The titanic clash between Liverpool and Manchester City takes centre stage in this weekend’s round of matches. Both sides will be jockeying for pole position in the title race when Pep Guardiola’s Sky-Blue army set their sights on Jurgen Klopp’s Reds and the Premier League title that they covert so dearly.
In other action, Arsenal seek to avenge their 3-0 loss earlier this season when the Gunners travel to Villa Park on Saturday, while Manchester United close out the day’s play when Everton make the trip to Old Trafford.
Wolves and Leicester City makes for an intriguing duel on Sunday and will serve as an appetiser before the game that we’re all eagerly anticipating.
Saturday 6 February
Aston Villa 33/20
Draw 49/20
Arsenal 31/20
(14:30)
Aston Villa haven’t fared well against the traditionally bigger clubs since the turn of the year, notably suffering defeats to both Manchester clubs in the league. The Villains will look to right their wrongs this Saturday. They seem a much-improved outfit with the return of Ross Barkley who’s injected dynamism into the Claret and Blue midfield. Arsenal will have their target set on avenging their 3-0 loss to Villa earlier this season. In that encounter, the Gunners were still operating with three central defenders but Mikel Arteta has now reverted to a flat back-four with Rob Holding and David Luiz assuring solidity as the central pairing. This allows another attacker to take the field with the hopes of putting a few goals passed former teammate Emiliano Martinez. My money is on Arsenal to come away from Villa Park with maximum points.
Burnley 5/2
Draw 21/10
Brighton 12/10
(17:00)
Burnley will look to get back to winning ways after facing quality opposition in Chelsea and Manchester City. Sean Dyche’s men were on a three-game winning streak prior to facing the Blues last weekend and desperately need to replicate the levels of performance displayed when the Clarets ended Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten streak at Anfield. Brighton along with their hosts are precariously hovering above the relegation zone and desperately need to bag the points at stake in this massive six-pointer. Promising young defender Tariq Lamptey is still recovering from a thigh injury and won’t feature for the Seagulls for at least another two weeks. There’s too much on the line for these opponents, expect another stalemate like the goalless draw in the previous meeting.
Newcastle United 2/1
Draw 9/4
Southampton 14/10
(17:00)
Newcastle United ended their woeful run of nine matches in the Premier League without victory at Goodison Park last Saturday thanks to a Callum Wilson double. Attacking midfielder Allan Saint-Maximin has been welcomed back to action in a cameo role off the bench for a few weeks now. The 23-year-old’s return to full fitness will be a huge boost for the Magpies faithful. Saint-Maximin earned the Man of the Match award against the Saints by scoring the winning goal last season, but when these sides met three months ago, Southampton ran out 2-0 winners at St. Mary’s Stadium. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team have been on a downward spiral since beating Liverpool, suffering defeats to Leicester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa. Previous meetings suggest Under 2.5 Goals is the way to go, priced up at decent odds of 8/10.
Fulham 51/20
Draw 5/2
West Ham United 21/20
(19:30)
Fulham manager Scott Parker has the unenviable task of keeping the Cottagers in the top-flight. The absence of midfielder Tom Cairney has been a huge blow to their aspirations after being sidelined for the entire month of January. Despite this, Fulham have been tough to beat in recent games, snatching valuable points with seven draws in 10 matches. West Ham United are looking to bounce back from their loss to Liverpool that ended the Hammers’ six-game winning streak. David Moyes’ men will aim to secure a league double over the hosts, but it will be a more difficult ask than it seems on paper, with West Ham needing an extra-time Thomas Soucek winner to claim the points in the reverse tie at the London Stadium. I’m all in on the Hammers to reign supreme in this London derby.
Manchester United 5/10
Draw 33/10
Everton 46/10
(22:00)
Manchester United are priced up as highly-fancied favourites when Everton make the trip to Old Trafford. The two most recent meetings have seen Ole Gunnar Solksjaer get the better of Carlo Ancelotti as the Reds Devils knocked Everton out of the Carabao Cup (2-0) and claim a 3-1 win at Goodison Park thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani. Everton will aim to stifle United with Ancelotti’s trademark philosophy of hard work without possession, as goal poacher Dominic Calvert-Lewin seeks to get on the end of all attacking play, especially in aerial duels. The Toffees will be quietly confident with James Rodriguez and Lucas Digne providing crosses from either flank into United’s defence who have room for improvement to put it lightly. Manchester United & Yes is my play at 43/20 in the Matchbet & Both Teams to Score market.
Sunday 7 February
Tottenham Hotspur 9/20
Draw 34/10
West Brom 52/10
(14:00)
Tottenham are quickly losing ground on the chasing pack of teams. Results need to be turned around immediately for Jose Mourinho’s side as the past few weeks have seen the Lilywhites slip down the pecking order. A host of injuries has thrown a spanner in the works of achieving Champions League qualification, especially as talisman Harry Kane faces a spell on the sidelines, along with Sergio Reguilon, Serge Aurier and Giovani Lo Celso. West Brom have surprised a few teams in the last month, claiming 1-1 draws away at both Manchester City and Liverpool. Both managers will be looking to give nothing away in the first period and seal the win during the latter stages when the game opens up. Take Draw in the Half-Time market at 27/20.
Wolves 5/2
Draw 23/10
Leicester City 11/10
(16:00)
Wolves are enduring their worst slump in the Premier League since making their return in the 2018/19 campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have only tasted victory once in 12 league games which doesn’t bode well for their chances of playing European football next term. Leicester City lost 3-1 to a swashbuckling Leeds side that slightly hindered the Foxes’ charge up the league standings. Brendan Rodgers’ side have no fear whatsoever of traveling to any ground in the country, infamously thrashing Manchester City 5-2 at the Etihad earlier this season. In the previous three meetings between these opponents, there has only been a single goal scored – a Jamie Vardy penalty. It’s safe to say Under 2.5 Goals is a solid bet at 13/20, but if I had to pick a winner, I’d chose Leicester against this toothless Wolves outfit.
Liverpool 24/10
Draw 26/10
Manchester City 21/20
(18:30)
Liverpool are the defending Premier League champions who’ve lost just once in 70 league games at Anfield but are priced at 2/1 outsiders against the closest challengers to their crown and current log leaders Manchester City. The price has me puzzled, seeing as Kevin De Bruyne will be amongst the absentees for the clash, a factor which could cancel out Liverpool’s injuries at centre-back and make this an even contest. The Reds haven’t lost at home to Manchester City during their past 18 visits to Anfield in the Premier League. The Citizens are on an ominous streak of wins which earned Pep Guardiola’s men the title in previous campaigns, going unbeaten in 19 matches across all competitions prior to their midweek trip to Burnley. Both Teams to Score (Yes) is usually considered a banker in this matchup but I strongly suggest taking Over 3.5 Goals at 33/20.
Sheffield United 58/10
Draw 33/10
Chelsea 9/20
(21:15)
Sheffield United are rock bottom following the worst start to a Premier League season by any club and now find themselves 13 points from safety, realistically leaving Blades’ manager Chris Wilder with mission impossible on his hands given the players at his disposal. Chelsea have impressed under new mentor Thomas Tuchel who clearly has his own intriguing modern football ideologies that will add even more excitement and unpredictability to the best league on the planet. I can’t see the Blues losing this encounter or even conceding a goal to be frank. Chelsea is my banker of the week at 5/10, however, if you’re looking for more value, try Away Win to Nil at 5/4.
Monday 8 February
Leeds United 17/20
Draw 11/4
Crystal Palace 29/10
(22:00)
Leeds United had won five and lost five of their previous 10 league matches prior to the Everton clash, which highlights that there’s no in-between for the Peacocks. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have a full go at opponents without the fear of tasting defeat. Few teams can match the intensity of the Whites and personally I give Crystal Palace little to no chance at Elland Road on Monday night. The Eagles claimed a shocked victory over Man United at Old Trafford in gameweek two, but have only managed to beat newly-promoted Fulham and West Brom on their travels since, which doesn’t bode well for their chances. The reverse tie was a 4-1 win for Palace, but Leeds were without arguably their most important player to play their brand of football, Kalvin Phillips, and utilized defender Pascal Struijk in midfield instead. Phillips is fully fit and I expect Leeds to claim maximum points on home soil.
TREBLE @ 11/1
Arsenal Win 31/20
West Ham United Win 21/20
Chelsea Win To Nil 5/4
Written by Bryan Naicker