After a busy Christmas period we were treated to some amazing action in midweek, there was a thrilling encounter at Anfield and Man Utd even manage to find the back of the net but couldn’t manage a win.
This weekend looks even more tantalising with some big rivalries and fixtures for us to gorge ourselves on, so once again we’ve enlisted the skill of top tipster Dave Moore.
Dave Moore’s Premier League Tips
Man City/Arsenal/Derby/Hull/Middlesbrough – Acca – 1pt Win @ 10.73/1
Sheff Weds v Leeds / Chelsea v Everton Draw Double – 1pt Win @ 12.68/1
Sergio Aguero 1st Goalscorer – 2pts Win @ 31/10
Liverpool v Manchester United
The game on everybody’s lips this weekend is the renewal of arguably Britains’ Greatest rivalry, Liverpool against Manchester United at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp takes charge of his first ever game against the Red Devils, while Louis Van Gaal will look to start where he left off against his North West rivals after their 3-1 win at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
Liverpool’s recent injury woes are decreasing slightly with the return of Mamadou Sakho, Jordan Ibe and captain Jordan Henderson, but there are no such issues for Man Utd. The game is set up nicely with both teams coming in to the match off the back of decent results, plus both sides won’t need any extra motivation in getting one over on their bitter rivals.
I will look at this game with my head rather than my heart, even then I feel Liverpool will be the team to back on Sunday. The 3-3 draw against Arsenal, thanks to a late Joe Allen goal, would have boosted the confidence and in fairness the draw doesn’t flatter the home side who were the better of the two on the day, but for two goalkeeping errors the result could have been very different indeed.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will have his side set out with speed and won’t let Utd have any piece on the ball, but the weakness in the reds’ armoury has been their defence, I have seen nothing of the away side to suggest they will cause Liverpool any major issues.
I think Liverpool look good value and Roberto Firmino could be a good price for 1st goals corer given his confidence boosting double on Wednesday night.
Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea have improved their form since the return of Guus Hiddink but will not have been happy with their recent 2-2 draw at home to West Brom, especially when leading twice in the game. Everton on the other hand will have been happy with their 0-0 draw against Manchester City in midweek, making them unbeaten in their last four matches.
This game is a very interesting one but also a tough one to call. One player who is likely to want to set the record straight against his previous side is Romelu Lukaku, given the problems Chelsea have faced defensively this season he is going to be a very tough opponent to keep at bay.
I am not convinced that Chelsea are near where their manager wants or needs them to be just yet, although they are a work in progress, therefore I feel the draw bet does offer the best value and I have included them in one of this weeks recommended bets.
Stoke City v Arsenal
Another tricky tie this weekend is at the Brittania Stadium where Stoke City host Arsenal. The potters have been a tough side to gauge this season, having looked unbeatable at home against the big guns whilst flopping to sides they are expected to beat. Arsenal on the other hand are top of the table and will be looking to kick on in the title race.
Stoke have been a side that Arsenal have struggled against in the past, largely due to the physical presence that the home side have possessed, but Stoke are a different outfit these days and look a comfortable top 10 side playing some of the best football in the clubs history at times.
Marko Arnautovic, Bojan, Afellay and Xherjan Shaqiri have been the main threat, however with Shaqiri and Arnautovic potentially missing this weekend, they may struggle to break down this improved Arsenal defence. There is not a doubt in my mind that Arsenal will score, therefore at just shorter than even money Arsenal have to go in to my acca this week.