Premier League preview: Wednesday’s action including Liverpool vs Chelsea
Man City vs Burnley
City welcome their former captain Vincent Kompany back to the Etihad on Wednesday. But while Kompany is sure to receive a warm welcome, this could still end up being a night to forget for the Burnley boss.
It’s second against second bottom in the league table, and City could be at their formidable best with Kevin De Bruyne back in the side. Pep Guardiola’s team have been surprisingly susceptible in the recent past, with three of their last four home games in the Prem ending in draws.
But City have now won their last seven games in all competitions. Even the most optimistic Burnley fan must be struggling to visualise the Clarets getting anything out of this encounter.
Oh, and Erling Haaland’s back too. The big man has been absent with a foot injury, but is fit for this match.
At the risk of stating the obvious, that’s bad news for Burnley; when these sides met in the FA Cup last season, Haaland hit a hat trick past Burnley, City winning 6-0. The Norwegian also scored a brace at Turf Moor on the opening day of the season.
Even if Haaland only plays a bit part here though, City rarely struggle to find the net against the Clarets. A few years ago, City went through a phase of beating Burnley 5-0 at the Etihad, with four home games on the bounce in the Prem & FA Cup serving up that result between 2018 and 2020.
If Haaland is involved from the off, this could be another high scoring encounter; you can back over 3.5 goals at 10/11, or even take a chance on the 5-0 scoreline at 23/2.
Spurs vs Brentford
Last time out, Ivan Toney sealed his return to action with a goal that helped Brentford beat Nottingham Forest – and earn their first league win in six attempts.
So will the Bees striker be able to have a similar impact at the Tottenham stadium on Wednesday night? He wasn’t involved in the corresponding fixture last season – not that it mattered, with Thomas Frank’s side still earning a 3-1 win back in May. In fact, Brentford are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Spurs.
Brentford have had a tough time of it without Toney. But the presence of their talisman should give them a boost ahead of this one. Spurs aren’t unbeatable on their home patch, having already lost at home to the likes of Chelsea, Villa and West Ham this season.
Tottenham often leave gaps for the opposition to exploit, so we’d expect Brentford to have chances. But the odds makers agree and have priced the markets accordingly.
Perhaps Toney can inspire Brentford again – but I prefer to back a Spurs player in the goalscorer market. Richarlison has six goals in his last six Premier League appearances, and is 27/20 to find the net against a Brentford side that haven’t kept a clean sheet since October. Back the Brazilian to hit the onion bag.
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool turned over Norwich 5-2 at the weekend. Can the Merseyside team put in a similar showing against Chelsea?
The Blues’ recent away record offers little reason to predict an upset at Anfield. Then again, when these sides have met in the recent past it’s not always gone according to expectations. Unless you were expecting a series of rather dull games.
The last seven meetings in all competitions between these two sides have ended in draws after 90 minutes (including two Cup finals that were eventually decided by penalty shootouts – with Liverpool prevailing on both occasions).
Liverpool are a very short price for the win, but it may be worth rolling the dice on a draw at 7/2, given that history. Klopp’s side have also drawn against both Man Utd and Arsenal at Anfield this season. So it’s not unfeasible to think the hosts could find themselves frustrated by Pochettino’s men.
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