MARCH 21: ENGLISH FOOTBALL TIPS

IT'S a big night in the English Premier League tonight – with Man City v Chelsea capturing the attention.

City have taken on allcomers at the Etihad this season, winning an incredible 14 out of 14, scoring 42 and conceding just six.

Chelsea have won four in a row under caretaker boss Roberto di Matteo and stormed into the last eight of the Champions League with that brilliant comeback success against Napoli – but can they make their mark at such a fortress?

City now trail four points behind Man Utd and are out of Europe so boss Roberto Mancini needs to lift his troops for the run-in.

It should make for a fascinating contest and I'm going to side with City simply because of that incredible home record.

Two of di Matteo's wins came against Championship sides and one against Bolton so Napoli's been the only big test which to be fair he passed with flying colours.

It was good to see Fernando Torres break his scoring drought against Leicester but will he be able to do it when it matters against one of the country's meanest defences? Not likely.

I'd prefer to be relying on the likes of Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli and the former is 11-2 with Stan James to bag the opener. For Chelsea the dangerman is likely to be Didier Drogba who is 8-1 at Stan James to hit the opener.

City are a biggest 20-21 at BetVictor with Chelsea 10-3 at Coral while the draw pays 13-5 with BetVictor.

Arsenal are another London side who have returned to form and I reckon they'll pick up the points from a difficult trip to Everton.

The Gunners have won four in a row, scoring 12, and will be aware the likes of Man City, Spurs and Chelsea have lost at Goodison.

However, we saw how shattered Sunderland were at Blackburn on Tuesday night with boss Martin O'Neill saying his men couldn't match the intensity of the Everton game – and of course the sides have it all to do again next week.

Securing an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool is Everton's main aim just now and Arsenal can take advantage at a best 7-5 with William Hill and BetVictor.

Liverpool are a bit hit and miss but should build on the derby victory over Everton and FA Cup success against Stoke by beating QPR at Loftus Road. Rangers have lost 11 of their last 16 league matches and haven't really got started under Mark Hughes.

Kenny Dalglish's men seem to save their best for the cups these days and a best 5-6 with Ladbrokes and Paddy Power is helluva skinny. However, I reckon the Reds will sneak a win.

Spurs stars could still be in shock after the Fabrice Muamba heart scare in their weekend FA Cup clash with Bolton but returning to action is maybe what they need and they should beat Stoke at White Hart Lane.

Stoke haven't fared well against the leading contenders away from home, drawing one and losing six to teams in the top eight. Take Spurs at 9-20 withLadbrokes, again pretty short.

Blackpool returned to form in the Championship with a win against Brighton at the weekend and can follow up by beating Leicester at home. The Tangerines are 6-4 at BetVictor.

I'll also be on Ipswich at home to Burnley. Ipswich have netted exactly three goals in their last three home games and face a Burnley outfit who have lost their way a bit with no wins in five. You can have Ipswich at 1-1 with Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.

The final Championship game sees Cardiff trying to get back on track at home to Coventry. The Welsh have won just one in five since the Carling Cup Final but Coventry have won once in six. Cardiff are 4-6 at BetVictor.

Recommendations

Both to score at Man City

(8-11, bet365)

Van Persie to score first

(7-2, various)

Blackpool

(6-4, BetVictor)

Ipswich

(1-1, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)