Expert Jury: Struggling Chelsea hard to fancy at Southampton

We asked our top team of writers, a Premier League legend and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Steve Davies: Whispers that Mark Warburton was out of the door at QPR last weekend proved unfounded, but the axe will surely fall if, as expected, they crash at Preston. Rangers have lost six of their last seven to crash out of Championship playoff contention, and home losses by Cardiff and Peterborough were real sickeners. Buzzing after beating Blackpool, North End can pile on the misery.

Ex-Liverpool and Man City ace Didi Hamann: Liverpool to win at Manchester City, but at the very least a lay of City. I just can't see them living with that attack. Liverpool are the best team in Europe right now and City are under enormous pressure having seen their lead at the top eroded. Liverpool seem to be invincible and they can take that aura to the Etihad.

Racing Post's Alex Hilton: MK Dons have taken 22 points from their last possible 24 and they should be too strong for bitter rivals AFC Wimbledon. A run of 11 wins from their last 14 have taken the Dons to the brink of promotion in League One while Wilmbledon haven't tasted victory since December 23.

Chris Wood of Coral: Against all odds Leyton Orient are having a genesis under Richie Wellens after they decided that no Jackett was required and they look a big price away at Sutton.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Steve Davies: You can't argue with what Wycombe are doing at the top of League One but they still look short enough for their trip to Gillingham, who have come to life under Neil Harris. Defensive frailties at Priestfield have gone judging by their last home game – a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday – and they hung on for 90 minutes before having their hearts broken at Sunderland last week. They will test Wycombe.

Didi Hamann: You've got to think Chelsea are worth taking on at Southampton. The Blues have lost to Brentford and Real Madrid in the last week, and those are the results of sides who I feel are being affected by what's going on off the field at Stamford Bridge. I didn't see that coming against Real Madrid who I'm not overly impressed with – an ageing team after one last dance – so Chelsea's form is a real concern.

Alex Hilton: I wouldn't be in a rush to back Chelsea at odds-on against Southampton. The Blues have had a miserable week by their standards having conceded seven goals in two home defeats. How they react remains to be seen, but all of a sudden they look vulnerable and Saints look a decent price.

Chris Wood of Coral: Brighton have been massively unlucky of late and Arsenal suddenly look like they are going to start doing the normal Arsenal things again.

Who win the Premier League title?

Steve Davies: The run-in, as far as I'm concerned, favours City. I can see West Ham away being a potential pitfall for Guardiola's champs but beyond that they won't be unhappy with what's left. Spurs and Manchester United still have to go to Anfield and trips to Southampton and Villa will be no picnic for the Reds. Much will unfold but City have to prefer what's left.

Didi Hamann: Liverpool. There will still be a few twists to come in the title race but Liverpool just look the stronger, the better team. Saturday's clash could be decisive if City were to win because a four-point gap would be too much to overcome. But, as I've said, I don't see that happening and this looks like a team who know how to win and Klopp is a winner.

Alex Hilton: Manchester City. Their remaining fixtures are much more comfortable than that of Liverpool's and the Citizens probably have the edge on squad depth to cope with the forthcoming barrage of huge fixtures.

Chris Wood of Coral: It has to be Manchester City. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Liverpool hit by an exceptionally dubious penalty decision in the last minute to add more fuel to the the conspiracy theorists' arguments.

Will Everton be relegated?

Steve Davies: No. Their run-in isn't the easiest but they've got more home games than away which could be critical, especially that double-header at Goodison at home to Brentford and Palace in mid-May. A double-header with Leicester might be a bonus as well with the Foxes either focused on Europe or deflated that they're out of it. I still think they've got enough to stay up.

Didi Hamann: If you look at their remaining fixtures, you have to worry for them. I'm just not sure where the hope is. I was suspicious of Frank Lampard's appointment and if you look through that team, the way they are playing, there is no confidence. As I watched the end of the Burnley defeat, I just wondered what they actually have going for them, because I can't see a lot. They could easily go down.

Alex Hilton: I'm not sure how they can avoid it right now. Their remaining fixtures are awful. It's hard to see where they will take points from trips to Liverpool, Leicester, Watford and Arsenal given they have won just one away all season. Their home form isn't much better either, where they have to face Manchester United and Chelsea among others.

Chris Wood of Coral: Even though Frank Lampard is not the most convincing manager and Michael Keane is far from the defensive rock on which the England team was once supposed to be built, I suspect they will just about claw their way to safety.

Give us a winner on the midweek coupon

Steve Davies: Tales of Chelsea's demise are being greatly exaggerated and I still think they've got one last hurrah in them in the Champions League. They may not be able to overturn their two-goal deficit at Real Madrid but I can definitely see them winning in the Bernabeu. A few errors were the difference between these two at Stamford Bridge and Thomas Tuchel's men won't go down without a fight.

Didi Hamann: Under 2.5 goals in the Atletico-Manchester City tie in the Champions League. I know Atletico have to come out and find a goal but there is absolutely no way Diego Simeone alters his approach. They were tight and compact in the first leg in Manchester and will look to stay in the tie in the return. And, as we saw, City found it ever so hard to break them down.

Alex Hilton: Bayern Munich to win & over 2.5 goals looks a decent price. It's not often the German giants get shut out and they will be smarting after their 1-0 defeat during the first leg in Spain. They can overturn the tie with something to spare back home.

Chris Wood of Coral: Early prices about Wigan winning at Burton look very generous, and I wouldn't be surprised if they go off at about evens.

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