There is Friday night action and four Saturday Premier League fixtures to look forward to this week, including the latest edition of a rivalry that dates back over 50 years.
You have to go back to the 1970 FA Cup final for the beginning of the fallout between Leeds United and Chelsea, and although there will be no fans at this latest game, both teams will be looking to put one over the other.
Tuchel Making Blues a Stubborn Outfit
Thomas Tuchel is yet to taste defeat as Chelsea boss since taking over in January and last Monday’s 2-0 win over Everton kept them on course for a top-four finish.
Now there are in the Champions League places, it looks like being very hard to dislodge them, especially with the way the German has shored them up at the back.
The Blues have conceded just one goal in their last five Premier League games and that form pushes makes the 10/13 on offer for Chelsea to win at Elland Road a tempting option.
Leeds, who can be backed at 7/2, are sat comfortably in 11th in what has been an outstanding return to top-flight competition – but they go into this clash with four defeats in their last five.
Chelsea have been in front at HT in six of their last eight Premier League games and the visitors are 20/29 to score in the first half of Saturday’s 12:30 kick-off.
Expect Edgy Friday Clash at St James’s
Newcastle are just one point outside the relegation zone after failing to win any of their last four league games and now face a home clash with Aston Villa on Friday.
With the Magpies scoring just two goals in their last four and Villa finding the net just twice in their last five, this doesn’t look like being a goal-fest.
Steve Bruce’s men have drawn their last two and look like trying to scrap their way out of trouble, especially with Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin still sidelined, severally limiting their attacking potency.
With the visitors still missing Jack Grealish and sat in ninth, a share of the spoils looks the most likely outcome and the draw can be backed at 47/20.
City to Halt Fulham Recovery
Saturday’s late game takes place at Craven Cottage and will have a big impact at both the top and bottom ends of the table, as Fulham face Manchester City.
It’s just one defeat in seven for Fulham, giving them real hope of staying up, but they face the stiffest of tests next with the visit of the runaway leaders.
City bounced back from their derby day defeat with a 5-2 win over Southampton in midweek, moving them 14 points clear at the top.
Surging past the Saints!
@tecnomobile
#ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/wPBcDwzeTB
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 11, 2021
There is no doubting Fulham’s improvement but their home form remains an issue with just one win in their last 10 at the Cottage and that came against Sheffield United.
Not surprisingly, Pep Guardiola’s men are odds-on at 20/57 to collect the three points, with Fulham available to back at 35/4.
It’s worth noting that City have been in front at HT in six of the last seven Premier League away games and Man City HT / Man City FT is on offer at 10/11.
Everton can gain crucial win
Everton face Burnley at 5:30pm on Saturday, with both sides needing the points for different reasons. The Toffees still have a shot at the top-four, whilst Burnley are not yet clear of the bottom three.
Although Everton’s home form hasn’t been great – one win in the last six at Goodison – they do have a good record against Burnley on home soil.
The Merseysiders have won their last two at home against the Clarets without conceding a goal – 1-0 and 2-0 – and are 20/23 to collect another win on Saturday.
Palace to Add More Woes to West Brom
The only 3pm Premier League game on Saturday is at Selhurst Park, as Sam Allardyce takes his current club West Brom to face one of his former teams, Crystal Palace.
The Baggies are now eight points from safety and are slowly being dragged back towards the Championship. They need to start picking up points on the road if they are to have a hope of staying up but one win from 14 away matches doesn’t suggest they can take anything from the trip to the capital.
With Wilfried Zaha back fit, Palace look a good bet to gain their first home win since January, with Roy Hodgson’s men available to back at 5/4.
*All odds correct at time of writing
