ANOTHER HUGE WEEK AT THE TOP At this stage of the season each game is going to begin getting more important. We have had the busy stretch, certain teams are gearing up in the transfer window as they head for the home stretch of the season. Of course each result is not do or die for a team’s season, but each three points up for grab mean much more now than they did to start the season. By now we know what teams are about, who has fire in their belly and who is on auto control. So here’s a look at my best bets for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures:

Middlesbrough v West Ham

3.00pm Saturday I went against West Ham last weekend and it came back to bite me as they put in a very good performance against a struggling Crystal Palace side. Their victory did however come with some casualties as Andy Carroll looks to be in a race for fitness to play against Middlesbrough this weekend. He will be a huge loss based on last weekend’s performance. Not only his wonder goal, but his overall performance was excellent, he held the ball well, got involved in the play and was a key contributor to creating chances. Without him, and of course without Payet, West Ham will struggle against a very stubborn Middlesbrough defence.

There is not many goals in this Middlesbrough side, but as well as this, there is not many goals to score against them. The Riverside Stadium has seen less goals than any other stadium in the Premier League this season, and this is down to the way the home side approach each game. It is always defence first, and create from their defensive foundation. They don’t have a huge amount going forward, Negredo has done an admirable job in creating as much as he can but up to this stage of the season he has not exaclt had a lot of support in this area. However, this week they are coming up against a weak West Ham defence. Sure they kept a clean sheet last week, but if you look at the trend of their games this season they will give away chances and I fancy them to grab a goal.

I expect it to be a close game, it nearly always is with this ‘Boro side. I just fancy the home side to get over the line with what they have at their disposal going forward. With West Ham missing two of their key attacking cogs against a very organised defence I can’t see them creating chances to the level they did last week, and with their defence I really can’t see them holding many more clean sheets this season. Look for a low scoring win for the home side.

TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Middlesbrough at 2.52.

You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQMidWHU

Stoke v Man United

3.00pm Saturday I’m going to go for a bet that I never really do here, but I am very confident of it coming through. You have to be in order to back it I suppose, but I really think this game is evenly matched. If you look at the last month of so from Stoke, Mark Hughes has really changed the dynamics of this Stoke side. They have gone somewhat back to their old ways, with a more direct approach. They have Charlie Adam in the side on a constant basis, he loves to pick out a long diagonal ball. As well as that Peter Crouch has been re-introduced to the team, playing about six times in the last month. Playing someone with his skill sets of course means they will be going for a more direct approach.

This is quite similar to the way United play to be fair, as accused by Jurgen Klopp after their most recent encounter. But if you look at it, United can be quite direct and why wouldn’t they be with the physicality they have in their side. They have players like Ibrahimovic, Pogba, Fellaini etc. they are naturally going to play to their strengths. If there is one side that can match them in this category it is Stoke, especially with their most recent rejig. I think these sides are quite evenly matched, of course Man United have far more firepower at their disposal and they aren’t only a long ball team. They have players like Mkhitaryan and Mata who can inject creativity on the wings, as well as Pogba’s ability to run at players so they do have added dimensions, but playing at home I think Stoke have a great chance of limiting them.

Again, this is a result I will rarely back, but this game has draw written all over it for me. Stoke would be delighted with that result and will line up to prevent a loss more so than looking for a win. It will be a very tight encounter and I can see it being extremely frustrating for Jose Mourinho’s side. They will really struggle to get a win in this one.

TONY’S BEST BET:
Back the Draw at 4.1.

You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQStoMNU

Man City v Spurs

5.30pm Saturday This is the big one of the weekend. Another battle at the top of the league. The last time these sides met it was an extremely one sided affair and the way things have been going recently I can see the same being the case tomorrow evening. Spurs are on a roll, winning eight of their last ten games where as Man City are coming off of a real beating against Everton. This should be a really exciting game, both sides will play an attacking style, but for me it has to be Tottenham tomorrow. There has been something special about the way they’ve played over the last couple of months.

One thing is for sure, I can’t see Man City holding a clean sheet here. They are in ruins at the back and with the way Spurs have been banging them in, I think they could tear them apart. Spurs have averaged three goals a game in their last ten Premier League matches, where as Man City have been shipping a lot of goals lately. There is no pace at all in this Man City defence, or in their holding midfield positions whereas Spurs are packed with pace from their full backs the whole way forward. Then you have the form of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, they are playing probably the best football of their young careers right now, and are probably two of the players a defender would least like facing right now.

The wide areas are where Spurs have the winning of this game. It was similar the last time out, and even if Man City identified it I don’t think they have the personnel to prevent Spurs from exposing these areas. Spurs are a very big price at 3.8, and with their recent form I feel you have to be all over that. Man City are not that good, and there can’t be too much confidence in that team right now. I think it is going to get worse for them before it gets better.

TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Spurs at 3.8.

You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQMCISpu