Matchweek 27 of the 2021/22 EPL season saw a costly mistake from Man United, while Leeds parted way with a fan favourite.
Here’s how it looked for punters:
United’s costly stalemate
Manchester United “did everything apart from score” in their clash against Watford according to interim boss Ralf Rangnick. However in finishing 0-0, at home no less, United rue a huge wasted chance. Rangnick’s side ($1.30 pre-game with Palmerbet) were expected to breeze home against 19th-placed Watford. Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post, then scored when offside. And while the Portuguese wasn’t alone in missing key chances, he has now scored just once in his last 10 games. The win has huge ramifications on United’s EPL Top 4 tilt. The draw sees them lengthen from $2.50 out to $3.75 in that market.
According to his former teammate, Ronaldo offers absolutely nothing to the team😬 pic.twitter.com/26xTMOE5M4
— LOAL (@loal_worldwide) February 27, 2022
Leeds hearts sink as Bielsa departs
Rarely in football is there such an outpouring of love when a manager is sacked after a poor run of form. But that’s what has happened with Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, who parted way after another heavy loss — this time 4-0 to Tottenham ($1.91 pre-game). Leeds, who started the season as $11 EPL relegation chances, are now a huge chance to go down unless they improve their form. And while the club did not want to get rid of fan favourite Bielsa, who brought a distinct buzz back to Elland Road, it recognises something simply has to change to avoid the drop.
As a neutral, I’m extremely sad to see Marcelo Bielsa leave Leeds. He’s a football idealist with incredibly strong tactical principles who, apart from anything else, has always struck me as a genuinely sound human being. The Premier League will be a poorer place without him. pic.twitter.com/o6XxilSrCK
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) February 27, 2022
The Bielsa years will go down as a magic, exceptional era at Leeds despite the struggles this season. The strongest connection between a club and a fanbase you’ll ever see.
Football being what it is, nothing’s immune from results. But it was the ride you didn’t want to get off.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 26, 2022
City scrape through
We wrote last week about Manchester City’s stumbling form and how it has suddenly brought the EPL title race back into contention. And while they took three points on the weekend, it did little to ease nerves. A 1-0 over Everton (after starting $1.29 favourites) at Goodison Park was aided by a favourable refereeing decision in the finals moments. When a loose ball hit Rodri’s outstretched arm in the box, most — including City fans — might have thought it a penalty. Not, as it turned out, the referee. “There is not a person who watches that… that can’t see that’s a penalty,” manager Frank Lampard said. “VAR have two minutes to look at it and to think they have not given that as a penalty when it strikes him on the arm, in an unnatural position. I have a three-year-old daughter at home who could tell you that was a penalty.”
City shorten ever so slightly into $1.20 for the title on the back of the win.
Frank Lampard:
“I’ve got a three-year-old daughter at home who could tell you that’s a penalty… It’s incompetence at best, if it’s not that, then someone needs to explain to me what it is.”
[Sky Sports] pic.twitter.com/1wlKGr6JhZ
— GOAL (@goal) February 26, 2022
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