ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Premier League Midweek + Europa League Final

Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK looks ahead to the pick of the midweek football action as Aston Villa bid for Europa League glory whilst Manchester City look to keep their title hopes alive…

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CHELSEA v TOTTENHAM
Tuesday, 8pm

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Tottenham have the opportunity to end any lingering relegation fears when they take on bitter rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Spurs know a draw will be enough to effectively guarantee survival given their far superior goal difference over 18th-placed West Ham while a win would mathematically seal the Hammers’ fate.

The Lillywhites have emerged victorious in just one of their last 40 visits to the Bridge, a grim run dating back to 1990.

However, this could be a good time to face Chelsea, who may still be licking their wounds following Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

It was hours after that Wembley reverse that Xabi Alonso was announced as Chelsea’s new manager on a four-year contract, so there is an incentive for the home players to impress the incoming Spaniard.

Having not won in 2026 before a nervy 1-0 victory at already-relegated Wolves at the end of last month, Tottenham have gone on to beat Villa and draw at home to Leeds to move clear of West Ham and that final place in the bottom three.

I do think they are capable of getting at least a point they need against a Chelsea side who can still qualify for the Champions League, but have won just two of their last 12 games in all competitions.

This game comes almost 10 years to the day since the infamous ‘Battle of the Bridge’ when Chelsea denied their London neighbours any chance to win the title.

That match featured a record TWELVE bookings and this could be another feisty affair, so it could pay to focus on the card markets.

You can combine Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella all to be shown a card as a build-a-bet at 21/1 with starsports.bet.

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BOURNEMOUTH v MANCHESTER CITY
Tuesday, 7.30pm

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Arsenal will be crowned champions without kicking a ball if Manchester City fail to win at Bournemouth.

Pep Guardiola’s side have known destiny has not been in their own hands since throwing away two points in last week’s 3-3 draw at Everton.

Arsenal have capitalised on that slip to open up a five-point lead at the top following their lacklustre 1-0 victory at home to Burnley on Monday, meaning the Citizens have no margin for error at the Vitality Stadium.

This game comes 24 hours after the worst-kept secret in football that Pep Guardiola will be leaving the Etihad after 10 trophy-laden years at the end of the season was made public.

His players will be determined to send the club’s best-ever manager out on a high and can still wrestle the trophy from Arsenal’s grasp by winning their last two games and hoping Crystal Palace deny the Gunners victory on the final day.

Emerging triumphant on the Dorset Coast won’t be easy against a Bournemouth side on a club record unbeaten run in the top-flight.

It is also Andoni Iraola’s last home game in charge and the Cherries know a victory would guarantee a top-six finish and potential Champions League football next season.

That would be a remarkable achievement only 17 years after the Cherries were on the brink of dropping out of the Football League and potentially going bankrupt.

Bournemouth are undefeated in their last 16 Premier League games and City have not tasted defeat in their last 14.

I have been pretty confident for the past week or so that Bournemouth get something from this game and end the title race so Bournemouth/Draw at 23/20 with starsports.bet is really appealing.

I also think the Cherries to win at 7/2 with starsports.bet are overpriced, given their incredible run of form.

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FREIBURG v ASTON VILLA
Wednesday, 8pm

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Aston Villa are 90 minutes away from winning their first major silverware in 30 years and their first European trophy since 1982 as they take on Freiburg in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

European specialist Unai Emery is bidding to lift this trophy for a record fifth time and Villa are heavy favourites to reign supreme in Istanbul.

No team has won more continental games than the Midlanders in the last three years and they have only lost once en route to the final.

They also warmed up for their biggest game since their 1996 League Cup final success over Leeds with an impressive 4-2 victory at home to Liverpool on Friday to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Freiburg have never won a trophy and the German city is more famous for its world-renowned Black Forest gateau than its football team.

Their run through the knockouts has been reasonably favourable and Villa will be the best team they have played.

They are the competition’s second-highest scorers behind Villa, so should not be completely written off.

Ollie Watkins scored twice against Liverpool and has now bagged four times in his last three games and 11 in his last 11. Surely Thomas Tuchel has to take him to the World Cup.

Either way I’m backing Watkins to continue his excellent form by scoring at any time and Villa to win with starsports.bet.

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RECOMMENDED SELECTIONS

1️⃣ BEST BET: Aston Villa to win and Ollie Watkins to score 2pts at 7/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
2️⃣ NEXT BEST: Bournemouth/Draw 1pt at 6/5 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
🎲 LONG SHOT: Bournemouth to win 1pt at 7/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
📊 BUILD-A-BET: Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella all to be shown a card 0.5pts at 21/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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