After a number of postponements and with three games still set to take place tonight in the Premier League, the current EPL table looks a bit unusual in terms of the number of games teams have played.
Manchester City, along with a number of other teams have played their full complement of 17 games, whereas Spurs have, at the time of writing, played just 14, while Burnley have played just 15.
Of course, over the next few months, those teams will catch up with the games that they have missed, but it can give a somewhat distorted view of the Premier League table for those teams that have not played as many games.
After tonight’s three games, which involved Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Leicester City, Everton and Newcastle United, things will be a little clearer and more even, but it does make this weekend’s games all the more important for teams.
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Let’s now take a look at the games taking place this weekend and give you our tips and best bets for each one.
Premier League Matchday 18 Fixtures & Tips
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Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Ralf Rangnick has not lost a game as Manchester United manager as yet and his team now sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, although if they win their game in hand then they can move fourth. He will take that especially as the team have not played that great in that team, however three EPL wins in a row has got them back on track and very much in the race for top four. Brighton have not won any of their last 12 games and it is hard to see them ending that run at Old Trafford. This should be a comfortable home win if United play well. Tip – Man Utd to win – 2/9.
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Aston Villa v Burnley
Three wins in Steven Gerrard’s five games in charge as manager have elevated Aston Villa into mid-table and his only defeats have been narrow ones to Manchester City and Liverpool. They face a Burnley side with just one win this season and who have drawn four of their last five games in the Premier League. However, unlike other season’s Sean Dyche’s team are finding it hard to turn draws into wins and as such, I think Aston Villa will land a narrow win here. Tip – Aston Villa to win – 8/11.
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Southampton v Brentford
After earning a point in a battling 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, Southampton come into this game having earned three draws in their last four games. Brentford have better form winning two of their last four, but their game with Manchester United was called off in midweek. I have been very impressed with the Bees over the course of the season, and I am backing them to pick up a share of the spoils here. Tip – Draw – 5/2.
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Watford v Crystal Palace
Both these teams could do with a win to ease their recent form concerns. I do feel both have a few issues, especially Watford who look so poor defensively at times, but Palace have drawn more games than they should have, even though they are now in a comfortable mid-table position. Watford have lost all their last four and after their game was called off in midweek they badly need a result here, but I think they won’t get it. Tip – Crystal Palace to win – 5/4.
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West Ham United v Norwich City
The Hammers are badly in need of a win after their loss to Arsenal in midweek, and a poor run of form over the last month or so has seen them hauled in by the teams below them in the race for fourth in the Premier League. They won’t get a better chance of a win than playing the bottom team in the EPL in Norwich City and as such, I would expect the Hammers to land the win here in comfortable fashion. Tip – West Ham to win – 1/3.
- Leeds United v Arsenal
After conceding seven goals at Manchester City in midweek, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa probably finds himself under the first real pressure of his tenure at the club. Injuries have robbed him of some key players but I do feel Leeds have also been found out somewhat. Arsenal are starting to hit some form with two wins on the bounce, but I think the home side do enough to claim a draw here. Tip – Draw – 11/4.
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Everton v Leicester City
Pressure was heaped back on Everton boss Rafa Benitez after the Toffees lost their fourth game in five and their eighth in ten against Crystal Palace in midweek. Leicester City’s game was cancelled and whether the Foxes will have enough players fit and well enough to play this game remains to be seen. If they do, then they could well spring a surprise here. My money is on this game being called off, but when it is played and all things being equal, I’d back Leicester to win. Tip – Leicester to win – 7/5.
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Wolves v Chelsea
Wolves ended a run of two defeats with a win in midweek over Brighton and that moved them into eighth place in the table. They face a Chelsea side that played on Thursday night and who have had 24-hours fewer to prepare for this game. Chelsea’s form has also been a bit less impressive of late. That said, I would still expect the Londoners to come away from this game with a win, although given how Wolves played against Liverpool and Man City, it will be close. Tip – Chelsea to win – 1/2.
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Newcastle United v Manchester City
Manchester City are in superb form in the Premier League and after a seven-goal hammering of Leeds United in midweek, they travel to the North East to face a Newcastle side that having faced Liverpool on Thursday now face City. The Toon Army have beaten City at home in recent times but it is hard to see Eddie Howe’s team having any chance of doing that here and as such, this should be an easy win for City. Tip – Man City to win – 2/11.
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Tottenham v Liverpool
Will this game go ahead after Spurs have seen three games postponed in a row due to their Covid outbreak? I am not so sure it will but if it does, it is likely that Spurs will be very under-strength for this game and against a Liverpool team in such good form, that does not bode well for them. Spurs have also struggled for goals this season and with Liverpool finding the net more than any other EPL team, if the game goes ahead, then I fancy the visitors here. Tip – Liverpool to win – 4/7.
