Premier League
Premier League midweek preview: Manchester City out to catch Arsenal
The Premier League returns for a round of midweek fixtures as we see a top of the table clash, enticing top four action and crucial clashes in the relegation battle.
We preview three of this week’s fixtures below.
Manchester City vs Arsenal – Wednesday 20:00
Wednesday night sees Arsenal travel to the Etihad for what is the biggest game of the season so far as the title hangs in the balance.
Despite The Gunners sitting five points clear at the top of the table it is City who now have the upper hand in the title race having played two fewer games. City have won eight out of their last nine league matches, including a 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates. City’s blistering run of form, as well as the home advantage, makes them 8/15 favourites for Wednesday’s game.
Arsenal have had a bit of a wobble in recent weeks as they have picked up just two wins from their last five league games, including draws with relegation scrappers Bournemouth and West Ham. At 9/2 Arsenal are the clear underdogs and the Premier League trophy looks likely to continue slipping from their grasp.
Man City now find themselves in pole position not only for this fixture, but for the title itself. The Sky Blues are odds-on favourites for the title at 2/9 whilst their challengers Arsenal have slipped out to 10/3 to lift the trophy.
With Arsenal looking to cling on to any chance they have at winning the league this season, at 10/3 don’t be surprised if Arsenal look to hold out for a draw and what could be a crucial point.
The obvious talking point in every Manchester City match is Erling Haaland and with 32 league goals in just 28 matches the numbers speak for themselves. It is no surprise that he is the 11/20 favourite to score anytime. The Gunners’ standout performer this season has been Bukayo Saka and the young star is 19/5 to find the back of the net on Wednesday night.
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Leeds United vs Leicester City – Tuesday 20:00
This match is the definition of a real six-pointer in the fight for Premier League survival. Both sides sit just outside the relegation zone with Leeds on 29 points and Leicester on 28, only out of the relegation spots on goal difference.
Leeds seemed to be escaping the depths of the relegation battle via a new manager bounce as they recorded two wins and a draw in Javi Gracia’s first four games in charge. The effect of the new boss has since worn off and this crucial matchup looks to have come at the worst time for Leeds having lost four of their last five, conceding 18 and scoring just six. Despite poor form Leeds come into the game as 6/5 favourites with the Elland Road atmosphere providing a boost for the home side.
Leicester sit just one point behind Leeds having beaten Wolves 2-1 at the weekend to move out of the relegation zone. Despite being the underdogs at 21/10, a win over Wolves and the return of key man James Maddison from injury will have provided a much-needed confidence boost for The Foxes.
Leeds’ last six matches have seen an average of over five goals per game and over 4.5 match goals could be worth a punt at 15/4. If it is a goal fest on Tuesday night expect Leeds top scorer Rodrigo Moreno to be in on the action, and at 5/4 he is favourite to find the back of the net.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United – Thursday 20:15
Heading into this game Spurs will be looking to overcome their 6-1 loss to Newcastle over the weekend and a win over United could rekindle their top four hopes. Manchester United have a Champions League spot in their grasp and will not want to open the door to another top four rival.
Tottenham’s confidence couldn’t be lower at the moment, and this is reflected in their underdog status for Thursday night’s match as they are 7/4 to take all three points. Manchester United on the other hand take the momentum of an FA Cup semi-final win into this match and as 11/8 favourites they will be hoping to all but secure their place in next season’s Champions League with a win at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Man United currently sit in fourth place on 59 points having played 30 games, while Spurs find themselves fifth, five points behind their opponents having played two more matches. United’s strong position makes them 1/8 favourites to hold on to a top four spot while Tottenham are now 10/1 to finish in the top four making a win their only option on Thursday.
Harry Kane has long been the star man at Spurs and this season has been no different as he has 24 league goals to his name this season. With rumours of a potential move to Man United circulating, the English talisman is the 6/5 favourite to score on Thursday. A somewhat strikerless United side have relied on winger Marcus Rashford for goals and at 17/10 he is favourite to find the back of the net for the Red Devils.
