Manchester City (1/4 in Match Betting) have suffered a lot lately but Roberto Mancini’s side can crank up the noise levels while their neighbours wait to play on Monday – with a win at home to Sunderland (12/1, Draw 5/1) on Saturday.
City’s draw at Stoke City last weekend has been painted as two points dropped by most of the media, but not many teams have won at the Britannia Stadium – and Manchester United didn’t either when they went there earlier this season.
It could be seen as a point gained and one recovered from a losing position after Peter Crouch closed all entries for the goal of the season competition with a stupendous strike.
City keeper Joe Hart must be getting sick of playing another cameo role in this year’s goal of the season, but he appears to be one of the City players who remain in good form as we head into the last eight weeks of the season.
Vincent Kompany’s return from injury is a key moment in the title race and he can marshal the City back four to a clean sheet against the Black Cats – who will be on a big downer after exiting the FA Cup at home to Everton in midweek.
Sergio Aguero’s injury is a blow, but more so if he misses out against Arsenal next week because City have the firepower to bag a couple against Sunderland (11/2 2-0 Man City in Correct Score) with Carlos Tevez (11/10) a potential anytime goalscorer.
In the other Saturday Premier League matches, Everton (4/5) are a team to keep on your side at the moment and should be too strong for streaky West Brom (7/2, Draw 13/5) at Goodison Park.
Roy Hodgson’s side have picked up one point from their last three matches, and should have been beaten by Wigan in the match where they got a draw.
They appear to fare better against the physical teams, particularly away from home – having won at Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves since December – but are liable to lose to the craftier sides.
Everton have demonstrated they fall into this bracket and should pick up three points – and another clean sheet.
The Toffees have tightened up defensively, conceding only two goals in their last six home matches and now boasting the fourth best goals against record in the Premier League.
However, with Leighton Baines (16/1 First Goalscorer) standing proudly as their top goalscorer, they are still far from prolific.
Nikica Jelavic (5/4 Anytime) is showing signs of taking on the scoring mantle and may be worth a bet to be the Last Goalscorer – rather than the first – in case he does not start (9/2).
Chelsea (5/6) got back to winning ways against Benfica in midweek and normally they would have too much for Aston Villa (7/2, Draw 13/5).
But Saturday’s match could easily lack the intensity of a Champions League clash for them and, with changes due, it may be that a draw is the most likely result.
Villa would probably settle for a draw and, judging by the Blues’ inability to find the net at home to Spurs last week, 0-0 (15/2 in Correct Score) might be the order of the day again.
Queens Park Rangers (7/2) could make it tough for Arsenal (5/6), but the Gunners’ form continues to impress and they should overcome the Hoops with a glut of goals in the second half (Evens – 2nd Half in Half Most Goals).
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