Premier League Tips – 14th to 15th January

After the 6-3 defeat against City in the first game between these two teams this season, plus a 4-1 defeat in the final EPL game between the two last season, it is fair to say that Manchester United will be hoping for a degree of revenge against their great rivals on Saturday and given City’s recent form, they may feel they stand a good chance of getting it.

City’s 2-0 loss to Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek was a big blow for Pep Guardiola’s team as for a large proportion of that game, he had almost his first choice team playing and despite introducing big names from the bench, City never really got going in the game,

In contrast, United have won their last four games in all competitions which included a 3-0 win over Charlton in the Carabao Cup in midweek and Erik Ten Hag will no doubt view this game as a test of just how far they have come over the last few months.

It feels weird writing this as City lose so few games, but after seeing what Southampton did, I think Manchester United have lots of reasons to want to win this game and I think that they may just about get their wish here in what should be a close one.

Wolves seem to have come back from the World Cup break with a renewed determination to move out of the drop zone and the intensity with which Julen Lopetegui is approaching games is starting to be shown by his players too.

They’ve beaten Everton and drawn with Liverpool, both away from home and so they will go into this West Ham game knowing that if they can pick up three points here, they would go above West Ham in the Premier League table and likely, dependent on other results, move out of the relegation zone.

The Hammers will also be well aware of this fact and they too will know that avoiding defeat here is a priority. Molineux is not an easy place to go and get a win especially for a Hammers side that is struggling, so I can see David Moyes setting his team up here to be very difficult to break down.

In truth, the lack of firepower for both these teams makes me feel that neither are likely to score two goals in this game and I think that may be what is needed to secure a win, so with that in mind I think backing the draw is the smart play here.

I have to admit to being hugely impressed by Brentford over the course of this season. Their record against the top six bears comparison with any team in this division and it has tended to be in games against mid to lower ranking teams in the EPL where they have dropped more points.

Bournemouth had bounced back after a slow start but their form has stuttered somewhat in more recent games and they look once again set to be in for a struggle over the second half of the season and in truth, they’ll view any points picked up here as a bonus.

That’s because Brentford at home have been excellent, but their best performances have tended to come against the top six and in night games. Bournemouth won’t be best pleased that this game has been moved to a 5.30 kick off with that second factor in mind.

With Ivan Toney in good form and him being well supported by Brentford’s other playmakers, I can see the Bees landing another good win here, perhaps by a 2-1 or even 3-1 scoreline which will keep them well in touch with the teams above them in the table.

The last few games between these two teams have produced a fair share of goals, but despite their brilliant first half of the season, it is worth noting that Arsenal’s only win at Spurs since February 2015 has come in the League Cup. They have drawn one and lost all other EPL games played away from home against their rivals since.

The Gunners though do come into this game on the back of a good cup win on Monday night against Oxford United where the quality told in the end as they scored three second half goals to move easily into the next round of the competition.

However, in the Premier League, they dropped some points at home to Newcastle United in their last game and after this, they face a run of tough games, including facing Manchester City twice (once in the FA Cup) as we should get a much better idea of how strong this Arsenal team is against the top ranking sides.

For this game, I can’t see Arsenal losing but by the same token, Spurs have plenty to play for themselves here and with it being a derby, they will be pumped up. As such, I feel a draw is the most likely outcome, with goals scored by both teams and I think Son is well overdue a goal for his club, and he is a great value anytime bet this week.