We are beginning to get some separation as far as the final positions are concerned and this could be the weekend when both the Premier League title race and the relegation battle come to a close. I would be surprised if the former was to happen, at least from a mathematical point of view, but the latter is more realistic with Cardiff City needing to beat Crystal Palace to stay alive going into the final weekend, and even then a Brighton win at Arsenal would be enough to confirm the bottom three places.
The top four could also be locked up if Arsenal and Manchester United fail to win and both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea earn the points they need, while Wolves can move into a very strong position to secure 7th place and a possible route into the Europa League.
It is all to play for in the Fantasy Football Leagues up and down the country as we hit GW37. Last week I found some solid differentials with the likes of Jamie Vardy scoring twice as well as Naby Keita and Youri Tielemens getting on the scoreboard in home wins for Liverpool and Leicester City.
Once again I will be searching out players owned by 15% or fewer of teams in the FPL Game that could make the difference in your individual Leagues. Next season I will have a slightly different look to the way I approach my Fantasy Football section of these threads, but for now you can read the section below where I am highlighting the players I have mentioned.
Everton v Burnley Pick: The final home game of the season for Everton should help produce one more big effort from a team who might not be wanting to see the season come to a close. It has to be said that Everton have been in fine form under Marco Silva in recent weeks and they are still chasing down a 7th place finish which may come with a European berth.
The side can put some pressure on their rivals for that place by winning on Friday night in front of the television cameras, but they can't underestimate Burnley who have been having a strong finish to the season.
Burnley have seemingly been very clinical in front of goal, while some last ditch defending has helped them preserve points they perhaps didn't completely deserve to pick up. Even in the defeat to Manchester City last Sunday, Burnley put bodies on the line and goal line clearances helped them to stay competitive.
It is possible they can play with more freedom with safety assured, but Burnley should be highly motivated to show they are stronger at the back having conceded five in the home loss to Everton earlier this season. They are facing Everton at a tough time, but Burnley can play their part here having scored at least twice in 5 of their last 6 away games in the Premier League.
However I think Everton are playing with the confidence at home where they can edge out the win in this fixture. They have been creating plenty of chances in recent home games and the performances here against top six opponents suggests they can have too much for Burnley even if the latter are able to help play their part in the fixture.
Backing Everton to win a game where two or more goals are shared out is the selection from this live television fixture on Friday evening.
Fantasy Star: Gylfi Sigurdsson- everything good comes from the midfielder who is always likely to provide a goal or an assist.
Alternative: Chris Wood- Burnley will persist with a two man forward line and Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes can be very dangerous.
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: The first of the live televised Saturday games from the Premier League comes from the south coast as Bournemouth prepare to host a Tottenham Hotspur team who have proven to be far too good for them no matter where they have played one another.
Tottenham Hotspur hammered Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium earlier this season and this is just the latest of some one-sided wins for the London club.
However there is the additional factor of the Champions League Semi Final Second Leg in Amsterdam coming up this week which has to be given some weight. Tottenham Hotspur are still needing one more win to confirm their place in the top four, but they would likely settle for a point here which would mean a single point more would suffice and I am anticipating Mauricio Pochettino will make some changes to his first team to keep things fresh for Wednesday.
Those changes may still lead to a win, but Bournemouth should be ready to compete after fighting back for a 3-3 draw at Southampton last weekend. The home team have goals in the side and they should cause problems for Spurs despite being defensively vulnerable themselves.
The expected changes do make Tottenham Hotspur look a short price here and I was slightly tempted to recommend Bournemouth to upset them. Spurs have lost 7 of their last 8 away games and that includes the last 4 in a row and with the game against Ajax offering a distraction I do think they look short at odds on.
A draw wouldn't be a bad result for Tottenham Hotspur with Everton to come on the final day at home, but I think the recommendation has to be Bournemouth with the start on the Asian Handicap.
Fantasy Star: Callum Wilson- three goals and three assists in his last three games for Bournemouth who could be facing a distracted Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime.
Alternative: Hueng-Min Son- must be chomping at the bit having been suspended for the Champions League Semi Final First Leg during the week. Scored twice against Bournemouth earlier this season.
West Ham United v Leicester City Pick: Neither team has anything to really play for with two games left of the Premier League season, but I think that could help these teams produce a fun game for the fans at the London Stadium.
Both Manuel Pellegrini and Ralph Hasenhuttl have been keen to see their teams getting on the front foot and creating chances and games between West Ham United and Southampton have tended to produce plenty of goalmouth action.
The teams have been creating enough chances to think they can be amongst the goals in this fixture and neither has shown a lot of defensive strength in recent games. West Ham United have conceded at least twice in 3 in a row at the London Stadium and Southampton have both scored and conceded in 3 of their last 4 away from home.
In five of the last six seasons these two teams have played each other we have seen one of the fixtures produce at least four goals and that looks a big price in this one. I would be surprised if we see less than three goals and then it is the belief of the two managers to continue to play attacking football that may help produce at least one more goal on the day.
We would need to see a little more composure in front of goal from both teams, but the chances being created is encouraging and backing at least four goals to be shared out between the teams is the selection.
Fantasy Star: Michail Antonio- two goals in two games and should have chances against this Southampton defence to extend that.
Alternative: Shane Long- been in fine scoring form for someone who had a long run without scoring a goal. Got another last week, can add to that here.
Wolves v Fulham Pick: All credit has to be given to Scott Parker for guiding Fulham to three Premier League wins in a row and they are likely going to be results that mean he will be given the permanent job as manager as Fulham look to bounce back immediately from relegation.
It is going to be a tough season back in the Championship, but Fulham will be returning to that Division with some momentum picked up from wins in the last few weeks of the Premier League season.
Fortune has perhaps favoured Fulham who have been giving up chances and I think it will be difficult to contain a Wolves team looking like they are going to finish 7th in the Premier League. That is a big achievement for the club and potentially returning to European competition will only give the fans more to look forward to in the 2019/20 season, although Wolves would have to negotiate the tricky Europa League Qualifiers if they do get into that competition.
Wolves can take a big step to 7th place by winning this fixture and they have been very strong against Fulham at home. Recent performance at Molineux will only give Wolves more confidence and they create plenty of chances and usually score plenty of goals here.
Fulham's run of clean sheets have been surprising, especially with the underlying statistics suggesting they have been fortunate to earn those. I think some of that luck runs out this weekend and Wolves should have enough to break them down and earn a win on the day.
I will back Wolves to do that in a fixture featuring two or more goals with their recent home wins coming in games when Wolves have scored at least twice. Before the 0-1 win at Bournemouth, Fulham had conceded at least twice in 7 away games in a row at this level and were also beaten 2-0 here last season.
Fantasy Star: Diogo Jota- two goals in two games and Fulham's run of clean sheets have not come through strong defensive performances, but more down to the misfortune of attackers facing them.
Alternative: Matt Doherty- clean sheet potential and seems to be in and around the goals from his wing back position.
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace Pick: There isn't a lot of motivation that can be pointed out for Crystal Palace in this fixture and I do think that is the main reason that they are such an underdog in this one.
Cardiff City's motivation is much easier to understand as they have to win if they are going to realistically extend their stay in the Premier League. Even a draw is not good enough for the home team so they have to come forward and people looking at this game will make an obvious case for why they can win this game with that motivation behind them.
However I think it is a very difficult spot for The Bluebirds on Saturday as they are taking on a Crystal Palace team who have been much stronger away from home. That is down to the fact they can expose teams on the counter attack when they are committing men going forward and I do think that could be the situation in this live televised fixture.
At some stage Cardiff City will likely have to take risks against a Crystal Palace team who have been pretty sound defensively despite injuries in the backline. Those risks should see the visitors have some big gaps to exploit the longer this match goes and I think they can be backed on the Asian Handicap which is essentially a 'Draw No Bet' selection this week.
Neil Warnock's men have worked hard, but they have lost 8 of their last 10 Premier League games and that includes losing 4 of their last 5 at the Cardiff City Stadium. Crystal Palace being that much stronger away from home makes them the reasonable choice to back here with the draw returning the stake, especially as Crystal Palace have won 5 of their last 7 away from home in all competitions.
Fantasy Star: Aaron Wan-Bissaka- he has committed his future to Crystal Palace and has been a revelation from right back. Can get forward and cause problems, also every chance of a clean sheet.
Alternative: Wilfried Zaha- another who has been linked with a move away, I would expect Zaha to have some big gaps to exploit if Cardiff City are in a position where they need to chase this game.
Newcastle United v Liverpool Pick: This game was originally scheduled to be played on Sunday, but has been moved forward because of Liverpool's Champions League Semi Final Second Leg against Barcelona which is played on Tuesday. The changes to the schedule has also shifted Manchester City's Premier League game to a Monday evening so Liverpool have the chance to play their penultimate League game before the defending Champions kick off as opposed to after as originally put together.
At this moment of time the only thing Liverpool can do is win their remaining two League games and hope Manchester City falter, but destiny is not in their own hands.
There is also some pressure on Jurgen Klopp to get his players to refocus after the 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League First Leg. The scoreline might have been harsh on Liverpool who missed some glorious chances in the Nou Camp, but they can't let that result linger in their minds as they prepare for a difficult game in Newcastle United.
This is a ground on which Liverpool have struggled in recent years and the home fans would love to play spoiler as they look to persuade the board to back Rafael Benitez to remain as manager of Newcastle United. Rafael Benitez is a former Liverpool manager who is beloved at Anfield for helping secure a fifth European Cup, but he is not someone who will want his team to hand out favours to their visitors.
However it is a much tougher task for Newcastle United without Miguel Almiron and the likely absence of Ayoze Perez. That will remove big threats for The Magpies in this late Saturday evening kick off, but I expect the home team to be sound defensively for the most part and they will make life difficult for Liverpool.
Newcastle United have won 6 of their last 7 Premier League games at St James' Park which includes coming from behind to beat Manchester City. They are facing a Liverpool team who have scored plenty of away goals before the defeat in Barcelona, but I expect some tiredness to be on display after the tough fixture on a wide open pitch.
Will it be enough for Liverpool to drop points? I am not sure about that, but Newcastle United should be defensively sound enough to keep this competitive and backing the home team on the Asian Handicap is the call which will return a winner as long as they are not beaten by two or more goals.
Fantasy Star: Mohamed Salah- had a huge miss which would have made it 3-1 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, but might be the key to unlocking what is expected to be a solid Newcastle United defensive shape.
Alternative: Jordan Henderson- it might take an unusual source to break down Newcastle United and Henderson should take over from Naby Keita in the forward thinking midfield role.
Chelsea v Watford Pick: Playing Europa League Football on a Thursday and then having to compete in the Premier League has long proven to be a tricky test for clubs in England, but Chelsea have to find the right balance if they are going to achieve their goals for the season.
The main one was to return to the Champions League and Chelsea are very much in control of 4th place in the Premier League table with a 2 point lead over their nearest rivals and with two games left to play. At this moment you would say Chelsea will need to win both games if they are going to finish in the top four, and then they can concentrate on trying to win the Europa League as they go into their Semi Final Second Leg as favourites to see of Eintracht Frankfurt.
A big concern going into this Premier League fixture has to be the fact that Chelsea have not won any of their last 6 games following a Europa League game. They put in a lot of effort into the 1-1 draw in Germany on Thursday and they are playing a Watford team who have had a week to prepare for this fixture.
It is only Watford's relatively poor form which is leading me to doubt the visitors. The defeat last weekend at home to Wolves means Watford are almost certainly not going to be able to finish 7th in the Premier League table, while they have lost 2 of 4 Premier League games since earning their spot in the FA Cup Final.
Troy Deeney being back will be a boost for the squad as he is someone who will inspire a big performance from Watford and I do think they can make use of the fact that there will be some tired legs and minds in the Chelsea camp. I am not sure Watford have enough to earn a positive result here, but they have shown they can score goals against the top six clubs and backing both teams to score looks to be the play.
The last 5 between Chelsea and Watford have seen that outcome, while The Hornets have scored at least twice in their last 3 visits to Stamford Bridge. Keeping Chelsea out won't be easy with Watford's recent performances in mind, but backing both teams to score looks to be an angle that can produce a winner on the day.
Fantasy Star: Eden Hazard- whenever Chelsea play it is the Belgian you think is going to be key. Didn't start on Thursday so should be ready to make an impact.
Alternative: Troy Deeney- has been missing through suspension and will be looking to make an impact on his own. Watford have scored plenty of goals in recent visits to Stamford Bridge.
Huddersfield Town v Manchester United Pick: Defeats to Everton and Manchester City without scoring a goal and then a mistake from David De Gea in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea has left Manchester United in a very difficult position to make the top four of the Premier League and return to the Champions League.
Only 4th place in realistic for Manchester United, but they are going to need to win both remaining League games by wide margins and hope Chelsea are beaten heavily in at least one of their remaining two League games. The side will also need Arsenal to fail to win both of their remaining two games or at least lose one of those and I think the majority of Manchester United fans will accept it is back to Europa League Football next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won't want his team to go into the summer with a negative mindset despite the rumours of the changes that are going to be made in the squad. The players have seemingly gone back to the same mentality as when they were failing to perform under Jose Mourinho, but Manchester United could not really ask for a better opponent than a Huddersfield Town missing influential Aaron Mooy and who have been struggling under Jan Siewert.
Huddersfield Town have lost 8 in a row in the Premier League and that includes losing their last 3 at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terriers have conceded at least twice in each of those home defeats and only a late goal against Watford prevented Huddersfield Town from being beaten by two or more goal margins in each of those 3 defeats too.
In 3 of the last 4 Premier League games Huddersfield Town have conceded at least four times and I think even an underperforming Manchester United team can win here. Both Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford could be missing, but Manchester United still have some very strong attacking players who should be able to produce a decent level against an opponent like the one in front of them.
Last season Manchester United did earn revenge over Huddersfield Town by beating them 0-2 in the FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League. I expect a scoreline more in line with the FA Cup tie considering the form of Huddersfield Town.
It is not easy to trust Manchester United at the moment, especially off 5 straight away defeats in all competitions, but they have played with more effort in the last two matches. That should be enough to see off Huddersfield Town who have been conceding goals for fun and I will look for Manchester United to win by a couple of goals at least on the day.
Fantasy Star: Marcus Rashford- is suffering with an injury, but has been training so would be a surprise if he didn't start. With Romelu Lukaku injured, Rashford could be the key to breaking down this Huddersfield Town team.
Alternative: Paul Pogba- on penalty duties and facing an overmatched opponent.
Arsenal v Brighton Pick: It took a lot of effort and determination for Arsenal to come from behind and beat Valencia 3-1 in the Europa League Semi Final First Leg on Thursday, but Unai Emery knows his team can't give up their chase of a top four finish in the Premier League just yet.
Unlike Chelsea in recent weeks, Arsenal have generally played pretty well coming out of their Europa League ties even if they were beaten in that situation 2-3 by Crystal Palace here last month. Prior to that, Arsenal had won 4 straight Premier League games following a Europa League game and that includes 3 wins in a row at the Emirates Stadium where they have been scoring plenty of goals.
The win over Valencia made it 10 straight home games in which Arsenal have scored at least twice, although Brighton are going to offer some resistance if their recent performances are anything to go by. Brighton earned a draw at Wolves and were undone by a late Christian Eriksen goal when going down to a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, although I do wonder if the players will mentally relax having moved 4 points clear of Brighton last weekend.
It will certainly be a possibility if Cardiff City have not beaten Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon in what would effectively be a result that keeps Brighton in the Premier League for another season. If that has happened there is every chance that the Brighton players just relax a little bit which could give Arsenal the edge to win this fixture with a little more ease than the likes of Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur have found in recent games.
Arsenal were pretty comfortable winners over Brighton here last season and they have been strong at home with the Crystal Palace result being an exception to the rule. Defensively they have been vulnerable to set pieces and so Brighton may have their chances, but I think Arsenal will have a bit too much for them and keep their hopes of a top four finish alive going into the final day next Sunday.
Fantasy Star: Alexandre Lacazette- rotation is a concern, but the Frenchman might get another start to add to the two goals he scored against Valencia.
Alternative: Henrikh Mkhitaryan- has not really thrived at Arsenal like he would have wanted, but has the skills to perhaps be a key to unlocking what is likely to be two banks of four in front of Mat Ryan.
Manchester City v Leicester City Pick: With Liverpool kicking off forty-eight hours before Manchester City are due to play this weekend, there could be more tension on the defending Champions as they look to retain the top flight English title for the first time in their history. A Liverpool win would mean Manchester City are needing to match the results of their title rivals to stay ahead of them, but any other result could see Manchester City effectively win the title on Monday evening.
It is hard to know what kind of atmosphere we are going to see at the Etihad Stadium until after the Liverpool match at St James' Park has come to a conclusion- a win for Liverpool could mean there is some tension here as there was when Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 a couple of weeks ago, but any other result and I think the fans and the players could be bouncing into the fixture.
Either way I don't think it is too difficult to know how Brendan Rodgers is going to ask his Leicester City team to approach things. During his time with Celtic Rodgers showed an ambition to get this teams to attack even when they were playing in Champions League and Europa League fixtures against superior teams and I think the former Liverpool manager is going to ask his Leicester City players to do the same here.
Brendan Rodgers would have noted the success Tottenham Hotspur had on the counter attack in both the Premier League and Champions League visits to the Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks ago. His Leicester City players are very much of the mould to play that style and look to expose any holes left behind by Manchester City and this is a team who have regularly found a way to score goals against the defending Champions.
Both games this season have seen both teams hitting the net, while that has also been the case in 7 of the last 8 between them overall. The last 3 at the Etihad Stadium has seen the same happen including in both games managed by Pep Guardiola, although in each of those Manchester City have had enough to see off Leicester City.
I think that could be the case again here despite the improved defensive performances Manchester City have put together. This Leicester City will look to get after their hosts and they have scored against each of the other members of the top six away from home this season.
Ultimately I still think Manchester City will do enough to win the game and backing them to win a fixture in which both teams score is the recommendation.
Fantasy Star: Sergio Aguero- scored the winner at Turf Moor and should have spaces to get into behind the Leicester City defence.
Alternative: Jamie Vardy- counter attack will be the key for Leicester City and I do think they can cause some problems led by Vardy.
Fantasy Football
I am looking for those players that are not owned in the large majority of teams so won't be recommending anyone who has more than a 15% ownership.
With that in mind this is not a section in which I will be picking the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah and Eden Hazard, but instead those players who I feel can have a big performance in GW37 and perhaps make the difference in your individual teams.
Goalkeeper 5 Million and Above
If you already own one of these high priced Goalkeepers I would hold onto them. There are better options at the lower values than here and that should mean a chance to use your funds elsewhere.
Goalkeeper 4.9 Million and Below
Bernd Leno (Arsenal- 4.9 Million, Owned by 4%): He is the League Goalkeeper for Arsenal who have kept four clean sheets in their last seven here. Facing a Brighton team who have been lacking goals.
Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace- 4.3 Million, Owned by 2.3%): Three clean sheets in the last six Premier League games for Crystal Palace. Will be under pressure from Cardiff City chasing a win, but Crystal Palace are capable of another clean sheet if they defend the set pieces effectively.
Defender 5.1 Million and Above
Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace- 5.5 Million, Owned by 5.6%): An attacking full back who could help spring any counter attacks that develop for Crystal Palace.
Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal- 5.4 Million, Owned by 1.4%): Could be a potential rotation concern, but the injury to Laurent Koscielny reduces those worries. Every chance of another clean sheet at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Lucas Digne (Everton- 5.4 Million, Owned by 9.6%): Everton have four clean sheets in a row and Lucas Digne is a potential assist maker as well as a danger from set pieces.
Defender 5 Million and Below
Luke Shaw (Manchester United- 5 Million, Owned by 6.8%): Manchester United have been poor at both ends of the field, but you can't ask for much more than facing Huddersfield Town to change that.
Willy Boly (Wolves- 4.7 Million, Owned by 6.4%): A home game with Fulham and a threat from set pieces.
Midfielder 7.1 Million and Above
Leroy Sane (Manchester City- 9.3 Million, Owned by 7.2%): It is a risk considering he has not been a starter, but I think he will be involved and he is facing a Leicester City team that will look to come forward. That could mean spaces for the winger to exploit.
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal- 7.9 Million, Owned by 2.5%): Has tended to be picked for home games of late and can be the inspiration for any victory Arsenal have over Brighton.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton- 7.4 Million, Owned by 8.1%): Has been huge for Everton in recent weeks, especially at home, and can keep that going against Burnley on Friday evening.
Midfielder 7 Million and Below
Michail Antonio (West Ham United- 6.8 Million, Owned by 1.1%): Two goals in two games and facing a Southampton defence that has been anything but watertight.
Diogo Jota (Wolves- 6.3 Million, Owned by 9.4%): Should have chances against a Fulham team who have been giving up plenty without being punished. Diogo Jota has scored two in two for Wolves too.
Nathan Redmond (Southampton- 5.4 Million, Owned by 5%): 'Only' earned an assist in the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth, but Nathan Redmond continues to get into strong positions for Southampton.
Forward 6.4 Million and Above
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal- 9.4 Million, Owned by 11.5%): A rotation risk, but the Frenchman scored twice on Thursday and may be asked to add to his tally before being given some rest.
Gonzalo Higuain (Chelsea- 9 Million, Owned by 1.5%): Should be starting after Olivier Giroud got the call on Thursday. Scored all three of his Chelsea goals at Stamford Bridge, including in the last League game against Burnley.
Forward 6.3 Million and Below
Ayoze Perez (Newcastle United- 6.2 Million, Owned by 2.4%): Scored in each of his last three Newcastle United starts. Looks like he will be fit to play against a Liverpool team that got the run around by Barcelona during the week.
Shane Long (Southampton- 4.7 Million, Owned by 3.8%): Been scoring goals for fun and should have more chances against West Ham United.
Vincent Jansson (Tottenham Hotspur- 4.5 Million, Owned by 0.1%): A real risky call considering he has played 26 minutes in the last couple of years for Spurs. However he may get the chance to lead the line between Champions League Semi Final ties with Ajax and facing a Bournemouth team who have conceded a shedload to Tottenham Hotspur in the last three years.
MY PICKS: Everton to Win & Over 1.5 Goals @ 2.00 Bet Fred
Bournemouth + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Bet Victor
West Ham United-Leicester City Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.60 Betfair Sportsbook
Wolves to Win & Over 1.5 Goals @ 1.83 Bet Fred
Crystal Palace 0 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Bet Victor
Newcastle United + 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.85 Bet365
Chelsea-Watford Both Teams to Score @ 1.85 Betway
Manchester United - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet Victor
Arsenal - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet Victor
Manchester City to Win and Both Teams to Score @ 2.40 Betway
