May 15: UK Betting Preview

PEP GUARDIOLA will be Manuel Pellegrini’s biggest fan if he hands Man City a farewell gift on Sunday.

The minute Pep decided to take the job next season he would have been planning a Champions League assault.

But if City lose at Swansea and Man United beat Bournemouth the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss will be arriving at a club competing in the Europa League.

Fourth spot was in United’s hands until they lost at West Ham in midweek so I’m expecting Pellegrini to leave on a high with victory in a game that’s one of the most important of his three-year reign.

City only need a draw but should go for the win against dangerous opponents who have walloped West Ham and Liverpool in their last two outings.

The game’s worth tens of millions of pounds to City and hundreds of thousands to players in terms of bonuses so I reckon City will come through and they are a best 8-15 with the likes of McBookie and Ladbrokes.

That’s shortened considerably so I’d rather take Sergio Aguero to score at 3-4 with William Hill. City’s star turn is 3-1 with William Hill and Ladbrokes to net first. Swansea have smashed seven goals in their last two and the previous two at the Liberty were 4-2 and 3-2 to Man City so look at over 2.5 goals at 11-8 with William Hill.

United will have to beat Bournemouth and hope for the best. They are short at 2-5 with William Hill and Ladbrokes and if Eddie Howe’s team are motivated we could see both to score at 21-20 with Ladbrokes.

West Ham will clinch a Europa League slot if they win at Stoke and should beat a side with four defeats in five. The Hammers are 6-5 (Hills).

Southampton are also heading into Europe and face a Crystal Palace side with an eye on next week’s FA Cup Final. Take Saints at 4-11 with Paddy and try Sadio Mane to score first at 11-2 with Ladbrokes.

Liverpool are another side with distractions – this time in the shape of Wednesday’s Europa League Final. Jurgen Klopp will play a weakened side to back West Brom at 6-4 with Betfred.

For some teams it’s about saying goodbye to managers. Roberto Martinez is leaving Everton but could bow out with victory against Norwich whose battle against relegation ended in midweek. Everton are 10-11 (Betfred).nd Watford are in the same position as it was announced Quique Sanchez Flores would be departing. They face a Sunderland side ordered to party after clinching safety in midweek so Watford it is at 6-5 with Betfred.

Let’s finish the season with Leicester who visit the Chelsea side they’ve replaced as champions. I fancy the Foxes to prove their quality with a win but in Guus Hiddink’s last match there should be a bit of a carnival atmosphere and goals – so again take both to score at 8-15 with McBookie.

In Scotland champions Celtic say farewell to Ronny Deila with a home meeting against Motherwell who are as big as 14-1 against a side without banned 40-goal hero Leigh Griffiths. Celtic have been conceding too easily in the past few games and I like both to score at 9-10 with McBookie.

In other games Aberdeen tackle Ross County but can’t now break the points record for a non-Old Firm team and Hearts finish with a home meeting against a St Johnstone side who have won all four after the split to clinch fourth spot. I wouldn’t rule out draws in either of these with the double paying 15-1 at 888sport.

As far the play-offs go Ayr and Stranraer resume at 1-1 and this could be a cracker. Ayr needed an injury-time leveller at Stair Park and are 2-5 with bet365 to lift the trophy and 7-10 to win on the day.

Bets to Consider

Southampton/Man Utd double

Aguero to score

West Brom

Watford

Celtic v Motherwell both to score

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