Four more English Premier League matches take place on Sunday and we have a tip for each game including Manchester United v Fulham and Spurs v Manchester City
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Aston Villa v Brentford
Villa’s 2-0 win away to Newcastle last weekend and finished the round in third place, behind Man City on goal difference and 4 points shy of Arsenal who visit Leeds a day before this game takes place. A 1-0 home defeat to Everton in their most recent home game ended a run of 8 straight EPL wins at Villa Park.
Brentford rose as high as fifth on the back of an excellent set of results over Xmas and New Year but they have lost their last 2 league games at Chelsea and at home to Forest (both 2-0) to slip back into the pack.
Watch the Villa team news as Watkins picked up a knock in the UEL on Thursday and Villa are also without some first choice midfielders. Brentford were way below par in a home defeat last week and haven’t travelled that well this season but they can trouble Villa and I’m with Kevin Schade to provide an assist.
Bet: Player assists Schade 1 or more at 6.25/1 with Sportingbet
Man United v Fulham
Michael Carrick’s start to his spell as interim coach could nit have gone better. A 2-0 home win over Man City was followed by a 3-2 victory away to league leaders Arsenal last weekend and they finished the round in fourth place.
Fulham struck late to seal a 2-1 home win over Brighton last week. They have won 5 and drawn 2 of their last 8 league games with the only defeat coming in their most recent road trip when they went down 1-0 at Leeds.
A different conundrum for United who were underdogs in the last 2 matches. I think we will see goals, possibly for both sides but Bruno Fernades is my anytime pick.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Bruno Fernandes at 22/10 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Notts Forest v Crystal Palace
Forest have taken 7 points from their last 3 league games and although they are fourth from bottom they hold a 5 point advantage over third bottom West Ham who visit Chelsea on Saturday. Wins at West Ham and Brentford either side of a 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal have calmed the nerves of the fans after they lost 4 in a row over Xmas and New Year.
Palace have taken just 2 points from the last 24 available and are now just 3 points better off than their opponents here. That sequence includes defeats away from home at Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland and they are desperately in need of a boost.
Palace forward Mateta has been the subject of interest from forest and other clubs as I write, were he to move on that would be another blow for the visitors. Forest boast the better form but I’d be weary of this one and I’m looking for both sides to pick up a couple of cards.
Bet: Both teams to have or more cards? Yes at even money with Sportingbet
Spurs v Man City
Spurs 2-0 win at Frankfurt in the UCL on Wednesday secured an automatic qualification spot for the Round of 16 which is a most welcome distraction to their league form. They are without a win in their last 5 in the EPL, draws at Brentford and at home to Sunderland, defeats at Bournemouth and at home to West Ham and most recently a 2-2 draw at Burnley.
City were also winners in the UCL in midweek and their home victory over Galatasary also secured a Round of 16 spot. They were 2-0 winners at home to Wolves in their most recent EPL outing which was preceded by draws at Sunderland and at home to Chelsea and Brighton and a 2-0 defeat to United in the derby at Old Trafford. City finished the previous round in second spot ahead of Villa on goal difference and 4 points off league leaders Arsenal.
Spurs need that UCL form to rub off n their EPL performances whilst despite 2 wins in the space of a few days City still have to prove they shaken off some below par showings. This is another one where I prefer my favoured cards bet.
Bet: Both teams to have or more cards? Yes at 11/10 with Sportingbet