The new year has already brought plenty of excitement with it in the Premier League and more is due this weekend. A very much in-form Tottenham side get the proceedings underway against West Brom in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. It’s a fixture which has often resulted in a draw in recent seasons but Mauricio Pochettino will surely settle for nothing less than a win this time. Later on and the focus shifts northwards to the King Power Stadium, where Leicester host Chelsea. The two sides are separated by 28 points in the league but don’t think that makes this game a foregone conclusion.
On Sunday we’ll see if Everton can bridge the rather large gap between themselves and the teams above them when they take on Manchester City. It’s not looking like an easy game for Ronald Koeman’s side as City come into the match having thrashed West Ham 5-0 in the FA Cup. The week finishes with a climatic affair between Manchester United and Liverpool. It’s one of the Premier League’s great rivalries and with both sides having plenty to play for, we should be in for a cracking match in front of a packed Old Trafford.
Saturday 14th January 2017
Tottenham v West Brom (12:30) – West Brom to win with a +2 handicap (5/6 with Betfair)
Tottenham come into this match having won their last six matches in all competitions including a very morale boosting victory over top of the table Chelsea. Defensively they remain sound as they’ve been all season but they are now adding goals to their repertoire, netting 15 times in their last 5 league games. The buoyant looking Lilywhites will also relish playing in front of the home crowd, as White Hart Lane is a place they haven’t lost at all season. With only one notable absentee, Erik Lamela, coming into this game, Spurs do look quite formidable ahead of this match.
While all the signs may be good for Tottenham coming into this game, it’s important to remember West Brom are one of their bogey teams. The Baggies’ organised defence has frustrated them in the past and Spurs may well struggle for opportunities here. Tony Pulis’ side made life tough for both Arsenal and Chelsea in two recent away matches and you can expect more of the same here. West Brom to win with a +2 handicap would’ve given returns in nine of the last 10 meetings between these two sides and it’s a great pick for this latest clash.
Leicester City v Chelsea (17:30) – Under 2.5 goals (evens with Betfred)
The current Premier League champions host the bookies’ favourite to be this year’s winner in what looks set to be an important match for both teams. If Leicester are going to avoid being drawn into the relegation battle this season then results at home will be key for them. The Foxes have lost just the two league games at the King Power Stadium this season and did record an impressive victory over Manchester City there last month. This will be an even bigger test but the recent addition of Nigerian, Wilfred Ndidi, will give Leicester some valuable defensive protection for it.
It will be interesting to see how Chelsea respond to their defeat to London rivals, Tottenham, in their last league outing. It wasn’t an especially poor performance from Antonio Conte’s men but they’ll need to ensure their confidence hasn’t taken a hit now their 13 league game winning streak has come to an end. You can expect the Blues to be solid defensively as they so often are but away from home, don’t expect too many goals at the other end. They’ve only managed more than one goal in one of their last five away matches so backing a lack of goals looks a wise option here.
Sunday 15th January 2017
Everton v Manchester City (13:30) – Manchester City to win (17/20 at Bet365)
Everton find themselves knocked out of both cup competitions and drifting away from a guaranteed Europa League spot. A strong second half to the season is the only thing that can prevent Ronald Koeman’s first campaign as Everton boss being a rather disappointing one. He’s publically voiced his frustration at the lack of transfer activity this month and he’s clearly unsatisfied at some of the players at his disposal. It’s hard to see Everton playing especially well until this is resolved but given they have lost just one league game at home all season, they should be able to make City work hard.
Pep Guardiola can’t afford many more slip ups from his side if he’s going to remain in the title race this year. He’s without the services of the suspended Fernandinho but does at least have most other key names at his disposal. City’s attacking talents struggled when last in Merseyside, against Liverpool, on New Year’s Eve and may do so again seeing as Everton have an identical defensive record. City are unlikely to put in a showing that resembles the one we saw at West Ham last weekend but with them showing signs of improvement, they should have enough to edge this contest.
Manchester United v Liverpool (16:00) – Under 2.5 goals (21/20 at BetVictor)
Liverpool face life without Sadio Mane for several weeks as the Senegalese international has departed for the African Cup of Nations. It’s undoubtedly a big blow for the Merseysiders and one that will be more noticeable if Philippe Coutinho isn’t fit in time for the clash. The Liverpool side that relied on outscoring the opposition is no more however, and Jurgen Klopp has done an excellent job at improving his side’s defence. Liverpool have now managed 7 clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions and this should ensure they remain competitive in this match.
If Jose Mourinho’s record in big games is anything to go by then this isn’t looking like being a high scoring affair. In the six matches this season against the teams currently sat above them in the table, four of them have had fewer than 2.5 goals. Given that Liverpool’s attacking threat may be blunted due to the absence of Mane and possibly Coutinho, United should be able to keep Liverpool fairly quiet. This may not be enough to secure the three points though, as Klopp’s men have often performed in the big tests this season. With the outcome a tricky one to pick, backing under 2.5 goals looks a safer bet for this contest.