This Premier League Preview sees the final two matches of the penultimate Saturday of the season.

Middlesbrough vs Southampton – Saturday 13th May 2017 – 15:00

Middlesbrough are 13/5 with Alvaro Negredo at 6/1 to score first.

Middlesbrough welcome Southampton to the Riverside Stadium, with only pride to play for in this match.

Boro come into this match in poor form, losing their last match against Chelsea 3-0 at home.

Diego Costa opened the scoring for Chelsea (23), with the striker now claiming a move to China isn't inevitable.

Marcus Alonso (34) continued his fine season for the Blues, scoring their second just 11 minutes later.

Nemanja Matic (65) settled the contest with 25 minutes to go, relegating Middlesbrough in the process.

It was a result that confirmed Middlesbrough's relegation to the Championship, after winning just five matches all season.

Time To Rebuild

Boro have struggled since the turn of the year, but their fate was sealed months ago with a long period without a win.

They have won just one of their last six matches, with three defeats and two draws completing the set.

Attention will now turn to the rebuilding phase, with Boro now looking for a new manager and new players.

They will be looking to end their season on a high, with only pride left to play for now.

Boro Underdogs

Middlesbrough come into this match as underdogs, despite enjoying home advantage.

Boro will be looking to register only their 6th win of the season, and avenge the 1-0 defeat earlier in the season at St.Mary's.

Middlesbrough will be looking to better their recent record against the Saints, with just one win in their last four meetings.

Saints In Mixed Form

Southampton come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat at home against Arsenal, a poor result for the Saints.

Petr Cech was busy in the first half, with Manolo Gabbiadini and Nathan Redmond forcing him into some fine saves.

Alexis Sanchez (60), produced a moment of brilliance in his 100th league appearance to give Arsenal the lead.

Olivier Giroud (83) sealed the win just seven minutes from time, with another header to give Arsenal a vital three points.

The Saints will feel hard done by, with the home side equal in possession but registering more shots (14).

Ultimately the Gunners were the more clinical side, keeping alive their hopes of Champions League progression.

Saints Need Consistency

Claude Puel will be delighted with their season overall, but their recent run of form is very poor.

They have won just one game in their last six, with the 1-0 win against West Brom their only joy.

The fixture list hasn't been kind with defeats against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in their last six.

They will be looking to end the season on a high, they find themselves in 10th place as it stands.

Saints Favourites

Southampton come into the match as favourites, with their league position and pedigree informing the bookies.

Claude Puel's side will be looking to do the double over Boro, and add more misery to their tough season.

The Saints will be looking to make it 16 wins in 34 meetings against Boro, drawing nine and losing the other 9.

Southampton are 1/1 with Manolo Gabbiadini at 4/1 to open the scoring.

 

 

Stoke vs Arsenal – Saturday 13th May 2017 – 17:30 - Sky Sports 1

Stoke are 100/30 with Jon Walters, Peter Crouch, Saido Berahino and Mame Biram Diouf are all at 17/2 to score first.

Stoke face Arsenal at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday evening, with Stoke looking to stretch their unbeaten run to three matches.

Stoke come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, a mixed result for Mark Hughes side.

Lyn Mousset (33) scored the opening goal of the match, with an unlucky own goal giving Stoke the lead.

Junior Stanislas (62) equalized for Bournemouth midway through the second half, to make it 1-1.

Mame Biram Diouf (73) ensured Stoke took the lead for the second time in the match, leaving Bournemouth behind with 17 minutes to spare.

The second own goal of the game came from Ryan Shawcross (81), who ensured that Bournemouth gained a vital home point.

Poor Form For Potters

Their record in the last six has been poor, with just the one win against Hull in that sequence.

Given that the Premier League is the only thing they have left to play for, they should be putting in far better performances.

Stoke have dropped down to 13th place, which would represent a poor season for Mark Hughes side.

Stoke Underdogs

Mark Hughes' side come into this match as underdogs, as a result of their dismal run of form.

Stoke will need to be far more clinical in front of goal, they have scored just 6 goals in 6 matches.

The Potters will be looking to better their overall record against Arsenal, they have won 25, drawn 21 and lost 47 of their 93 meetings.

Gunners Seek Top Four

The Gunners come into this match in excellent form, having beaten Southampton 2-0 during the week.

Petr Cech was busy in the first half, with Manolo Gabbiadini and Nathan Redmond forcing him into some fine saves.

Alexis Sanchez (60), produced a moment of brilliance in his 100th league appearance to give Arsenal the lead.

Olivier Giroud (83) sealed the win just seven minutes from time, with another header to give Arsenal a vital three points.

The Saints will feel hard done by, with the home side equal in possession but registering more shots (14).

Ultimately the Gunners were the more clinical side, keeping alive their hopes of Champions League progression.

Gunners Need Maximum Points

The Gunners still need to register three wins in the league, with a top four finish drifting away from them.

They have been beaten just once in their last six matches, a painful 2-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Tottenham.

They will need maximum wins as they are competing against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool for a top four spot.

Gunners Favourites

Arsenal come into this match as the underdogs, despite their good form but a defeat here would unravel recent results.

Wenger's men will be looking to finish the season in style, in truth they will need maximum wins to have any chance of finishing fourth.

Arsenal will be looking to draw on their excellent recent record against Stoke, they have won three of the last four meetings.

Arsenal are 8/11 with Alexis Sanchez at 7/2 to open the scoring.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Gabbiadini to score first @ 4/1 and Southampton to win 2-1 @ 15/2

Tip 2 – Sanchez to score first @ 7/2 and Arsenal to win 2-1 @ 7/1

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