Premier League Best Bets – Gameweek 36

Brighton look well placed to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Wolves on Saturday. The Seagulls saw their 5-match unbeaten run come to an end with a 3-1 defeat away at Newcastle last weekend. Despite that setback, Fabian Hurzeler’s side remain firmly in the hunt for European qualification, and a home fixture against Wolves represents an ideal opportunity to get back on track.

Brighton have been reliable at the Amex in recent months, winning 3 of their last 4 Premier League matches in front of their own supporters, claiming victories over Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Chelsea. Notably, Brighton have bagged at least 2 goals in each of those 3 wins, and another couple of strikes should be within reach against an already-relegated Wolves side with little left to play for beyond pride.

The Old Gold have struggled badly on the road this season, losing 12 of their 17 away matches. What’s more, Rob Edwards’ side have been soundly beaten in their last two away fixtures – losing 4-0 at West Ham and 3-0 at Leeds – and another heavy defeat could be looming at the Amex.

I’m keen to keep Bournemouth onside when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Andoni Iraola’s side have enjoyed a terrific second half of the season and will arrive in the capital on a 15-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Last time out, the Cherries claimed a comprehensive 3-0 win over Crystal Palace to move into the top six, just 6 points adrift of 4th-placed Liverpool.

As for Fulham, they were swept aside 3-0 away at Arsenal last weekend and can probably consider themselves fortunate not to have lost by a wider margin. While Marco Silva’s side are well known for being a tough nut to crack at home, both West Ham and Everton have left Craven Cottage with maximum points in recent times. I think high-flying Bournemouth will pose a tougher test than those two sides, and having won their last 2 away games at Arsenal and Newcastle respectively, the Cherries look worth backing in the Draw No Bet market on Saturday afternoon.

I think Manchester United can score at least 2 goals away at Sunderland on Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils made it 10 wins from 14 in the Premier League under Michael Carrick last weekend with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool, securing Champions League qualification in the process. Across that 14-game sample, the Red Devils have racked up multiple goals in 9 of those matches, including away days at both Arsenal and Bournemouth.

While Sunderland have enjoyed a strong first season back in the Premier League, their form has dipped of late. The Black Cats have taken just 1 point from their last 3 matches, that coming in a 1-1 draw away at bottom side Wolves last weekend. Prior to that, Regis Le Bris’ side conceded 4 in a defeat at Aston Villa before being thumped 5-0 on home soil by Nottingham Forest.

It is also worth noting that Sunderland have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League home matches, with Fulham putting 3 past them in that sequence. With that in mind, I think Manchester United look well placed to strike twice at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

While I think Manchester City will return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday evening, Brentford could prove awkward opponents. As such, I’m happy to back the visitors to score at least once at the Etihad. Keith Andrews’ side have made the net bulge in 11 of their 17 Premier League away matches this season, doing so most recently at Old Trafford. On top of that, the Bees have bagged eye-catching away wins at both Aston Villa and Newcastle since the turn of the year.

While the Etihad has largely been a fortress this season, Man City have not always been watertight at the back. In fact, 5 of the last 7 sides to visit this venue in the top-flight have made their mark, including Brighton, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

City’s defensive vulnerabilities were further underlined in Monday night’s 3-3 draw with Everton, and I think Brentford have enough attacking threat to take advantage on Saturday evening, even if it ultimately amounts to nothing more than a consolation goal.