At the foot of the table, Luton can continue their remarkable progress by putting another nail in the Sheffield Utd coffin. With other relegation rivals facing very tough assignments, the Hatters can put some air between themselves and the dreaded dotted line above 18th.
Some significant moves over the two rounds played in the last eight days. Arsenal, Man U, and Man City were the only three sides to pick up maximum points in the week, one which saw a record 45 gaols scored across the ten games of Round 23.
MANCHESTER CITY v EVERTON: Saturday 10 February 11.30pm
POSITIONS: Manchester City 49pts, 2nd. Everton 19pts, 18th.
MANCHESTER CITY FORM: Five wins on the trot since throwing away a two-goal lead at home against Palace. After being caught out in the 21st minute by a long-range goal kick bomb at Brentford, a Phil Foden hat-trick saw the Citizens home comfortably last time around.
EVERTON FORM: No wins from their last six, but three draws in a row against strong opposition has steadied the ship to a degree. The last-gasp equaliser at home against Spurs on Saturday could be huge come May.
HISTORY: Since season 17/18, City has won 11 of the 13 clashes, with two drawn. In the reverse clash in December, the Toffees led 1-0 at half-time only for the champions to put away three without response after the break.
Prediction: Manchester City win ($1.18 with bet365*)
FULHAM v BOURNEMOUTH: Sunday 11 February 2.00am
POSITIONS: Fulham 26pts, 13th. Bournemouth 27pts, 12th.
FULHAM FORM: Made it two draws in a row when the surrendered a two-goal lead late in the game against struggling Burnley last weekend. At home, the Cottagers have been strong with just one defeat in their last six.
BOURNEMOUTH FORM: After a glorious end to 2023, the Cherries have picked up just two points in their four games since Boxing Day. The goals have dried up a little which is the main reason, with just three being netted in this lean run.
HISTORY: The sides have met nine times since December 2014 in the league and championship, and it's a sorry tale for the hosts – Fulham has won just once in that time with three drawn. Their last success over Bournemouth at Craven Cottage was in 1992, incredibly in the third tier of English football.
Prediction: Draw ($3.50 with bet365*)
LIVERPOOL v BURNLEY: Sunday 11 February 2.00am
POSITIONS: Liverpool 51pts, 1st. Burnley 13pts, 19th.
LIVERPOOL FORM: The Reds lost for just the second time in the campaign at Arsenal last weekend, due in no small part to a calamitous Allison who had an air-swing for the second goal and was nutmegged after a slight deflection for the third. Until that game Liverpool was flying, scoring four goals at each of their previous three outings. Domestically, Klopp's side is unbeaten at Anfield since October 2022.
BURNLEY FORM: Things look dire for Kompany's side. A gutsy comeback to grab a point against Fulham last Saturday helped, but they remain seven points adrift of safety. They are rarely pushovers, the biggest losing margin since 21 October is two goals, but against top-ten sides the Clarets have collected just one point this season.
HISTORY: It is hardly surprising that Liverpool has dominated this fixture since Burnley first played in the Premier League in season 2009/10. Of the 18 matches played, the Reds have won 14 with two drawn.
Prediction: Liverpool win ($1.16 with bet365*)
LUTON v SHEFFIELD UTD: Sunday 11 February 2.00am
POSITIONS: Luton 20pts, 17th. Sheffield Utd 10pts, 20th.
LUTON FORM: A narrow defeat against Man City on 10 December has sparked an outstanding run for the competition minnows, picking up 11 points of a possible 18 in that time. They have become the entertainers, their high-energy brand football producing eight goals in the last two matches, both against top-ten opposition. As short as 1/6 was bet at the start of the season for them to be relegated – they are now in black odds.
SHEFFIELD UTD FORM: Things go from bad to worse for the Blades. Even the 1/33 about relegation looks value after a mauling by an out-of-form Villa at home last time around. They lack the class and mindset to get out of trouble. A sprinkling of decent results since December, such as a win over Brentford and draws with Villa and West Ham, overshadow the poor performances.
HISTORY: Luton won the reverse fixture 3-2 on Boxing Day to make it two wins on the trot at Bramell Lane. The Hatters' last win at home against United was in 1996, but to be fair there have only been three subsequent encounters.
Prediction: Luton win ($1.72 with bet365*)
TOTTENHAM v BRIGHTON: Sunday 11 February 2.00am
POSITIONS: Tottenham 44pts, 5th. Brighton 35pts, 8th.
TOTTENHAM FORM: Struggling to maintain the momentum to keep up with the big three at the top. Three straight wins in mid-December have been followed by just two wins in the last five. A spirited Everton grabbed a late equaliser at Goodison last weekend, effectively ending any hopes that Spurs harboured for the title. On a bright note, at home they have won four on the trot and scored an average of three per match.
BRIGHTON FORM: The Seagulls' worst performance of the season, a 4-0 drubbing by Luton, was partially expunged by a polished display at home to fierce rivals Palace most recently. Some of the old glamour was back, Joao Pedro's last goal a special one. De Zerbi's side are struggling on their travels though, without a win in their last five.
HISTORY: Not many draws on the ledger. Since Brighton's arrival in the Premier League, Spurs have won eight, BHA four, and one has been drawn. The 28 December meeting on the south coast was a massacre, the 4-2 scoreline in Brighton's favour no indication of their dominance.
Prediction: Tottenham win ($1.83 with bet365*)
WOLVES v BRENTFORD: Sunday 11 February 2.00am
POSITIONS: Wolves 32pts, 10th. Brentford 22pts, 15th.
WOLVES FORM: Chalked up their fourth win from that last six outings when they defeated Chelsea for the second time in six weeks at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. Neto and Cunha are class acts and make the midlands side one of the most prolific in front of goal recently, netting 16 times in their last six games. At home, their recent last-minute defeat by Man U was the first in nine.
BRENTFORD FORM: With only six points from a possible 33 since 4 November, the Bees sit uncomfortably close to the drop zone. Toney's return is an obvious boost, but a run of 12 games without a clean sheet is problematic. The effort against City last weekend was good and shouldn't be marked negatively.
HISTORY: Wolves have lost just one of their last 11 against the Bees in all competitions. These sides have become quite familiar of late. Wolves travelled to Brentford in the league and won 4-1 on 27 December. An FA Cup clash on 5 January, again in London, was drawn before Wolves won the Molineux replay 3-2.
Prediction: Wolves win ($2.10 with bet365*)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v NEWCASTLE: Sunday 11 February 4.30am
POSITIONS: Forest 21pts, 16th. Newcastle 33pts, 9th.
FOREST FORM: Just two wins from the last 12 so, despite some better performances since Nuno's arrival, Forest are deep in the relegation battle. In 22/23 they relied on fortress City Ground to survive, but they have lost five of their last six on home soil.
NEWCASTLE FORM: After weathering three games on the trot against top-four opposition, the Magpies probably thought they had some respite last weekend when Luton visited. However, eight goals were shared in a classic encounter which put a big dent in Eddie Howe's European qualification hopes. A surprise away win against Villa on 30 January ended a run of five consecutive losses on the road.
HISTORY: Newcastle won the two clashes last season before Forest gained revenge at St James' Park on Boxing Day, Chris Wood's hat trick against his old side the difference.
Prediction: Draw ($3.75 with bet365*)
WEST HAM v ARSENAL: Monday 12 February 1.00am
POSITIONS: West Ham 36pts, 7th. Arsenal 49pts, 3rd.
WEST HAM FORM: The 3-0 loss at Old Trafford on Sunday was just the second defeat in 12 games for the Hammers, but the reality is their performances of late have been languid. Three points collected in four games from which they should have realistically earned seven to nine, and only one goal in open play in that time, is concerning.
ARSENAL FORM: December wasn't great, but the advent of 2024 has seen the Gunners roar back into title contention with three straight wins, the latest at home to Liverpool. A few things went their way but all champions need a bit of luck. Arteta's squad is fit, in form and confident again.
HISTORY: West Ham shocked Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates at Xmas, hot on the heels of a 3-1 win at home in the League Cup eight weeks earlier. Generally, it has been a happy match-up for Arsenal who won 11 of the previous 14 meetings.
Prediction: Arsenal win ($1.53 with bet365*)
ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER UTD: Monday 12 February 3.30am
POSITIONS: Aston Villa 46pts, 4th. Manchester Utd 38pts, 6th.
ASTON VILLA FORM: Before a very easy win over a poor Sheffield Utd outfit, Villa had picked up just five points in five games to effectively end their slim title hopes. The latest home game was a 3-1 loss to Newcastle, the first defeat at Villa Park in over a year. Since those heady days of consecutive wins over City and Arsenal, the only wins have come against sides in the bottom six.
MANCHESTER UNITED FORM: A remarkable 4-3 at Wolves was backed up by a clinical display at home to against West Ham who aren't the greatest form barometer of late. Hojlund is starting to score goals and Garnacho looks more settled. It is just the third block of consecutive wins this season – Man U fans who are convinced their side has turned the corner have short or selective memories.
HISTORY: Villa led 2-0 at the break then disintegrated in the second half at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. It was a chance wasted; had they held on it would have been just their fourth win over the Red Devils in the league since 1995.
Prediction: Draw ($3.75 with bet365*)
CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA: Tuesday 13 February 7.00am
POSITIONS: Palace 24pts, 14th. Chelsea 31pts, 11th.
PALACE FORM: Inconsistent to say the least. An Eze and Olise masterclass saw them get the better of Sheffield Utd two games back before a woeful showing at Brighton with their stars missing. Two wins on the trot at Selhurst Park is a positive, but the real story lies in the team sheet. If Eze and Olise are there they are a two to three goal better side.
CHELSEA FORM: After giving fans hope with three straight wins post-Xmas, the hapless Blues have shipped eight goals in their last two games. The capitulation at home to Wolves last weekend was met with vociferous boos. A real Jekyll and Hyde outfit with nothing to really play for which probably explains their lacklustre efforts.
HISTORY: Chelsea has won an incredible 13 straight against their cross-town rivals, the last win for Palace coming at home in October 2017.
Prediction: Chelsea win ($1.83 with bet365*)
SUGGESTED WAGERS:
Tottenham to win and both teams to score at $2.87* with bet365.
Draw – Nottingham Forest v Newcastle at $3.75* with bet365.
*Odds correct at 9.15am 8 February 2024.
