BEFORE the start of the season I predicted Liverpool would give Man City a chase for their crown – and that's the way its panning out.
Both have won six and drawn one of their seven games ahead of tomorrow's meeting at Anfield.
Liverpool are up there despite Mo Salah failing to match last year's strike count so could this be the day he sparks back to life?
There's a school of thought Jurgen Klopp's men must beat the champions if they're serious about a challenge but I'm not sure.
They lost 5-0 at home last season but triumphed at home and in the Champions League. In fact Liverpool's record against City at Anfield is stunning with six wins out of seven and are a best 13-8 at bet365.
City still look the better all-round side and played their Champions League tie 24 hours before the Reds and that's an advantage.
Not an easy call but I can see a draw at 13-5 with McBookie – and possibly 1-1 at 13-2 with bet365.
That was the score between Chelsea and Liverpool last week and both top two have conceded just three goals so defensively they've been strong.
Mo Salah's been criticised for scoring three goals in 10 games but it's hardly disastrous and he is 20-21 at bet365 to get back on track by scoring at any time.
City will have backers at 9-5 with betfair while both to score is 8-15 with William Hill.
Not masses to love in the Premier League today but Burnley should continue their revival with a third league win on the spin against Huddersfield. Sean Dyche's men are 6-5 at betfair to beat a side rock bottom with two points from 21.
That's the same tally as Cardiff who face a heavy defeat at Spurs. Lionel Messi lit up Wembley in midweek but the Welsh don't bring that sort of quality and I'm on the home -1 at 7-10 with BetStars and take Harry Kane to score first at 21-10 with bet365.
In the evening game Man United look too big at 4-7 with William Hill at home to Newcastle despite their troubles and the seemingly impending departure of Jose Mourinho.
His men lost 3-1 at West Ham last weekend and stunk the place out as they were held 0-0 by Valencia in the Champions League.
The atmosphere could be toxic but Newcastle, also with two points, are in a worse state having lost six in a row. I'd even consider Man Utd -1 at 13-10 at McBookie if Mourinho's exit is confirmed.
Coral and other bookies have suspended betting on the manager's future after reports he's about to be binned.
They have also slashed the odds on former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane being announced as his replacement to 4-7 from 4-5. Antonio Conte at 10-1, Brendan Rodgers at 12-1 and Mauricio Pochettino at 16-1 are the next three names in the Coral list.
In the Championship I like West Brom who fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. They are 4-7 with McBookie to beat a Reading side who are in bottom five.
Leeds, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Utd are locked at the top on 22 points and the Blades look best bets at 4-6 with Unibet at home to Hull.
In League One leaders Portsmouth will be on loads of accas having started with no defeats in 11. They are 8-15 at Sky Bet.
Game of the day is Peterborough v Barnsley and there should be goals. There have been 24 in Peterborough's last five and the previous three meetings have seen both scoring and over 2.5 goals.
In League Two best bets are leaders Lincoln at 3-5 with Marathonbet at home to lowly Crewe and there should be goals at Forest Green v Newport.
Recommended Bets
- Liverpool v City draw & btts
- Salah to score
- Burnley
- Spurs -1
- Man Utd -1
- Sheffield Utd
- Peterborough v Barnsley btts & overs
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
