Given that Manchester City had to beat Manchester United and Newcastle to have any chance of lifting their first title in 44 years, I cannot see anyway of them slipping up at home to QPR. City have still only dropped points at the Etihad once this term and that was to Sunderland – a game they looked destined to lose at one point.
Roberto Mancini deserves plenty of credit for maneuvering his side to the top of the table and it’s been done on the back of a cracking run of results. Since losing to Arsenal, City have gone onto record five victories on the bounce. They’ve conceded only once in that time and have scored 15 goals.
I’m happy to give QPR a two goal start and still get with City to pick up the points they need to make the blue side of Manchester get the party started.
It’ll be a strange old game at the Stadium of Light as United fans know that unless they make up the goal difference, even a win won’t prevent them losing their title. Sir Alex Ferguson will demand that his side do their bit and make sure they’re in a position to take advantage should anything happen at the Etihad.
A Wes Brown own goal was enough to give United all three points at Old Trafford, but I expect things to be much easier this time around. The Black Cats haven’t scored against United for four consecutive games and they’ve also not won for eight league games coming into this clash.
My advice would be to back United with the –1.5 Asian handicap, although it won’t be enough to stop City.
At the other end of the table, Owen Coyle knows that he must win at Stoke to have any chance of staying up. Unfortunately Stoke are unbeaten in six home games and I don’t fancy Bolton’s backline keeping a clean sheet.
Last weekend Bolton went 2-0 up with 18 minutes to play and still conceded twice to throw two precious points away. The appalling marking for James Morrison’s 90th minute equaliser underlines the lack of confidence in Bolton’s defenders.
Stoke have nothing to play for and will likely be given free rein to bomb forward, which should make for an entertaining contest. I don’t think the visitors are strong enough at the back to withstand the Stoke aerial attack. A point is not enough to keep Coyle’s side up, but the result is worth backing at 3.65 on BETDAQ.
Betting on BETDAQ – Alan’s Punts:
Man City v QPR: Back Man City with –2.5 Asian handicap at 2.21
Sunderland v Man Utd: Back Man Utd with –1.5 Asian handicap at 2.01
Stoke v Bolton: Back the draw at 3.65
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