WITH four of the top six in FA Cup semi-final action the focus today is on the battle to beat the drop from the Premier League.
Managers always talk about the magic 40-point mark but clubs with 37 or 38 points should be safe this season.
Sunderland are almost away and Middlesbrough need a minor miracle to survive so that leaves a straight fight between Hull and Swansea for the third place in the Championship.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are seven points clear of safety and probably need one more win to make sure.
The Cherries should get theirs at home to Middlesbrough today and are an inviting price of 17-20 with McBookie at bet365.
Boro put up a decent fight losing 2-1 at home to Arsenal on Monday but are without a win in 15 league outings. Bournemouth have just two wins this year – but that's still two more than their rivals and they are stronger at home.
Hull's home form could save them and boss Marco Silva – unbeaten in front of his own fans in three seasons – knows a meeting with Watford provides a great chance of three points. They are 19-20 at Paddy Power.
His men have won six of their last seven at the KC and are unbeaten in nine. Watford are safe and that could lead to an open game so consider Hull and both to score at 3-1 with William Hill.
Swansea are also at home and will target three points against Stoke. However, they have lost five of their last six – their only point coming at home to Middlesbrough. Stoke ended a run of three defeats by beating Hull last week andt this could be a draw.
Today's other Premier League game sees on-form Everton travel to West Ham. This should be decent contest with plenty of goals and both to score pays 8-13 at Paddy Power.
Romelu Lukaku has a £100million price tag placed on his head and if the striker is that good he should be on target at the London Stadium. Back him to score at 11-10 at Paddy Power.
Everton's home form – 12 wins and just one defeat – has put them into contention for a Europa League place but they've won just four away so this could be a score draw and that pays 7-2 at McBookie.
We've reached the business end of the season in the lower leagues and plenty of sides are showing nerves.
Huddersfield can put pressure on second-placed Newcastle who play on Monday by beating play-off chasers Fulham.
With both sides desperate for a win best bet should be over 2.5 goals at 5-6 with 188BET and Fulham certainly love a goal.
Sheffield Wednesday have hit form at the right time with four successive wins moving them back into the top six. They should add a fifth at home to Derby and are 17-20 with Marathonbet.
Leeds need to beat Burton but the hosts have picked up seven points in five to move out of the drop zone so this could be a draw.
Mark Warburton's Nottingham Forest are just one point clear of the bottom three and will hope Reading ease off after virtually sealing their play-off place. Forest could be worth a look at 6-4 with Marathonbet.
Bets to Consider
Bournemouth
Hull
West Ham v Everton score draw
Lukaku to score
Huddersfield v Fulham over 2.5 goals
Sheffield Wednesday
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