Premier League weekend tips: Kane to hit the target in derby; Villa to avenge United cup defeat

Manchester City vs Chelsea

Saturday 15 January, 12.30pm

If Manchester City beat Chelsea this weekend, the title race might just be done and dusted. Victory at the Etihad would move the champions 13 points clear at the top. Liverpool could later reduce that lead to 11 points, but even that looks like an insurmountable gap.

One of City's most impressive performances of the season to date came at Stamford Bridge. They weren't quite at their brilliant best going forward, but City completely neutralised Chelsea's attack and ran out deserved 1-0 winners.

Saturday's clash could be more open, especially as Chelsea cannot really afford to lose if they want to remain in the title race. But City are in phenomenal form right now and should extend their winning run in the Premier League to 12 matches.

Tip: Manchester City to win and both teams to score at 3.55

Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette will be hoping to be on the scoresheet in the North London derby

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

Sunday 16 January, 4.30pm

Harry Kane loves a north London derby. Tottenham's talisman has scored 11 goals in 14 league outings against his club's biggest rivals - the only opponents he has found the net against more often are Leicester and Everton.

Kane's record this season is disappointing. He's only scored four times in 17 top-flight outings, although the England captain has shown signs of improvement of late. 

Roared on by Antonio Conte on the touchline, Spurs will look to make a fast start against Arsenal. With Son Heung-min out injured, Tottenham will look to Kane to get them ahead.

Tip: Harry Kane to score first at 2.55

Newcastle United vs Watford

Saturday 15 January, 3pm

The relegation battle looks to be between the bottom four teams, with only one likely to survive. Watford have their heads above water at present, but defeat at St James' Park on Saturday would see Newcastle climb above them. 

Six-pointers like this are usually cagey, but both teams are much better going forward than they are at the back. Watford are without a clean sheet all season, while Newcastle have conceded more goals than anyone but Norwich City. We can expect an entertaining affair in the north east.

Tip: Over 3.5 goals at 2.98

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Saturday 15th January, 5.30pm

Manchester United progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup at Aston Villa's expense on Monday. Steven Gerrard's side were unlucky, though: arguably the better team across 90 minutes, they also had two goals disallowed at Old Trafford.

United's performances under Ralf Rangnick haven't been particularly impressive. The fixture list has been reasonably kind up to now, but this will be a stern test of where United are at.

Philippe Coutinho could go straight into the Villa team. His arrival will have given the home team a boost, and they could pull off an upset if United are below par once more.

Tip: Aston Villa to win at 3.15

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace

Friday 14th January, 8pm

These not-so-local rivals will renew hostilities on Friday night, with Brighton seeking their first win over Crystal Palace in six games between the pair.

This fixture tends to be tight. In only one of Brighton and Palace's nine Premier League meetings has a team won by two goals or more (Albion's 3-1 victory in December 2018).

Neither side will want to give much away early on, so we could be in store for a cagey opening 45 minutes.

Tip: 0-0 at half-time at 2.56