Sport
Martin Laurence’s Pick 8 Preview
Preston vs Bolton – 1/X
Preston may have lost back to back home games but Deepdale is still a very tough place to go and get a result, despite Bolton’s marked improvements since the start of October.
The reason the visitors still sit in the relegation zone however, has been an inability to convert draws to wins and while I could see them grabbing another solid point in this one, they’re still without a victory on the road and that should continue.
Burton vs Sheffield United – 2
While Nigel Clough’s side secured a much needed three points at Millwall ahead of the international break they still have a tendency to collapse at times, losing each of their last four home games.
The potential to return to the top of the table, if only for one day, will be a real incentive for the Blades, meanwhile, who have taken to life back in the second tier in superb fashion. They are hit and miss on the road, with four wins and four defeats, but this should be away victory number five for Chris Wilder’s side.
Arsenal vs Tottenham – X/2
The Premier League certainly returns with a bang this weekend, with the first North London derby of the season on Saturday lunchtime. The Gunners have an awful away record but have picked up maximum points at home, though that is sure to come under real pressure from Spurs.
The visitors should welcome back Harry Kane, who has scored in each of his last 5 in the league against Arsenal, and will be fully prepared to play on the counter having done so to devastating effect on numerous occasions already. Pochettino may have one eye on the Champions League game in Dortmund but I can’t see them losing this one, stretching their unbeaten league run in this fixture to seven.
Crystal Palace vs Everton – 1/2
A huge game in the early relegation battle, Palace are certainly in greater need of a win but David Unsworth also knows anything short of victory against the league’s bottom club would harm his prospects of earning the Everton hot seat on a permanent basis.
Indeed, a draw wouldn’t really suit either side in this one, despite a recent record of stalemates and very few goals between the two in recent years, particularly at Selhurst Park. I’m backing that to change on Saturday.
Leicester vs Manchester City – 2
While Leicester have begun life under Claude Puel quite strongly, Manchester City are simply mesmerising right now and Pep Guardiola will still feel he has a score (or two) to settle against the Foxes. He may have come out on top over Shakespeare late last season but lost 2-4 at the King Power in this fixture courtesy of a Vardy hat-trick.
The 2015/16 champions are no mugs at home but City boast the only remaining perfect record on the road in the Premier League and that’s unlikely to come to an end anytime soon.
West Brom vs Chelsea – 2
The setting for Chelsea’s title victory last season, the Blues will hope to heap more misery on an increasingly disgruntled Baggies support. They have every reason to express their concern, with Pulis’ men without a league win in almost three months having recorded just two in their last 20 stretching back to last season.
Conte picked up a huge win ahead of the break and will look to build some necessary momentum here ahead of a potentially distracting trip to Azerbaijan in midweek.
Roma vs Lazio – 1/X/2
The one game I can’t call this week, there are reasons for optimism on both sides in the Rome derby. Both are in strong form, though Lazio’s 6-game winning streak in Serie A trumps their rivals’ four and is bettered only by Manchester City and Valencia in Europe’s top five leagues.
With Immobile in outrageous form at club level, with 14 league goals in 11 appearances, and Dzeko suffering a slight dip by comparison, if I had to sway one way or the other I’d back the away team. Luckily I don’t, however, so I’m not!
Atletico vs Real Madrid – 2
With both Madrid rivals already 8 points adrift of Barca, their slim title hopes will be all but over without a win here. A draw doesn’t suit either side, that’s for sure, but while Zidane can be a little more relaxed about his side’s Champions League fixture next week, Atletico know that they must win against Roma and may take their eye off the ball as a result.
They may have home advantage and a decent record against their local rivals in recent years but Simeone’s men could fall out of the title picture entirely on Saturday night.
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