We are greeted by Game Week 38 as the Premier League finishes it final set of fixtures. This is our last chance to pull out the sort of domestic treble of Match Result and BTTS results which landed at 44/1 a little while ago. You’ve got to be in it to win it, and at 83/1 it’s got to be worth a couple of pounds!
Sunderland v Swansea City – 3.00pm Sunday
Sunderland to win and BTTS is 10/3
Both these sides are set for another season in the Premier League and after Sunderland’s win against West Brom on Wednesday, their safety was assured. A party atmosphere is expected at the Stadium of Light after a season where they looked destined for relegation only for manager Gus Poyet to perform a miracle by keeping the Black Cats up. Along the way a trip to Wembley was booked and Paulo Di Canio sacked. A season of ups and downs and considering they have won their last four matches I am expecting them to claim all three points in their final fixture. Swansea have also failed to keep a clean sheet in 15 away games which should leave plenty of opportunities to be had by Conor Wickham and Fabio Borini.
Swansea are the visitors and after being confirmed as the manager to take the Welsh side forward next season, Gary Monk is going to be in a confident mood and will want to make a point with a performance to show the Chairman that the correct decision has been made. The Swans have struggled more during this campaign with the added matches that come with the Europa League and this has transferred over to the league which left a few concerned Swansea fans during the relegation run in. All is fine though and with some freedom, Swansea can play some of the best football in the league. Wilfried Bony has turned into a very astute signing and i am expecting the prolific goal scorer to create plenty of problems for the Sunderland backline and perhaps a goal.
Preston North End v Rotherham United – 5.15pm Saturday
Preston North End to win and BTTS is 10/3
Preston have been strong all season long and even more so during the end of their campaign. History has shown that the sides with the most momentum going in to the Play Offs tend to come out the other side in a higher division. Preston have not lost in 12 games at home and their last five have all result in victories which also saw them produce 18 goals! The last four meetings with opposition Rotherham have ended in two draws and two Preston wins which will give the Lilywhites plenty of confidence. I can’t see anything but a Preston win here based on the form they are currently in.
Rotherham have been another one of the success stories this season in League One. Most fans would have been happy with surviving relegation but the Millers have done that and so much more having reached the Play Offs. Goal machine Kieran Agard has found the net all season long and is in great form with five goals in his last five away games and you wouldn’t bet against him making it six from six for the Yorkshire side. Rotherham may have to settle for going back to the New York City Stadium with a defeat but at least one goal at Deepdale, looks more than likely.
Southampton v Manchester United – 3.00pm Sunday
Manchester United to win and BTTS is 7/2
Southampton have been brilliant all season playing some very exciting continental football. Mauricio Pochettino will be taking this game very seriously too as they have done with each match up and till the end. The 2-0 victory over Everton, two weeks ago would have provided plenty of warning for their opposition today. In front of their own fans, the Saints will want to get a positive result and with the likes of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert all hopeful for a plane ticket to Brazil, they will be very motivated against the big names of Manchester United. A win may be too much of an ask but a goal for the home side looks a good bet.
Ryan Giggs is involved in his last game as manager of Manchester United and during his short spell he has made the Red Devils into a far more attacking outfit which has led to seven goals in his three games in charge. On Wednesday a number of changes were made for the visit of Hull City at Old Trafford which led to a much more open game which ended 3-1 to United. I think we may well see a similar side and comparable performance and scoreline when they travel South. I cannot see the reins being put on this team by Ryan Giggs and the goals should flow.
