Rome Masters Tennis Picks 2025 (Thursday 15th May)

Another mixed day of results at the Rome Masters means the Picks for the tournament remain in the black, although not been able to add to some of the earlier successes.

There are just four days remaining in the Italian capital and then there will be a short break until the French Open begins on Sunday 25th May- the tournaments next week will be left for watching purposes as far as the Tennis Picks are concerned and the full focus will have turned to the second Grand Slam of the season.

Soon enough the Tour will move onto the grass courts and the build towards Wimbledon, but so many are going to be heading to Paris believing they can win a major tournament and that can only be good news for the fans. Grass remains a specialist surface and so the real contenders may be contained to a handful of players, but in Paris there are so many players looking in good shape and this should mean an entertaining viewing tournament, although one that can be tough to negotiate when making daily Picks from the event.

Before all of that, the Rome Masters needs to be concluded and Thursday looks a tough day- four matches are scheduled, but only one selection will be made from the second of the WTA Semi Finals.

Coco Gauff - 2.5 games v Qinwen Zheng: It might have been a win that will put another bit of momentum into Qinwen Zheng's career having got the better of the World Number 1 for the first time. The confidence can only be increased from the fact that she was a deserving winner and the Gold Medal Winner from the Paris Olympic Games will be a genuine threat to win the upcoming French Open.

Qinwen Zheng can really make a statement in Rome if she can back up her win over Aryna Sabalenka by beating the second best player in the world.

Seeing off the Madrid Champion will have been a huge boost for Qinwen Zheng, but beating the Runner Up in the next Round would only see her price shorten for success at a Grand Slam for the first time. Much will depend on the Zheng serve and whether she can continue to back it up as well as she has in this tournament, but this is expected to be a stern examination for the World Number 8.

Coco Gauff had a solid win over Mirra Andreeva in the Quarter Final and she has won three matches in a row without dropping a set.

Much like her fellow top ten Ranked opponent, the key for Coco Gauff is to continue protecting the second serve as she has done in this tournament. The American has clearly shown an aggressive and productive approach to her return of serve, but that is always going to be something Coco Gauff is comfortable doing when she knows she is able to roll through her own service games.

Qinwen Zheng does have a very good first serve, but she is looking for a big opener and that has seen her make 52% of her first delivery in the tournament. It is a number that needs to be improved so Coco Gauff is not getting a foothold in return games, and that is where the Semi Final could be won or lost.

Both previous matches between the players have been competitive, but it has been Coco Gauff who has created the majority of Break Points. One of those matches took place here in Rome twelve months ago and the higher Ranked player was able to come through a competitive opening set before pulling away from Qinwen Zheng and this could be another match that follows that kind of pattern.

Two players who should be there or thereabouts when the French Open reaches the last few days will be looking to lay down a marker here, but the edge feels like it is with Coco Gauff and she can come through a tough Semi Final.

MY PICKS: Coco Gauff - 2.5 Games @ 1.83 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Rome Update: 11-8, + 1.29 Units (19 Units Staked, + 6.79% Yield)

NBA PlayOffs Conference Semi Final Picks 2022- Game 5-7 (May 10-15)

NBA PlayOffs 2022- Conference Semi Final Game 5-7

There have been plenty of ups and downs in the Conference Semi Final Series in the NBA PlayOffs in 2022 and we are already set for a couple of those going very deep into the best of seven.

I've not had a very good run with my NBA Picks over the course of this Round, but there is time to right the ship before the Conference Finals and, ultimately, the NBA Finals.

Tuesday 10th May

Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat Game 5 Pick: Home advantage is always very important in the NBA PlayOffs and it has been particularly important in this Conference Semi Final Series with all four games won by the home team. At 2-2, the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are now involved in a best of three to earn a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it does feel like the 76ers have all the momentum having won Games 3 and 4 at home with a returning Joel Embiid offering a big boost.

There has been much to like about the way the Philadelphia 76ers have played in their two home games and the bigger adjustments have to be made by the Miami Heat.

Kyle Lowry has not really performed as they would have liked and there is a serious doubt that he will be on the court for Game 5, while the Miami Heat have hit just 14/65 from three point range in the last two games in the Series combined. Barring Game 2, the Heat have had a real issue finding their consistency from the three point line and it has been exposed by the Philadelphia 76ers who have to be credited for hitting 48% of their shots from that distance in both Game 3 and Game 4.

Having Joel Embiid means the shooters are perhaps finding more spaces to exploit the three point shot and it is perhaps no surprise that the 76ers struggled with their long range shots in the first two games in the Series. The question for the players is whether they can keep the momentum going in a much more hostile atmosphere than playing at home will have been, but it will be encouraging for Doc Rivers and the team that different players have stepped up to find their rhythm.

It makes the 76ers very dangerous, especially if the Miami Heat cannot find one or two players to step up and give Jimmy Butler the support he needs. Things may all begin on how much better the Miami Heat can shoot the ball from the three point arc considering the number of shots taken from the distance, and over the course of the season the Heat have been better than they have shown through much of this Series.

I certainly do think playing at home will be a boost for the Miami Heat and it will be tough for the Philadelphia 76ers to be as efficient on the road as they have been at home.

The Heat have proven to have a little too much for the Philadelphia 76ers when playing them at home and they are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight here against this opponent.

There were enough adjustments made in Game 4 to still feel the Miami Heat can bounce back and I do think it will be easier for their players to find their groove inside their own Arena. Miami have been a strong home favourite to back and the 76ers have a 2-8 record against the spread in their last ten on the road.

Teams who have been beaten in Game 4 of the Conference Semi Final Round have bounced back to produce a 14-6 record against the spread when beaten by 7 or more points like the Heat have been. The three point shooting of the 76ers has been the reason they have been able to win the last couple of games in the Series, but if that slips back even slightly on the road, I do think the Miami Heat can take advantage and bounce back from a couple of tough outings.

Erik Spoelstra is one of the top Coaches in the NBA and I think he will make the adjustments needed again to make sure the Miami Heat are in a position to at least head to Philadelphia one more time needing one more win to secure passage to the Conference Finals.

Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns Game 5 Pick: You have to wonder if some of the goings on in the stands affected the Chris Paul concentration in Game 4 as the veteran ended up with more fouls than points in another really poor effort.

A fan in the stands was accused of pushing both Chris Paul's wife and mother and he was clearly irate when said fan was ejected from the Arena. Even after the game Chris Paul made his feelings clear and it is understandable that players will react in that manner when they feel fans have crossed the line, but I also think it may have been an issue for Paul in concentrating on his job.

In Game 5 the Phoenix Suns are returning home where they may feel they will get more rub from the officials, while Head Coach Monty Williams admitted he made mistakes by keeping Chris Paul in the game when the fouls were racking up. The rest of the Suns were not quite able to make up for the absence of Paul and ultimately the Dallas Mavericks were able to keep Phoenix at arm's distance throughout Game 4 to square up the Conference Semi Final Series at 2-2.

Dallas struggled to get much out of anyone not named Luka Doncic in the first two games in the Series as they fell into a 2-0 deficit, but they have been much better at home. The three point shooting has been pretty scary for the Suns to deal with and they are struggling to make the adjustments and decide whether they are going to double Doncic and leave open shooters, or believe those shooters will eventually turn cold and it is better to prevent Luka Doncic from taking over games.

It was a balance the Suns struggled with in Game 4, while they had another below average shooting day. That has given the Dallas Mavericks confidence to believe in the Defensive performances they have been able to put together in the last couple of games, but taking that on the road is the real challenge for the Number 4 Seed.

I expect the wins at home will at least have Dallas believing more than they may have done and the key for the Mavericks is to keep the three point shooting connecting at a high rate. I simply don't know if that is possible for them on the road and the Phoenix Suns have to think that Chris Paul cannot have three consecutive shocking games in succession.

Phoenix have been better at home and they will feel they can become the latest team to lose by 7 or more points in Game 4 and bounce back with a cover in Game 5 in this Round of the PlayOffs.

Number 4 Seeds set as the underdog have struggled to cover in the Conference Semi Final Series and the Suns have covered in both games against the Mavericks in this Series. I expect this to be much more like Game 1 rather than Game 2 and that means a close game coming down to the wire, but the Suns can find the late plays through Chris Paul's playmaking ability to get into a position to take a 3-2 lead in this Series with a cover at the window.

Wednesday 11th May

Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics Game 5 Pick: After the Boston Celtics won Game 4 to level this Conference Semi Final Series at 2-2, we have yet to see either of these teams really take control of the momentum by winning two in a row. The Milwaukee Bucks have twice led the Series and the defending Champions won't have panicked after dropping the last one, but it has felt like much more has depended on the Boston Celtics.

This is a team that has perhaps leaned on the jumpers a little too much and that can be tough to produce on a night by night basis when you put the Celtics up against the strong Milwaukee Defensive schemes. The Celtics have also been looking at their role players and hoping to find one who can perhaps heat up and help them push past the defending Champions.

Al Horford had a career best PlayOff performance in Game 4 and he was key to the Boston fightback in the Fourth Quarter which saw them edge past the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. It was not a perfect performance and the Celtics will be disappointed with some of the officiating that meant the Bucks were given a lot more fouls than Boston were and that helped keep Milwaukee going when the Offensive side of the court became a little stagnant.

As mentioned, the jumpers can become a little erratic on a night by night basis and it is telling that Boston have hit at least 48% from the field in their two wins, but 37% or worse in the two losses. The Celtics have not gotten a full control of their three point shooting and it does make it hard to back them to cover a big spread like this one against a quality team like the Milwaukee Bucks who have been very good on the Defensive side of the court.

Khris Middleton remains on the sidelines and that has hurt Milwaukee on the Offensive side of the court- their shooting has been steadier than the Boston Celtics, but the Bucks have struggled to find someone to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo on a nightly basis and the 47% shooting in Game 2 has been the exception rather than the rule for Milwaukee.

The Bucks have not been better than 41% from the field in the other three games, although they have not dipped below 40% in any game in the Series either. Since Game 1, Milwaukee have struggled for the consistency needed with their three point shooting and I do think the Boston intensity on the Defensive side of the court will ultimately make the difference between the teams.

Covering this mark won't be easy with the adjustments that the Bucks are likely to make, but I will go back to the same play that returned a winner in Game 3 and that is backing this game to finish below the total points line. The oddsmakers have moved that total after the first over in the Series in Game 4, but I think the two teams have been very strong Defensively and with the tension of a Game 5, I do think both will want to be stronger on this side of the court to lay the foundation for success.

Being without Khris Middleton has really hurt the Milwaukee Bucks Offensive output and I think this is a game that will head under the total points line with very little between the defending Champions and the Boston Celtics.

Golden State Warriors @ Memphis Grizzlies Game 5 Pick: No Ja Morant did not prevent the Memphis Grizzlies from rallying together and heading into the Fourth Quarter of Game 4 of this Conference Semi Final Series with a big lead behind them. However, it was the absence of Morant which really showed up with a close game on the line and the Grizzlies were undone in the final minutes as they slipped to 3-1 down in this Series.

It sounds like Ja Morant is not just absent for Game 5 of this Series, but he is likely going to have sit out the remainder of the PlayOffs regardless of how far the Memphis Grizzlies can go. The injury came late in the blowout in Game 3 and would have really hurt the Grizzlies as they question why Morant was still on the court, but Dillon Brooks played hard in Game 4 and they are returning home.

Unfortunately for Memphis, it is unlikely that the Golden State Warriors are as poor Offensively as they were in Game 4 and it will be very difficult to keep up with them in this elimination game for the home team.

After a historical PlayOff shooting effort in Game 3, Golden State came back down to earth with a bump in Game 4 with just 40% of field goals made and 24% made from three point range. Late efforts papered over the early cracks and the 3-1 lead is what matters most, but Steph Curry admitted his team came out without the intensity they needed and a poor start almost spiralled out of control.

Those late efforts give the Warriors the chance to close out the Series on Wednesday, but the entire team will know how tough it is to play on the road. While that Game 3 win is one that could have broken the back of the Memphis Grizzlies without their best player, the Warriors have to play with more focus from the off as they look to first quieten the crowd and then push on to secure a place back in the Western Conference Finals.

Road favourites have struggled massively in the Conference Semi Finals in recent seasons- those teams are now 3-12 against the spread since 2019 and that includes all four in that spot failing to cover this season. Two of those were the Golden State Warriors, but the Memphis Grizzlies are not going to have their closer in this one and I do not expect the Warriors to have as poor a shooting day as they did in Game 4.

Even then they managed to do enough to win thanks to the strong Defensive schemes they are playing with, while this time they are prepared to go into battle without Head Coach Steve Kerr who is isolating having tested positive for Covid. The Golden State Warriors should be more prepared all around and I am not sure the Grizzlies have the shooting power to keep up with the Warriors in this one.

I am surprised that Ja Morant has only added 1.5 points to the spread compared with Game 1 and Game 2 here.

Memphis will play hard, but ultimately I am not sure they have the shooting to keep up, while road teams are 15-7 against the spread following a game decided by 1-3 points.

Favourites had not been performing that well in Game 5 of the Conference Semi Finals in recent seasons, but both Miami and Phoenix covered in that spot already in 2022.

Number 2 Seeds have also struggled to handle the closeout situations in recent times too and I just think the Memphis Grizzlies cannot expect another below par shooting day from the Golden State Warriors here.

Thursday 12th May

Miami Heat @ Philadelphia 76ers Game 6 Pick: Home court has proven to be decisive throughout this Conference Semi Final Series and all five games have been won by that team. All five games have been won in pretty dominant fashion too, although there is a different kind of pressure on the Philadelphia 76ers when they host Game 6 as they look to stave off elimination.

Make no mistake about it, everything the 76ers have done this season is to make sure they could be ready to win a NBA Championship and so a Conference Semi Final loss will leave many scratching their heads and asking serious questions. Head Coach Doc Rivers knows how much his personal reputation will be dented if the 76ers are eliminated and that does put some pressure on everyone looking to take this Series back to South Beach for a Game 7 this weekend.

The Miami Heat may not have won in either game played here in the Series, but they blew out the 76ers in Game 5 and have to feel the momentum is behind them. There is still some room for improvement as far as the three point efficiency is concerned, but Miami will feel happy with their overall performance as they looked after the ball much better than have been.

A team effort saw the Heat win big, but playing on the road is much tougher and Philadelphia have shown that their role players have been able to step up when playing at home. Both Tyrese Maxey and Danny Green are looking for bounce back efforts, while Joel Embiid is being pushed as much as possible to try and give the 76ers a chance.

I do expect both teams to be pretty well rested with the benches employed early in the Fourth Quarter and I think there is very little between them.

Much may come down to which of the lesser names on the court are able to step up and drain some three pointers, but the layers are giving nothing away with the spread. The 76ers look appealing having won both home games, but the pressure will feel different now and it can be hard to trust the likes of Maxey and Green in such an important game.

Being at home will make it more comfortable for them and I do think this could be the latest game in the Series to end above the total line set. Miami have not shot the ball as well as they have liked, but they have scored at least 106 points in four of the five games completed in the Series, while the 76ers are averaging over 107 points in their two games played at home.

The Series has been on a run of playing every other day and you do have to wonder if that leads to some tiredness that makes it harder on the Defensive side of the court. We have not yet seen both teams shooting at a very good clip at the same time, but I think this is a game in which both will be better than they were in Game 5 and that could see them get to a point where they can cover this totals line set.

Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks Game 6 Pick: Being back home helped the Phoenix Suns move back ahead in this Conference Semi Final Series and it is another that is at 3-2 with all five games being won by the home team. The Suns now have to return to the Dallas Mavericks with the first of what could be two opportunities to secure another place in the Western Conference Finals, but they have already experienced how tough it can be to win a game here.

The Mavericks have taken advantage of two poor road performances from Chris Paul to beat the Number 1 Seeded Suns twice at home, but the veteran wasn't much better in Game 5. At least he was able to stay in the game this time, but Chris Paul only put up 7 points and it was the young Phoenix core that came through with a big Third Quarter to take the game away from the Dallas Mavericks.

Things are always much harder on the road, while the Dallas Mavericks have seen their role players produce much better at home. Those players struggled in Game 5, but Luka Doncic was clearly slighted by the way the game was played and I think he will be in a very dangerous mode as he looks to have an opportunity to play one more game in Phoenix.

With Doncic likely to be looking to be very aggressive in what has become another chippy Series, the Dallas role players and three point shooters are likely to have more spaces to exploit. The home crowd have also shown they can get behind their team and help them rally through any difficult moments and the three point shooters have avoided the long cold stretches that have proved costly on the road.

The game is back in Texas and I think that will make it much closer than the one we eventually saw in Game 5, but I do think the Phoenix Suns look to have put a couple of below par performances behind them. Chris Paul is important, but the Suns have shown they can win even when he has a poor game, but you have to imagine that CP3 is going to have one big performance in him, especially here on the road where his family were harassed in Game 4.

He will come out with a point to prove and his team have much more consistency about them than the Dallas Mavericks.

Road favourites are not easy to trust in the Conference Semi Final Series and the Phoenix Suns have struggled in their two games here as they have allowed Dallas to build momentum.

Turnovers and foul trouble have been a problem for the Suns, but you have to think this team have found a way to hit the reset button from a mental point of view. They are unlikely to blow the Dallas Mavericks away, especially here, but the Suns may feel there is more of an adjustment they can make compared with the Dallas Mavericks.

Phoenix may well look at themselves and blame their own mistakes on not being able to win at lest one of the two road games played in the Conference Semi Final Series. The Mavericks are clearly a team that play well at home and their role players can be more comfortable in the environment, but the Suns looked back to their best Defensively in the Game 5 win at home and I think they can back that up with a cover as the road favourite here.

Closing out a Series like this one is never easy, but I think the Phoenix Suns are the better team and may have found the right formula to secure their spot in the Western Conference Finals behind another cover.

Friday 13th May

Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks Game 6 Pick: A cold Fourth Quarter proved costly for the Boston Celtics who had a big lead whittled away and eventually saw them lose narrowly to the Milwaukee Bucks. It means the defending Champions have an opportunity to finally close the Conference Semi Final Series which has been going back and forth throughout, but ruling a line through the Boston Celtics is dangerous.

When you look at the Series as a whole, Milwaukee have been much more steady with their shooting, but the Boston Celtics have been strong from the field in the last couple of games. There was a slight drop in the three point shooting in Game 5 and that ultimately saw the Celtics fail to hold onto their big Fourth Quarter lead, but Boston have to be feeling comfortable with the looks they are getting against the Bucks Defensive schemes.

Milwaukee showed how good they can be in desperate moments of Game 5, while they dominated the boards with a big margin and those second chance points proved to be decisive. In previous games, it had been the Boston Celtics who had had the edge on the boards, but you do have to wonder if they are wearing down with little rest time between the Conference Semi Final games.

Three point shooting proved to be the key for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 too and I do think they are going to need their role players to step up at home if they are going to avoid the drama of a Game 7 back in Boston. While they shot 43% from the field overall, the Milwaukee Bucks hit 45% of their three point shots and that is considerably better than the previous three showings in the Series.

There has not been much of an answer to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Series, but the rest of the team have to make sure they find their shots and I do think the Bucks were fortunate to come through with a win in Game 5. It will have dented the Boston Celtics confidence, but they will also feel they have let one slip as Boston head to Milwaukee trying to level the Series for a third time.

Underdogs in Game 6 of the Conference Semi Finals have been on a very good run and those were pushed further forward on Thursday. The Boston Celtics have already won on the road as an underdog in this Series and the consistency shown in their shooting over the last couple of games is encouraging, especially if they can drag the Bucks back from their three point output of Game 5.

Better positioning around the boards will also help and I think the Boston Celtics can force a Game 7 at the end of this one, the second of this Round.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors Game 6 Pick: The Memphis Grizzlies have proved they can overcome the absence of their best player in Ja Morant and may feel they should have won both games played in this Series without him. After blowing a big lead in the Fourth Quarter of Game 4, the Memphis Grizzlies returned home 1-3 down in the Conference Semi Final Series, but responded in the best way.

An absolute crushing of the Golden State Warriors will have given this young Memphis team plenty of spring in their step as they head back to San Francisco with the sole goal of making sure the fans have a Game 7 to look forward to. The atmosphere in Game 5 was hugely important for the Grizzlies and they responded in the best way by opening up a stunning 55 point lead in the Third Quarter.

Once again they will be an underdog in the Series, but the Grizzlies have not allowed the oddsmakers to determine the kind of effort and intensity they want to show on the court. Losing Ja Morant is clearly a blow, but the other players on the roster are showing how much they are worth and it has shifted some of the pressure to the Golden State Warriors.

Experiencing difficult PlayOff moments will not be something new to the Warriors and they have a core of players who have won multiple Championships so they will believe they can weather the Memphis storm. Being back at home will help, but it should be noted that the Warriors have struggled with their three point shooting outside of the huge Game 3 win.

It was an issue for them again in Game 5 having hit just 24% of their efforts from the distance in the narrow Game 4 win and the Warriors will know they have to be better if they are going to avoid another upset loss. Being at home will be a help, without a doubt, but the three point shooting woes is more of a trend than an aberration at this point and it gives the Grizzlies every chance of keeping this one close.

Being an underdog in Game 6 of the Conference Semi Final Series has clearly been working for those teams and the Memphis Grizzlies seem pretty clear with what they want to do at both ends of the court.

You do have to expect Memphis to cool off a little from the shooting display shown in Game 5, especially on the road, but they are playing well enough Defensively to believe this is enough points to be given to keep this one competitive. Of course you can never tell when the Golden State Warriors are going to suddenly find a hot streak of shooting to take a game away from any opponent, but I also have to respect the fact that the Grizzlies are now 21-6 straight up without Ja Morant in the line up.

Sunday 15th May

Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics Game 7 Pick: The First Round did not bring the NBA PlayOff drama the neutrals would have wanted, but the Conference Semi Final Series have been much different. All four of those Series have needed at least six games to determine a winner, while two of them are going the distance with a 'win or go home' situation for the four teams involved on Sunday.

First up is the Eastern Conference Series between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks which has seen both teams well matched up.

The Milwaukee Bucks missed the chance to close out the Series on Friday when they were beaten at home in Game 6, but they have not been behind in the Semi Final and the defending Champions are plenty experienced. Even playing on the road is not a major issue for the Milwaukee Bucks who have won two of their three games at the TD Garden.

Being at home is obviously a positive, but the Boston Celtics will also be under pressure to deliver with the winner of this Game 7 likely to be the favourite to beat the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a Celtics core that has arguably looked like being the best NBA team in the second half of the season so a Conference Semi Final Series defeat will really sting all associated with the team.

Jayson Tatum delivered the goods in Game 6, but he was well supported by the Boston shooters who managed to hit 40% of their shots from the three point range. They came out very hot from the distance and were able to find the big shots to shut down a number of rallies to eventually pull clear of the Bucks, but that three point shooting has not really been matched in the Series and I do wonder if it is sustainable, even for just one more game.

Once again the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the boards and you do have to believe they will keep things much closer if the Celtics are not able to be as efficient with their shooting as they were in Game 6.

Foul trouble for either team can swing the momentum very quickly, but the Milwaukee Bucks are experienced in handling big Game 7s in the post-season having beaten the Brooklyn Nets in that number of games on their way to winning the NBA Championship last season.

As it has been throughout the Series, the Milwaukee Bucks have been pretty steady with their shooting and are effectively hoping the Celtics will not be as hot as they were in Game 6. I have already said that I do feel the Boston approach is hard to sustain night by night, while the Bucks have been a little more settled with their approach, which may keep them close in this one as they look to take the lead for the fourth and final time in the Conference Semi Final Series.

It should be a competitive game and favourites have not had the best record when playing in Game 7 of the Conference Semi Finals.

The underdog has also been showing they are more than just a bark in this Series with those teams going 4-1-1 against the spread and I think the Milwaukee Bucks will be able to make enough plays to keep this one close, even if they are ultimately beaten by a strong Boston Celtics team.

Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns Game 7 Pick: This has been a Series dominated by the home team and all of the six previous wins have been by relatively wide margins.

The Phoenix Suns might be the Number 1 Seed in the Western Conference, but they have not been able to find the knock out blow against the upstart Dallas Mavericks and the latter will still believe despite their three road losses in the Series. A strong Game 6 win showed the Mavericks that they are still capable of beating the Suns, but the role players have not had the same impact on the road as they have had at home.

Chris Paul has not played well, but the Suns overall have been much more comfortable in home surroundings and the feeling is that it will make the difference again.

It is hard to trust them when you see some of the road performances and how well the Dallas Mavericks can shoot the ball, but they have not had the same impact on the road. In the three games played in Phoenix, the last two have ended up in blowout wins for the Suns who have used the energy of the crowd to pull clear in the Second Half of those wins.

Phoenix have been a team who have been able to get their own players performing with much more intensity at home and I think that will show up here.

It is a very big spread when you think of how Game 6 was played, but Phoenix showed how much stronger they can be at home having blown out the Dallas Mavericks following road losses in Game 3 and Game 4. That was a close game going into the Third Quarter, but the Suns consistency shown through and the Dallas role players did struggle to hit their shots as efficiently as they have managed in home comforts.

Teams coming off a win in Game 6 of the Conference Semi Final Series have been strong in Game 7, while favourites have struggled to cover. Those are trends that favour the Dallas Mavericks, but they have lost all five games played in Phoenix this season by at least seven points each time.

Number 4 Seeds have been on a bad run as the underdog in the Conference Semi Final Series, but Dallas have overcome the odds twice already in this Series. In saying that, both of those have been at home and I do think the Phoenix Suns will just show why they were the top team in the Western Conference this season and find a way to win and cover.

MY PICKS: 10/05 Miami Heat - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

10/05 Phoenix Suns - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

11/05 Boston Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks Under 214.5 Total Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

11/05 Golden State Warriors - 4 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

12/05 Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat Over 207 Total Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

12/05 Phoenix Suns - 2 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

13/05 Boston Celtics + 1.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

13/05 Memphis Grizzlies + 8 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

15/05 Milwaukee Bucks + 5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

15/05 Phoenix Suns - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Semi Final Update: 9-17, - 8.81 Units (26 Units Staked, - 33.88% Yield)

First Round: 18-15, - 0.51 Units (35 Units Staked, - 1.48% Yield)

Play In Tournament: 2-4, - 2.09 Units (6 Units Staked, - 34.83% Yield)

Weekend Football Picks and Fantasy Football 2021 (May 14-16)

The Champions and the three relegated teams have already been decided with three Premier League rounds of fixtures to be played.

Two of the top four places have been secured, but the focus will be on which teams can pick up the remaining two spots in the Champions League, while the battle for European Football is likely going to come down until the final day of the season next Sunday.

It is not exactly what gets the broadcasters pumped up, but at least means there is some competitive football still to be played in the Premier League.

This weekend we also have the FA Cup Final and that means four teams will not have a Premier League fixture over the next three days, while the big question for clubs in the top flight is finding a way to keep players motivated who may be thinking about preserving themselves for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament or to make sure they are ready to enjoy a well deserved break at the end of a long season.

Newcastle United v Manchester City Pick: The relegation trio and the Champions of the Premier League have all been decided over the last week and that has taken some of the shine out of this Premier League game on Friday evening.

When the fixtures were announced, Newcastle United and Manchester City both may have looked like they will need the points but there should now be a freedom in their performances.

To be honest Manchester City have been playing with a sense of freedom for weeks and months now as they have dismissed their rivals and there should still be plenty of motivation in the ranks. They were beaten in their last Premier League game for starters and the players selected will be looking to show their manager they should be given the trustworthy starting roles in the Champions League Final to be played in Portugal at the end of the month.

A long winning run away from home in the Premier League will also be one Manchester City will be looking to extend, while a poor couple of results in their last two visits to St James' Park won't be far from the mind either.

Newcastle United will have to match the intensity the away side are likely to bring to the field, but the loss of Callum Wilson is a big blow. They will still offer a threat on the counter, but Newcastle United will have to defend a lot better than they have in recent weeks despite the positive results they have largely secured.

I do think the pace from the wide areas will be a problem for Manchester City, but I also expect to see a strong team picked by Pep Guardiola and one that should be able to secure a victory by a couple of goals on the night.

Burnley v Leeds United Pick: There may not be a lot for either team to gain come Saturday afternoon, but the flip view is that neither Burnley nor Leeds United have much to lose and so can play with some openness.

That has certainly been the approach taken by Burnley in recent weeks and that has resulted in the team creating plenty of chances in Premier League games played. However, it has also left Burnley a little more open defensively and it is no surprise that so many goals have been scored in their games over the last six weeks.

We may get more of the same on Saturday afternoon when Burnley host Leeds United, a team that largely plays with the same attacking desire in every fixture they take part in. Last week it proved to be crucial as Leeds United hammered Tottenham Hotspur at home, although they have been more vulnerable away from home.

Both teams look pretty good injury wise so this could be a fascinating game that will be sparked by a first half goal. Burnley have scored and conceded in each of their last 4 Premier League games at Turf Moor, while Leeds United have not kept an away clean sheet in 10 Premier League games.

The visitors do cause problems going forward though and I think both teams will have joy in the final third which should produce a game that features at least three goals. The game at Elland Road may only have had one goal shared out on the day, but both Leeds United and Burnley created plenty of chances that day and the likes of Patrick Bamford and Chris Wood have been in the kind of form to gobble those up if they are produced here.

Southampton v Fulham Pick: After beating Liverpool at Anfield, Fulham were on level points with Brighton and a point behind Newcastle United and I think there would have been plenty ready to back a team with momentum to escape the bottom three.

Amazing Fulham never managed to pull themselves out of the relegation zone for even a weekend and a single point over the next seven League games means relegation has been confirmed with three Premier League fixtures still to play.

A lack of goals has hurt Fulham all season, but the mid-season defensive improvement's have not been in evidence over the last two months. They have conceded 14 goals in their last 7 Premier League games and Fulham have scored 3 goals in that time which has proved to be costly.

Fulham have been a team that has played well enough and they do get into good positions to create chances, but there is a lack of cutting edge and that has seen them fail to bridge the gap between the Championship and the Premier League.

On Saturday they may be shown what a proven goalscorer can do at this level when facing a Southampton team coming in off a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. The Saints would have been extremely grateful to Danny Ings who scored twice on the day and his goals are always going to be important for Southampton in any survival battle they get involved in.

Southampton are unbeaten in 3 at home and they are a team that create chances at St Mary's. I can't see them doing anything else against a Fulham team that may be feeling sorry for themselves and two seasons ago Fulham did lose their last 2 Premier League games as the motivation perhaps ran out.

A solid home record against Fulham only gives Southampton another edge and I think they are likely enough in the final third to earn another three points on Saturday.

Brighton v West Ham United Pick: Injuries and suspensions have piled up on the Brighton side of this fixture and that may be positive news for a West Ham United team who are looking to keep the pressure up on those teams inside the top four.

On a weekend when two of those clubs are playing each other in the FA Cup Final, West Ham United have a chance to move to within 3 points of Chelsea and 5 points of Leicester City knowing those two clubs play again in the Premier League during the week.

David Moyes has to get his team focusing on themselves and 3 losses in 4 Premier League games will have dented some of the confidence. West Ham United have largely been competitive in those losses with decisions and a bit of fortune going against them, but they can't look for excuses and David Moyes is likely to pick another attacking line up here.

A defeat could be costly, but a point is not something West Ham United can settle for before a ball has been kicked.

They will be playing a Brighton team with a host of defensive absentees and one that will offer up chances for opponents, although The Seagulls have to be respected for the way they have put their own attacks together.

Brighton have won 2 of their last 3 Premier League games here and have had clean sheets in all of those fixtures, but I expect West Ham United to challenge that. They are capable of creating chances, but West Ham United will likely leave the backdoor open too and that has seen opponents create plenty against them too.

Games between these clubs over the last couple of seasons have seen both teams hit the back of the net and I think there is every chance another attacking game develops here. An early goal could really get the game going and I think there will be at least three goals shared out between teams who have some defensive issues, but attacking players that can take advantage of those vulnerabilities.

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa Pick: The early kick off on Sunday in the Premier League could be an open game considering both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa don't really have much to lose in the final eight days of the season.

In recent games that both teams have been playing there has been a sense of a more attacking enterprise and that is especially the case for Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace. The veteran manager may know his time is running out as manager of this club and he will look back at a successful period with Crystal Palace, but that also means Roy Hodgson can pick his attacking players and look for them to get forward and cause problems for opponents.

Crystal Palace have not had the results, but they have been creating chances although defensive injuries means they are vulnerable at the other end of the field.

You don't always know what you are going to get from Aston Villa, but the return of Jack Grealish is absolutely huge for the squad. His creativity and ability to make spaces for others has been a huge miss for Aston Villa as they have struggled in recent weeks, while defensively Aston Villa have looked a little vulnerable.

Crystal Palace should cause problems, but Grealish and Ollie Watkins should be able to do the same for their team. It would not be a massive surprise if both teams score, but I am surprised Aston Villa are such a big favourite to win away from home.

I think it will be a tight and competitive game right through to the final minute, but my feeling is that Crystal Palace are perhaps playing the better football of the two teams of late. They are a surprising home underdog in my opinion and I would not be surprised if Crystal Palace earned a positive result in the early kick off.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolves Pick: Both Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves will likely look back at the 2020/21 season with a real sense of regret, although the hosts of this Premier League game have more to lose this weekend.

Some fans may feel a season without European Football would be a benefit for them, but the higher ups at Tottenham Hotspur will miss the extra revenue that can be generated from the extra games. Ryan Mason will be well aware of that and he will be looking for his team to have a big reaction after the 3-1 loss at Leeds United last weekend.

It was a poor display defensively which was costly, but Mason is picking attacking teams and I think that is very important for Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. The side have won both home games under Ryan Mason and scored six goals in those victories, while they are facing a Wolves team who have been giving up plenty of big chances in recent games.

There has been a resiliency about Wolves that has to be respected though and they have been earning results despite the underlying numbers not being as strong as they would like. Last week they turned around the game against Brighton after the visitors were reduced to ten men, but Wolves do have pace in the final third which can cause problems for Spurs if there hasn't been enough defensive preparation worked on over the last week.

Ultimately Ryan Mason looks like someone sending his attacking players out on the field and hoping to out-score opponents and I do think Spurs can do that this weekend. The issue with Tottenham Hotspur is the defensive vulnerability which could give Wolves the chance for a hat-trick of wins against them in North London, but there has been a lack of attacking consistency from Wolves.

It may be that factor which is most at display and Tottenham Hotspur can win this game by a couple of goals on the day with their attacking players out-performing those Wolves use.

West Brom v Liverpool Pick: The unexpected Chelsea defeat to Arsenal last Wednesday has opened the door for Liverpool to push back into the top four places before the final whistle on the final day and the squad look like one that is focused on making sure they take advantage of the slips of those above them.

If Liverpool win their last 3 Premier League games they will now be favourites to finish in the top four and they will be looking to put some real pressure on Chelsea and Leicester City who are not involved in League action this weekend.

Those two clubs play one another in the Premier League next Tuesday, but Liverpool can move to within 3 points of Leicester City in 3rd place with a victory. That would mean it doesn't matter what happens in the Chelsea League game against Leicester City, but there is also some pressure on Liverpool to keep winning.

Momentum has been earned from back to back wins and Liverpool have won 4 of their last 5 away Premier League games to boost confidence. They have been scoring a fair few goals of late, but Liverpool's defence is anything but watertight.

Some have suggested this is an 'easy' game against a relegated West Brom team, but Sam Allardyce's side have been tough to face down the stretch. Last month they beat Chelsea and West Brom created plenty of chances in the defeat at Arsenal last Sunday, while a nothing to lose attitude makes The Baggies a team that should be respected.

West Brom have lost 1 of their last 7 at The Hawthorns, although the fixture list has not been the most taxing in that time. What has been encouraging is how competitive West Brom have been in those games and I do think they will challenge a Liverpool team that have been conceding plenty of goals.

Defensively it is difficult to imagine the home team keeping a clean sheet, but they have only conceded two goals in 5 games at The Hawthorns. It certainly suggests Liverpool are not going to walk through West Brom here and I think both teams hitting the back of the net is not out of the question.

Sam Allardyce has history in upsetting the Liverpool fans and I certainly think his team can make this a very tough, intense test for a team who played on Thursday.

Everton v Sheffield United Pick: Another game with dropped points might be costly for Everton who are desperately trying to earn their spot in the top seven of the Premier League and return to European Football.

Their destiny is now out of their own hands, but Everton have to find a way to start winning games at home if they are going to put enough pressure on their rivals around them and move into those places. However, it is very difficult to really believe in Everton considering they have won 1 of their last 10 Premier League games at Goodison Park even if they have been creating chances in those games and lacked a finishing touch.

At least this weekend Everton could not have picked a better opponent than Sheffield United who have been not only been losing games like it is going out of fashion, but have been struggling to stop teams creating big chances against them.

Add in the really poor performance in the final third and you would have to say that Everton will not deserve a European adventure if they cannot win a game like this one.

The likes of Newcastle United, Fulham and Burnley have all won at Goodison Park since the end of January and that is a concern for Everton fans, but Sheffield United have looked way out of their depth at this level.

James Rodriguez could be back for Everton and his creativity will be important as they look for a vital three points. Barring a complete lack of concentration, Everton should have enough in the final third to push through Sheffield United and at least go into the final two games with everything to play for.

Pressure can do a funny thing to teams, but Sheffield United have looked like the end of the season can't come quick enough in recent weeks and Everton should be able to take advantage.

MY PICKS: Manchester City - 1.5 Asian Handicap

Burnley-Leeds United Over 2.5 Goals

Southampton - 0.25 Asian Handicap

Brighton-West Ham United Over 2.5 Goals

Crystal Palace + 0.25 Asian Handicap

Tottenham Hotspur - 1 Asian Handicap

West Brom + 2 Asian Handicap

Everton - 1.25 Asian Handicap

Fantasy Football GameWeek 36

The Wild Card used to set the team up for a decent GW35 proved to be the right decision with a triple digit return without the need to take a hit.

However, the problem was that there were going to be a number of players that will be blanking in GameWeek 36 and I have already accepted that I will take a hit to change the squad around.

At this stage of the season it is hard to find the teams with motivation, but the 2020/21 campaign looks like it has offered up some easy options- the most obvious is Liverpool who have the form, the fixtures and the motivation which means having less than three players from their squad would be a mistake.

Over the next couple of rounds of games, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have some decent games and need to put some wins together, while Leeds United and West Ham United have players priced at a decent value to help strengthen other areas.

So where are my hits being taken- the two Leicester City players, James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho, are blanking this week and also have two tough fixtures to come.

My last option is either going to be Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood with my lean going to the higher priced player to open the door for more options.

I think the targeted players have to come from those five clubs I have mentioned above, although I do have three Everton players as long as James Rodriguez is passed fit.

Liverpool, Leeds United and West Ham United really do have three decent fixtures in front of them, while Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have a difficult away fixture to negotiate in GW38. That may mean my focus for transfers is on the first three of those five teams named, although it is a decision that will likely be made right down to the wire with another horrible Friday deadline to negotiate.

Rome Masters Tennis Picks 2019 (May 15th)

I've really been hoping to have the time to write out a fuller thread for the Tennis Picks from the Rome Masters, but personal situations means it has simply not been possible through the first three days.

It is more of the same on Wednesday with the remainder of the Second Round matches scheduled to be completed. I did not have a very good Tuesday to be honest with the selections and it is the worst day of the clay court season so far which has dented the numbers for this week.

I am looking to get that turned around on Wednesday with the rest of the Second Round to be completed and you can see the selections for the day below.


MY PICKS: Diego Sebastian Schwartzman - 2.5 Games @ 1.80 William Hill (2 Units)
Marin Cilic - 2.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Kei Nishikori - 3.5 Games @ 1.72 Bet365 (2 Units)
Stefanos Tsitsipas - 5.5 Games @ 2.20 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Kiki Bertens - 5.5 Games @ 2.00 William Hill (2 Units)
Garbine Muguruza - 3.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)
Madison Keys - 3.5 Games @ 1.72 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Daria Kasatkina - 1.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Naomi Osaka - 3.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)

Rome Update: 8-8, - 2.16 Units (32 Units Staked, - 6.75% Yield)

Rome Masters Tennis Picks 2018 (May 15th)

The expected rain did not arrive in Rome on Monday and that was good news for the Tennis Picks which have had their best start to a week in at least a month.

While I have managed to turn around some of the weeks in that time, it is a much nicer position to be in when trying to build on a strong start than looking to get back on track in the days ahead.

Tuesday may not see much momentum for the Tennis Picks if the weather forecast is to be expected- in fact the next three days look like they will be filled with rain delays and players being forced to play twice in the same day to get the Singles events back on track.

You don't really know what the weather will do until the day and I am hoping all of the matches can get through, but I won't be holding my breath and Tuesday could potentially be a complete write off.

Even with that in mind, these are the Tennis Picks from the matches that are scheduled for Tuesday.


Fernando Verdasco - 3.5 games v Damir Dzumhur: You are never quite sure what you are going to get from veteran Fernando Verdasco these days and he has to be pretty disappointed with the way his European clay court season has gone so far. To be fair to Verdasco he has been perhaps a little unfortunate not to have had one or two deeper runs in tournaments with the numbers in a good position but the opportunities not taken as he would have liked.

He opens his challenge in Rome on Tuesday and Verdasco has to be confident he can win a match like this one. The Verdasco serve is working as it once did on the clay courts and significantly better than in 2017 and holding at almost 80% is a big improvement from last season and more in line with his usual numbers on the surface.

One of the reasons Verdasco has not really produced a number of wins on the clay courts in 2018 is that his return numbers are slightly down on previous years. While he is winning virtually the same amount of return points, Verdasco has not been clinical when the break points have come his way and his 28% break percentage is down on each of the past two seasons.

I would expect to see Verdasco create more opportunities against Damir Dzumhur and a serve that can be attacked. It has been a difficult time for Dzumhur who is just 2-5 on the clay courts in 2018 and his 62.5% hold of serve percentage is some way down on previous years as he has found himself under constant pressure.

Dzumhur is a talented player, but his return on the clay courts have not been good enough to make up for his poor service numbers and I think Verdasco can take advantage in this First Round match. The Bosnian has really struggled when facing top 50 Ranked players on the clay courts over the last couple of years and Verdasco should be good enough to keep himself together for long enough to produce a solid win and cover the handicap here.


Lucas Pouille - 1.5 games v Andreas Seppi: This has been a really poor clay court season for Lucas Pouille which is a surprise when you think he won two Davis Cup ties on the surface against Andreas Seppi and Fabio Fognini.

Both of those wins came in Italy and Pouille will be hoping the chance to face Seppi on the clay in the country for a second time in 2018 will give him a chance to put another win on the board.

Pouille absolutely deserved his win over Seppi when they played in the Davis Cup, but he did blow a 2-0 lead in sets before rallying together in the final set and secure the win on the day. Since then he has lost all three matches played on the clay and I think the Frenchman will be disappointed with all of those defeats and his own performances.

One of the main issues for Pouille has been the lack of breaks he has been producing, but he may feel he can create more chances against the Seppi serve even if the latter has shown improvement in that side of his game compared with 2017.

With the home support behind him, Seppi will be looking to use the energy from the crowd to get some revenge on Pouille for the Davis Cup defeat. Both players have very similar numbers, but Seppi has put a few more wins on the board because he is finding a break in 30% of return games compared with Pouille's 25% and that is despite both players winning 40% of return points.

I do think there will be a few breaks of serve in this match but I also feel Pouille has now reached a price where he can be backed. While the performances on the clay courts have been disappointing so far, the win over Seppi gives him a slight mental edge and the numbers show the Frenchman has not been far from a win or two in matches he has lost.

Seppi has had a couple of good runs on the clay, but he has perhaps ridden his luck in those tournaments and I will look for Pouille to win this and cover even if the match needs a deciding set to separate the players.


Diego Sebastian Schwartzman - 3.5 games v Nicolas Jarry: This is the third time Diego Sebastian Schwartzman and Nicolas Jarry will meet on the clay courts in 2018 and the fourth match between these two South American players overall this season.

So far it is Schwartzman who has managed to win all three previous matches and he has been the stronger player in each match. In fact Schwartzman has yet to drop a set, and it is the pressure he has put on Jarry from the return of serve that has proved to be the difference between them on the clay courts. While Schwartzman has held in 80% of his service games, he has broken the Jarry serve on 45% of occasions and it is the break points that have been significantly played better.

Schwartzman has only had two more break points overall in their two matches but he leads Jarry 9-4 in terms of breaks secured. With a serve as vulnerable as Schwartzman's can be it has to be expected that Jarry will get a few more chances to break serve but his return has not quite been up to the standards required at this level.

That could mean it could be more of the same when these players meet in Rome on Tuesday and I am going to look for Schwartzman to get the better of Jarry again. Jarry is a much improved player and winning two Qualifiers will only add to the confidence, but there is still work to be done when it comes to the return of serve as he has broken just 19.5% of times when facing top 50 Ranked players on the clay in 2018.

With the pressure that Schwartzman is likely to be exerting with his own return of serve, it may be tough for Jarry to continue to fight off the break points in tough conditions in Rome where it may be hard to hit through this court against this opponent.

Of course the Schwartzman serve is one that can be hard to trust but even the relatively poorer numbers might be aided by the fact that he is facing someone who has to overcome some mental hurdles in this match up. After a number of breaks, I think Schwartzman can come out on top in this one and I will look for him to continue his personal dominance of Jarry in 2018.


Maria Sharapova - 3.5 games v Ashleigh Barty: The return of Maria Sharapova following a fifteen month ban from the sport has perhaps not gone the way the former World Number 1 would have hoped or even expected. After a year back on the Tour Sharapova is still only Ranked down at World Number 40 but I still think she remains one of the top clay court players out there.

Perhaps the losses to Caroline Garcia and Kiki Bertens on the clay and a pretty average season to this point may have Sharapova going into the French Open 'under rated' but she needs another decent week to back up the three wins she earned in Madrid last week.

I do favour Sharapova significantly in a match up with Ashleigh Barty on the clay courts with the latter not showing a lot of form on the surface. On the face of things Barty has decent numbers on the clay with her first serve being particularly effective, but the second serve will be challenged by Sharapova and the Russian is also a stronger server who can contain the attacking intent of Barty.

It can't be ignored that Barty's numbers take a serious dent on the clay courts when she faces top 50 Ranked players and it is no surprise she has lost her last seven matches to those players on the surface going back to 2014. All of the Barty numbers take a negative move when facing the better players on clay and it is the second serve which becomes really vulnerable while the Barty return is simply not as effective in those situations.

I would expect to see Sharapova putting Barty under pressure on her service games although there is some room for improvement when it comes to the return points won. However this is an opponent who is not at her most comfortable on the clay courts and Sharapova should be too good and continue the form she had begun to display in Madrid.

As a two time former winner of the French Open, Sharapova is clearly a capable player on the clay courts and is perhaps a little under rated in this match.

MY PICKS: Fernando Verdasco - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Lucas Pouille - 1.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Diego Sebastian Schwartzman - 3.5 Games @ 1.91 Boyle Sports (2 Units)
Maria Sharapova - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Rome Masters Update: 4-2, + 3.52 Units (12 Units Staked, + 29.33% Yield)

Midweek Football Picks 2017 (May 15-18)

The Premier League and majority of big European Leagues will come to a close at the end of this week and that means a couple of months without a lot of football is ready to come out.

It has been a difficult season for the picks, but that's just the way it goes sometimes and I just have to do some research over the next few months to prepare for the 2017/18 season.

This week we have a number of make-up games in the Premier League as we complete the season on Sunday.


Chelsea v Watford Pick: The emotion of winning the Premier League just a few days ago has to be factored in to the kind of performance Chelsea are going to be able to produce on Monday. The celebrations will mean the players might just lose a touch of intensity, while Antonio Conte may make some big changes to his starting eleven to ensure his key players are ready for the FA Cup Final in two weeks time.

You can certainly see John Terry starting the last couple of League games as he signs off on his Chelsea career and other fringe players may also get their opportunity with the Premier League title secured.

Even with that in mind, Chelsea are home for the final two League games and I don't think there will be a big let down. They are also fortunate in the two opponents they have yet to play and Watford is an ideal fixture for a celebration considering how poorly they have played down the stretch.

The Hornets have not scored in their last 6 away Premier League games and the players may just have stopped playing for the manager now their future has been secured. There could be a managerial change again at Vicarage Road in the summer and I do think it will be tough for Watford to pick up their own play for this fixture.

I considered picking Chelsea to win to nil, but I think they can celebrate the Premier League with a convincing performance at Stamford Bridge on Monday. Conte will inspire his players to keep pushing and I think Chelsea win this by a couple of goals at least against a demotivated Watford.


Arsenal v Sunderland Pick: The top four chances took a huge blow on Sunday for Arsenal as Liverpool's win over West Ham United means The Gunners are hoping for at least one upset in the final week of the season to change things for them. They can at least try and keep the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City by winning this Premier League game on Tuesday, although they will likely need a performance from already relegated Middlesbrough to have any chance of returning to the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger can't focus on that, but has to make sure Arsenal keep up their recent good run of form and at least have some momentum to take into the FA Cup Final. Winning that competition without a top four finish won't alleviate any pressure on the manager though and a big decision needs to be made at the Emirates Stadium in the next couple of weeks.

The players haven't given up on the manager as shown by their run of recent wins which has given them a chance of breaking back into the top four at the final hurdle. They have been winning games and scoring plenty of goals and I am not sure Sunderland are going to be able to offer enough resistance in this one.

Another poor performance on Saturday upset the locals as Sunderland were beaten by Swansea City at the Stadium of Light and a lack of goals has been an issue all season. They have failed to score in 6 of their last 8 away games in all competitions while Arsenal have kept clean sheets in their last 4 home Premier League games.

Instead of looking for Arsenal to cover a big handicap, I am looking for them to win this game with another clean sheet and I will back that at a decent enough price. The Gunners defence is far from watertight, but Sunderland's struggles in front of goal can't be ignored and I will back the home side to win the game and keep the clean sheet.


Manchester City v West Brom Pick: The West Brom players may have had a day extra to prepare for this fixture, but I think the players also put in an absolutely huge effort in their 0-1 home loss to Chelsea which would have taken away some of the energy in the legs.

That could be a big problem at Manchester City who remain a team who can create a lot of chances at home, but who look vulnerable at the back. I am not sure West Brom are going to have the belief to really have a go at Manchester City and will look to defend in numbers, but they put in so much mentally and physically against Chelsea that perhaps there isn't enough to contain a fast and exciting Manchester City attack.

A lack of clinical finishing does continue to disappoint Pep Guardiola but I think it could be a long evening for West Brom and better decisions in the final third will likely see Manchester City win with some comfort.

West Brom haven't been easy to beat away from home with 4 of their last 6 in the Premier League ending in draws, but around that you have seen heavy losses at Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Watford. With the tiredness in the squad following Friday's efforts, I think they may struggle to avoid another heavy loss to Manchester City and I am going to back the home side to put themselves right on the brink of earning their place in the Champions League Group Stage with a convincing win on Tuesday.


Southampton v Manchester United Pick: There is next to nothing on the line for both Southampton and Manchester United in this make up game in the Premier League on Wednesday. Both Claude Puel and Jose Mourinho will make changes to the starting eleven to keep some freshness in the legs of the players and you can understand why the layers have made it odds on for fewer than three goals to be shared out.

Southampton have just been struggling for goals in recent Premier League games as fatigue and perhaps losing faith in Puel has taken hold.

On the other hand, Manchester United have been looking a little leggy down the stretch while the manager's proclamation of focusing on the Europa League has filtered down into the recent Manchester United performances in the Premier League.

It really might not be a great football game on Wednesday with both teams looking ahead to other issues and not having a full concentration on the fixture at hand. Perhaps that lack of focus means there could be a few lapses of concentration at the back, but both Southampton and Manchester United have shown defensive strength even when the attacking performances have not been up to the standard the fans would hope.

Games at St Mary's between these teams have usually been very entertaining in terms of goals scored. This one might go against the grain at this point of the season and I don't think there will be a lot of goals scored.

The 1-1 is a player, but I will be looking for one, or both, of these teams failing to score on Wednesday in what feels like it could be a real 'end of season feel' to the game.


Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: This game does not have as much on the line as when the television networks asked for it to be played on a Thursday so it could be broadcast. Both Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur are ending the season with some positive momentum though and the freedom for the players to express themselves should mean this is an entertaining game.

Leicester City have some defensive problems which should be exploited by the talent that Tottenham Hotspur have in the final third. On the other hand, Leicester City have played very well at home under Craig Shakespeare and have won 5 straight League games here under him while scoring at least twice in each game.

The strong Tottenham Hotspur defence that has been in evidence at White Hart Lane has not been as effective away from home and so I do anticipate Leicester City will have some chances. They have been playing with more effectiveness under Shakespeare and looking more like the Leicester City that won the title last season.

Both teams should be willing to put in a full effort to win the game with nothing to lose and I think there will be three goals shared out in this fixture. I can see both teams scoring and someone should have the quality to get something more from the game and backing at least three goals to be scored looks the way forward.

MY PICKS: Chelsea - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.73 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Arsenal Win to Nil @ 1.80 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Manchester City - 2.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Southampton-Manchester United Both Teams to Score- NO @ 2.10 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Leicester City-Tottenham Hotspur Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.75 Bet Victor (2 Units)