ALL FREE FOOTBALL TIPS

Manchester City and Arsenal were both letdowns midweek in what otherwise would have been a nice profit, with comfortable 3-0 victories for both Sunderland and Liverpool as tipped.

Everton’s victory over Manchester City allowed neighbours United to join the Citizens at the top of the Premier League, whilst Tottenham closed back to within 5 points. Liverpool gained 2 points on Chelsea during the week as they remain outsiders for fourth place.

Here are this week’s Premiership Tips:

Stoke City versus Sunderland

If you calculate the points picked up for each team since Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge at the Stadium of Light, then his Sunderland side are sitting top of the league. 6 wins from 9 games is an impressive return from a team that picked up just 11 points from Steve Bruce’s 13 games in charge this season.

3 clean sheets in their last 5 league games for Sunderland, conceding just two goals in that spell. Queens Park Rangers are the only side to put more than one goal past Martin O’Neill’s side during his time in charge.

Sunderland’s impressive form has moved them into 8th position heading into this weekend’s games. Stoke meanwhile have won just 1 of their last 7 Premier League fixtures. That came against Blackburn Rovers. The last home game was a shock 2-1 home defeat at the hands of West Brom, although Tony Pulis’ side are in 9th place ahead of this fixture.

Sunderland have had several injuries in recent months, but the acquisitions of Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos give Martin O’Neill more options to his impressively-performing defence. Kyrgiakos, Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole can all match the physical levels Stoke have to offer.

Going forward, James McClean has been in fine form ever since he burst onto the scene in December. The confident winger should ever come up against the experienced Jonathan Woodgate or possibly the returning Ryan Shotton in this one.

The only player who has played better than McClean for Sunderland of late is Stephane Sessegnon. The first Benin international to play in the Premier League has scored in 3 of his last 4 games for the Black Cats; each of them resulting in victories. The 5’7” forward has scored two headed goals this season including one against Norwich midweek. His pace and nifty movement should find him space against the likes of Woodgate, Robert Huth and/or Ryan Shawcross in this match. Fraizer Campbell is another danger man for Sunderland having scored in both his games since returning from a lengthy layoff.

Given the form of these two I don’t see Sunderland falling victim of Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, and therefore taking Sunderland to win or draw is the bet for me in this game.

Double Chance: Sunderland to win or draw 4/6

Chelsea v Manchester United

Manchester United will look to make it 4 consecutive wins in the Premier League on Sunday when they travel to Stamford Bridge. The home side were held in Swansea on Tuesday night as they come into this game on back-to-back draws and 12 points behind the defending champions.

Antonio Valencia has been on fire down the right flank for Manchester United of late; scoring the opener before setting up Danny Welbeck’s winner at Arsenal two Premier League games ago before winning the second penalty midweek in a 2-0 victory over Stoke City. The Ecuadorian will be looking to get the better of Ashley Cole’s replacement on Sunday, with the England international suspended after picking up two yellow cards at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday.

Chelsea could be relieved should Nani not recover from his foot injury in time to participate in this match. The Portuguese winger tore the Blues apart earlier this season, scoring in United’s 3-1 victory at Old Trafford; handing Andre Villas-Boas his first defeat as Chelsea manager.

Javier Hernandez scored his first goal in over 2 months against Stoke midweek. The Mexican striker now has 7 goals on the season and will be competing with Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov to feature in this game. Chicharito scored in less than 60 seconds in United’s 2-1 victory at Old Trafford last season.

Ramires is ruled out through injury. The Brazilian will be a big loss with the energy he brings to the game, but Michael Essien could be in line to make his first start of the season having made late substitute appearances in Chelsea’s last three games. Frank Lampard remains a doubt with his calf injury, leaving the pressure on the likes of Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge to create chances down the wing. Juan Mata, who has been quiet for a number of games now could start in the centre of midfield. Sturridge has not been involved in the goals since Christmas.

With Fernando Torres and Chelsea not firing in front of goal, a few key players missing, John Terry’s trial on his mind and Chelsea’s form as of late, I cannot see Manchester United losing on Sunday. With 3 straight Premier League victories, conceding just 1 goal in that time, and back on level points with Manchester City, United are good for 3 points in this game.

Manchester United have won the last 4 fixtures between these two if you include last season’s Champions League. United are 19/10 to win this game out right whilst taking them to win or draw is the safest bet.

Double Chance: Manchester United to win or draw 8/15

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool’s odds are shorter than I was expecting for this match, perhaps something to do with Harry Redknapp’s court case that sees him needing to catch a flight on Monday to make the game. Regardless, Tottenham are playing well on the pitch; just 5 points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Tottenham got back to winning ways midweek with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Wigan; a brace from Gareth Bale either side of Luka Modric’s strike saw Spurs rebound from Mario Balotelli’s spot kick winner less than a fortnight ago.

Michael Dawson and Younes Kaboul are available for Tottenham in the centre of defence who are likely to come up against Luis Suarez who is set to return from his 9 game suspension. Craig Bellamy has been in good form recently and is Liverpool’s top scorer on the season with 6 goals. Andy Carroll has half as many having matched Stephen Ward’s tally for the season in a 3-0 victory at Wolves midweek.

Rafael van der Vaart only managed 30 minutes against Wigan last time out and isn’t guaranteed to feature on Monday night. However, Tottenham do have an abundance of talent in their midfield. Gareth Bale and Luka Modric are in fine form and will take some stopping. Pacey Aaron Lennon down the right wing will match up against Jose Enrique, whilst possible replacements for the Dutch playmakers are Jermain Defoe, Louis Saha, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Niko Kranjcar and Giovani dos Santos. Sandro is the more defensive option available to Redknapp.

Emmanuel Adebayor hasn’t scored since Christmas, but the on loan striker bagged a brace when Tottenham thumped Liverpool 4-0 at White Hart Lane earlier this season. Spurs played the Reds off the park and with the form of Bale and Modric in particular, they’re capable of doing the double over Liverpool this season.

Liverpool, whilst unbeaten at Anfield this season have only won 4 of their 11 league matches at home. Tottenham are 11/4 to win on the night but I prefer the safer double chance bet for this one.

Double Chance: Tottenham to win or draw 8/11

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