EPL week 30 – full match previews and best match tips

WITH several matches postponed due to the sixth round of the FA Cup, only half the competition will play their scheduled fixtures in week 30 of English Premier League 2015-16.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any results of consequence.

Tottenham Hotspur, who gave up ground with their 2-2 derby draw against Arsenal last week, will have a chance to close the gap again and put pressure on top-of-the-table Leicester City.

The Foxes will exercise their right of reply on Monday night, and fourth-placed Manchester City will cash in one of their games in hand on Saturday as Arsenal, West Ham and Manchester United watch on.

Sunderland won’t feature this weekend, which will give the bottom three of Norwich City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa the opportunity to get a leg-up on the Black Cats as the relegation battles creeps towards its climax.

Here is our complete round-up of all the upcoming action in Premier League Matchday 30, with head-to-head odds, soccer value bets and first goalscorer markets from WilliamHill.com – one of our most trusted EPL betting sites.

Norwich City vs. Manchester City

12:45pm local time on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Carrow Road

Norwich – $5.50
Man City – $1.60
Draw – $4

With eight losses in their last nine Premier League games, the Canaries are well and truly on the fast train to the Championship. Alex Neil’s men have shipped some 22 goals in that period, at an average 2.44 per game. The Citizens snapped a three-match losing streak with an easy 4-0 result against Aston Villa last weekend, and a win in East Anglia would see them leapfrog Arsenal into third place. City’s league record against Norwich since 2011 is pretty handy, to put it lightly: seven matches played, 26 goals scored.

Top picks:

– Man City to score over 2.5 goals ($3)
– Yaya Toure to score first goal ($6.50)

Bournemouth vs. Swansea City

3:00pm local time on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth – $1.95
Swansea – $4.20
Draw – $3.25

Although they are still missing some key players with long-term injuries, Bournemouth have steadied the ship and now look a good bet to secure a second season in the top flight. Eddie Howe’s men were excellent last week in their 3-1 win at Newcastle – a result which put them 11 points clear of the drop zone. Swansea are staging a similar recovery, with back-to-back victories over Arsenal and Norwich ending a run of four games without a win. The 2-2 draw at Liberty Stadium earlier this season was the first time these two sides had met in competition since 2008, when both were in League One.

Top picks:

– Scores level at half-time ($1.90) with WilliamHill.com.au
– Gylfi Sigurdsson to score first goal ($10)

Stoke City vs. Southampton

3:00pm local time on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Britannia Stadium

Stoke – $2.75
Southampton – $2.75
Draw – $3

Four weeks ago, Southampton would have been favourites in this fixture. But the Saints have managed only point from their last three games, while Stoke’s draw at Chelsea last weekend capped a run of three consecutive victories. Only two points and one ladder rung separate these two in their quest for European qualification, and an outright result either way at the Britannia would see the winner edge past Liverpool into seventh place. This fixture has produced four draws in seven EPL meetings since 2012, although the Potters have won the last two.

Top picks:

– Correct score 2-2 ($19)
– Marko Arnautovic to score first goal ($8)

Aston Villa vs. Tottenham Hotspur

4:00pm local time on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Villa Park

Aston Villa – $7
Tottenham – $1.50
Draw – $4

Aston Villa’s performance (or complete lack thereof) against Man City was that of a team resigned to its fate. Remi Garde’s men have occupied bottom spot since their 3-1 loss at White Hart Lane on November 3, and it looks like that’s where they will be when the season closes in May. It’s a very different story for Spurs, who will go two points from top with a win in Birmingham. Recent history is firmly on the side of the visitors, who have won nine out of 11 Premier League clashes with Villa since 2010.

Top picks:

– Spurs to score inside 15 minutes ($4.20)
– Son Heung-min to score first goal ($7) with WilliamHill.com.au

Leicester City vs. Newcastle United

8:00pm local time on Monday, March 24, 2016 at King Power Stadium

Leicester – $1.55
Newcastle – $6
Draw – $4

The Foxes kept the fairytale alive with their 1-0 salute against Watford, giving them a five-point break on Spurs heading into the last nine games of the season. Key midfielder N’Golo Kante returned to action in that clash, meaning Claudio Ranieri has a full-strength squad at his disposal. Newcastle are in genuine relegation danger after the loss to Bournemouth and, if the reports are to be believed, could have a new manager by the time they travel to the Midlands. The Magpies have now lost five of their last six games, while Leicester have suffered only three defeats all season.

Top picks:

– Leicester half-time/Leicester full-time ($2.35)
– Riyad Mahrez to score first goal ($6.50)