Premier League weekend tips: Man City threaten to disappear over horizon

The rise in coronavirus cases has led to a disrupted festive schedule which sees Manchester City enter their final match of the season eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Some managers have been critical of the condensed schedule with the extra pressures brought about by covid.

There will no doubt be repercussions for the those clubs who do not have the depth of quality but as it stands the festive programme is set to be completed ahead of the FA Cup third round next weekend.

Arsenal vs Man City

Manchester City appear unstoppable at the moment and travel to Arsenal 15 points ahead of their hosts on the back of a 10-match winning run.

They have scored 11 goals during their three festive games although they had to hold off a battling Brentford to ensure a 1-0 win last time out and are at 2.12 to win/over 2.5 goals. Raheem Sterling has been on fire with five goals in as many games and is at 5.8 to be first goalscorer.

The Gunners have won their last four games to sit fourth and a draw is at 4.6.

Tip: Back City at 2.12 to win/over 2.5 goals

Raheem Sterling has scored five times in his last five games

Leicester vs Norwich

Leicester have been inconsistent of late and must negotiate the next month without nine-goal leading scorer Jamie Vardy who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The Foxes are established in mid-table and will welcome back James Maddison for the clash with the Canaries as they look to follow up their superb win against Liverpool against the Premier League’s basement. They are at 2.56 to win to nil.

Dean Smith’s side have lost five on the bounce and have failed to score during that time while conceding 14.

Tip: Back Leicester at 2.56 to win to nil.

Leeds vs Burnley

Leeds enter the match ahead of Burnley although the Clarets have two games in hand on their Yorkshire adversaries at the wrong end of the table.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side conceded 11 goals in their last two outings against Manchester City and Arsenal although they will be rested given they have not played since 18 December and a draw is at 3.5. Winger Raphinha has been linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich and he is at 3.15 to score.

Burnley have yet to find any winning form this season and are seeking their first win at Elland Road since September 2013

Tip: Back the draw at 3.5

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea enter the match at Stamford Bridge eight points adrift of table-topping Man City with Liverpool a further point adrift albeit with a game in hand.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has been vocal in his criticism of the schedule with his squad badly hit by injuries and covid. A last-minute goal by Danny Welbeck for Brighton prevented a Blues win last time out to make it three draws and one win from the last four.

Liverpool’s title challenge was dealt a severe blow by Ademola Lookman’s winning goal for Leicester after Premier League top scorer Mo Salah missed a penalty. Neither side can afford to lose this game if they are to remain in the title race and a draw at 3.55 is attractive.

Tip: Back the match to end in a draw at 3.55

Recommended bets:

Back Man City at 2.12 to win/over 2.5 goals

Back Leicester at 2.56 to win to nil

Back Leeds and Burnley to draw at 3.5

Back Chelsea and Liverpool to draw at 3.55