Premier League preview: Sunday’s action including Liverpool vs Man City
Aston Villa vs Tottenham
Villa have won three games on the bounce – but they’ve also lost three of the four home games they’ve played in 2024. With both teams looking to secure a top four finish, can Unai Emery’s side extend the gap between themselves and Tottenham?
The Villans’ trip to Ajax on Thursday night ended goalless, with Villa only managing one shot on target – but they will surely offer a more potent threat at Villa Park on Sunday.
Villa have won their last three league meetings with Spurs, while the north London club has only won one of their last six away games in the Prem (the victory came against Nottingham Forest).
The result may be uncertain, but goals look assured; Tottenham have scored at least two in each of their last 13 league games. Villa have scored nine across their last three league games, too. Over 3.5 is a 22/25 shot.
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest
It was a tough night for Brighton in the Europa League on Thursday, as they were beaten 4-0 away to Roma. On the face of it you’d think the south coast side would be able to bounce back quickly against relegation-threatened Forest, but maybe it’s not that simple.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side have now lost three on the bounce in all competitions; they’ve only mustered one win in their last three home games in the Prem, too.
The Seagulls beat Forest 3-2 at the City Ground back in November, but even that was less comfortable than De Zerbi would have liked, with Lewis Dunk’s sending off in the 73rd minute offering Forest a late lifeline.
Like Brighton, Forest have also lost their last three; in the FA Cup they held out against Man United until the 89th minute, a somewhat fortunate Casemiro goal breaking the deadlock.
And against Liverpool, the Merseyside team won late in stoppage time last time out, much to Forest fans’ chagrin. The point is, the Tricky Trees are proving difficult to overcome, and could give Brighton a headache on Sunday.
With that in mind, it could be worth backing the draw at 3/1.
West Ham vs Burnley
The Irons had a frustrating night in the Europa League, losing 1-0 to Freiburg on Thursday. But they’ve won their last two league games, and David Moyes’ side may be able to land another victory at the London Stadium as Burnley come to town.
Vincent Kompany’s men have gone nine games without a win, losing seven of those. Jarrod Bowen scored a hat-trick in his last home game, as West Ham beat Brentford 4-2, and the striker should enjoy opportunities against the visitors; in each of their last four away games, Burnley have conceded exactly three goals.
Bowen is 7/5 to score on Sunday, with West Ham to score over 2.5 goals a 2/1 shot.
Liverpool vs Man City
It’s Jurgen Klopp’s last game against Man City at Anfield! Assuming the Liverpool coach doesn’t do a Fergie at the end of the season! Which, let’s face it, he probably won’t.
Forget the low-key quibbling between Trent Alexander Arnold and Erling Haaland on whose trophies “mean more”. More relevantly, Liverpool lead City by one point in the title race, and both sides are in formidable form; the Reds have won eight of their last nine Prem matches, while City have ten wins from their last 12.
There were a few observers who thought Liverpool might struggle to win in Europe on Thursday, but Klopp’s side beat Sparta Prague 5-1; a day earlier, City had beaten Copenhagen 3-1.
In other words, both teams are in pretty fine fettle. And Liverpool tend not to falter against City at home. For that matter, Liverpool tend not to falter against anyone at home; they’re unbeaten in their last 29 matches at Anfield.
Haaland has not been so lethal in this campaign as in his first season for City, with the Norwegian on 18 goals for the season to date. By roughly this point last season, Haaland had plundered 28.
For all that, Haaland has seven goals from his last three games in all competitions, and remains the obvious goal threat for the visitors. He scored when the two sides met back in November, with that game ending 1-1. The big guy is 11/10 to find the net on Sunday.
For Liverpool, perhaps Darwin Nunez can be the hero. Nunez scored a brace against Prague on Thursday, and has five goals in his last four matches. Nunez is 17/10 to find the net. Liverpool are 2/1 to win, and on home turf may well be able to edge out these fiercest of rivals.
To bet on a wide range of markets, visit 32Red Sport today. If you’re looking for a different kind of flutter, check out our 32Red Casino site. There’s plenty of slots and table games to keep you entertained!
