We have an action-packed weekend of televised football from England’s top two tiers, including four matches on Sunday. This weekend’s football gets underway in the EFL Championship on Friday night as Millwall and Cardiff City lock horns.
On Saturday afternoon, there’s the small matter of the north London derby as Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur welcome Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal to Wembley Stadium.
You will also see the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in action. Get ready for what promises to be an enthralling weekend of Premier League and Championship football – and perhaps a little bet or three?
- Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal – Draw and Both Teams to Score (18/5 at BetVictor)
- Manchester City v Leicester City – Manchester City to Win to Nil (13/10 at Coral)
- Huddersfield Town v Bournemouth – Bournemouth to Win -1 (4/1 at Betfair)
- Newcastle United v Manchester United – Manchester United to Win and Both Teams to Score (11/4 at Betfred)
- Southampton v Liverpool – Liverpool to Win (5/6 at BetVictor)
- Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion – Chelsea to Win 2-0 (8/1 at Bet365)
- Millwall v Cardiff City – 1-1 Draw (11/2 at BetVictor)
- Sheffield United v Leeds United – Sheffield United to Win (10/11 at Coral)
- Aston Villa v Birmingham City – Aston Villa to Win 2-1 (17/2 at BetVictor)
Premier League
After dropping points at Turf Moor last Saturday, Man City’s lead at the top was cut to a mere 13 points. We bet Pep can hardly sleep. However, it was a strange weekend for the top clubs as Chelsea lost while Liverpool and Tottenham played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Man Utd eased past Huddersfield Town, and Arsenal thumped Everton. What will unfold at the top this weekend as the race for the top four continues to intrigue?
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal – 10th February
With both teams battling for a place in the UEFA Champions League, this is one of the most eagerly anticipated north London derbies for some time. In fairness though we seem to say that pretty much every time Spurs and Arsenal these days! These two fierce rivals are separated by just four points in the Premier League table.
Spurs were involved in a crazy game at Anfield last weekend, with plenty of drama at the end of their eventual 2-2 draw with the Reds. As for the Gunners, they fired five past the Toffees in a big 5-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s usually a fascinating battle when these two clubs take to the field, and we’re expecting nothing less on Saturday. This could be a close one in the national stadium, so have a punt on the draw and both teams to score at 18/5 with BetVictor. 2-2 would be our correct score call if you fancy even longer odds!
Draw and Both Teams to Score – 18/5 at BetVictor
Manchester City v Leicester City – 10th February
After dropping points at Burnley last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s Man City will be looking to return to winning ways when they square off against Claude Puel’s in-form Leicester City this Saturday evening.
The Citizens have been incredibly good at home so far, dropping just two points on their own patch all season. Even though Leicester have improved massively since Puel’s arrival, getting something from this one will be a tough task for the Foxes.
Man City should win this one with ease. Pep’s troops have won without shipping at home on seven occasions in all competitions so far, and they are available at 13/10 with Coral to win to nil this weekend.
Manchester City to Win to Nil – 13/10 at Coral
Huddersfield Town v Bournemouth – 11th February
Sunday’s first Premier League fixture is an important one from the John Smith’s Stadium as Huddersfield and Bournemouth meet in West Yorkshire.
Five league defeats on the bounce has seen the Terriers drop down to 19th in the table. In contrast, the Cherries have lifted themselves away from the bottom three after picking up seven points from a possible nine.
When these two met at the Vitality Stadium back in November, Eddie Howe’s men thumped Town 4-0. This could be another easy win for Bournemouth, so check out the away team to win -1 at the top price of 4/1 at Betfair. The Terriers are in awful form right now and confidence is very low so we fancy a big win for Howe’s troops at an equally big price.
Bournemouth to Win -1 – 4/1 at Betfair
Newcastle United v Manchester United – 11th February
It’s always an intriguing fixture when Newcastle United and Man Utd meet, and we should be in for another high quality encounter between the pair on Sunday. The Red Devils head to St James’ Park as the bookies’ favourites.
Newcastle have shown a slight improvement in results in recent weeks, but the Magpies remain in a precarious position in the PL table. After losing at Tottenham, Jose Mourinho’s men hit back with a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield last time out.
This promises to be an entertaining game on Tyneside, but Man Utd should be too strong. We like the look of Betfred’s 11/4 for the visitors to win and both teams to score in this one.
Manchester United to Win and Both Teams to Score – 11/4 at Betfred
Southampton v Liverpool – 11th February
Also on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp takes his Liverpool side to St Mary’s to play Mauricio Pellegrino’s Southampton. The Reds will be eyeing up all three points from their trip to the south coast.
Southampton picked up their first league win since November last weekend, beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at the Hawthorns. That was a much needed win but the Saints remain in trouble. Liverpool, meanwhile, were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham in a topsy-turvy game at Anfield that was full of talking points.
Liverpool have been strong away from home as only Man City have picked up more away points so far. We fancy the Merseysiders to return to winning ways (5/6 at BetVictor) this Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool to Win – 5/6 at BetVictor
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion – 12th February
Chelsea go into this one having lost their last two against rivals they would fully have expected to beat, shipping seven goals in the process. Nevertheless, Antonio Conte’s men should have enough quality to see off bottom club West Brom at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
Chelsea have not got going in 2018 at all so far. Since the turn of the year, the current champions have won only one of five league fixtures. Alan Pardew’s West Brom, who were beaten by Southampton last weekend, have dropped to the foot of the table and look in real danger of relegation to the Championship.
We fancy Chelsea to strike back with an important three points on Monday. Check out the big odds of 8/1 (Bet365) for the home team to get back to winning ways with a routine 2-0 home triumph.
Chelsea to Win 2-0– 8/1 at Bet365
Championship
Wolverhampton Wanderers may be storming their way to the Championship title, but second place is well and truly up for grabs. Derby County, Aston Villa, Cardiff, Fulham and Bristol City will all fancy their chances of sealing the second automatic spot. Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds get the Championship up and running this weekend when they make the trip to the Den to face Neil Harris’ in-form Millwall on Friday night.
Millwall v Cardiff City – 9th February
Cardiff will move level on points with second-placed Derby with a win at Millwall on Friday. However, the Lions are not an easy nut to crack, losing just three times at home all season.
Since their last league defeat, Millwall have won two and drawn two, with both wins coming away from home. As for Cardiff, they have taken seven points from nine available after falling to four shock defeats on the spin over the festive period.
This is a tough one to call at the Den as both sides seek maximum points. With that in mind, take a punt on the 1-1 draw, which is priced at 11/2 with BetVictor.
1-1 Draw – 11/2 at BetVictor
Sheffield United v Leeds United – 10th February
On Saturday afternoon, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United entertain Paul Heckingbottom’s Leeds United in a tasty Yorkshire derby as South host West. Having joined the club from Barnsley on Tuesday, Heckingbottom will be taking charge of his first Leeds game.
These two are in poor form at the moment, but both teams still have aspirations of breaking into the top six. Sheff Utd currently sit eighth on 16 points, with Leeds two points behind in 10th.
Heckingbottom will be hoping to hit the ground running on Saturday, but we fancy the Blades to make home advantage count. Back the home win at 10/11 with Coral.
Sheffield United to Win – 10/11 at Coral
Aston Villa v Birmingham City – 11th February
Last but not least, we have a mouth-watering Second City derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City to look forward on Sunday afternoon. Both teams head into this one at Villa Park in good form, even if their hopes for the season are now quite different.
Steve Bruce’s Villa have won six Championship games in a row to move to within a point of the automatic promotion places. As for Birmingham, Steve Cotterill’s side have lifted themselves away from trouble after four wins in six.
The Blues make the short trip in fine fettle, but we can’t see past another Aston Villa victory this Sunday. Take advantage of BetVictor’s superb price of 17/2 for the hosts to seal a 2-1 win over their rivals.
Aston Villa to Win 2-1 – 17/2 at BetVictor