English Premier League betting: Liverpool and Man City continue their title chase

We will not see Liverpool and Manchester City play for the Champions League title.

The two Premier League title contenders have been the best teams in the world this season and seemed on a collision course to meet May 28 in the Champions League final. Liverpool did its part on Tuesday and beat Villarreal to make the final. Wednesday, Manchester City somehow gave up two goals in the final seven minutes of the game in a 3-1 extra-time loss to Real Madrid. After beating Real 4-3 in the first game, Man City lost the two-legged tie 6-5 and is out of the Champions League. Again.

Manchester City has won the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and the Premier League under Pep Guardiola but not the Champions League. That will have to wait at least another year. And it’s worth wondering if that devastating loss Wednesday will have a carryover effect into the final three games of the Premier League season.

Losses like that can be tough to overcome and City has a one-point lead over Liverpool. Any slip-up by either team over the final four rounds could hand the other the title.

City has the slightly easier run-in with games against Newcastle, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa. Liverpool takes on Tottenham on Saturday and plays Villa, Southampton and Wolves to finish the season.

A win against Newcastle is imperative for City’s title hopes and its psyche. Yeah, the latter factor may be a tad overrated, but Newcastle’s recent form has been strong and City has to rebound from that loss to Madrid. Results that lose both the Champions League and Premier League in the span of five days is a week that could haunt the club for years to come.

Here are the odds for all of this weekend’s Premier League games via BetMGM. All games are on Saturday unless noted.

Brentford vs. Southampton (over/under 2.5 goals)

• Brentford (+120)

• Southampton (+220)

• Tie (+250)

The Bees lost 3-0 to Manchester United on Monday while Southampton has dropped to 15th in the table on goal difference. We’re going with Brentford.

Burnley vs. Aston Villa (2.5)

• Burnley (+200)

• Aston Villa (+130)

• Tie (+230)

Burnley is two points out of the relegation zone now and has a goal differential that’s five better than Everton and 19 better than Leeds. Given Burnley’s recent run, an Aston Villa win would be a slight surprise.

Chelsea vs. Wolves (2.5)

• Chelsea (-275)

• Wolves (+800)

• Tie (+400)

Both of these teams are gasping to get to the finish line of the season. Chelsea is just three points ahead of Arsenal now and five ahead of Tottenham. The Blues probably aren’t going to miss out on the Champions League and a win on Saturday will guarantee that.

Crystal Palace vs. Watford (2.5)

• Palace (-165)

• Watford (+450)

• Tie (+300)

Palace is the pick. Watford flat stinks.

Brighton & Hove vs. Manchester United (2.5)

• Brighton (+170)

• Man U (+155)

• Tie (+240)

This is United’s penultimate game of the season. Brighton is in ninth in the table and we’re going with the over because who the heck knows.

Liverpool vs. Tottenham (3.5)

• Liverpool (-250)

• Tottenham (+575)

• Tie (+400)

Tottenham stunned Man City earlier in the season and it’s not out of the question that it could do the same to Liverpool. We wouldn’t bet on it though.

Arsenal vs. Leeds (3.5) [Sunday]

• Arsenal (-250)

• Leeds (+575)

• Tie (+400)

Leeds desperately needs some points to stay above the relegation zone. Those points aren’t happening Sunday.

Leicester City vs. Everton (2.5) [Sunday]

• Leicester (+145)

• Everton (+180)

• Tie (+240)

Everton’s odds are a little too short here. Go with Leicester or the tie and make Everton prove that it can get back-to-back wins.

Norwich City vs. West Ham (2.5) [Sunday]

• Norwich (+310)

• West Ham (-120)

• Tie (+275)

West Ham at -120 feels like incredibly good value given Norwich has already been relegated.

Manchester City vs. Newcastle (3.5) [Sunday]

• Man City (-650)

• Newcastle (+1550)

• Tie (+700)

We have to go with Manchester City here but we’d advise you to bet a portion of your potential City winnings on a Newcastle win as a slight hedge. That way you’ll at least break even if there’s no tie.