CLUB FOOTBALL RETURNS: I love this stage of the season, teams have returned from the International break and are ready to go again! Each game grows in importance at this stage of the year, as teams battle at the top of the league, at the bottom of the league, and those destined for mid table tend to open up a bit.
As well as this, with the Euros upcoming in the summer, players are battling to get on that plane to France, which rarely leads to dull affairs. It is great to have club football back and we have some excellent games coming so, personally I am really excited for what’s in store.
LIVERPOOL TO SPOIL SPURS TITLE CHALLENGE
This will be an excellent game. Looking back through the past three or four years of this fixture, there is almost always a bundle of goals. Both sides played out a 0-0 draw earlier this season, but I certainly can’t see this being the case again on Saturday. Both teams have plenty to play for and are chasing teams ahead of them so sitting back for a draw makes no sense for either manager.
Spurs have been excellent this season, and look the only side who could possibly steal the Premier League title from Leicester City. Liverpool on the other hand look to have gained more consistency under Jurgen Klopp. With the way Spurs have played this season I think many would fancy them, but this game does not set up well for them. We all saw what Dortmund did to them in the Europa League. It was a demolition in the first leg. Although it may not have been the strongest Spurs side, it was still a good team that got completely outplayed.
Then you look at Liverpool, and more specifically Jurgen Klopp. He has his side playing the same brand of football that Dortmund adopt, as they are still playing largely his system. So this game should worry Spurs fans who are looking to cut into Leicester’s lead this weekend. Liverpool will know they can pick Spurs apart if they play well. And when they do play well, they are at an extremely high level. I feel that Liverpool have a slight edge over Spurs in terms of technical ability. players like Coutinho and Ferminio in particular can really light a team up, and I see this being the case this weekend. I really can’t see Spurs going to the fortress that is Anfield and picking up a win. Verdict – Liverpool Win
SUNDERLAND WITH A MASSIVE BOOST
Unlike some of the fellow Premier League strugglers this season, Sunderland have actually been playing better than their results would suggest. They have not really been getting the rub of the green, and it is largely down to their poor form in front of goal. They have given away a few games because of this, where they have been decent defensively, outside of Defoe nobody is providing the goods going forward.
West Brom look like they will be safe from the drop this season, not so much because of their own performances, but largely because the teams around them have failed to get any positive results. They are sputtering towards safety. But this is a game that could drag them back into danger. I think they may be caught a bit off guard against Sunderland. Every game Sunderland have left is a massive game, especially when it is against teams just above you in the table. I expect a raucous atmosphere at this game.
Sunderland will be able to do enough in defense to pull off a low scoring victory. In a battle between two defensive minded, and not quite pure football managers I think Big Sam will have the advantage over Tony Pulis. Sunderland will nick a goal and be able to hold tight at the back, because lets face it, West Brom are not exactly brilliant going forward either. I think this will be a huge atmosphere game, with not the best football but I think Sunderland can get a step closer to safety. Verdict – Sunderland Win
CITY LIVING OFF REPUTATION
It may seem to some like I have some kind of vendetta against Man City this season, I assure you I don’t. I have layed them on several occasions this season, and the bets have mostly come through! The main reason for this is clearly their defense. It has been brutal without the presence of their skipper Vincent Kompany. Going forward they have been poor, but the real problem has been the guys like Dimichelis, Mangala and Otamendi. They just have not been up to scratch.
I don’t see Pep Guardiola utilising any of this back four when he is over Man City. They really haven’t done anything to show they deserve to be in this team, or making the money that they are. As I mentioned above, City haven’t been great going forward lately either. Essentially, if Aguero doesn’t score Man City can’t win. Nobody else if offering anything. De Bruyne has been sorely missed, he opened up opportunities for everyone else on this City team. David Silva has too much on his shoulders, Toure is still labouring around the pitch and the likes of Sterling, Navas and others just haven’t threatened enough.
The price for Man City here is crazy. They are currently 2.14 to win this game. They have won less than a handful of away games this season, and are playing a Bournemouth side who have been decent at home lately. I’ve spoken before about the recipe to beat Man City, and I think Bournemouth have the pieces that could bother City. With this relegation standard back four, I don’t have faith in Man City. Verdict – Lay Man City & small bet backing Bournemouth as well.
