The Premier League returns after a two week absence with three of the best from the 3pm Saturday kick offs.

The first match sees Chelsea and Swansea clash at the Bridge, with both sides in excellent form. Chelsea come into the match looking to accumulate the wins needed to bring the title back to the Bridge.

Swansea appear to have turned the corner under manager Paul Clement and will be targeting a move further up the table, having given themselves some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.

>>> 10 DAY FREE TRIAL TO LJP FOOTBALL TIPS <<<

Chelsea vs Swansea – Saturday 25th February 2017 – 15:00

Chelsea

Chelsea welcome Swansea to Stamford Bridge this Saturday, with the Premier League returning after a week of FA Cup football.

Antonio Conte's men come into this match on the back of another win, this time a 2-0 win against Championship Wolves.

The first half was a quiet affair, with no goals in the first 45 minutes, with Wolves looking to produce a third shock.

Pedro had other ideas when he scored in the 65th minute, giving the Blues a well deserved lead.

Diego Costa (89) scored Chelsea's second late on, with Wolves battling hard until the end but Chelsea were a cut above.

Double Dream Alive

Chelsea focus shifts back to the league, with the Blues looking to edge towards their second Premier League title in three seasons.

Their last result was a disappointing 1-1 draw against Burnley, they still remain in the driving seat though.

Antonio Conte's side have kept their nine point gap at the top, with Manchester City replacing Tottenham in second place.

Chelsea will be looking to extend their lead at the top to 12 points, with neither City or Arsenal playing this weekend.

Blues Heavy Favourites

Conte's men go into this match as favourites, and will see this as an ideal opportunity to register their 20th win of the season.

The Blues will be delighted with their season, they have already amassed 60 points and the title is theirs to lose.

Chelsea will be looking to continue their excellent overall record against Swansea. In 12 matches they have won 6, drawn 5 and lost 2.

Chelsea are 1/4 with Diego Costa at 9/4 to score first.

Stamford_Bridge_-_West_StandSwans Enjoying Life Under Clement

The Swans won their last game 2-0 against a poor Leicester side, with the Swans registering another vital win.

Alfie Mawson scored the opener for the Swans late in the first half (36), giving Ranieri yet another headache.

Martin Olsson (45+2) doubled the tally 11 minutes later, giving Leicester a hammer blow going into the break.

Clement Renaissance

Swansea have continued their excellent form under new manager Paul Clement, with three wins in their last four.

The Swans have moved out of the relegation zone, they are now in 15th position in the table.

They have moved four points clear of the drop, with the Swans now should be targeting a top ten finish.

Swansea will be looking to continue their excellent recent record against Conte's side, they are undefeated in three against the Blues.

Big Test For Swansea

The match against Chelsea will be a huge challenge for Swansea, with Chelsea the form side in the League.

The corresponding fixture saw Swansea draw against Chelsea, with the Swans unbeaten in three now.

Swansea will be looking to better their overall record against Chelsea. They have won 2, drawn 5 and lost 6 of their 12 meetings.

Swansea are 10/1 with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente at 11/1 to open the scoring.

 

 

The second fixture sees the battle for relegation hot up, with Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough meeting at Selhurst Park.

Palace manager Sam Allardyce has really struggled since coming into the job, he has won just one Premier League match and there is plenty of work to do if he is to keep his record of never being relegated intact.

Middlesbrough have been solid defensively this season but they are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League. Along with Manchester United they have drawn far more games than they should have done and will desperately need wins to survive the drop.

Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough – Saturday 25th February 2017 – 15:00

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace welcome Middlesbrough to Selhurst Park this Saturday, with both sides struggling at the bottom of the table.

Crystal Palace come into this match on the back of a 1-0 defeat, with the Eagles losing an away match against Stoke.

Joe Allen (67) scored the only goal of the game, with the Welshman enjoying an excellent season at the Potters.

It is another poor result for Palace, who have continued their appalling run of form under new manager Allardyce.

Former England manager Allardyce has won just one match during his tenure, his relegation record could be under threat.

Eagles Going Down?

It is Palace's fourth defeat in their last six matches, a record that Allardyce will be wanting to end as soon as possible.

His only win in the Premier League has come away at Bournemouth, with the Cherries also struggling for form.

Defeats against Stoke, Sunderland, Man City and Everton have left Palace in 19th place, two points from safety.

Their defence has been their biggest weakness, with 10 goals conceded in their last six matches.

Palace Need Wins

Crystal Palace have endured a miserable 14 months, despite that they come into this match as the favourites.

This will be a tough match for Allardyce and his side, with Middlesbrough also fighting against relegation.

Crystal Palace will be looking to improve on their record against Middlesbrough, in 21 matches they have won 9, lost 9 and drawn 3.

Crystal Palace are 11/10 with Christian Benteke at 4/1 to score first.

Crystal PalaceBoro Need Wins

Middlesbrough come into this match on the back of a 3-2 win, against Oxford United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Grant Leadbitter (26) opened the scoring for Boro from the penalty spot, giving the home side the perfect start.

Rudy Gestede (34) made it 2-0 just eight minutes later, ensuring Boro went into the break with a comfortable lead.

Or so they thought. Maguire (64) pulled one back for Oxford, before Martinez Lopez (65) sent shockwaves through Teeside.

Christian Stuani (86) spared Boro's blushes, securing the win late on in the match, with goal shy Boro scoring three.

Middlesbrough In Poor Form

Aitor Karanka's side have struggled this season, their defence has been excellent but they have struggled up front.

They have failed to register any wins in the Premier League in their last six, with their most recent wins coming in the FA Cup.

Karanka will be desperate to secure a result, they are deep in trouble near the bottom of the Premier League.

Boro Need Form

Middlesbrough come into this match as the underdogs, with home advantage holding sway with the bookies.

Boro will need to end their woes in front of goal, with their goal shy strikers needing to step up if they are to win matches.

Their recent record against Palace is poor, they have lost the last two meetings.

Middlesbrough are 29/10 with Alvaro Negredo at 13/2 to open the scoring.

 

 

The final fixture sees Everton take on Sunderland at Goodison Park in a match that Sunderland must gain points from.

The hosts Everton are in excellent form and have secured some excellent wins in their last six, with the Manchester City result a highlight. They appear to have rediscovered their early season form and will look to challenge United for a top six position.

Sunderland were a shambles at home in their last match, which was a surprise given they were excellent away at Palace the previous week. David Moyes will be pulling his hair out over his side's defending and their overall consistency.

Everton vs Sunderland – Saturday 25th February 2017 – 15:00

Everton

Everton welcome Sunderland to Goodison Park this Saturday, with Everton looking to close the gap on Manchester United in 6th.

The Toffees come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough, a result that will have disappointed Ronald Koeman.

The home side continued their struggles in front of goal, with their defence holding strong as has regularly been the case.

Both Victor Valdes and Joel Robles had excellent matches, with both keepers called into action at various stages.

Everton have been in excellent form recently, with the 2-1 defeat to Leicester in the FA Cup their only loss.

Toffees In Great Form

Their other fixtures have seen them record wins against Bournemouth, Palace and Manchester City.

The draws against Stoke and Middlesbrough will have frustrated Koeman, but it does leave them well placed.

Everton have been in excellent goalscoring form of late, with main man Lukaku at the forefront.

They find themselves in 7th place, seven points behind United, who could suffer a huge fixture pile up.

Everton Favourites

Ronald Koeman's side come into this match as favourites, with their excellent recent record informing the odds.

This will be a tough match for the Toffees, with Sunderland in desperate need of any points in their relegation battle.

Everton will be looking to continue their excellent overall record against Sunderland. In 144 matches they have won 67, drawn 23 and lost 54.

Everton are 2/5 with Romelu Lukaku is at 5/2 to score first.

EvertonSunderland Inconsistent

Sunderland come into this fixture on the back of a disappointing 4-0 defeat, at home against Southampton.

January signing Gabbiadini (30 & 45) scored two goals in the first half, with the forward in great form.

That was his third goal in Saints colours, it also gave Southampton the perfect start at the Stadium of Light.

Denayer scored a comical own goal late on (88), with Shane Long completing the scoring in the 92nd minute.

It was a desperately disappointing result for Moyes men, who had recorded an excellent win against Palace prior to that game.

Tough Season So Far

David Moyes side have had a tough season, but they have to be more consistent if they are to survive.

They come into the match in mixed form, with four defeats in their last six matches they have looked poor.

Moyes and his men will have been deeply disappointed, losing at home in that manner was less than ideal.

Sunderland find themselves bottom of the Premier League on 19 points, there is hope if they can win games though.

Big Test For Sunderland

The Black Cats come into this match as underdogs, with the Toffee's form and home advantage decisive.

The match against Everton will be a huge challenge for Sunderland, with Everton suffering just one defeat in their last six.

Sunderland will be looking to better their overall record against Everton. They have won 54, drawn 23 and lost 67 of their 144 meetings.

Sunderland are 13/2 with Jermain Defoe at 13/2 to open the scoring. 

 

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Llorente to score first @ 11/1 and Chelsea to win 2-1 @ 8/1

Tip 2 – Benteke to score first @ 4/1 and 2-2 draw @ 18/1

Tip 3 – Lukaku to score first @ 5/2 and Everton to win 3-1 @ 10/1

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *