After a busy Bank Holiday in the Premier League, there is no let up in the action as six teams do battle in matches on Tuesday that affect both ends of the table (totesport – Premier League).
Manchester City v Liverpool 8pm
As normal folk get back to the humdrum of regular life after the festive period, City fans may be more donwhearted than most after seeing their club’s star wane a little following a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland – in a game which they should not have lost.
Roberto Mancini’s men remain 8/11 favourites to land their first Premier League title despite suffering their second Premier League defeat of the season but they will be hugely disappointed after failing to capitalise on three of their rivals all failing to win over the weekend.
Both those recent defeats have come away from home and the Blues will be back on home territory for what is a massive clash against Liverpool, and they boast a 100 percent record at the Etihad Stadium having banged in 28 goals and conceding just four in nine games there.
That record and their early season form is reflected in the match betting as they are installed as 4/5 favourites, with the draw available at 13/5 and Liverpool at 7/2.
City though have a poor record against the Reds and a 3-0 victory in this fixture last year is their only success in 13 games, while the goals have suddenly dried up for the previously free-scoring league leaders – failing to score in their last two against West Brom and Sunderland.
Liverpool go into the fixture on the back of a confidence-boosting 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield on Friday in which talisman Steven Gerrard enjoyed a cameo that was enough to win the man of the match award.
The England midfielder marked only his second appearance since his return with the third goal and has to be worth a look in the goalscoring markets (10/1 First/Last Goalscorer, 11/4 Anytime), particularly having struck winners three times against City.
Luis Suarez is also available again after missing the win over Newcastle due to suspension and, with a good defensive record this season, it would be no surprise to see Liverpool – who held City to a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier this season – become the first team to take something away from Eastlands.
Tottenham v West Brom 7.45pm
Spurs go into this match looking to make amends for a disappointing showing on Saturday at Swansea in a 1-1 draw, which failed to take advantage of the top two both losing over the weekend.
Harry Redknapp’s men are back on home territory where they have lost only once this season (5-1 to City) and are unsurprisingly 2/5 favourites to secure their seventh win at White Hart Lane, with the draw at 7/2 and West Brom at 15/2.
Scott Parker will be big miss though after he suffered a knee injury against the Swans to join Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and Aaron Lennon on the sidelines, although the Baggies have injury problems of their own with Chris Brunt and Jonas Olsson set to miss the clash.
West Brom have been better on the road this season, picking up four wins away from the Hawthorns, but goals have been a problem and Spurs should have enough firepower to land the spoils.
Wigan v Sunderland 7.45pm
Wigan have picked up some impressive results of late, holding Chelsea and Liverpool to draws as well as coming from behind to take a share of the spoils against Stoke, despite being reduced to 10 men at the Britannia Stadium.
However, they still remain in the bottom three and take on a resurgent Sunderland side who appear to have turned a corner under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill, and have now pulled six points clear of the drop zone.
Recent form appears to have made this one tough to call with Latics on offer at 7/4, the draw at 9/4 and the Black Cats marginal favourites at 13/8.
Sunday’s shock win over City should instil the belief in Sunderland though that they can rise up the table and are fancied to take the points against a team which has just one home victory to its name.
O’Neill has shown the magic touch since his arrival, picking up three wins and a draw from five matches in charge – and he can improve that record against Wigan on Tuesday.
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