Weekend Tips: League football returns

After taking last weekend off for international duty, the top leagues from Europe are back! The Premier League returns with Matchday 31, and we've got the tips for the Manchester City, Leeds and Tottenham games, as well as some Serie A action with Juventus taking on Inter.

Liverpool could briefly usurp Manchester City at the top of the table this weekend, but the Reds’ stay at the top is likely to be a short one. That’s because the Citizens face Burnley just a few hours after Liverpool play Watford, and Pep Guardiola’s men have won their last nine meetings against the Clarets in all competitions by an aggregate score of 32-1.

Pep's attacking play is generally sumptuous and you have to fear for Burnley here given the fact no team has scored few goals at home this season in the Premier League than Sean Dyche’s battlers. That’s not a great stat when you factor in that Man City have also kept 17 clean sheets in 29 matches to this point, and 10/11 about Guardiola’s men winning this to nil looks like banker material. 

Realistically now it is three from Watford, Burnley, Norwich and Everton who will be going down, and Burnley have drawn too many matches so far (12 in total). They would take a draw right now against the champions, but the reality is they could get a bit of a hiding this weekend. Riyad Mahrez certainly likes lining up against Burnley. The mercurial Algerian has scored more Premier League goals against them than he has against any other side in the competition (8).

 

The Nap – Manchester City to win to nil at 10/11 (Skybet)

 

Back-to-back wins have put some clear daylight between Leeds United and the bottom three, and the Yorkshire giants might prove a spot of value to make it nine points out of nine by besting Southampton at Elland Road.

Jesse Marsch's men are now seven points clear of the drop zone, and the team are not playing with any of the fear or anxiety that they were in the last days of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.

Bielsa was truly loved in West Yorkshire but still met a sticky end towards the end of February after a shocking run of results – and an equally shocking amount of goals conceded. Moreover, Leeds already have a steelier look to them under Marsch, who has his defenders playing more zonally at the back.

The Saints have suffered a dip in form in the past few weeks having lost their last four in all competitions, and Leeds look a serious punt here in a game that could feature a few goals.

 

Value Tip – Leeds United to win & Both Teams to Score at 16/5 (Hills)

 

Harry Kane doesn't know how to give less than 100% and those critics who were on his back after his slow (by his own exceptionally high standards) start to the season are now nowhere to be seen. He’s hit 33 goals for club and country already this term, and he looks the obvious choice to score first when Tottenham host Newcastle on Sunday.

Sources reckon Manchester United are exploring the possibility of including out of favour Frenchman Anthony Martial to try and facilitate a move for the Tottenham and England striker, but despite the constant speculation over his future Kane is keeping his head down and giving his all for Antonio Conte.   

Kane is a striker who can do it all and it does not hurt that he is absolutely lethal at penalties either. He tends to always go the same way from the spot but he hits the ball with so much pace and accuracy the ‘keeper never stands a chance. He is a 14/5 shout to score first against the Mags, who have been excellent in recent weeks but could struggle in north London as Spurs try to keep their foot on the gas in the lucrative chase for a Champions League finish.

 

First Goal Flutter – Kane to score first at 14/5 (888 Sport/Unibet)

 

Game of the weekend in Italy is unquestionably the Derby d’Italia on Sunday between Juventus and Inter. Italy’s two most successful clubs have endured contrasting fortunes this season, but both are still in the title hunt. One win in seven has seen Inter’s title hopes falter with Simone Inzaghi’s side now six points behind AC Milan (though they do still have a game in hand).

Juve meanwhile have won their last four and could blow the title race wide open by claiming three points on home soil. The Bianconeri had a slow start to the season, but have really clicked into gear since December. A win for Inter would obviously boost their title dreams although Milan are the betting favourites at time of writing to win the Scudetto (11/8 generally) for what would be the 19th time.

Juventus are out of the Champions League but unbeaten in 16 games in Serie A and given the fact Inter’s recent form had been erratic the home win looks the shout in Turin at 15/8.

 

The Euro Banker – Juventus to win at 15/8 (Betfair)