Wednesday’s Premier League Tips: Man City host Arsenal in potential title decider

The title is on the line as leaders Arsenal travel to the Etihad to face persistent challengers Manchester City on Wednesday night. Are you ready for the biggest game of the Premier League season?

Although all eyes will be on that monumental match-up, there are three other interesting top-flight clashes scheduled around the country. Football expert Joe Crann has previewed the mouth-watering slate. 

Nottingham Forest v Brighton & Hove Albion

Kick-off: 7.30pm Wednesday 

The formbook tells us that there should be only one winner here: Brighton are in the midst of a fantastic season, while Forest can’t buy a win at the moment. 

The positive for Steve Cooper’s side is that they stand a better chance at home. Since October, Forest have only lost three games at the City Ground and they will be hoping the Seagulls are still reeling from their Wembley penalty loss at the weekend. 

Roberto De Zerbi and his Brighton boys have been on the march in the Premier League with just two losses in their last 13 games, but their FA Cup semi-final heartbreak will have taken its toll. With that in mind, the smart play is to back both teams to score rather than mess with the full-time result market. 

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.88

Chelsea v Brentford

Kick-off: 7.45pm Wednesday 

The hosts are favourites (1.75), but they couldn’t be in much worse form (winless in eight games) as they welcome London rivals Brentford to Stamford Bridge.

While Thomas Frank’s Bees have had a fantastic campaign, they have notably struggled on the road and Chelsea will see this as a real opportunity to find their shooting boots again. Mind you, they would have thought the same thing before losing to Wolves, Aston Villa and Southampton in recent months. 

Frank Lampard: hasn't had much to cheer lately in his second spell at Chelsea

Interim manager Frank Lampard will be desperate for a first win during his second spell with the club, and I like his chances of getting it on Wednesday. Couple a Chelsea win with over 1.5 goals for extra value. 

Prediction: Chelsea to win and Over 1.5 goals @ 2.06

West Ham United v Liverpool

Kick-off: 7.45pm Wednesday

Newcastle’s 6-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend has handed Liverpool a huge chance to climb back up into the European places on Wednesday night. 

Jurgen Klopp and his troops make the trip to West Ham knowing that a victory will move them into fifth position. And, after a tumultuous season, they are now full of confidence after scoring nine goals in their last two games. 

The Hammers, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last 10 games in all competitions and have similarly netted eight goals in their last two matches. They do tend to concede against the better sides, though. 

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.68

Manchester City v Arsenal

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

We’ve made it to the big one. Let’s start with Manchester City, whose recent form is utterly mesmerising. Pep Guardiola’s men have scored three or more goals a whopping 14 times since the turn of the year, and are now on an unbeaten run that stretches back to February. 

It feels almost like a certainty that they will score at least once on Wednesday, and Arsenal don’t seem to be handling their end-of-season pressure well, especially in front of their own net. They have conceded two or more times in each of their last three games, and haven’t taken home the maximum three points on any occasion. 

Both teams to score (1.75) wouldn’t be a shock, and there’s always good reason these days to back Erling Haaland in the anytime goalscorer market (1.79). However, I’ll take over 2.5 goals and a crucial Manchester City win that could decide the title race.

Prediction: Manchester City to win and Over 2.5 goals @ 2.3

Wednesday’s Premier League Tips

Nottingham Forest v Brighton: Both teams to score @ 1.88
Chelsea v Brentford: Chelsea to win and Over 1.5 goals @ 2.06
West Ham v Liverpool: Both teams to score @ 1.68
Manchester City v Arsenal: Man City to win and Over 2.5 goals @ 2.3