BATTLE OF MANCHESTER: This is a cracking weekend of football for the neutral, from start to finish there are very few games that won’t have a high amount riding on it! Solid time to sit back and see if you can increase your Cheltenham winnings from the week. I had another clean sweep last week, and have am confident I can follow it up with another one.

WHAT COLOUR WILL MANCHESTER BE?
This is always a big game, there is no doubt about that. Even in the days when Man City weren’t competing for trophies, this was a highlight on the calendar. Unfortunately this game doesn’t have as much riding on it as many felt it would at this stage of the season. Both teams are really trying to find form and are reeling right now. Doesn’t make for the best game.

This is a very tough one to call, not because both teams are flying high but because you would struggle to pick the team who can actually go out and win it. Both sides have been struggling in front of goal lately, and as we all know, goals win games. Man City were scoring for fun at the beginning of the season, steamrolling past lesser team, but last week we saw how much they are now struggling to break teams down. Other than Aguero there is not much goal threat in the side. Outside of him, all creative burden is placed on David Silva’s shoulders. They are not getting enough from the wingers at all.

Then you look at Man united, and they are similar, Martial looks the only goal threat for them. Rashford was great as an impact player, but he is still a kid. He has a bright ahead but to be the main man is too much right now. Unlike City, Man United have rarely been able to go on a tear under a pessimistic approach from Van Gaal. Both teams will be tired after their midweek games and with the lack of goals scored by both lately, under 2.5 is my most confident bet of the weekend. It really is one where I can’t see much happening in front of goal, even with injuries to Man City defenders. Verdict – Under 2.5 goals

WEST BROM SAFE AFTER THIS WEEKEND
West Brom should have enough to win this game at home against Norwich at the weekend. I just don’t think Norwich have enough goals in the side, and I can see West brom grabbing a goal. As I mentioned when they played against Man United a couple of weeks back, West Brom are very strong at set pieces. It is something that Tony Pulis sides always have in their locker. They don’t always play brilliant football, but with the likes of Rondon up front I think they have enough to grab a win. I think this win should secure their safety for the season.

I layed City against Norwich last weekend. That was more to do with City being poor rather than Norwich being quality. It was a great result for them. And they looked every bit worth the result they got, but when you need to go out and win a game against another relegation battler, I don’t think Norwich will have it in them to grab a win. West Brom are a tricky opponent for them. This Norwich side is not blessed with much size, which West Brom have plenty of. I see it being a scrappy goal that grabs this game for West Brom, and i think with a victory they should be pretty much safe from the drop. Verdict – West Brom Win

LOWER LEAGUE VALUE
This is something I don’t often do with my tipping column, but there is some serious value for Northampton against Stevenage this weekend. I would normally avoid the lower leagues as they would be somewhere I wouldn’t know as well, but these are actually two sides I have seen quite a bit of this season. Having watched both sides, I think it is crazy that Northampton are 2.04 to win against a poor Stevenage side.

Northampton are running away with the league, and are better than any League 2 side I have seen in a long time, where as Stevenage are struggling near the bottom of the league and haven’t scored a goal in three games. They just have no forwards left and can’t find the net, I certainly don’t see them finding it tomorrow either!

This is a case of best form in the league against worst form in the league. If it was a Premier League game it would probably be priced around 1.6 or so, with the 2.04 price I am all on Northampton here and think it is a good opportunity to gain a few extra pounds. Verdict – Northampton Win