Saturday
Fixture: Everton 1-2 Man City
Venue: Goodison Park (Everton home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: Interesting stat alert: Man City have scored in every game at home this year, and failed to score in every game away from home. It would be a concern for any club with anything to play for, but Man City gave up a week ago. However, both these clubs are keeping one eye on Europe: Everton still have a great chance to finish fifth, while Man City will be hoping to make up the four points between them and West Ham in seventh. Man City's lack of goals married to Everton's rather stubborn defence (as witnessed by Man Utd in last Sunday's FA Cup semi-final) will make this a very turgid affair. Stat alert No 2: Man City have not scored in their last three games against Everton, and haven't won at Goodison Park for 17 years. Stat alert No 3: Everton haven't scored in their last 237 minutes of football. Can you tell where I'm going with this, yet?
Betting Advice: 3pts less than 2.5 goals in game at 4/5 (1.8 generally)
Fixture: Fulham 1-0 Stoke
Venue: Craven Cottage (Fulham home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: This should be the most straightforward of victories for Fulham - and for a change in the Premier League I am not getting that nasty prickly heat thing whenever I tip a good thing in what has been a nasty league this season. The facts speak for themselves: Fulham (W9 D3 L4) are a top five club on home performance alone, by a similar vein Stoke (W1 D4 L11) would have finished bottom if judged on their away form alone. Add the fact that James Beattie, so vital in the Potters' push out of the relegation zone, is out for this match and Stoke have other injury worries (Danny Higginbotham played with a slipped disc last week), and it is all pointing towards Fulham. Put all those things together and you suspect the bookies would have crucified a Fulham home win on price. Not a bit of it: although the Magic Sign has led a number of bookies as low as 8/11, Fulham are available at 4/5. Just one more interesting fact to throw at you: Fulham are still within touching distance of a place in Europe next season. They are only one point off West Ham - but they have a tough run-in so points here are a must.
Betting Advice: 7pts Fulham to win at 4/5 (1.8 generally)
Fixture: Man Utd 5-2 Tottenham
Venue: Old Trafford (Man Utd home)
Kick-off: 5.30pm BST
Verdict: If ever there was a team staggering, almost drunk-like, over the finish line then Man Utd are it - and in all competitions. It took a 40-yard freak goal from Ronaldo to bypass Porto in the Champions League, while an obstinate Everton dumped them out of the FA Cup. As for the league? Well, Since Liverpool stuffed them in March, Fulham have embarrassed them, Aston Villa and Sunderland have given them huge scares, while Portsmouth should have been beaten much more handily than 2-0. Which makes me wonder whether there are still surprises left in this title. United are three points clear with a game in hand, but the likes of Spurs are capable of surprises - and people believe they can beat Man Utd now, which makes me believe that, if they beat Spurs, it would be by the skin of their teeth. And they'll be very grateful for it.
Betting Advice: 4pts Spurs (+1.25 on Asian Handicap) to win at 18/25 (1.72 at Bet365)
Monday
Fixture: Newcastle 0-0 Portsmouth
Venue: St James' Park (Newcastle home)
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Verdict: Last weekend Portsmouth had their 'Get Out Of Jail' moment against Bolton, now it's Newcastle's time. This is one of two games Newcastle must win if they are going to stay up (the other being at home to Boro on May 11), and they are more than capable of it. The second half against Stoke and a subsequent equaliser proved they have what it takes, while they were a little unlucky not to hang on for a draw against Tottenham last week. Portsmouth still need three points I reckon, but they will be targeting Blackburn away and Sunderland at home for those points.
Betting Advice: 4pts Newcastle win at 11/10 (2.1 at Boylesports)
THE NO BETS
Saturday
Bolton still need the points but would be happy with anything out of Aston Villa
Expect Hull to lose this one but Liverpool are overheated at 2/5
West Brom are a nightmare to back, while Sunderland are no good at home
West Ham have been playing well, while Chelsea are out of the league picture. Still…
Sunday
Arsenal look the real deal once more and I was tempting to take the 8/15 against Boro, but their reputation precedes them this season
Blackburn must win this one, but it is a local derby against a very, very good club in Wigan
