There’s a somewhat ominous look to the Premier League table right now, after Manchester City cruised to victory against Burnley last weekend, extending their lead at the top to five points, with Manchester United having dropped five points over their last two encounters.
This coming weekend the gap at the top could increase yet further if Guardiola’s side continue banging in the goals and, of course, if a certain result at Old Trafford between their two closest rivals works out in City’s favour.
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Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
After matching their rivals in the blue half of town for the first seven games of the season, the wheels seem to have fallen off for Manchester United. The bore draw at Anfield against Liverpool was followed by a shocking defeat at Huddersfield Town.
The two games represent poor form from Mourinho’s side that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the bookmakers, with MrGreen football betting odds now lengthening to 14/1 for United to land the Premier League title this season. In contrast, next opponents Tottenham Hotspur have seen their odds reduced to 9/1 after four straight league wins.
Given the two sides are now level on points, the early kick-off clash on Saturday is absolutely crucial for the ambitions of both and a draw at 9/4 odds would suit neither team. Indeed, that would potentially only help Manchester City.
United have won every game at home and David De Gea hasn’t conceded a single goal at Old Trafford, but maintaining that record might be difficult against a buoyant Spurs side who haven’t lost away this season.
West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City
The Guardiola road show heads to the Hawthorns for a second time this season, after his side secured a 2-1 victory in the EFL Cup just over a month ago. The Baggies couldn’t cause an upset that time and without a home win against City in the Premier League since December 2008, which came via a 90th minute Roman Bednar winner, few surprises are expected this time around.
West Brom started the season well with back to back 1-0 wins against Bournemouth and Burnley in August, but haven’t registered a single Premier League win since then. At 19/2 odds for a win on Saturday, they’re considered a longshot. Manchester City are fully expected to continue their stellar form at 1/4 for another victory.
The key for Tony Pulis and his team will be trying to stem the tide of rival attacks, because there’s a trend that once City score their first goal, the floodgates inevitably open and they score lots more. Both team to score odds are fairly even at 49/50 and despite their undoubted attacking potency, the visitors are still prone to leaking a few goals themselves.
Goals being a feature of this match is pretty much a foregone conclusion, plus with City boasting four of the ten leading Premier League scorers in their side, choosing who finds the back of the net first can be difficult to predict. However, with first goal odds of 5/1 it’s the in-form Leroy Sané who looks a very interesting option in his current form.