Matchweek 35 certainly threw up some surprises in the Premier League relegation battle, but in truth, made little difference to the betting.
We witnessed the feeble end of Norwich on Saturday, but their main rivals all proved that they still haven’t given up in the fight to avoid joining them in the Championship next season.
Watford and West Ham both won on Saturday, and threw the gauntlet down to rivals Bournemouth and Aston Villa. Neither side flinched, as both subsequently won their respective matches on Sunday.
On paper, all 4 teams had winnable matches. Watford at home to Newcastle, West Ham away at Norwich, Villa at home to Palace, and Bournemouth at home to Leicester.
A look at the league table would suggest the Cherries had the toughest looking fixture on paper. A look at Leicester’s current form would suggest something different. And after a calamitous second half from the Foxes, so it proved, with Bournemouth running out 4-1 winners.
The result for Leicester will probably have wider consequences for both their Top 4, and Champions League ambitions.
Anyway, after watching the two W’s win on Saturday, both Villa and Bournemouth can be proud that they didn’t just throw in the towel on Sunday. It may well prove to be too little too late, but at least they kept themselves in with a chance.
Despite both winning on Sunday, things still look extremely bleak for both Villa and Bournemouth though.
Latest Relegation Betting after Matchweek 35
In the latest football betting, the odds on relegation see Bournemouth at 1/12. The Cherries are closely followed by Aston Villa at 1/10, Watford 4/1, and West Ham are 13/2.
Even though they have a 1 point lead over Villa, Bournemouth are favourites in the betting. This might be down to the fact their next match is away to Man City at the Etihad.
After that, the Cherries are at home to Southampton. Eddie Howe's side then visit Goodison Park to play Everton on the final day of the season.
Villa find themselves away at Everton in Matchweek 36, before they welcome Arsenal to Villa Park. There is then the small matter of a visit to the London Stadium to face West Ham on the final day of the season.
Next up for the Hornets is also a visit to the London Stadium to face West Ham. After that Nigel Pearson’s side take on Man City at home. Before an away trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal to complete their season.
And finally, West Ham - well you already know two of their three fixtures. Squeezed in between the matches with Watford and Aston Villa, the Hammers visit Old Trafford to face Man Utd.
The two home matches against their relegation rivals is probably the main reason why David Moyes’ team are the longest odds for the drop.