone. Watford needs all three points as it’s three points behind Everton for 17th. We’re taking Leeds as the team’s form is much better under new coach Jesse Marsch.
Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (2.5)
Arsenal (-165)
Brighton (+450)
Tie (+300)
Brighton’s first half of the season is nothing but a blip in the rear-view mirror. Arsenal, meanwhile, needs to rebound with a win after losing to Crystal Palace. We’ll take the Gunners a bit reluctantly.
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham (2.5)
Aston Villa (+210)
Tottenham (+120)
Tie (+250)
Tottenham are deserved favorites but Aston Villa is totally capable of beating Spurs. A win for Villa can vault them into ninth place in a mid-table battle that’s incredibly intriguing. Ninth through 15th is separated by just six points. We’ll go with Tottenham.
Brentford vs. West Ham (2.5) [Sunday]
Brentford (+175)
West Ham (+170)
Tie (+210)
A tie feels like the right call here. Brentford have been very good lately with the addition of Christian Eriksen and the return of Ivan Toney.
Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace (2.5) [Sunday]
Leicester (+120)
Palace (+220)
Tie (+250)
A winner in this game can prevent Villa from making that leap to ninth. We’re going with the home team in this one, though none of the three outcomes is a surprise.
Norwich City vs. Burnley (2.5) [Sunday]
Norwich (+170)
Burnley (+165)
Tie (+225)
Norwich looks destined to go down to the Championship. A Burnley win is huge for its hopes of staying up. We’ll take Burnley instead of the tie.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool (2.5) [Sunday]
Man City (+100)
Liverpool (+240)
Tie (+275)
It’s a little jarring to see Man City at even money at home to win this game while being such significant favorites to win the league since it will need help from Liverpool to win the league with a loss on Sunday. We’re going to go with a tie here, though our gut says a Liverpool win.
