Premier League tips: Arsenal set to continue top four push at Villa

It's a reduced round of Premier League action this weekend due to the FA Cup quarter-finals, but there are still plenty of significant matches taking place. Here are our top tips from Friday to Sunday.

Wolves vs Leeds

Friday 18 March, 8pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Leeds supporters went from agony to ecstasy at Elland Road last weekend. Kenny McLean thought he had rescued a point for Norwich City when he struck in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, but Joe Gelhardt’s even later strike brought Leeds their first win of the Jesse Marsch era. It was a vital victory too, moving the Whites four points clear of the relegation zone.

They are not out of the woods yet, though. Leeds still have the worst defensive record in the division, and are without a clean sheet since November. Wolves can take advantage of their enduring frailty at the back.

Recommended bet: Wolves to win @ 2.22

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Saturday 19 March, 12.30pm, BT Sport

Arsenal played well for much of Wednesday’s meeting with Liverpool, but a lack of ruthlessness in the final third proved costly as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners. Mikel Arteta will be keen for his team to get back to winning ways immediately, but that will not be straightforward against an in-form Aston Villa side.

Steven Gerrard’s men lost to West Ham United last time out, but they won three in a row before that. They have also scored 10 goals in their last four outings and will pose problems for Arsenal’s backline. This could be an entertaining, goal-laden affair at Villa Park.

Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.86

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch saw his side win their first game of his reign against Norwich, and will be looking for another three points at Wolves

Leicester City vs Brentford

Sunday 20 March, 2pm

The mood is much brighter at Brentford than it was a fortnight ago. Back-to-back victories over Norwich City and Burnley have afforded Thomas Frank’s side some much-needed breathing space in the battle against the drop. They head into the weekend with a chance to open up an 11-point lead over the bottom three.

A trip to Leicester will not be easy, though. The Foxes may have lost to Arsenal last weekend, but prior to that they showed signs of a revival. And for all their difficulties this term, they have only lost one of their last seven home games. Brendan Rodgers’ side can triumph here.

Recommended bet: Leicester to win @ 2.14

Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United

Sunday 20 March, 4.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Try as he might, Antonio Conte just cannot rid Tottenham of their inconsistency. Although they beat Brighton 2-0 on Wednesday, a 3-2 defeat by Manchester United last Saturday was a major blow to Spurs’ top-four ambitions, and a failure to beat West Ham this weekend would leave the north Londoners with a mountain to climb in the race for Champions League football.

The Hammers are also involved in the top-four battle and they have the attacking quality to find the net against a shaky Spurs backline, even though Jarrod Bowen’s likely absence is a blow. We should see goals at both ends in this one.

Recommended bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.06

Recommended bets

Wolves @ 2.22

Leicester @ 2.14

Villa/Arsenal Over 2.5 @ 1.86

Spurs/West Ham BTTS & over 2.5 @ 2.06