The international break often leaves a large gap for football fans, but the Premier League returns to fill that void this weekend. The final break of the year gave us the full list of sides at next summer’s Euros, but the action just can’t compete with the English top flight.
The highlight of this weekend’s games is Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City, as the Reds look to bounce back from their first defeat under Jurgen Klopp. What can the German produce against the league leaders? Elsewhere Manchester United face a tough away trip, and Spurs host the league’s second most prolific away team. Here we’re previewing all that and more, plus we have a betting tip on each game for you to take a look at.
Saturday 21st November 2015
Watford v Manchester United (12:45) – United to win (10/11 with BetVictor)
Watford are exceeding most people’s expectations at the minute, as they sit 11th in the table. With manager Quique Sanchez Flores making a great start to life in England, they look well placed to secure survival this term. Their home form has been a huge part of their impressive start, and they’re working to turn Vicarage Road into a very tough place to go for away sides. Will that be the case for United on Saturday, as they look to keep their grip on fourth spot?
The Red Devils seemed to have clicked in front of goal, and they look like a much tougher prospect. It’s hard to see them beating Watford 3-0 here as Arsenal did a few weeks ago, but you have to favour Louis van Gaal’s side in this one. United will be hoping the momentum from their two wins before the break will carry over, especially given that they’re just two points behind the Premier League leaders, Man City. United may not be a great side to watch at the moment, but their set up seems ideal for getting a result from this kind of game, and that’s exactly what we’re backing to happen here.
Manchester City v Liverpool (17:30) – Prediction/tip (23/10 with Coral)
The late game on Saturday is easily the biggest in the league this weekend, it’s just a shame that El Clasico takes place at the same time. That’s bound to take attention away from what could be a great game, as Jurgen Klopp takes his team to the Etihad. The German is hoping to outwit Manuel Pellegrini, and bounce back from a defeat at home to Crystal Palace. That’s not going to be easy to do, as the league leaders need to get back to winning ways themselves. Will they be able to do that here?
Given that Klopp’s honeymoon period looks to be over, City should have more than enough to win this match. Their home form has been pretty good so far this term, and they should have one or two of their big name players returning to face the Reds. While we see a win for the Citizens, we’re also backing Liverpool to get on the scoresheet. Every single visiting side has got a goal at the Eithad since the start of September, and Klopp’s men have enough about them going forward to add their names to that list.
Sunday 22nd November 2015
Tottenham v West Ham (16:00) – Draw (17/5 with BetVictor)
Sunday’s only Premier League game pits an in-form Tottenham side against great travellers West Ham. These two actually come in to the weekend level on points, with both currently sitting in the top six in the table. The Hammers are doing remarkably well under Slaven Bilic, who has taken to the league with ease. They’re bound to have their eyes on a European finish after strong early form, but can they deliver European football to the Olympic Stadium next season? It sure would be a great way to say goodbye to Upton Park, but they’re going to have a lot of competition.
Tottenham are pushing for the top four right now, and if they keep their form up, they could well make it. Their big problem here is that they’ve struggled at home to West Ham in recent years. They’ve won just once in their last five at home to the Hammers, and they’ve won none of the last three. With their fantastic away form, we see them getting another result here. We’re backing a draw between these two at just over 3/1, which would go down as another very good away result for Bilic and his team.
Monday 23rd November 2015
Crystal Palace v Sunderland (20:00) – Palace to win to nil (31/20 with BetVictor)
The Monday night game would have looked like a battle between two sides lower down the table at the start of the campaign. But, Alan Pardew has inspired his Palace side to eighth place, turning around a recent poor run with a 2-1 victory at Anfield. Their rise under the former Newcastle boss has been more than impressive, building a side who have pace, skill and a solid foundation. Their counter attacking style has trumped many managers already this term, will Sam Allardyce and Sunderland be added to that list?
You’d imagine that the Black Cats will come here looking to sit deep, to make Palace work for a goal. It was the same approach that almost got Big Sam’s team a point at home to Southampton. We don’t see them making much of a threat going forward, but they shouldn’t stall the Palace attack much, either. Eventually Pardew’s side should find a way through this leaky defence, and they should be able to do that while keeping a clean sheet. The Eagles haven’t had the best defensive record this term, but we see them shutting out the second worst team in the division, while grabbing a clean sheet in the process.