Weekend tips: Man City v Spurs, Nantes v PSG...

We're back to preview the action at the weekend with tips for Man City v Spurs, Newcastle v West Ham, Leeds v Man United and Nates v PSG.

The Nap

Manchester City v Tottenham this Saturday has the feel of two sides heading in very different directions.

The Citizens are turning what just a few short months ago looked an exciting Premier League title race into an absolute cakewalk. In control of their title defence and in control of their Champions League last 16 tie against Sporting Lisbon after a ruthless display in Lisbon the other night.

‘Control’ is not a word you would associate with Antonio Conte or Spurs just now. The Italian is just 6/1 in places to be the next Premier League Manager to leave their post and Spurs have lost their last three in the league. It’s all a far cry from the opening weekend of the season when Tottenham stunned Manchester City by snaffling a 1-0 win against them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Harry Kane just hasn’t fired as fans might have hoped this season following his summer heroics in the Euros, while other star names have also not stepped up for the Londoners. City’s frightening squad depth means Pep Guardiola’s men can win this match any number of ways against a Tottenham side who have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches. However, a smart play could be taking City to win in a game where both teams find the net at 2/1.

Guardiola’s side look to strangle opponents by dominating possession but sometimes lack concentration at the back and Tottenham can at least trouble the scorers this weekend at the Etihad.

The Nap – Manchester City to win and both team to score at 2/1 (Betfred/Skybet)

 

Value Tip

West Ham are fighting for a Champions League spot but could be vulnerable against a resurgent Newcastle side in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The Hammers are having a decent season, but David Moyes has not been blessed with the same squad options as a certain Senor Guardiola, and it would not be a total surprise to see West Ham fall away after an underwhelming January transfer window.

Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen are two quality operators, but Eddie Howe has tightened things up at the back for Newcastle, who have a real shout here at 4/1.

The Magpies are playing with confidence and have put a five-match unbeaten run together in the Premier League, which means there is now clear daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

West Ham have won just one of their last five matches and with this in mind the Toon look live underdogs at the London Stadium.

Value Tip – Newcastle United to beat West Ham at 4/1 (Hills/Paddy Power)

 

First Goal Flutter

The displays of Jadon Sancho in recent weeks are perhaps a classic example that statistics alone do not show everything. The England star has been getting better with each passing game for Manchester United, who are a best price 19/20 (Skybet) to see off Leeds United on Sunday.

Interim Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick has clearly been impressed, saying recently “There is still more space for improvement, but the way he is playing right now is probably the best Jadon that United has seen so far”. Here, here, Ralf.

Few players have been criticized more this season than the 21-year-old, who has taken time to adjust to the sheer pace and frenetic nature of the Premier League. Adjust he has however and his performances in recent matches have been outstanding. Sancho has scored two in his last four games and could be worth a flutter at 10/1 to score first at Elland Road.

The 2021/22 statistics make uncomfortable reading for Leeds fans. From 11 home games they have only won three times, scoring 13 but shipping 17 goals at HQ giving them an Elland Road goal difference of -4. Defensively they are vulnerable and Sancho has the pace and class to exploit them.

First Goal Flutter – Sancho to score first at 10/1 (bet365)

 

The Euro Banker

Kylian Mbappé has already bagged 200+ goals in a short but breath-taking career to date, and was the start turn again for PSG in midweek. He now has 32 goals in the Champions League, meaning he is now breathing down the necks of Eusebio and Jean-Pierre Papin in terms of European Cup goals-per-game averages. An absolute baller and he’s just 23. While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo might now be winding down their respective Hall-of-Fame careers, it is going to be a lot of fun to find out just how high this young Parisian can soar.

PSG travel to Nantes this weekend and are around the 8/15 mark to get the win. King Kylian is 3/1 to score first and that looks a shout given how well he is playing currently. Everything comes easy for this striker. Lightening quick, he loves running at defenders and is always a danger, and just as importantly he inspires fear in his opponents.

He is the real playmaker of this PSG team, but has also weighed in with 17 goals this season and can add to that tally this weekend against a Nantes defence who may not be able to handle his pace and flair.

The Euro Banker – Mbappé to score first at 3/1 (bet365/Coral/Hills/Skybet)