Premier League Saturday tips: Chelsea hoping to avoid distractions at Burnley

A bumper day of Premier League action awaits on Saturday, with key games in the title race, top-four tussle and relegation battle. Here are our top tips.

Leicester City vs Leeds United

12.30pm, BT Sport 1

The Marcelo Bielsa era is over at Leeds United. The board acted decisively after a 4-0 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, with Jesse Marsch installed as the Argentine’s replacement. His remit is simple: keep Leeds in the top flight.

The primary problem under Bielsa was a leaky defence. Leeds broke a Premier League record for the most goals conceded in a calendar month when they shipped 20 in February.

Tightening up the backline will not be a quick fix for Marsch, so we can expect plenty of goals when Leeds travel to Leicester.

Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.38

Burnley vs Chelsea

3pm

Chelsea’s preparations for Saturday’s game have been overshadowed by the news that Roman Abramovich is preparing to sell the club amid the ongoing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Keeping his players fully focused on football matters will not be easy for Thomas Tuchel given the noise surrounding the club, although the Blues did manage to finally see off Luton in the FA Cup after a struggle on Wednesday.

Burnley were beaten 2-0 by Leicester on Tuesday. They have undoubtedly experienced an uptick of late, yet the Clarets have also failed to score in four of their last eight league games. Chelsea could grind out a victory here.

Recommended bet: Chelsea win to nil @ 2.18

Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

3pm

Newcastle have risen to the heady position of 14th after winning four of their last five encounters. The business they did in January has helped, but most of the credit is owed to Eddie Howe for masterminding a reversal in fortunes.

Brighton will arrive at St James’ Park having lost each of their last three outings. It would be advisable to follow the formbook for this one; a price of 2.76 is very attractive given how good Newcastle have been of late.

Recommended bet: Newcastle to win @ 2.76

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has guided his side up to 14th in the Premier League table after four wins in five

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace

3pm

Wolves have seen their top-four (and top-six) bid falter with back-to-back defeats by Arsenal and West Ham United. They need to beat Crystal Palace to get back on track, but Bruno Lage’s team must show greater attacking quality if they are to emerge victorious.

Only two sides in the league have scored fewer goals, while Wolves have found the net just 10 times in the first half of matches this season.

Palace will be content to keep things tight early on, so a goalless opening 45 minutes is a distinct possibility.

Recommended bet: 0-0 at half-time @ 2.38

Liverpool vs West Ham United

5.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Liverpool can close the gap at the top of the Premier League to three points with victory over West Ham on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be in confident mood after their League Cup triumph last weekend, which they followed up with a victory over Norwich City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

West Ham are still in the top-four hunt, but they tend to struggle in big games away from home. They have already failed to score at Arsenal and Manchester United this season, and the same could happen at Anfield.

Recommended bet: Liverpool to keep a clean sheet @ 2.12

Recommended bets

Over 3.5 goals Leicester-Leeds @ 2.38

Chelsea win to nil @ 2.18

Newcastle @ 2.76

Half-time 0-0 Wolves-Palace @ 2.38

Liverpool clean sheet @ 2.12