The Champions League final is sure to be in the back of the minds of the Manchester City and Chelsea players but Saturday’s Premier League match is much more than a mere dress rehearsal for the big showdown in Istanbul on May 29.
A win will see City crowned champions, while for Chelsea it is all about making sure they can secure a spot in next season’s Champions League before the final.
They are currently fourth, only three points ahead of West Ham and with a difficult run-in which includes fixtures against Arsenal and Leicester before finishing up at Aston Villa.
Having beaten City 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals, Chelsea will have their backers at 16/5 and it could be a decent value bet, however, the pick of the punts is under 2.5 goals at 20/29.
Fifteen of Chelsea’s last 17 league games have been under 2.5 goals and for all the impression that City attack from all angles it is worth remembering their last 13 matches in all competitions have produced just 30 goals.
Lively Leeds Can Hold Spurs
Tottenham, five points off Chelsea but with a more favourable run-in, will be aiming to put the pressure on their London rivals by doing what no other big six team has managed this season – to win at Elland Road.
"Ohhhh brilliant!" Tottenham last visited Elland Road in 2013 when Ross McCormack did this… pic.twitter.com/OZuwenrQYU
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 7, 2021
Given that strong Leeds home form there are reasons to want to oppose 21/20 Tottenham and of the three outcomes it is the draw at 14/5 which looks a cracker.
City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea were all held to draws in Yorkshire, while all of them were under 2.5 goals too.
The tie and under 2.5 goals appeals at 9/2 and given three of those were 0-0 a repeat of no goals at 11/1 is worth a second check.
Mane Can Serve It up to Saints
Liverpool’s match against Manchester United was postponed last week so they should be fresh enough to see off Southampton with considerable ease at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are 2/7 to avenge their loss at St Mary’s earlier in the season and it’s also worth considering Sadio Mane to score first at 5/1 and 17/10 anytime.
Mane has scored only two Premier League goals in 2021, but is too good to stay quiet for too much longer and a fixture against his former club looks a perfect opportunity to get back among the goals.
Eagles to Swoop in Sheffield
It would be easy to assume 6/4 shots Crystal Palace are thinking of their holidays following a run of one win in seven.
But during that time the Eagles have played United, Tottenham, Everton, Chelsea, Leicester and City and they won the other match against West Brom.
Things get a lot easier with a trip to Bramall Lane to face relegated Sheffield United, who have lost 27 of 34 Premier League games this season.
*All odds correct at time of writing