Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leicester City
Wolves host the Foxes at the Molineux on Saturday at 7:00am (All times AEST).
There will be overflowing optimism for this clash as both sides will stand confident in leaving the Molineux Stadium with bragging rights. While the reverse fixture produced a goalless encounter in August, the fixture before it produced a seven-goal thriller in favour of Wolves at home.
14 points separate the two sides, with Leicester a chance to overtake Manchester City in second place if results turn their way. Wolves still remain held back in eighth spot, with a win this weekend potentially meaning a rise to fifth is on the cards.
Wolverhampton were busy over the January transfer period, singing five players, headlined by Portuguese winger Daniel Podence’s move from Olympiacos. Leicester’s only addition to their squad was the loan signing of out-of-favour Wolves defender Ryan Bennett, with all eyes on the 29-year-old if he is to feature against his current employer this weekend.
There’s no doubt this game will have individual battles throughout, with Wolves’ unstoppable star Adama Traore coming up against three lions left-back Ben Chillwell. Raul Jimenez will also have it tough against Turkish half-back Caglar Soyuncu while at the other end; golden boot leader Jamie Vardy will face Nuno Espirito Santo’s leaky three-man defence, who have only won two clean sheets in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ $2.02
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham will travel to the midlands to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday at 1:00am.
The Lions will welcome Jose Mourinho’s side to Villa Park, with the home side hoping to collect their first win over the Spurs since April 2015 - a game that saw Christian Benteke score the winner for a Villa side managed by Tim Sherwood.
Form will favour the away side, as the Spurs caused a stunning upset over fellow league giants Manchester City in London last Monday, with January signing Steven Bergwijn capping off a stellar debut with a neat finish to open his account with his new side.
Villa’s january transfer period was steadily busy, with the additions of striker pairing Mbwana Samatta (Genk) and Borja Baston (Swansea) looking to add threat to their forward third. The duo will have a tough opening weekend together as they face a Tottenham side who have allowed just two goals against in their last four matches.
Villa’s loss to Bournemouth mounts more pressure on Dean Smith’s men, as they slip closer to the relegation zone with just a one-point gap separating them from 18th placed West Ham.
Expect a fiery start from both sides, but overall Spurs should leave Aston Villa with a crucial three points as they look to shorten their gap from the top four.
Tip: Tottenham clean sheet @ $2.62
Chelsea vs Manchester United
The Blues welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday at 7:00am.
Chelsea’s ‘safe’ gap between their prized fourth spot and the rest of the league has almost vanished, with their gap over fifth-placed Tottenham reduced to just the four points. Manchester United sit just another two-points behind the Spurs, meaning their best chance of qualifying for European football next season could heavily rely on this weekend's result.
While Frank Lampard can be happy with a 2-2 result away to second-placed Leicester, the tie gifts several sides below the Blues a decent sniff at fourth spot. Chelsea were knocked out of the League Cup by United after a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge in October and were demolished 4-0 in this game's reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the season. Both matches were headlined by a Marcus Rashford brace, thankfully for Blues fans, the star frontman will be absent from this weekend’s fixture through injury.
United haven’t had the most enjoyable new year on the field, sitting 18th since January 1st, with just four points from their five games for the year while Chelsea sit 12th with six points during the same period.
The signing of Portugese star midfielder Bruno Fernandes will lift the spirits in the dressing room, but it will be United’s form at Stamford Bridge that should have the side brimming with confidence. United have beaten the Blues in their last two trips to Chelsea and are undefeated across their last three at the venue.
If United’s new-look midfield can have an instant impact this weekend, then expect a tight contest between the two rivals.
Tip: Draw @ $3.60.
