We’ve been given a bumper week of Premier League action this week following last weekend’s FA Cup matches. The midweek round is followed up by further league action this weekend, and once again we have some huge games affecting the title race and the push for Europe. With four lives matches across Saturday and Sunday, here we’re looking towards each of them, and they all have the potential to provide goals and entertainment aplenty.
The weekend kicks off with a title clash, as Manchester City host table topping Leicester City. Who would have thought that in a weekend where Manchester United go to Chelsea, the game between City and the Foxes gets top billing? Following that game at the Etihad, West Ham’s trip to Southampton is the evening showdown. Arsenal are also heading to the south coast, as they meet Bournemouth on Sunday, ahead of aforementioned clash at Stamford Bridge. Here we’re tipping bets for each of the four live games which will hopefully add a little extra spice – and profit – to your weekend’s football.
Saturday 6th February 2016
Manchester City v Leicester (12:45) – City to win and both teams to score (2/1 with Coral)
Manchester City are in a fantastic place right now, alive in four competitions, with Pep Guardiola joining in the summer. He’ll certainly improve the squad next season, but Manuel Pellegrini is doing a great job with the players he has at the minute. The Chilean guided his team through two cup competitions last week, and now he’ll be hoping to land a massive blow to the surprise title challengers Leicester. The City boss may already be on his way, but he won’t want to go out having lost the title to a side with a squad worth a fraction of City’s expensive roster.
Of course, that’s the reason many neutrals are following Leicester. They’re bucking the trend of elites and billionaires at the top of the table, and having fun doing it. They’ve been incredible so far, not failing to meet their biggest challenges, but could this be one too far? City have an excellent home record, and Pellegrini will want to make a statement to the fans showing that he’s focused on these last few months. While we see Leicester taking advantage of City’s shaky back line, we see City ending a great week on a high.
Southampton v West Ham (17:30) – Charlie Austin anytime scorer (6/4 with Betfair)
Southampton have really came back into form of late, following a horrific run they had in December. They now look back on track to challenge for the European spots, while West Ham are already sitting in one. Will the Saints be able to maintain their push for the top six, or can the Hammers pull off yet another fantastic victory away from home? Having won on the south coast a few weeks ago, the Hammers will be confident coming down here.
Saints are flowing with belief too, especially now that Charlie Austin has settled in and already started scoring. The former QPR striker looks to be the bargain signing of the January window, and he’s a man West Ham missed out on. The Hammers were believed to be in for him in the summer and last month, and after failing to land him their owners had a few choice words about Austin. After claiming he was demanding too much money and he was a major injury risk, they’ve certainly rattled the forward. He said he’s extra motivated to be taking on the eastenders, so we’re backing him to get on the scoresheet when they come to town.
Sunday 7th February 2016
Bournemouth v Arsenal (13:30) – Arsenal to win (21/20 with Coral)
Sunday kicks off with Arsenal looking to make up ground on either City or Leicester, and they know a win here would be a massive boost to them in the title race. Having failed to do much January business, Arsene Wenger will be relying on his stars returning from injury to give them a boost in the run in. It’s hard to say if that will be enough, but they’ll surely believe they have enough to take down a Bournemouth side who are fighting with their lives against relegation.
The Cherries invested quite a lot in January, and they’ll be hoping that gamble will be enough to see them stay in the top flight and land the TV money jackpot next term. This game will have little bearing on their fate, so it’s not a disaster if they suffer a defeat to the Gunners. It’s hard to see them getting anything out of this one, and we think that Wenger’s side are a great price to pick up the win here.
Chelsea v Manchester United (16:00) – Chelsea to win (Evens with Sky Bet)
Manchester United got back to winning ways against Derby in the FA Cup, but they’re still a side in some serious trouble. The Guardiola news has affected them, with City arguably now taking over in terms of attracting talent. That gap could get even bigger if they miss out on the Champions League in May. United certainly aren’t in a good way, and Louis van Gaal seems to be keeping them on the same path he always has, much to the displeasure of the United faithful.
His way of playing was particularly dull against a Chelsea side who went to Old Trafford to defend, making that a pretty poor game of football. Hopefully, this clash will be an improvement, with the Blues now much more confident in their ability. United are slightly more open now than when these two met last month, so hopefully we’ll at least get a goal. After their recent good displays, we’re backing the home side to go on and take the points here, as they really can’t afford to drop any more at home if they are to mount a late charge up the table.