ALEX CROOK: Premier League Weekend

Star Sports football ambassador ALEX CROOk previews the pick of the fixtures in a bumper weekend of Premier League action…

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🔵 MANCHESTER CITY v WOLVES 🐺
Friday, 8pm

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It has been a disappointing season by Manchester City’s incredibly high standards, but they still have plenty to play for heading into the last weeks of the campaign.

After booking their place in the FA Cup final for the third season in a row with a convincing Wembley win over Nottingham Forest last weekend, their bid for a top-five finish resumes on Friday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side have put themselves in pole position to claim a Champions League place after winning four of their last five Premier League games.

They also do not face a side in the top seven in any of their final four fixtures, while Wolves’ impressive run of six straight wins should be caveated by the fact they have all come against sides below them in the current standings.

That does not detract from the fact Vitor Pereira has done a brilliant job to lead the Molineux outfit away from any threat of relegation and they will believe they can spring a surprise at the Etihad.

In mercurial Brazilian and Manchester United target Matheus Cunha, the Midlanders have a player capable of hurting any opponent.

Cunha’s in-form teammate Jorgen Strand Larsen is also in excellent form so City are likely to have their work cut it to keep a rare home clean sheet.

Wolves have found the net in each of their last 11 league games so while I expect the home side to take the three points, City to win and both teams to score at 9/5 with starsports.bet is the way I will be playing.

I also like the look of Strand Larsen to score at any time at 7/2 with starsports.bet.

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🦊 LEICESTER v SOUTHAMPTON 😇
Saturday, 3pm

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The two worst teams in the Premier League will be playing out a Championship dress rehearsal when they meet at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Southampton still need one more point to avoid equalling Derby’s record low tally of eleven and were seconds away from getting it before succumbing to a late Fulham winner last weekend.

The Saints have improved under caretaker duo Simon Rusk and Adam Lallana, although there is a strong argument they would have struggled not to after Ivan Juric’s terrible tenure.

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is still awaiting clarity from the club’s hierarchy on his future, so could do with a victory to help his claims for clinging onto his job.

We might actually see a pretty open game considering the lack of jeopardy and Leicester were at least competitive in their last home game against Liverpool.

The Foxes’ main issue is their lack of goals and they have only scored twice in their last 11 games, but Southampton have the poorest defence in the division having already conceded 80 times in 34 games.

Leicester legend Jamie Vardy is on a personal farewell tour after announcing his departure in the aftermath of relegation being rubber-stamped.

He missed a penalty at Wolves last weekend and still needs two more goals to reach the 200-mark for the club.

Vardy will see this a big chance to move closer to that milestone and loves a goal against Southampton.

Vardy is 9/2 with starsports.bet to score the first goal.

My build-a-bet for this game is a draw, both teams to score and Vardy to score at any time which returns 9.61/1 with starsports.bet.

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🔵 BRIGHTON v NEWCASTLE ⚫️
Sunday, 2pm

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Newcastle will be looking to get their own back on Brighton for being dumped out of the FA Cup by the Seagulls when the two European hopefuls meet at the Amex on Sunday.

Danny Welbeck’s extra-time winner was the second time the Seagulls have got the better of the Magpies this season having also triumphed 1-0 at St James Park in the league in October.

But Eddie Howe’s men have been one of the Premier League’s most consistent teams in 2025, winning 14 of their last 19 games to cement themselves in the top five.

It goes without saying Alexander Isak has been a big factor in that and the brilliant Swede will be bidding to end his record of having never scored against Brighton.

The fact Newcastle are still searching for their first Premier League win at the Amex will not instil much confidence in their travelling Toon Army.

However Brighton were a touch fortunate to beat struggling West Ham last weekend after coming back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 courtesy of two late goals.

The Seagulls have injury issues at the back, which Newcastle can exploit to further tighten their grip on a Champions League spot.

My ambitious build-a-bet is Newcastle to win, both teams to score and defender Dan Burn, who has been among the goals of late, to net against his old club which pays 22/1 with starsports.bet.

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🦅 CRYSTAL PALACE v NOTTINGHAM FOREST 🌳
Monday, 8pm

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A bumper four-day weekend concludes with Forest’s trip to FA Cup finalists Palace on Monday.

The Tricky Trees have been the surprise package of the season but form has deserted them at just the wrong time and Thursday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford saw them drop out of the Champions League places.

That result was not a surprise to me given Forest’s only win in their previous four games in all competitions was against a Tottenham side prioritising the Europa League.

Like Spurs, Palace are also likely to have their minds elsewhere after beating Aston Villa at Wembley last weekend to put themselves within 90 minutes of winning the cup for the first time in their history.

While home boss Oliver Glasner will want to build some momentum ahead of the final on May 17, he is likely to rest players between now and then.

Palace are also arguably better away than at home, and with Forest in much greater need of Premier League points I can see Nuno Espirito Santo’s side getting back to winning ways.

Forest to win and both teams to score at 19/4 with starsports.bet is my selection here to hopefully round off a winning Bank Holiday weekend.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Manchester City to win and both teams to score 2pts at 9/5 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Jorgen Strand Larsen to score 1pt at 7/2 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Leicester v Southampton build-a-bet: draw, both teams to score and Vardy to score at any time 1pt at 9.61/1 with starsports.bet
BACK Jamie Vardy to score first 1pt at 9/2 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Brighton v Newcastle build-a-bet: Newcastle to win, both teams to score and Dan Burn to score at any time 0.5pts at 22/1 with starsports.bet
BACK Nottingham Forest to win and both teams to score 1pt at 19/4 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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