WHAT had looked like being a thrilling Premier League title race is now in danger of turning into another procession for Man City.
Fans were anticipating a four-way scrap for the crown when Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford but United were soon unmasked as pretenders.
That left Euro champions Chelsea and revitalised Liverpool to scrap it out with City and it seemed as if they had what it took to go all the way.
But the champions have upped the pace with 10 league wins on the spin and their rivals are starting to huff and puff.
Guardiola’s men are now eight clear at the top and will be hoping Chelsea and Liverpool damage each other’s chances when they face off at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
It’s hard to see the loser of that game closing the gap so it could be a cagey affair.
I can’t see a lot of goals and you can get odds of evens at McBookie for under 2.5 strikes.
I also like the look of the half-time draw and that pays a decent 5/4 with Bet365 in what should be a tight game.
McBookie are offering 13/10 on either side winning by a one-goal margin and that’s another good option.
City can pile on the pressure by racking up another three points today but they won’t get it easy against an Arsenal side who have won their last five.
The Gunners were battered 5-0 at the Etihad in August yet have been transformed since a dismal start to the campaign.
I can see them scoring today although BTTS isn’t great value at a best 7/10 with SBK.
So I’m backing Kevin De Bruyne to claim another assist for City at 7/5 with McBookie as he’s the man who is making them tick.
Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka has picked up a red and a yellow in his last two games against Guardiola’s side so looks good value for a card today at 15/8 with Paddy Power.
Watford are beginning to look like relegation fodder after a 4-1 Boxing Day battering by West Ham.
The arrival of Claudio Ranieri as boss gave them a bit of a boost but it’s now five defeats in a row.
Spurs are the visitors to Vicarage Road today and Antonio Conte’s men are 3/4 favourites at McBookie.
Tottenham let me down in midweek as they could only draw with a Southampton side who played most of the game with just 10 men.
But they should be too strong for the Hornets and I fancy Son Heung-Min for a goal at 6/4 with Bet365.
Watford have conceded at least twice in each of their last five so over 2.5 Spurs goals has a chance at 9/4 (Bet365).
The other Premier League clash today is a London derby between Crystal Palace and West Ham at Selhurst Park.
There’s not much between these sides and the draw looks like the best option at 5/2 with McBookie.
Former Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard ended his goal drought in midweek and is 12/5 at Unibet to add to his tally today.
Super singles
- Under 2.5 strikes in Chelsea v Liverpool (Evens, McBookie)
- Granit Xhaka to be carded (15/8, Paddy Power)
- Son Heung-Min anytime scorer (6/4, Bet365)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
