Manchester City can edge closer to reclaiming the Premier League title on Saturday when they play host to Leeds United.
Manchester City travelled to Elland Road for the reverse fixture in October, playing out a 1-1 draw on the back of a 5-2 humbling to Leicester City at the Etihad.
They had seen off Burnley in the Carabao Cup in between those two league fixtures but had some early question marks over their head in terms of a title challenge.
A great deal of football has been played in the meantime and City have answered all of their doubters.
Home Comfort Key for City
Pep Guardiola’s men sit 14 points clear at the top of the table and require just 11 points from their remaining seven games to be guaranteed a fifth Premier League crown and seventh title overall.
City’s form has been almost perfect since losing to Tottenham in November, winning 27 of their past 28 games across all competitions.
So it’s no surprise to see the hosts, who have won 12 of 16 matches at home in the league this season, rated as 3/10 favourites to win, while Leeds can be backed at 17/2 to pull off a shock in the 12:30 encounter.
Leeds certainly can’t be overlooked as they have demonstrated their threat time and time again this term, and their swashbuckling style, along with high energy, should make this an eye-catching meeting.
The Whites could still finish in the top half and Marcelo Bielsa will be demanding they maintain their high standards during the run-in.
The reverse fixture was expected to serve up plenty of goals but it disappointed on the scoreline, although there were 35 shots in total across the match.
With the pressure off, this time around should be different and backing a City win with over 2.5 goals, which is available at 20/27, looks the way to go.
Watkins Can Hurt Wobbling Reds
Liverpool enjoyed a 68-game unbeaten home streak in the league before losing 1-0 to Burnley in January.
The wheels have well and truly come off for the Reds at Anfield in the meantime, losing six in a row for the first time since 1953-54 when they finished bottom of the top flight.
Any hopes of defending their league title have long gone but they have re-emerged as top-four contenders courtesy of back-to-back away victories.
Saturday’s return to Anfield looks set to provide another stern test for Jurgen Klopp’s men as European hopefuls Aston Villa come to town.
Villa will once again be without Jack Grealish – a major blow – but in Ollie Watkins, who is 13/5 to score anytime, they have a serious threat in the final third.
Blues to Keep Palace at Bay
Chelsea’s 14-game unbeaten streak under Thomas Tuchel came to an end in extraordinary circumstances on Saturday, losing 5-2 at home to West Brom.
They bounced back immediately on Wednesday to claim a big 2-0 win at Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Tuchel will hope that the defeat to the Baggies was a mere blip as Chelsea look to stay on track for a top-four berth.
Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace looks well set for the visitors, who had only conceded twice in 14 games prior to last weekend’s lost, to earn a win to nil, available at 13/10.
Palace are the seventh-lowest scorers in the league and have failed to hit the back of the net in three of their last four games against Chelsea.
*All odds correct at time of writing
