EUROPE IN NIC OF TIME
Jackson to set Chelsea on way to top six
THE Premier League’s race for Europe is reaching the home straight and Newcastle and Chelsea appear to be hitting their stride as they come off the final bend.
Manchester United look like they have stumbled and fallen and, after a 4-0 humbling by Crystal Palace in midweek, it’s unlikely they will get up in time to finish in the top seven.
That seventh spot will provide a Europa Conference League slot if Manchester City beat United in the FA Cup final.
Or if United did win at Wembley AND finish in the top six, then seventh would still provide a Conference League place.
Aston Villa look to have sewn up fourth place and although Tottenham have lost four in a row to slip out of contention for that Champions League slot – they’re now 11-1 to make the top four – Spurs should beat Burnley at home today at odds of 1-3.
Then after hosting Manchester City on Tuesday, a victory at relegated Sheffield United next weekend should secure Ange Postecoglou’s men fifth place and a Europa League spot.
I expect leaders Arsenal to justify odds-on favouritism at 2-5 and win at Old Trafford tomorrow, which will effectively end United’s top six hopes.
So that leaves Newcastle and Chelsea battling it out for the last two Euro spots. Sky Bet make Newcastle 2-5 shots to make the top six, with Chelsea next at 9-4 – but I have a hunch Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues could win their last three games and edge out Toon.
It’s been a difficult first season for Poch and today’s opponents Nottingham Forest are still fighting for points to escape relegation. But even though Chelsea are without an away win in their last five, they have lost only once in their last 12 league outings – and that was at Arsenal.
BetMGM make Forest 14-5 and the draw 59-20 but the Blues are certainly backable at evens with Betfred.
I would expect it to be tight but I’d back Chelsea to win 2-1 at odds of 9-1 with bet365.
Nicolas Jackson bagged two goals in Chelsea’s 5-0 win over West Ham last time out, which should set him up nicely for today.
The Senegalese has 13 league goals to his name this term and has hit three in the last two games, so I’d fancy him at 7-4 to net at any time.
Cole Palmer simply cannot be ignored, with 10 goals in seven league games. It’s no surprise he’s only evens to net at any time, so I’d take 7-2 he gets the opening goal.
After today’s outing, Chelsea travel to face a stuttering Brighton side and if they pick up three points there, then a home win against Bournemouth next weekend could secure sixth place.
That depends on Newcastle dropping points – which they may do when they visit Old Trafford in midweek before finishing with a tricky trip to Brentford.
First though, Toon host Brighton at St James’ Park, where they are 1-2 favourites, with the Seagulls 19-4 at BetMGM for an away win while the draw is around 19-5.
Eddie Howe’s men should see off Brighton with ease – they have hit four goals or more four times in their last seven league games.
Therefore Sky Bet’s odds of 3-1 that they do the same here is worth a punt.
★ STEVE Anderson was on the mark last weekend when he tipped Arsenal at odds of 3-1 to beat Bournemouth 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 and also suggested Bukayo Saka to get among the goals.