While top spot is all but settled in the English Premier League standings, the race for second place is shaping up to be an intriguing one – without the defending league champions.
Manchester United and Leicester both won their games last week to remain level on 49 points, 10 back of Premier League-leading Manchester City and four points clear of West Ham. Leicester might have the upper hand in Matchday 26, enjoying a home tilt with Arsenal while United travel to face surging Chelsea in EPL betting action.
Here are our top Premier League tips, predictions and best bets for Matchday 26:
Premier League predictions for Matchday 26
Manchester City vs West Ham
Could this be the week that the most impressive soccer team in the world finally takes an L? Oddsmakers certainly don't think so, making the runaway Premier League Leaders a -450 favorite despite facing the fifth-place team in the table in West Ham (+1,100). The visitors have won two straight to move past Chelsea and into the final automatic UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.
Man City carry a 19-game winning streak across all competitions into this one, and they've been unfairly dominant at home, with seven consecutive clean sheets and just one goal allowed over their previous 11 matches at Etihad Stadium. West Ham are a terrific team, but they'll need a Herculean effort just to dent the scoresheet. We don't see that happening Saturday.
PICK: Manchester City clean sheet (-125)
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea return from a road-heavy stretch of games Sunday for a marquee encounter with a Manchester United club that has incurred just one loss since Jan. 6. And you can expect more fireworks than the previous meeting between the teams back on Oct. 24, which resulted in a 0-0 draw – the first scoreless tie between the elite EPL franchises since December 2015.
Manchester United have the upper hand in terms of recent history, having won each of their previous three visits to Stamford Bridge. But the Blues have just one home loss since Sept. 20, and have surrendered only one goal over their last five games on friendly soil. Look for Chelsea to celebrate a return to The Bridge with three critical points against an age-old rival.
PICK: Chelsea (+115)
Everton vs Southampton
Monday's lone Premier League tilt features seventh-place Everton looking to continue its resurgence against a visiting Southampton club just hoping to avoid relegation. Everton had earned just one point from its previous three league games before pulling out a 2-0 win vs. rival Liverpool last time out, while Southampton have hit the skids with seven losses and a draw over their last eight.
This game features the strangest ML we've seen in a while, with host Everton (seventh in the table) a steal at +115 against a clearly-inferior Southampton side (sitting 14th in the standings). Everton is riding high following its Meyerside Derby win, and should ride those good feelings into a comfortable victory over the visitors in this one.
PICK: Everton -1 (+300)
Premier League betting card for Matchday 26
- Manchester City clean sheet (-125)
- Chelsea (+115)
- Everton -1 (+300)
Did you know that if you parlayed our Premier League Matchday 26 picks, you could win $144.80 on a $10 bet?
Use our Premier League parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on Premier League soccer?
You can bet on Premier League soccer at most online sportsbooks and mobile apps. Find the best sportsbooks in your region to bet on Premier League soccer odds.
