JAN 18-19: PREMIER LEAGUE TIPS & TEAM NEWS

THERE are two Premier League games on Sunday with West Ham v Hull followed by the big one between Man City and Arsenal.

West Ham have drawn too many for my liking but look a decent shout at 3-4 with the likes of William Hill and Paddy Power.

Man City need to react to Chelsea's 5-0 rout of Swansea and while they have a tough test against an in-form Arsenal I'm backing them to nick the points at a best 4-5 with William Hill, bet365 and others.

Against the Gunners City have won five of their last seven at home including a 6-3 victory last season.

City are unbeaten in 13 games and are boosted by the return of star striker Sergio Aguero. The Argentine has banged in 19 goals in 21 games and is 1-1 at BetBright to mark his return with a goal and 7-2 at bet365 and William Hill to score first.

Arsenal have their own top hitman in the shape of Alexis Sanchez whose double against Stoke last week took his tally to 12 goals and he is 2-1 at Ladbrokes to net and 13-2 with bookies such as William Hill to break the deadlock.

The Gunners' home form worries me slightly and they were poor as they lost at Southampton 2-0 so it's City for me.

If you don't want to pick a winner try both to score at 4-7 with Ladbrokes which is the same price as over 2.5 goals. It was 2-2 when they met earlier this season so I may take a chance on over 3.5 goals at 7-5 with boylesports.

Recommended Bets

Man C v Arsenal over 3.5 goals (4pm)
(7-5, boylesports)

Aguero to score first
(7-2, bet365)

Sanchez to score
(2-1, Ladbrokes)

West Ham (1.30pm)
(3-4, bet365)

Here is team news for Sunday's two games and Monday's clash between Everton and West Brom.

Manchester City v Arsenal (Sun)

Manchester City playmaker Samir Nasri faces three to four weeks on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury in training this week. The problem will rule the Frenchman out of the clash with his former club. Midfielder Yaya Toure is on international duty at the African Nations Cup but manager Manuel Pellegrini has declared all other players fit and in contention, including captain Vincent Kompany and strikers Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko.

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs is likely to return. Gibbs has been suffering with a heel problem but is expected to be passed fit, while Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil are also in contention after coming off the bench against Stoke last Sunday. Danny Welbeck (thigh), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Mikel Arterta (ankle) and Abou Diaby (calf) are all ruled out.

West Ham v Hull (Sun)

Winston Reid (ankle) missed West Ham's FA Cup third-round replay win over Everton on Tuesday but is now back in training as is full-back Guy Demel who has been sidelined since the turn of the year with a muscle problem. That means only top scorer Diafra Sakho (back) and Cheikhou Kouyate (international duty) are definite absentees.

Sone Aluko and Gaston Ramirez will return to training ahead of Hull's trip to east London to offer manager Steve Bruce some hope of solving his striker crisis. Bruce saw strike pair Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez injured in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom last weekend with both out for several weeks. Andy Robertson (ankle), Liam Rosenior (hamstring), and Mohamed Diame (knee) remain out.

Everton v West Brom (Mon)

Everton winger Aiden McGeady is suspended after being sent off in the FA Cup defeat at West Ham. Defender Tony Hibbert is the closest to a return of those currently injured while Sylvain Distin (groin) also has a chance of making the squad. Midfielders James McCarthy (hamstring) and Darron Gibson (knee) are not too far away from being available for selection.

Jonas Olsson remains sidelined for West Brom but the defender could be back in two weeks after returning to light training following an Achilles problem and Jason Davidson is with Australia for the Asian Cup.

🔗 Share on Social Media