Premier League tips: Liverpool can dominate derby to add to Everton's woes

With Manchester City and Liverpool slogging it out at the top of the Premier League table, plus a thrilling race for the top four and a tense battle against the drop, there is still much to play for in England’s top flight.

Sunday’s fixtures have the potential to be pivotal in all these regards. Robin Bairner takes a look at where the best value is to be found.

Brighton vs Southampton

Sunday 24 April, 2pm

The South Coast derby promises to be lively affair, despite little of note on the table aside from pride. Brighton definitely come into this match on the better form, having recorded back-to-back away wins against Arsenal and Tottenham in the previous two weekends. That was followed by a 3-0 loss to Manchester City in midweek but that can almost be discounted given the strength of their opponents.

Southampton’s form, meanwhile, has been all over the place. After losing 6-0 at home the Chelsea, they followed that up with a 1-0 win over Arsenal. Saints have not travelled well this year. They have won only one of six road trips in the Premier League and only wiggled by Swansea in the FA Cup after extra-time. Look for the home side to pinch this one.

Recommended bet: Brighton @ 2.24

Burnley vs Wolves

Sunday 24 April, 2pm

Burnley won their first match of the post-Sean Dyche era at Turf Moor on Thursday against Southampton by a 2-0 margin and have recovered well from losing their long-standing boss in surprise circumstances.

The managerless home side took a very creditable point away from West Ham last weekend thanks to a 1-1 draw but it might have been more as they saw Maxwel Cornet miss a penalty that would have made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. It could be a crucial failure come the end of the season. However, the midweek win will act as a salve to that wound.

Every point counts for the hosts right now, and they will be as combative as ever in this fixture.
Wolves, meanwhile, are regularly involved in low-scoring matches yet rarely draw. Indeed, their last tie was before Christmas in a 0-0 with Chelsea. For this reason, backing against both teams to score is the way forward here.

Recommended bet: BTTS? No @ 1.89

Chelsea vs West Ham

Sunday 24 April, 2pm, Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League

Handed a chastening midweek loss against Arsenal, the pressure is on Chelsea to bounce back against another London rival in the form of West Ham. Given the visitors still harbour hopes of Champions League qualification, it promises to be no easy task.

Prior to their shock Arsenal loss, Chelsea had picked up three successive victories, yet home losses against Brentford and Real Madrid pointed towards the upset. It also means they have lost three of their previous four at Stamford Bridge coming into this match.

West Ham, meanwhile, have lost some of the lustre they had earlier in the season and will have one eye on the Europa League semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt. Given they still have Arsenal and Manchester City to play in the Premier League, that could prove an easier route to the Champions League, especially as they have lost their last four on the road domestically.

Recommended bet: Chelsea/over 2.5 goals @ 2.34

Liverpool vs Everton

Sunday 24 April, 4:30pm, Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League

The showcase match of the Premier League weekend promises to be one-sided derby match between Liverpool and Everton. The Reds came into this season without a win in their previous three matches against the Toffees, yet a 4-1 Goodison Park win in December was a reminder of who are the top dogs on Merseyside.

After successive wins over Manchester City and Manchester United, Liverpool should have few problems winning this match, with most punters simply pondering what the margin will be. Certainly, Toffees’ boss Frank Lampard will be eager to avoid the 5-0 humbling his side suffered on the road against Spurs last month as they battle the drop.

Recommended bet: Liverpool to win both halves @ 2.36

Recommended bets

Brighton @ 2.24

Burnley v Wolves BTTS? No @ 1.89

Chelsea/over 2.5 goals @ 2.34

Liverpool to win both halves @ 2.36