ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Premier League Weekend

Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK looks ahead to the pick of the weekend Premier League and FA Cup semi-final matches…

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SUNDERLAND v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Friday, 8pm

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The next two fixtures feel must-win for Sunderland if they are to crown an incredible first season back in the Premier League with a place in Europe.

After the visit of 16th placed Forest, the Black Cats travel to already-relegated Wolves before a trickier looking final three matches.

Forest once again find themselves balancing attempting to stay in the top-flight with their quest for Europa League glory.

The Tricky Trees will be grateful the Friday night kick-off at the Stadium of Light gives them more time to prepare for next Thursday’s semi-final first leg against Midlands rivals Aston Villa.

Sunderland’s home form has been strong all season, losing only three times, but Forest are unbeaten in five and would see a point as another big step towards safety.

I like the draw here at 21/10 with starsports.bet.

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MANCHESTER CITY v SOUTHAMPTON
Saturday, 5.15pm

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Manchester City’s bid to win a domestic treble has almost gone under the radar.

For the first time since the opening weekend of the season Pep Guardiola’s side, already EFL Cup winners, are top of the Premier League.

However their performance in Wednesday’s nervy 1-0 victory at Burnley will have given Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final opponents Southampton hope they can cause an upset.

The Saints are 20 games unbeaten in all competitions and have already dumped out City’s title rivals Arsenal in a brilliant quarter-final display.

Boss Tonda Eckert has promised to ‘be brave’ in a bid to foil City’s hopes of becoming the first team in history to reach a fourth successive final in this competition.

In contrast, the 1976 winners have not made it to the final since losing to Arsenal in Cardiff in 2003.

They have also lost eight of their last 11 trips to the national stadium so it is no surprise that City are clear favourites to progress.

However, six of Guardiola’s seven FA Cup defeats have come at Wembley and I think the in-form Saints have a puncher’s chance of pulling off another major shock.

If they do then talented Brazilian winger Leo Scienza is sure to play a key role. Scienza is a whopping 6/1 with starsports.bet to score at any time.

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CHELSEA v LEEDS
Sunday, 3pm

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The other FA Cup semi-final on Sunday is a fascinating clash as crisis club Chelsea face a Leeds side enjoying a fruitful end to the season.

This is a repeat of the infamous 1970 final, remembered as one of the most brutal in the history of the competition.

Having watched Chelsea’s humiliating defeat at Brighton in mid-week, I was ready to go all-in on a Leeds victory.

But, the Blues’ decision to sack manager Liam Rosenior in the wake of that south coast drubbing changes the dynamic of the tie.

While the appointment of rookie Calum McFarlane as interim boss is hardly inspiring, he did get a tune out of the players after Enzo Maresca departed in January, leading them to a creditable draw at Manchester City.

It was clear for all to see that they had stopped playing for Rosenior during events at the Amex Stadium but will surely put more of a shift in for a Wembley semi in a game they need to win to salvage their car crash of a season.

Having said that the momentum surely has to be with Leeds, who are unbeaten in seven after Sean Longstaff’s stoppage-time equaliser in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Daniel Farke was in brilliant spirits when I spoke to him after that game so I am going to stick with my initial pick by backing Leeds to reach their first final in nearly 40 years.

Given Chelsea’s run of seven defeats in eight games Leeds to win in 90 minutes at 23/10 with starsports.bet remains over-priced in my opinion.

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MANCHESTER UNITED v BRENTFORD
Monday, 8pm

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Manchester United fans must once again wait until Monday night to see their team in action.

Chelsea’s dramatic loss of form means victory at home to Brentford will all but secure a Champions League place for next season.

Whether that will be enough for Michael Carrick to land the manager’s job full-time remains to be seen, but there is no denying he has done a terrific job.

Having said that, United’s last performance at Old Trafford in their 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds was probably the worst of Carrick’s tenure.

They did bounce back with a crucial 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but were again not at their best.

Brentford, whose manager Keith Andrews is right up there as Premier League gaffer of the season in my opinion, are a dangerous team to back against, particularly as they are still very much in European contention themselves.

But I am leaning towards United in what could be a very entertaining game as both teams have plenty of goal threat.

While all eyes will be on Bryan Mbeumo against his former club, Matheus Cunha was the match-winner last week and played well against Leeds too.

My build-a-bet is United to win, over 2.5 cards, both teams to score and Cunha to score which returns 9/1 with starsports.bet.

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1️⃣ BEST BET: Sunderland v Nottingham Forest draw 1pt at 21/10 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
2️⃣ NEXT BEST: Leeds to win in 90 minutes 1pt at 23/10 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
🎲 LONG SHOT: Leo Scienza to score at any time Southampton v Manchester City 0.5pts at 6/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW) 
📊 BUILD-A-BET: Manchester United to win, over 3.5 cards, both teams to score and Matheus Cunha to score 1pt at 9/1 with starsports.bet
🚀 ALEX ACCA: Liverpool, Derby, Blackpool, Manchester United 1pt at 17/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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