There is another exciting weekend of action to look forward to in the Premier League, with five matches taking place on Saturday and a further four on Sunday.
Wounded Saints Seeking Immediate Response
For the second successive season, Southampton are having to deal with the after-effects of a 9-0 thrashing, but there were extenuating factors for their loss to Manchester United during the week, as they had two players sent-off and were in the midst of an injury crisis.
Some of those fitness issues appear to be correcting themselves ahead of Saturday’s away clash with Newcastle, as defenders Jannik Vestergaard and Kyle Walker-Peters are expected to be fit to bolster a backline that must be bereft of confidence.
Jan Bednarek is also available after having his red card at Old Trafford overturned on appeal and that should give the Saints renewed hoped of completing what would be a league double over Newcastle following their 2-0 win when the sides met at St Mary’s in November.
Newcastle will also head into the match on the back of a loss, as they were beaten 2-1 at St James’ Park by Crystal Palace during the week and that forms part of a worrying run for Steve Bruce’s side, as they have lost six of their last seven league games.
The Magpies are also dealing with something of an injury crisis in their backline, as they could have as many as five defenders missing on Saturday, which makes the Saints an intriguing option at 7/5 to win the match.
No Thrills Expected at Molineux
Only the bottom five teams in the Premier League have scored fewer top-flight goals than Wolves this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side particularly struggling in the continued absence of leading marksman Raul Jimenez.
Indeed, Wolves have netted just 12 goals in the 12 games since the Mexico international fractured his skull against Arsenal at the end of November, failing to register in five of those matches.
Three of Wolves’ last four games across all competitions have also yielded under 1.5 goals, including their recent goalless draw with Chelsea.
Sunday’s opponents Leicester do not have any such concerns in the final third, although recent meetings between these two sides have proved cagey, with four of the last five clashes seeing under 1.5 goals scored and that is priced at 21/10 to come in again at Molineux on Sunday.
City Could End Liverpool’s Title Hopes
Manchester City are the form side in the top-flight at the moment, winning their last 13 games on the spin across all competitions, including each of their previous nine in the Premier League, a run that has taken them to the top of the standings.
By contrast, injuries and a loss in form has seen Liverpool win just two of their last eight in the league, a sequence that includes a four-game winless run on home soil.
The Reds may be able to welcome back Sadio Mane and Fabinho from injury ahead of Sunday’s game at Anfield, while Alisson could also return following illness, but the pressure will be on Jurgen Klopp’s side, as they will head into the fixture sitting seven points behind City and having played a game more.
That pressure could prove too much, particularly against a City side that have not dropped any points since the middle of December and they have also lost just one of their last five league meetings with Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side, therefore look good value at 11/10 to continue their winning run on Sunday and pick up what would be their eighth-straight away victory.
*All odds correct at time of writing
