This Premier League Preview sees the final day of the Premier League season in full flight with three important matches.

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough – Sunday 21st May 2017 – 15:00 - Sky Sports 1

Liverpool are 1/6 with Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho at 7/2 to score first.

Liverpool welcome Middlesbrough to Anfield in a huge Premier League match, with Liverpool looking to consolidate a top four spot.

Jurgen Klopp's men come into this match on the back of a 4-0 win away against West Ham.

Daniel Sturridge marked his first start since returning from injury with a goal (35), making it 1-0 to Liverpool.

Phillippe Coutinho scored a second-half double (57, 61), with the Brazillian scoring Liverpool's second and third goal.

Divock Origi scored Liverpool's fourth (76), completing a miserable afternoon for the Hammers.

It was an excellent achievement for Jurgen Klopp's side, who only need a win here to guarantee Champions League football.

Top Streak

It was an excellent display from Liverpool, especially considering they have a catalogue of injury problems.

They have recovered from the defeat against Palace in excellent fashion, with this another crucial win in the context of their season.

Liverpool are in fourth place as it stands, with their Manchester City moving above them.

They are in excellent form with four wins, a draw and a defeat in their last six matches.

Reds Favourites

Liverpool head into this fixture as the favourites, with home advantage and their excellent recent record informing the odds.

A win will mean they finish in the top four, an excellent achievement for Jurgen Klopp and his charges.

The Reds will be looking to complete a double over Middlesbrough, winning 3-0 earlier in the season.

Boro Down

Middlesbrough come into this match in poor form, losing 2-1 against Southampton at home last weekend.

Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring for Southampton (42), giving them a 1-0 lead just before the break.

Nathan Redmond continued his excellent debut season for the Saints (57), doubling their advantage.

It was a nervy finish for the visitors though, with Patrick Bamford heading his first Premier League goal (72).

This was Middlesbrough's 19th league defeat of the season, they have already been relegated from the top flight.

Playing For Pride

Boro have struggled since the turn of the year, their only win this year was against rivals Sunderland.

They have lost four of their last six matches, picking up just four points from a possible 18 available.

Boro will be playing for pride in this match, given their relegation, there is little else they have left to play for.

They have been a solid team in the Premier League, the 13 draws are confirmation that they could have stayed up.

Boro Underdogs

The visitors come into this match as underdogs, with their poor form this calendar year informing the odds.

Boro will be looking to register their second win this year, it is only pride left to play for.

Middlesbrough will be looking to register their first win in league against Liverpool since 2008/09, they won 2-0 on that day.

Middlesbrough are 14/1 with Alvaro Negredo at 12/1 to open the scoring.

 

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace – Sunday 21st May 2017 – 15:00 

Man United are 23/20 with Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney at 9/2 to score first.  

Manchester United face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, with United playing their third fixture in a week.

Jose Mourinho's side come into the match on the back of a draw, this time a 0-0 draw away against Southampton.

It was another frustrating result for United, who will now finish the league season in 6th place.

Sergio Romero saved an early penalty from Gabbiadini, keeping United in the hunt and another game unbeaten.

Replays showed United were unlucky, with Eric Bailly handling the ball outside the area.

Jose Mourinho's side registered just one shot on target all match, in truth it was another shocking performance.

United Imperious

Jose Mourinho's side are in poor form, they have won just one game in their last six matches.

Mourinho will be looking for United to end the season on a high, with two wins enough to do that.

A win in this fixture will see United end the season on 69 points, ideally as well as wins in the EFL Cup and Europa League.

Red's Favourites

Manchester United come into the game as favourites, with their pedigree and recent form informing the odds.

This is a vital match for United, who need some form going into the Europa League Final next Wednesday.

Manchester United haven't lost against Palace since 1990, a record they will be keen to continue.

Successive Defeats

The Eagles come into this match on the back of a 4-0 win against Hull, a result that will ensure they remain in the Premier League.

Wilfried Zaha opened the scoring for Crystal Palace (3), giving the Eagles the perfect start in this huge game.

Christian Benteke scored Palace's second (34), with the Belgian completing a fine season with Palace.

Luka Milivojevic (85) made it three from the penalty spot, scoring his third penalty of the season.

Patrick van Aanholt completed the scoring for Sam Allardyce's side (90), relegating Hull in the process.

Eagles Safe

That win means Palace have ended a run of three successive defeats and ensured their survival for another season.

Defeats against Manchester City, Burnley and Tottenham are now of no consequence as they can plan for next season.

They will have gained an incredible amount of confidence from the Hull win, it was a massive result in the context of the relegation battle.

The job still isn't finished though, they have the one match remaining in their season.

Palace Underdogs

Crystal Palace come into this match as underdogs, with recent results swaying the bookies.

This will be another tough match for Allardyce and his side, with United looking to recover from their recent poor results.

Crystal Palace will be looking for just their seventh win against Manchester United in thirty-seven matches.

Palace are 23/10 with Christian Benteke at 11/2 to open the scoring.

 

Southampton vs Stoke – Sunday 21st May 2017 – 15:00

Southampton are 3/4 with Manolo Gabbiadini at 7/2 to score first.

Southampton welcome Stoke to St.Mary's on the final day of games in the Premier League, with a top eight place at stake.

The Saints come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw at home against Manchester United.

It was another frustrating result for United, who will now finish the league season in 6th place.

Sergio Romero saved an early penalty from Gabbiadini, keeping United in the hunt and another game unbeaten.

Replays showed United were unlucky, with Eric Bailly handling the ball outside the area.

Jose Mourinho's side registered just one shot on target all match, in truth it was another shocking performance.

Mixed Season

The Saints have had a reasonably mixed season, that result ensures they move above West Brom into 8th.

Their record in the last six has been poor, with one win, two defeats and three draws.

A win will ensure that Southampton finish in 8th, an excellent achievement for Puel and his side.

An 8th placed finish and EFL runners up represents a great season for Southampton, despite a change of manager and players.

Saints Favourites

Southampton come into this match as favourites, with Stoke struggling for form of late and the Saints enjoying home advantage.

This will be a tough fixture for Claude Puel's side, with Stoke looking to register a second win in six.

The Saints will be looking to register a 22nd win against Stoke in 45 matches.

Stoke Struggling

Stoke come into this match on the back of a 4-1 defeat against Arsenal, a dreadful performance at home from Hughes' side.

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the visitors in the 42nd minute, he returned later on, to make it 4-1 and finish the scoring (80).

Mesut Ozil continued his fine recent form with the Gunners second (55), before Peter Crouch made it 2-1 twelve minutes later.

It looked set to be a frantic end to the match before Alexis Sanchez (76), restored Arsenal's two-goal cushion.

This was another poor performance from Stoke, who have dropped to 14th in the table and will not finish in the top ten.

One Win

That result was another defeat, they have been beaten three times in their last six and dropped down the table as a result.

Their only win in the last six came against Hull, a 3-1 win at the Bet365 Stadium.

Stoke have had problems at both ends of the pitch of late, conceding 11 and scoring just five goals.

Stoke find themselves in 14th place in the Premier League, in truth that is a disasterous finish for Mark Hughes' men.

Stoke Underdogs

Mark Hughes' side come into this match as underdogs, with their recent poor record informing the bookies.

Stoke will be looking for a first win in five matches, with the 3-1 win against Hull their last win.

The Potters will be looking to draw on last seasons result, where they beat Southampton 1-0 at St.Mary's.

Stoke are 7/2 with Saido Berahino and Peter Crouch at 15/2 to open the scoring.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Coutinho to score first @ 7/2 and Liverpool to win 3-1 @ 11/1

Tip 2 –  Martial to score first @ 5/1 and Manchester United to win 2-1 @ 15/2

Tip 3 – Gabbiadini to score first @ 7/2 and a 1-1 draw @ 11/2

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