Another big week in the English Premier League is upon us, just days after the EFL Cup produced two fantastic midweek games. Liverpool and Manchester City are both in action across what will be a packed weekend of action, sure to have an effect on both ends of the English Premier League table.
Sheffield United vs. West Ham United (Friday 10th January, 8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
With Friday night football back in action Sheffield United take on West Ham, with The Blades hoping not to be blunted by David Moyes’ Irons, who will hoping to enjoy more of the new manager bounce that has a positive effect on teams who change their manager during the season.
Whether Sheffield United can keep their phenomenal form going this season has been a key factor in many people’s hopes that they can win their EPL Fantasy Football league this year. John Lundstram has starred in defence – he’s really a midfielder – while John Fleck and Lys Mousset have chipped in with valuable goals.
Talking of goals, West Ham’s 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth showed that they have the firepower to shoot their way out of trouble in the bottom half of the division and challenge Sheffield United for a top 10 place come the end of the season. It all adds up to an entertaining game at Bramall Lane, with plenty of bite to it too, 12 years after West Ham controversially survived in the Premier League at The Blades’ expense, courtesy of one Carlos Tevez. There will be masks in the away end.
Our tip(s): Over 2.5 Goals, Over 10.5 Corners & Over 35 Booking Points (13/2) or Over 3.5 Goals, Over 12.5 Corners, Over 45 Booking Points (40/1) (Both Sky Bet)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool (Saturday 11th January, 5:30 pm GMT kick-off)
Spurs need the win more than Liverpool in this fixture, with The Reds cantering to the title without so much as a bead of sweat breaking out on their collective foreheads. Tottenham, meanwhile, have lost 3 of the last 7 in the Premier League and Jose Mourinho’s honeymoon period is at that stage where you’re picking up your luggage from the baggage carousel and cursing the fact that you start work 24 hours after unpacking the Aftersun.
Jurgen Klopp will be trying to convince his troops that there is a lot to play for, while Mourinho will get to prove his mettle under the gaze of live Sky Sports cameras for the first time in a few weeks. With Harry Kane missing through injury until April, the Portuguese might be forgiven for thinking that the transfer market means more than the fixtures this month, but Spurs cannot afford to drop further behind Chelsea is a race for fourth place that is there for the taking. Expect few goals but no little passion.
Our tip: The Draw and under 2.5 goals (4/1 – general)
Aston Villa vs. Man City (Sunday 12th January, 4:30 pm GMT kick-off)
To say The Villains have an uphill task this weekend is a little like saying Frodo had to pop out for a stroll in The Lord of the Rings. Shorn of both their first choice goalkeep (Tom Heaton) and striker (Wesley), Villa will struggle to keep the score level at half-time after exerting much of their energy in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg earlier in the week.
City, meanwhile, did no such thing, cantering to victory at Old Trafford by sauntering into a 3-0 lead. With Kevin De Bruyne arguably in the form of his career and both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus able to have been rested at Old Trafford, expect City to rack up a few goals in dismissing the relegation-threatened Midlands side.
Our tip: Manchester City to win the first half by 2 or more goals (2/1 – general)
Gameweek #22 Fixtures:
Friday 10th January
Sheff Utd vs. West Ham (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Saturday 11th January
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal (12:30 pm GMT kick-off)
Chelsea vs. Burnley (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Everton vs. Brighton (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Leicester vs. Southampton (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Man Utd vs. Norwich (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Wolves vs. Newcastle (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool (5:30 pm GMT kick-off)
Sunday 12th January
Bournemouth vs. Watford (2:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Aston Villa vs. Man City (4:30 pm GMT kick-off)
