THIS week’s Premier League fixtures offer up a host of tasty fixtures.
Battles at both ends of the table are intensifying week on week, with our three feature matches coming from Anfield, Old Trafford and the King Power Stadium.
We’ve betting tips to bring you from all the matches that matter this weekend, all leading up to the Manchester Derby…
Man Utd vs Man City, Sunday 4.30pm
ALL of the sudden, there’s more than just bragging rights at stake in the Manchester derby.
City’s dramatic European ban has effectively removed them from the top-four race, opening the door for their cross-town rivals to steal in and potentially book a Champions League berth for next season.
It would be some achievement for United if they could do that considering how much of a shambles this campaign has been.
Recent weeks have given fans reason for optimism though, with new-boy Bruno Fernandes leading the charge up the table.
Ole’s men are unbeaten in four league games and they’ve conceded just once in that time – a David De Gea clanger last time out at Everton.
City meanwhile are now marooned in second, the players powerless to affect matters off the pitch.
Pep Guardiola‘s side were made to sweat in the Carabao Cup final and at the back John Stones’ error-strewn performance showed just how much they’re going to miss Aymeric Laporte in this one.
United are 7/2 to win the game and that’s fair enough considering they’ve lost the last three meetings at Old Trafford.
You have to go way back to 2015 for the last time the red half of Manchester were victories on their own patch.
But in four of the last five meetings here they’ve netted – and with that City defence not as watertight as it should be, both teams to score is the safest play of Super Sunday.
That’s a generous 2/3, while we’re happy to recommend a play on Utd double chance.
City don’t have the swagger of last season and Old Trafford is a much happier place after two thumping victories over Club Brugge and Watford.
Okay, they’re not in the same class – but 11/10 to avoid defeat? Go on then.
If you want a goalscorer, United is where to look for the value.
Fernandes is proving a huge hit on and off the terraces and bagged his first goal from open play last week for the club – he’ll also be the main man for United’s freekicks and penalties on the day.
The Portuguese star is a massive 3/1 to net anytime with whistle-happy Mike Dean in the middle. Get on.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams to score at Old Trafford: 2/3
Man Utd to avoid defeat: 11/10
Bruno Fernandes to find the net: 3/1
Leicester vs Aston Villa, Monday 8pm
DEAN SMITH is on a fox hunt under the King Power lights.
These two know each other very well and it’ll be their fourth meeting this term after clashing in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Ever since defeat at Villa Park, Leicester just haven’t been their usual selves.
The Foxes are currently four Premier League games without a win although their 1-0 loss at bottom club Norwich did come after another VAR controversy.
Even so, a team wanting Champions League football can’t go on runs like these and they have to bounce back soon.
Villa will have to prove they don’t have a hangover from that 2-1 defeat to Man City, which saw them miss out on added time by the width of Claudio Bravo’s right-hand post.
They’re on a horrible little run of form at just the wrong time and haven’t won on their travels in the league since New Year’s Day.
Infact, the visitors have the second worst away record in the division, with just eight points taken from a possible 42.
With Villa, Watford, Everton, Brighton and Palace to come in the next five for Leicester, there’s a real chance for Rodgers side to secure that coveted Euro spot – which they’ve deserved for much of the season.
The three games played already this term suggests that there’s little between the teams on paper – one Leicester win, a draw and a Villa victory.
But take your mind back to December’s 4-1 thrashing at Villa Park and you’ll begin to discover just why there’s 25 points separating this pair.
Leicester are just 4/11 to win the game over 90 minutes – £13.63 back for your tenner. No thanks.
Their home form has been patchy of late but when they have won at the King Power this campaign, they’ve tended to do it without a clean-sheet.
So instead take Rodger’s side to win, but with both teams to score – that’s a far more tempting option at 7/4.
And in a game which promises goals – 10 of Villa’s 14 away games have featured three or more goals – over 2.5 goals is a steal at 8/15.
With Jamie Vardy a doubt, it’s over to the supporting cast to provide the firepower.
Kelechi Iheanacho is odds-on, so steer clear of him despite his disallowed strike against the Canaries.
Instead take a punt on James Maddison, who has six Premier League goals this season but is without one in 10 games.
He was lively against Norwich too and represents terrific value at 23/10.
SunSport’s best bets
Leicester to win and both teams to score: 7/4
Over 2.5 goals at the King Power: 8/15
James Maddison to find his scoring touch: 23/10
*Odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication
