Man City seek to build a six-point lead at the top

There's plenty of Premier League action to take in this weekend, as Manchester City look to go six points clear at the top of the table.

Manchester City v Leicester: Leaders can go six points clear

The postponement of Liverpool’s clash with Leeds United because of Covid means Manchester City could build a six-point gap at the top of the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been an unstoppable force since their last league defeat against Crystal Palace on October 30.  Since then they have won eight straight matches and conceded just three goals.

The Foxes have been inconsistent with two wins in seven and they have taken only nine points on the road this season although they know how to win at the Etihad with a Jamie Vardy hat-trick guiding them to a 5-2 win last season.

Tip: Manchester City to win in both halves at 2.2

Burnley v Everton: Clarets can climb out of drop zone

Burnley have the opportunity to move out of the relegation zone with victory over Everton in light of the postponement of fourth-bottom Watford’s match at Wolves.

Sean Dyche’s side have won just once all season against Brentford on October 30 since when they have drawn four and lost against Newcastle although goals have been hard to come by with Burnley on target eight times in seven games at Turf Moor.

Everton have six injuries and five positive Covid cases with boss Rafa Benitez surprised the game is going ahead as they look to repeat the form that brought them victory against Arsenal and a draw with Chelsea in the last three games.

Tip: Burnley to win at 2.12

Norwich v Arsenal: Victory vital for both teams

Norwich are bottom of the Premier League, albeit by no means marooned, while the Gunners have been a unified force en-route to three straight league wins as they look to make inroads on the top three.

Only three teams have survived relegation after starting Boxing Day bottom of the Premier League and the Canaries’ two-match winning run has been followed by two points from five games.

Alexandre Lacazette facing competition for his place

Mikel Arteta - appointed Arsenal head coach exactly two years ago – must decide if four-goal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can return or whether Eddie Nketiah – fresh from his Carabao Cup hat-trick against Sunderland – has forced his way in while Emile Smith-Rowe has scored on his last three Premier League outings.

Tip: Arsenal to win to nil at 2.24

Tottenham v Crystal Palace: Tottenham look to take advantage

Tottenham are in seventh with up to three games in hand as they host mid-table Crystal Palace who have not won a league game at Spurs since November 1997.

Antonio Conte’s side have won three and drawn two of their last five league games with Son Heung-Min on target in his last three matches among seven for the season and will look to start making a run for the top four.

Palace – managed by former Arsenal heavyweight Patrick Vieira – stuttered after claiming their sole away win of the season at Manchester City although the last two games have garnered four points.

Tip: Both teams to score at 1.88

West Ham v Southampton: Wins hard to come by for both teams

West Ham have stuttered of late after a flying start to the season while the Saints find themselves a little too close to the drop zone for comfort.

The Hammers have won one in six and were without top scorer Michail Antonio for the Carabao Cup defeat against Tottenham because of Covid with Pablo Fornals – second in the scoring charts – not on target since early November.

Southampton have taken three points from a possible 18 and although they are six points clear of third-bottom Burnley, they have played two games more than Dyche’s side.

Tip: Draw at 3.8

Aston Villa v Chelsea: Blues need win to reignite challenge

Aston Villa have won four of six games since Steven Gerrard was appointed manager while Chelsea seek their seventh away win of the season and a renewed tilt at the title in the 5.30pm kick-off.

Villa’s only defeats under Gerrard have come against Manchester City and Liverpool – and both by a single goal – although they face the prospect of two matches in three days with just 14 players to select from.

The Blues have slipped behind in the title race with just one win in four and need to take three points if they are to be challengers although they will be boosted by the returns of Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi after resuming test following positive Covid results.

Tip: Chelsea to win and both teams to score at 3.9

Brighton v Brentford: Seagulls seek to halt nosedive

Brighton are looking for their first win since 19 September in the evening kick-off while Brentford continue to establish themselves in mid-table.

The Seagulls’ last league victory came against Leicester with eight draws and three defeats since with the hosts scoring only six goals all season at the Amex, top scorer Neal Maupay the man on target for the last two Brighton goals.

After a run of one point from five games, the Bees have steadied themselves with an added-time winner among two late goals enough to overhaul Watford for a precious victory last time out while Ivan Toney returned as a sub during the cup defeat against Chelsea following a positive Covid test.

Tip: Brentford to win at 4.2

Recommended Bets:

Manchester City to win in both halves at 2.2

Burnley to win at 2.12

Arsenal to win to nil at 2.24

Spurs v Palace Both teams to score at 1.88

West Ham v Saints Draw at 3.8

Chelsea to win and both teams to score at 3.9

Brentford to win at 4.2