The top 3 teams in the English Premier League standings are in action on Wednesday night and we take a look at Brighton v Arsenal, Manchester City vv Notts Forest and Newcastle v Manchester United
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Man City v Notts Forest
After their 1-0 win at Leeds last weekend second place City are keeping the pressure on league leaders Arsenal with the gap remaining at 5 points. City, who have a game in hand on the league leaders, will also host the Gunners later in the season. City have taken 16 points from the last 18 available, 3 of those were home games and delivered wins over Wolves (2-0), Fulham (3-0) and Newcastle (2-1)
Forest have made it through to the Europa League knockout rounds under new coach Vitor Pereira, but they have lost both league games since the change, 1-0 at home to Liverpool and most recently 2-1 at Brighton. Forest come into the midweek fourth from bottom, only 2 points clear of third bottom West Ham. When the teams met in Nottingham on the 27th December City ran out 2-1 winners.
Haaland was missing for City at Leeds but even if he absent again I fancy City to win but with Forest contributing to the scoring.
Bet: Man City to win and both teams to score? Yes at 19/10 with Sportingbet
Brighton v Arsenal
Brighton ended a run of 6 league games without a win with a 2-0 victory away to Brentford and then followed up with a 2-1 home win over Forest at the weekend. With 37 points they remain a couple of points shy of a top 10 position.
After 3 consecutive away fixtures which saw Arsenal play out draws at Brentford and Wolves and put Spurs away 4-1 the Gunners then beat Chelsea 2-1. That kept the gap to second placed Manchester City at 5 points, albeit having played 1 game more.
The teams have met twice this season, both at The Emirates and Arsenal were 2-0 winners in the EFL Cup and they also won the first league meeting 2-1.
Brighton beat Man City here early in the season and if Arsenal show signs of nerves they could be a handful for the league leaders. However I’m with a small price boost for Arsenal to lead at half time and full time.
Bet: Half Time/ Full Time, Arsenal / Arsenal boosted to 16/10 with Sportingbet
Newcastle v Man United
Newcastle have been as busy as anyone and with a few key men missing through injury they have lost 5 and won 1 of their last 6 league games. Recent results at home have seen them lose to Villa (2-0), Brentford (3-2) and most recently Everton (3-2) and they are just below halfway in the standings.
United’s 2-1 home win over Palace last weekend saw them move above Villa into third place on goal difference. Michael Carrick has overseen 6 wins and 1 draw since taking over as coach which includes away wins at Arsenal and Everton plus a draw at West Ham. When the teams met at Old Trafford on Boxing Day United won 1-0.
United get my vote to edge this, mainly due to the number of goals Newcastle have leaked in recent home games.
Bet: Away win at 1.55/1 with Sportingbet
Prices subject to change