Free football betting tips: Premier League previews and best bets for Saturday
Manchester City are backed for a convincing win at Everton but surprises are expected elsewhere in Saturday's Premier League preview.
Saturday's Premier League recommended bets
1pt Brighton to beat Leicester and over 1.5 goals in the match at 56/19
2pts Burnley to beat West Brom at 11/5
2pts Manchester City to beat Everton and over 3.5 goals in the match at 11/5
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Crystal Palace v Liverpool (1230 BST, Sky Sports Main Event)
Liverpool face a tough trip to Selhurst Park for Saturday’s early kick-off against Crystal Palace.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have enjoyed an excellent 2018, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and putting themselves well within a chance of a second-placed finish in the Premier League.
They bounced back from the defeat to rivals Manchester United with a 5-0 thrashing of Watford and they will be keen to avoid any more slip ups if they are to finish as runners up behind champions-in-waiting Manchester City.
The Merseysiders are odds-on for the win, so you have to delve deeper to find value if you are backing Liverpool. They have looked focused and full of confidence in the last few months, led from the front by star man and Golden Boot contender Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has had a sensational first season at Anfield, scoring 36 goals (28 in the league) and assisting 12 in all competitions. You can back him to continue his incredible form with a goal anytime and Liverpool in a score-and-win double at just over evens.
Another man whose team is relying on him will be sat in the other dressing room. Wilfried Zaha returned from injury earlier this month – he was sorely missed by Roy Hodgson’s side – and he could be key if Palace are to secure all three points here.
Palace can be backed to win at 15/2, with Ivorian winger Zaha priced as far as 4/1 to find the back of the net anytime.
Palace are well set up under former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson and they have gone close at home in recent games against Man United and Tottenham. It will certainly be a tough afternoon for Liverpool.
It is that time of season where you could definitely see a home win to boost Palace’s survival hopes, especially with the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City on Wednesday and Klopp has already bemoaned their fixture schedule.
Therefore a Crystal Palace win on a draw no bet coupon looks a good price at 21/5, as does both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at evens.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool (Sky Bet odds: 18/1) - George Pitts
Best bet: Draw No Bet – Crystal Palace at 21/5
Alternative bet: Score and win double: Wilfried Zaha and Crystal Palace at 4/1
Brighton v Leicester (1500 BST)
This game is not necessarily a must-win for Brighton, but victory would significantly boost their survival hopes.
Chris Hughton’s side are six points clear of the drop going into the weekend’s games and victory here would take them within three points of the 40-point mark.
The Seagulls have had an impressive first season in the Premier League, going quietly about their business and picking up some vital wins along the way.
Recent form of four win in their last six league games, including a home victory over Arsenal, has given them a real chance of retaining their top-flight status for next season.
They are 19/10 to get the victory against Claude Puel’s Leicester (9/5), who are coasting towards the end of the season. They have just one win in their last six league outings, are now out of the FA Cup and their main objective is to finish as best of the rest outside of the top six.
This match is also a meeting of two England striker candidates.
On the home side, there is Glenn Murray. The 34-year-old has scored 13 in all competitions this term, eight of those coming in a run of 10 matches. Many consider him unlucky not to have been included in Gareth Southgate’s recent squad, putting him as an outsider to make the plane for this summer’s World Cup, and you can back Murray and Brighton in a score-and-win double at 7/2.
The other prospect sits in the away dressing room, with Jamie Vardy full of confidence after scoring for the Three Lions v Italy on Tuesday. Vardy impressed as he led the line at Wembley and, providing he can stay fit, he looks a certainty for Southgate’s squad. The 31-year-old has scored 17 in all competitions this term and he is 39/20 to score anytime at the Amex.
Brighton are yet to lose a game immediately after the international breaks this season and I am backing them to extend that run here. Hughton’s side are on a decent run, playing good football and providing the likes of Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk can keep Vardy and danger man Riyad Mahrez quiet, a home win looks good value.
Score prediction: Brighton 2-1 Leicester (Sky Bet odds: 9/1) - George Pitts
Best bet: Brighton to win and over 1.5 goals at 56/19
Alternative bet: Score and win double: Glenn Murray and Brighton at 14/5
Manchester United v Swansea (1500 BST)
An interesting meeting which, like Liverpool at Palace, I can see Swansea getting a result.
Manchester United’s title hopes are all-but over with rivals City close to confirming first place, leaving the Red Devils to fight for second.
Jose Mourinho’s side only have the FA Cup and Premier League to play in, so they have that advantage over Liverpool who have midweek Champions League games to consider.
United have only won one of seven games post-international break in two seasons under Mourinho and it could give Swansea confidence travelling to Old Trafford.
The Welsh outfit are 14th but not yet clear of danger, with just three points separating them from the bottom three. They have been much-improved under Carlos Carvalhal and at 29/2 they are massive underdogs.
Swansea won twice at Old Trafford in 2014 (once in the FA Cup) and if they perform well they can frustrate the home crowd, who have voiced concerns after recent performances.
Paul Pogba scored his eighth France goal and assisted another in their win over Russia on Tuesday and, after a tough period in recent times, he can be backed at 16/5 to score anytime.
But because I am backing Swansea to bolster their survival chances by shocking United and a double chance of Swansea or draw gives you a better chance of winning at 10/3.
Score prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Swansea (Sky Bet odds: 10/1) - George Pitts
Best bet: Double Chance – Swansea/Draw at 10/3
Alternative bet: A 1-1 draw at 12/1
Newcastle v Huddersfield (1500 BST)
Newcastle and Huddersfield both have work to do in order to secure Premier League survival as they prepare to clash at St James’ Park.
The Magpies have a four-point advantage over the relegation zone in 13th and the Terriers sit one point and two places further back in the standings.
Newcastle are the side in better shape ahead of this contest as they bid for a third home win in a row.
Their last two successes on their own turf have come against Southampton and Manchester United without conceding a goal.
It’s credit to boss Rafael Benitez that he has the Magpies expected to secure survival despite continuing frustration from the fans about Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club and lack of investment.
Newcastle are odds-on favourites for another three-point haul but I reckon Huddersfield will be able to hold firm as they bid to bounce back from a couple of disappointing results.
The Terriers lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace last time out to follow on from a frustration goalless encounter against Swansea, who were down to 10 men for 79 minutes following Jordan Ayew’s early red card.
Huddersfield haven’t impressed on their travels for the majority of the season but wins have been picked up at West Brom and Watford in their last seven away games in the league.
Terriers chief David Wagner knows that momentum is needed in the survival scrap and I like the look of 15/2 about no goalscorer in this game.
A point keeps both clubs moving in the right direction with plenty more challenges to come.
Score prediction: Newcastle 0-0 Huddersfield (Sky Bet odds: 15/2) - Nick Hext
Best bet: No goalscorer at 15/2
Alternative bet: Under 1.5 goals at 11/5
Watford v Bournemouth (1500 BST)
Watford host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from a 5-0 hammering at Liverpool last time out.
A Mohamed Salah masterclass put the Hornets to the sword at Anfield, with defeat against Arsenal before that seeing a return of zero points from their last two games.
Javi Gracia's men can take confidence in their home form though, having gone unbeaten in their last five, winning four and drawing the other.
Bournemouth's 3-0 win away at Chelsea in January was the only time they'd won in their last 10 away from home in all competitions, giving Watford confidence going into this one.
Both sides sit equal on 36 points in the Premier League standings and should be clear of relegation trouble with the eight-point gap between themselves and Southampton in 18th.
Watford can be found as big as 29/20 to secure victory, whilst Bournemouth are available around the 9/4 mark and the draw available at 5/2.
I'd be looking towards Watford to pick up the three points given the contrasting fortunes between these two both home and away. Watford are in good form in front of their home crowd, whilst their opponents have struggled to pick up results away from the Vitality Stadium.
Seven of Watford's last 10 at home have seen over 2.5 goals, whilst seven of Bournemouth's last ten have seen the same amount. Three or more goals in the match can be found at 89/100.
Abdoulaye Doucoure finds himself as Watford's most booked player this season with seven yellow cards, the joint-second most out of any player in the Premier League this season.
Both sides sit in the top 10 when it comes to yellow cards and the midfielder can be found at 13/4 to be shown a card by Andy Madley, which seems good value if you're looking to back individual players markets.
Score prediction: Watford 2-1 Bournemouth (Sky Bet odds: 8/1) - Tom Carnduff
Best bet: Watford to win and over 2.5 goals at 13/5
Alternative bet: Abdoulaye Doucoure to be carded at 13/4
West Brom v Burnley (1500 BST)
West Brom welcome Burnley to The Hawthorns looking for a miracle as they hope to close the 10-point gap between themselves and the safety of 17th.
Arsenal's run of three losses in four games see Burnley within five points of sixth spot in the Premier League standings, and will be hoping of a potential upset over Arsene Wenger's men.
For Alan Pardew's West Brom side, they've endured a miserable season and sit bottom of the table, winning just three of their 31 games this season.
What makes it worse is the fact that just two of those wins have come at home, firmly sitting bottom of the home standings with 13 points gained in front of their home crowd.
Burnley are a side who have travelled well this season, losing just four games away from Turf Moor and boasting a record of being the sixth best away team in the division.
Sean Dyche's side can be found at 11/5 for victory, which seems big odds to me given West Brom's struggles and soon-to-be relegation.
West Brom are 17/10, but even with the home advantage I'd be avoiding backing them based on what we have seen from them up until this point.
Burnley forward Chris Wood has enjoyed a goal-scoring return from a lengthy injury that kept him out for eight games. He netted the winner over Everton and also got two off the bench against West Ham at the London Stadium last time out.
He can be found as big as 9/4 to find the net at anytime on Saturday, and could be amongst the goals if Burnley are to continue their push into the top six.
Score prediction: West Brom 0-2 Burnley (Sky Bet odds: 12/1) - Tom Carnduff
Best bet: Burnley to win at 11/5
Alternative bet: Chris Wood to score anytime at 9/4
West Ham v Southampton (1500 BST)
It's a relegation six-pointer at the London Stadium as West Ham welcome Southampton with both sides aiming for Premier League survival.
Saints sit two points behind West Ham in the standings, and occupy the final relegation spot with both having eight games left to play.
Southampton's poor form saw a managerial change required, and Mark Hughes comes in looking to guide a club, who he played for over 50 times during his career, to safety.
West Ham were beaten 3-0 by Burnley last time out, in a clash which was marred by crowd trouble which disrupted the game on several occasions. That loss was their third in a run, and their fourth loss in their last five games.
Southampton have had slightly better luck in recent weeks, losing just one game in their last five in all competitions.
The Hammers' home form is a concern and largely one of the reasons as to why they find themselves in their current situation. They've won just five of their 14 home games this season, the fifth worst home record in the top flight.
Southampton boast a better away record than seven other sides in the division, despite their current league standings and sit 6th in the form table when it comes to recent results on the road.
Saints also know how big a victory would be in their quest for survival, and it would allow them to leapfrog West Ham in the table. Equally, a win for West Ham could move them five points clear of relegation trouble.
A big concern for David Moyes' West Ham side is their defensive record. They've conceded 57 goals this season, the second worst record in the division, and have conceded three or more goals in three of their last four games.
For me, I'd be leaning towards looking at a Southampton win in this one. They can be found at 87/50 to secure the points and move above their opponents in the standings.
Score prediction: West Ham 1-2 Southampton (Sky Bet odds: 9/1) - Tom Carnduff
Best bet: Southampton to win at 87/50
Alternative bet: Over 2.5 goals at 5/4
Everton v Manchester City (1730 BST, BT Sport 1)
Manchester City can be move another step closer to lifting the Premier League trophy when they meet Everton at Goodison Park.
Pep Guardiola's men are the runaway leaders in the top-flight this season and find themselves 16 points clear of rivals Manchester United in second place.
City are potentially three games away from securing another Premier League title and will be eager for victory against Sam Allardyce's side.
Despite a significant upturn in spending over the summer, Everton have found themselves miles away from where they want to be. Under Ronald Koeman, the Toffees did look potential relegation candidates before Allardyce's appointment signalled a back-to-basics approach.
A positive for Everton is their history against City at Goodison Park. They've only failed to score in one meeting at home since 2003, and have won in the last two times they've hosted the Manchester club on Merseyside.
Despite that, this season has seen a City side who are a completely different animal and it's set to be an incredibly tough test for Everton if they are to get anything out of this.
It's no surprise that the team in sky blue come into this one as 4/11 favourites, with Everton as big as 19/2 to secure the victory.
With Everton's record of finding the net against City, and with Guardiola's side being the top scorers in the league with 85 goals so far, the value may be in backing the visitors and the over goals market.
Everton have seen the most goals conceded out of any side in the top ten (50) and have conceded more than two sides who currently sit in the Premier League's relegation zone.
City's free-scoring style has seen Sergio Aguero net 21 times and Raheem Sterling contribute another 15, which is going to be problematic for the Everton defensive line.
I'm backing the visitors to secure victory, but also reckon there will be goals so Manchester City to win and over 3.5 goals in the match seems decent value at 11/5.
Score prediction: Everton 1-3 Manchester City (Sky Bet odds: 10/1) - Tom Carnduff
Best bet: Manchester City to win and over 3.5 goals in the match at 11/5
Alternative bet: Raheem Sterling to score anytime at 11/8
Posted at 1840 BST on 29/03/2018.