Wolves have started the season on fire and the Midlands derby at Villa Park should be a belter. Mick McCarthy’s side have surprised everyone this year and boast of a 100% record from two games, while Villa have won one and drawn one.
Matthew Jarvis seems to love this fixture, with the England winger scoring in both league games last year. He got the winner in the 1-0 victory at Villa Park and scored in Wolves’ 2-1 defeat at Molineux. Steven Fletcher and Darren Bent are two of the hottest strikers in the league at the minute and it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top.
It will be tough for Wolves to get their third win of the season given the game is at Villa Park, but a draw is certainly attainable for McCarthy’s boys.
There’s no doubt that Man City will be challenging for the league this season, but I’m just not sure whether they are genuine title contenders – yet. Roberto Mancini continues to spend cash like it’s going out of fashion and the latest addition is Samir Nasri. I expect the midfielder to be in the squad for their visit to White Hart Lane and he’ll be hoping to make a mark on his debut.
City have looked excellent so far and they put in a good shift in a potentially tricky game at the Reebok last Sunday. White Hart Lane is an even tougher place to go and Spurs lost just once there all last season. I thought Harry Redknapp’s side did well at Old Trafford for 70 odd minutes before Danny Welbeck’s goal opened the floodgates.
Spurs’ fans always make for a cracking atmosphere and I can see City having a frustrating afternoon in North London with the points being shared.
Man United’s second half display on Monday evening was brilliant and once that first goal went in they just crushed Spurs. There were rumblings that United might struggle at the back without Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but their understudies did a fine job. Neither has recovered in time for Arsenal’s visit on Sunday, so it’ll be another youthful back five for the champions.
My concerns for the Gunners are when they haven’t got the ball and they are now also missing Emmanuel Frimpong after his dismissal at the Emirates. Tom Cleverley and Anderson looked to have got the nod in midfield and they’ll relish the opportunity to face the Gunners without the likes of Jack Wilshere, Alex Song and Frimpong.
Winning in Udinese is one thing, but at Old Trafford is a whole different level. The Gunners have struggled at the ground in recent visits and they look set to do so again. I’m even happy to give Arsene Wenger’s side a goal start and still get with United.
Betting on BETDAQ – Alan’s Punts:
Aston Villa v Wolves: back the draw at 3.45
Tottenham v Man City back the draw at 3.45
Man United v Arsenal: back United with -1 Asian Handicap at 1.82
