Premier League Thursday tips: can Everton secure top flight status against Palace?

The Premier League is entering its final few days, and it's the relegation battle that comes to the forefront on Thursday night.

These games are essential for the survival hopes of Everton and Burnley, while Leeds fans are left watching on nervously. Here’s how we expect things to go:

Everton vs Crystal Palace

7:45pm

Everton can finally drag themselves definitively out of the relegation battle on Thursday when they host Crystal Palace, though it is a fixture they are under pressure to win ahead of a trip to Arsenal on Sunday. 

Frank Lampard’s side had been performing well at home before crumbling against Brentford at the weekend, winning three of their previous four matches against Newcastle, Manchester United and Chelsea. 

Palace, meanwhile, are in good form and are eyeing a top-half finish. Victory would take them 10th ahead of a final match with Manchester United. Patrick Vieira’s side have typically been involved in low-scoring affairs lately, and with Everton edgy, this match is likely to be tense rather than thrilling.

Recommended bet: under 2.5 goals @ 1.84

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has seen his side build a four-match unbeaten run ahead of the visit of relegation-threatened Burnley

Aston Villa vs Burnley

8pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Although the onus is on Burnley to go to Aston Villa on Thursday and win to take a big step towards preserving their Premier League status, these are two clubs finishing the season in very different style.

Villa are four undefeated ahead of their final home match of the season, while their opponents have lost their last couple as the new-manager bounce that Mike Jackson had experienced appears to have gone. 

Indeed, it is less than a fortnight ago that these two sides previously met. Villa ran out 3-1 winners on that occasion, and while the final score might have been a touch flattering, it suggests that the Birmingham club will do both Everton and Leeds a favour by finishing their season at home with a flourish. 

Recommended bet: Aston Villa @ 2.1  

Chelsea vs Leicester

8pm

One spin-off of Arsenal’s loss to Newcastle on Monday is that Chelsea have qualified for the Champions League, giving them nothing to play for in their final two matches of the season, which are both at home. 

The Blues, beaten in the FA Cup final by Liverpool last Saturday on penalties, have been in indifferent form since exiting the Champions League a month ago, winning three, drawing three and losing two of their matches in 90 minutes. Similarly, Leicester have had their struggles, with back-to-back league wins against relegated Norwich and Watford coming after a seven-match winless streak.

The more relaxed nature of the game, though, should bring goals. Chelsea have scored at least two in three of their last four home matches, and against a Leicester defence that has conceded 57 times in the league, this trend is likely to continue. 

Recommended bet: Chelsea over 1.5 goals @ 1.47

Recommended bets

Everton/Palace under 2.5 goals @ 1.84

Villa @ 2.1

Chelsea over 1.5 goals @ 1.47