Premier League Sunday tips: how Arsenal can increase Leeds' relegation worries
Liz Byrnes
7 May 2022
With the finish line approaching, there are still plenty of issues to be resolved at both ends of the Premier League - we select the best bets for three of Sunday's games.
Arsenal vs Leeds United
2pm, Sky Sports Main Event
Three straight wins have put Arsenal back in the driving seat in the race for the top four after Tottenham had seized the initiative when the Gunners stuttered. Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract until the end of the 2024-25 season, stating he wants to take the team to the “next level”.
They may start in fifth, should Tottenham claim an unlikely win at Liverpool, with the north London rivals set to meet on Thursday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Gunners are a young, unpredictable team but their victory at West Ham last time out showed they can win ugly.
Leeds start the match two points ahead of third-bottom Everton, who have a game in hand, and then face Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford.
Stuart Dallas is ruled out of the run-in with a broken leg and they will miss his ball-winning, disruptive qualities. While they have not been on target in their last two games, Jesse Marsch’s side will fancy themselves to score against a Gunners outfit who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games.
Recommended bet: Arsenal to win/BTTS @ 2.76
Leicester City vs Everton
2pm
The Foxes missed out on a place in the Europa Conference League final on Thursday and now need to reset. It was a poor performance against Roma with the team disjointed and creating little for Jamie Vardy up front.
Brendan Rodgers’ side haven’t won in six games in all competitions and are in danger of their season petering out with two draws and a defeat in their last three domestic matches.
Richarlison scored an added-time equaliser against Leicester less than a fortnight ago as Frank Lampard’s side claimed only their fifth draw of the campaign. And after their shock victory over Chelsea last week, Everton have given themselves a fighting chance of survival.
Their fate is now in their own hands and another season in the Premier League may well beckon if they replicate the desire and organisation they showed against Chelsea.
Recommended bet: draw @ 3.15
Norwich City vs West Ham United
2pm
The Canaries’ relegation was confirmed last week after defeat at Aston Villa, and they go straight back down to the Championship for a record third time.
Dean Smith has called for momentum going into next season and set his side the objective of avoiding finishing bottom. Defensive frailties have played a key role in their undoing and only Leeds have conceded more. They have won one in 13 in all competitions and scored only 12 home goals all season.
West Ham lost out in their bid to reach the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. They need to refocus immediately if they are to see off Wolves and clinch European football next season.
David Moyes’ side have lost two and drawn two since their last victory against Everton. However, they cannot afford to drop points and, given they have scored 53 league goals this season and Norwich are defensively poor, a trip to Carrow Road appears to be an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Recommended bet: West Ham win to nil @ 2.98
Recommended bets
Arsenal/BTTS @ 2.76
Leicester/Everton draw @ 3.15
West Ham to nil @ 2.98
Liz Byrnes
7 May 2022