Manchester City cut Liverpool's Premier League lead back to seven points

The final day of Premier League action in 2018 saw wins for the three odds-on favourites as Manchester City moved up to second spot and reduced the gap on leaders Liverpool to seven points.

Champions City, who are 7-4 to retain the title, were comfortable 3-1 winners at Southampton with all the goals coming in the first half to build confidence nicely for Thursday's huge clash with Liverpool at the Etihad.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was sent off late in proceedings, briefly cancelled out David Silva's opener, but City went back in front thanks to a James Ward-Prowse own goal and a Sergio Aguero header.

Kevin De Bruyne was absent from the City squad with a small problem and Pep Guardiola said afterwards he was unsure whether the influential Belgian would return to face Liverpool.

City are 21-20 for three points in the top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool 13-5. The Reds, who are 7-1 with bet365 to finish the Premier League season unbeaten, are 5-6 to avoid defeat in Manchester and 4-6 to lift the title.

Fourth-placed Chelsea extended their advantage over Arsenal in the race for Champions League qualification with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. N'Golo Kante was the man on target for the Blues, who are 1-4 to finish in the top four.

Manchester United, eight points back on Chelsea, are 9-2 in that market following their 4-1 bashing of Bournemouth.

Paul Pogba scored twice at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford and substitute Romelu Lukaku also found the net, although Eric Bailly was dismissed late on.

Burnley were the only outsiders to win and have drifted to 4-7 for relegation after beating West Ham 2-0.

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport