Manchester City have the chance to move back to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday.
The opening game of the weekend sees City host Tottenham for the second time in 72 hours, following on from their frantic Champions League clash on Wednesday which saw Mauricio Pochettino’s side make it through on away goals after the match ended 4-3 to City.
Pep Guardiola’s focus will now very much be on the Premier League and they will move back to the top with victory but Tottenham are still far from certain of a top-four finish, so will also be anxious for the three points.
Seventh placed Leicester will look to keep their place as ‘best of the rest’ as they travel to West Ham, although only goal-difference is keeping them above Wolves, who face Brighton – who have been dragged deep into relegation contention of losing to Cardiff in midweek – indeed the Seagulls could finish the Premier League weekend in the bottom-three.
Watford are also very much in the running for seventh, and they travel to relegated basement outfit Huddersfield. Fulham, who are joining The Terriers in the Championship next season, travel to Bournemouth.
Newcastle host Southampton, and mathematically both are still in relegation trouble, but in all likelihood both already have enough points
See below for a preview on the games, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and bet365’s Steve Freeth.
Manchester City 12:30 Tottenham Hotspur
Etihad Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Man City could have a near fully fit squad to choose from, with Claudio Bravo the only definite absentee for City – but Pep Guardiola is likely to rotate his squad.
Spurs give late fitness tests to Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoko, but they are already without Harry Kane, Serge Aurier and Harry Winks, although Eric Dier and Vincent Janssen are back in training and could be considered.
KEY FACT: Spurs are looking to become the first team since Liverpool in 2009 to win away in the Premier League against both Manchester clubs in the same season
MATCH ODDS: Man City 2/7 Draw 11/2 Tottenham 10/1
bet365 Pick: Under 2.5 goals @2/1
ANDY SAYS: Close game, just like in midweek and again, on the day City win this at home…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: City need to win this and the title is very much in their sights now…2-0
Football Index – One to follow: Raheem Sterling – Is in wonderful form, and represents excellent value on the Index
AFC Bournemouth 15:00 Fulham
Vitality Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Timothy Fosu-Mensah looks set to miss out joining Lazar Markovic, Marcus Bettinelli and Alfie Mawson on the sidelines, but Floyd Ayite and Andre Zambo Anguissa could feature.
Bournemouth are without Diego Rico, Charlie Daniels, Andrew Surman, SImon Francis and Lewis Cook.
KEY FACT: Bournemouth have lost only one of their last 11 league matches against Fulham
MATCH ODDS: Bournemouth 13/20 Draw 17/5 Fulham 17/4
bet365 Pick: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 goals @5/6
ANDY SAYS: Bournemouth are not playing wonderful, and I can see Fulham landing a point here…1-1
GRAEME SAYS: The Cherries are heading for victory here, should be comfortable…2-0
Football Index – One to follow: David Brooks – Has been wonderful this season and is one to follow
Huddersfield Town 15:00 Watford
John Smith’s Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Isaac Mbenza could be back for Huddersfield, but Karlan Grant and Laurent Depoitre are set to miss out.
Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra are available for Watford, but captain Troy Deeney is suspended. Jose Holebas, Adalberto Penaranda, Tom Cleverley and Domingos Quina are all out.
KEY FACT: The Terriers are looking to avoid matching Sunderland’s record of 14 home defeats in a Premier League season
MATCH ODDS: Huddersfield 17/5 Draw 29/10 Watford 17/20
bet365 Pick: Watford to win @17/20
ANDY SAYS: I don’t see an issue with Waford winning this one…0-2
GRAEME SAYS: Watford are going to have far too much for Huddersfield here…1-3
Football Index – One to follow: Gerard Deulofeu – Still a big talent and has plenty of value left in him
West Ham United 15:00 Leicester City
London Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Marko Arnautovic should be fine to feature, whilst West Ham will wait on Javier Hernandez, Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri. Carlos Sanchez and Jack Wilshere are back in training, but Winston Reid, Andriy Yarmolenko and Andy Carroll remain sidelined.
Daniel Amartey is ruled out for Leicester, who could welcome back Marc Albrighton.
KEY FACT: Leicester are looking to win a third consecutive Premier League away match for the first time since April 2016
MATCH ODDS: West Ham 23/10 Draw 5/2 Leicester 13/10
bet365 Pick: Draw @5/2
ANDY SAYS: Close game and could be a decent Premier League match-up, but this is a draw…1-1
GRAEME SAYS: Leicester are playing well and I think they have enough to get the three points…1-2
Football Index – One to follow: Harry Maguire – Still under-rated on the Index, worth looking at
Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Brighton & Hove Albion
Molineux
TEAM NEWS: Brighton have no injuries in the squad but they are without the suspended Anthony Knockaert.
Wolves have a fully fit squad to choose from.
KEY FACT: Brighton have won their last three league fixtures against Wolves
MATCH ODDS: Wolves 3/4 Draw 5/2 Brighton 5/1
bet365 Pick: Wolves to win @3/4
ANDY SAYS: Wolves will be too strong for Brighton here, home win…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: Brighton are in a poor run of form, this will be a Wolves victory…3-1
Football Index – One to follow: Solly March – Has had a big season and is a huge talent
Newcastle United 17:30 Southampton
St. James’ Park
TEAM NEWS: Newcastle remain without long-term absentees Florian Lejeune and Sean Longstaff.
Southampton hope to have Mario Lemina, Jannik Vestergaard, Alex McCarthy, Matt Targett and Charlie Austin available, whilst Yan Valery is fine to feature. Michael Obafemi is sidelined.
KEY FACT: Southampton have only lost one of their last nine PL matches against Newcastle
MATCH ODDS: Newcastle 31/20 Draw 11/5 Southampton 21/10
bet365 Pick: Both Teams To Score @19/20
ANDY SAYS: I see Newcastle having enough to get a win…1-0
GRAEME SAYS: I see this being a draw, indeed could easily be goalless…0-0
Football Index – One to follow: Miguel Almiron – Needs time to settle but plenty of value
