The January transfer window has come to a close so from now on we’ll get to see how each Premier League manager fares with the players at their disposal without having the chance to strengthen further. It’s Antonio Conte’s title to lose as we approach 15 games remaining in the season. His Chelsea side face an absolutely crucial match on Saturday against fellow title hopefuls Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Later in the day, Tottenham have a clash against Middlesbrough to concern themselves with. With at least one of their London rivals guaranteed to drop points, Spurs cannot waste the opportunity to capitalise.
On Sunday, Pep Guardiola will be hoping to avoid another grumpy press conference as Manchester City take on relegation-threatened Swansea. The Swans pulled off a big shock against Liverpool recently so could well be quietly confident coming into another difficult fixture. Following this match, the focus moves across the country to Leicester who host Manchester United. The Foxes have been a shadow of their former selves in the league this season and need some inspiration soon to pull themselves clear of the relegation dogfight.
Saturday 4th February 2017
Chelsea v Arsenal (12:30) – Chelsea to win (11/10 with Betfair)
Ironically it was Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Chelsea early in the season that provoked the change in system that has worked so well for the Blues since. Chelsea will be a completely different beast this time against Arsenal and not the toothless side we saw at the Emirates Stadium. They’ve relished playing the Gunners at Stamford Bridge in recent years, winning all four of the last meetings there. This is likely to give them a psychological edge against a side who is known for often losing their nerve against the bigger teams.
Chelsea are the only team in the current top seven that Arsenal have managed to beat this season and it’s a worrying statistic coming into such a big game. That win may help give the Arsenal players some belief facing a side they’ve normally struggled against but Chelsea’s home form is rather intimidating. The Blues have won their last 10 games in all competitions at home so it’s fair to say Stamford Bridge is a bit of a fortress. With the commotion surrounding top-scorer Diego Costa well and truly behind them, they look like extending this run and putting a huge dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.
Tottenham v Middlesbrough (17:30) – Tottenham to win to nil (37/40 with BetVictor)
Tottenham were almost embarrassed last time they stepped out at White Hart Lane, requiring two late goals to see off League 2 side, Wycombe Wanderers. They shipped in three goals that day but the performance from a heavily rotated side shouldn’t make you question Tottenham’s defensive credentials here. Mauricio Pochettino should name a far strong side this time and Spurs will look far more assured as a result, especially against a team who has struggled badly for goals this season. A clean sheet looks likely for the home side and if they can claim one here it would ensure they maintain the best defensive home record in the league.
With Middlesbrough not looking like scoring here, they will be hoping to withstand the Tottenham pressure and limit the number of chances they have. Defensively they have been very sound this season but do face this game without on loan Arsenal centre back Calum Chambers. During his first game out, Boro shipped in three goals at home to West Ham so it could well be a telling injury in this game. Tottenham have gone through periods where they’ve struggled for goals but with the likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min all in great form, it’s hard not to see them breaking the Middlesbrough resistance.
Sunday 5th February 2017
Manchester City v Swansea (13:30) – Manchester City to win and over 3.5 goals (13/10 at Coral)
Watching games with Swansea involved has regularly been a safe bet for seeing goals this season. They are the first team to breach the 50 goals conceded mark this season but are at least managing comfortably more than a goal a game at the other end. Given City’s defensive frailties which have riddled them all season, it isn’t too hard to see the Welsh side grab a goal or two here. Paul Clement’s side have registered back to back wins away from home in the league and cannot afford to be taken lightly by Pep Guardiola.
For every goal Swansea can manage here, it looks like City will be able to more than match it. Their attack has looked formidable in recent weeks, during cup wins against West Ham and Crystal Palace and in their 2-2 league draw with Tottenham where they were unlucky not to score more. Against such a porous defence, we may see what the likes of Silva, Sane, Aguero, Sterling and De Bruyne can offer. If this is the case, then we should be in for a goal-fest which ends up with three points for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Leicester v Manchester United (16:00) – Manchester United to win (7/10 at BetVictor)
Leicester have had a fairly horrid time in the league this season and could well face this game without main goal-threat Islam Slimani. With Leicester struggling to defend this season, they need goals at the other end if they are to turn things around. The Foxes had gone over a year without losing a league game at home before their 2-1 defeat to West Brom in November and two more defeats at the King Power have followed. The place which was once a tough stadium to visit is now a place where teams believe they can get a good result.
United enjoyed their last game against Leicester, a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford, and Jose Mourinho will be hoping for a game just as routine as that. Goals from set pieces helped them that day and it’s something Leicester are still vulnerable on. United have tended not to perform at their best away from home but should still have the necessary quality to see off the challenge of the home side. They were lacklustre on their last trip out, against Stoke, but are fairly priced to bounce back to winning ways on the road this Sunday.