Mr. Predictor's Football Jackpot preview: February 29 - March 1

Here are some of my picks for the Football Jackpot King. Read my reasons below and see whether you agree. You can buy tickets here.

Bournemouth v Chelsea (Premier League)

This Bournemouth side have won their last two home games in the league but I’m still not convinced. They have lost 11 of their last 15 games in the league and haven’t claimed points against a top half team since they beat Chelsea in December. The Blues have the fourth-best away record in the league, while only Manchester City and Leicester have outscored them on the road. (2)

Newcastle v Burnley (Premier League)

Newcastle have struggled for goals of late and have failed to find their net in their last three league games. In contrast, Burnley have won four and drawn one of their last five league games. They have only conceded twice in that run, too. (2)

West Ham v Southampton (Premier League)

Defeat at Liverpool on Monday extended West Ham’s winless run to eight games in all competitions. The Irons are in the relegation zone but haven’t won in the league since New Year’s Day. Southampton have won four of their last five away games in the league and victory would leave them 13 points clear of the relegation zone. (2)

Valencia v Real Betis (La Liga)

Valencia have suffered some heavy defeats away from home in recent weeks, but they haven’t lost at home since early October and have won six of their last ten games there. Betis haven’t won any of their last six games and haven’t had an away win in the league since November. (1)

Toulouse v Rennes (Ligue 1)

Are Toulouse going to lose again? They’re bottom of Ligue 1 and have lost 16 of their last 17 games in all competitions. In fact, they’ve only scored three goals in the last ten of those matches. Rennes are third in the standings and beat the hosts in the reverse fixture. (2)

Sevilla v Osasuna (La Liga)

A 3-0 win over Getafe last Sunday put Sevilla fourth in La Liga. They have only lost two of their 12 home league games all season and have won four of their last five games against Osasuna. The visitors have lost four of their last five games in all competitions. (1)

Nantes v Lille (Ligue 1)

Will Nantes’ win over Marseille last weekend be the start of a strong run? I’m not so sure. They haven’t won at home since December 8th, losing five of the six games held there since. Lille are on a run of four wins in five games, including their last two away from home. (2)

Everton v Manchester United (Premier League)

This will be Everton’s fifth home game since Carlo Ancelotti took the reins and certainly the most important. They have won three of the previous four and have only lost three games at Goodison Park all season. Manchester United’s inconsistency is hugely frustrating. They have only won four of their last 17 away games in the league. (X)

Werder Bremen v Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)

It’s frankly astounding that Werder Bremen aren’t bottom of the Bundesliga. They’ve lost nine of their last ten league games and have only scored twice in that time. Instead, they’re 17th with the fewest number of goals in the league and the worst goal difference. (2)

Real Madrid v Barcelona (La Liga)

This is a game that neither side will want to lose. Barcelona are only two points above the hosts, to whom they haven’t lost in any competition since 2017. Real Madrid are unbeaten at home in this league campaign and can’t afford to let that two-point gap grow to five. (X)