Premier League preview: Chelsea and West Ham in top four battle

The Premier League action continues this week with three of the top five in action and we’ve previewed the best of the weekend’s action below.

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Chelsea and West Ham battle for the third spot

Third place in the table is hard to call at this stage of the season and with three teams vying for the position, this weekend could have a real say in the matter.

Leicester currently sit in third place a point ahead of Chelsea and West Ham who are in fourth and fifth respectively. With Leicester’s game being played on Monday, this weekend could see a new side take the third spot as both sides are in action, against each other. Chelsea and West Ham is certainly the highlight of the weekend and it is a must win for either side in order to keep their third-place dreams alive.

West Ham have continued to surprise this season and their efforts could be duly rewarded this weekend, however, priced at 18/5 they are the clear underdogs against a side that has been rejuvenated by the appointment of Thomas Tuchel. Luckless against Brighton in their previous fixture when securing a goalless draw, Chelsea will want to bounce back against the east London side and they go into the fixture as 4/5 favourites to do so.

With the importance of the fixture for both sides being so great, it might be possible to see them approach the task cautiously and so it’s worth mentioning the possibility of a draw at 13/5. Though, unlikely with the attacking options available to the teams it could provide for a fascinating tactical display.

Liverpool need resurgence

Jurgen Klopp’s side is in need of a good run in to end the season on a semblance of a high, and after drawing away at Elland Road in their last game against Leeds and they will need to hope for better in this fixture.

It’s been a tough ride for last season’s Premier League winners and so far they haven’t had any answers to the problems that have plagued them so far, however, although they currently sit in seventh place they are only three points off the third spot. With a strong and united display against Newcastle this weekend they could hope to put together a campaign for a top four finish. They are the heavy odds-on favourites to get the job done at 2/9.

Newcastle, currently in 15th place, come into this game on the back of a draw against Tottenham and a win against Burnley in their last two fixtures. Steve Bruce’s side will look to build on those efforts and take down a team capable of fluffing their lines against lower opposition, as they did against Brighton some weeks ago. The upset is priced at 12/1, while the draw at Anfield is a 5/1 chance.

Leeds to take second Manchester casualty?

Leeds could secure their second victory against a Manchester side in as many weeks, after their 10-man win against Manchester City a couple of weeks ago. Marcelo Bielsa’s side has now gone unbeaten in five matches and they show no signs of slowing down, although this admittedly will be a tough ask for the Yorkshire club.

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 games in the Premier League and will not want to lose that run anytime soon. Their title hopes appear to be over, but they are comfortably clear in second place, so moving into the business end of the season they will certainly not look to put their foot on the breaks. The tough opposition that Leeds will provide however is reflected in the odds. While a team on the back of such an unbeaten run could be expected to be long odds on, the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trained side are available at 4/5, while Leeds can be backed at 3/1.

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