Sunday's clash between Manchester City and Liverpool is the highlight of this weekend's English Premier League coupon and we also have a play in a number of other matches taking place including Everton v Manchester United
Prices from Sportingbet and others are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Everton 1.55/1 Draw 22/10 Man United 18/10 (Saturday)
Having taken 13 points from the last 15 available Everton have climbed away from danger and are now 14th, 1 place and 1 point better off than their opponents here. With 4 league wins and a hard earned draw at home to Liverpool fortunes have turned around big time and they have scored 9 goals in their last 3 home games.
United have lost 3 of their last 4 in the league, most recently going down 1-0 at Spurs. Going further back its 6 defeats in the last 9 in the EPL, they are in the FA Cup and Europa League and that is about the only positive right now.
The Verdict
Beto has been Everton's only fit striker so they have done well to find the goals and the points to continue their run since Moyes returned and this looks a tricky call. You can't have much confidence in United right now but for me one of the few bright performances last week came from Zirkzee who gets a speculative vote to get on the scoresheet here.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee at 34/10 with Sportingbet
Arsenal 1 / 4 Draw 5/1 West Ham 9.5/1 (Saturday)
Arsenal's unbeaten run in the EPL now spans 15 matches. They left if late to see off Leicester 2-0 away from home last weekend and their injury crisis in terms of forwards is well documented but they are 6 points clear in second spot and now 8 shy of Liverpool but with a game in hand.
West Ham have lost 3 and drawn 1 of their last 4 and they are 16th, 10 points clear of the drop zone. The only positive result away from home since the turn of the year was a 1-1 draw at Villa, they are out of the cup and the sole focus now is on improving their league position.
The Verdict
With Saka, Havertz, Martinelli and Jesus all injured you have to look a bit deeper for an Arsenal goalscorer. Merino popped up with the goods last week, I'm with Odegaard this time around.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Martin Odegaard at 5/2 with Sportingbet
Ipswich 24/10 Draw 11/4 Spurs even money (Saturday)
Ten man Ipswich battled to a 1-1 draw at Villa last weekend. They remain third bottom with 17 points, 2 shy of fourth bottom Wolves who are the only team currently in range. They did win 2-1 at Spurs earlier in the season and their stand out result at home is a win over Chelsea.
Spurs 1-0 win at home to Man United lifted some of the pressure that has been mounting although they are still below half way in the standings. Players are gradually returning from injury to join the transfer window signings and it looks like the Europa League will be the last hope to salvage something from the season.
The Verdict
Although they won last week Spurs weren't overly convincing and as always these days their team news will be worth monitoring. There could be something for Ipswich here and hopefully Delap will get on the scoresheet.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Liam Delap at 12/10 with Betway
Southampton 4/1 Draw 32/10 Brighton 0.62/1 (Saturday)
A second successive derby for rock bottom Southampton who lost 3-1 at home to Bournemouth last time out. A tally of just 9 points tells its own story and only 4 of those came in 12 previous home matches.
Brighton have recovered from a 7-0 hiding at Forest with back to back home wins over Chelsea, 2-1 in the cup and 3-0 in the league. They are bang smack in the middle of the table but have won 5 of their last 7 in the EPL.
The Verdict
A change of tactics here as I look for a player to provide an assist. Tariq Lamptey is getting minutes for Brighton of late and he can be a handful in wide positions.
Bet: To provide an assist, Tariq Lamptey 1 or more at 52/10 with Betway
Newcastle 8/10 Draw 29/10 Notts Forest 3/1 (Sunday)
Newcastle were thrashed -0 away to Man City last weekend and finished the round in seventh place, 2 points behind Chelsea and Bournemouth who are fifth and sixth. Although they secured a place in the EFL Cup final they have now lost 3 of their last 4 in the league including home games against Bournemouth (4-1) and Fulham (2-1).
Forest also tripped up last week, losing 2-1 at Fulham. Their previous road trip ended in a 5-0 hiding at Bournemouth but in between they thumped Brighton 7-0 in Nottingham. Forest finished last weekend in third spot, 6 points better off than their opponents here.
The Verdict
Both teams have been a bit unpredictable of late and I've no firm opinion on the goals markets so I look for a player to pick up a card and Murillo fits the bill.
Bet: Player to be carded Murillo at 3/1 with Betway
Man City 1.75/1 Draw 29/10 Liverpool 5/4 (Sunday)
City surrender tamely to Real in Madrid in the UCL in midweek, losing 3-1 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate. The league form shows 3 wins in the last 4 alongside a 5-1 hiding at Arsenal. They did put Newcastle away 4-0 in Manchester last week and making sure they qualify for UCL football next season and the FA Cup are now the sole aims.
Liverpool have drawn their last 2 road trips, at Everton and most recently Villa by a 2-2 scoreline. They looked a little nervy in the later stages of a 2-1 home win over Wolves last weekend but they are 8 points clear of second placed Arsenal having played 1 game more. A home defeat to Forest earlier in the season remains their only EPL defeat so far.
The Verdict
Just lately Liverpool have been a notch below what we have seen for most of the season whilst City were decidedly second best in Madrid on Wednesday but did put it together against Newcastle last weekend.
I'm honestly stumped by this one so a small play on another 2-2 draw for Liverpool on the road.
Bet: Correct score 2-2 at 9.5/1 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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