Our soccer expert shares betting tips and previews some huge games in matchday 21 headlined by two blockbuster games as Newcastle welcome Manchester City and Tottenham travel to face Manchester United.

 

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Aston Villa vs Sheffield United (Saturday 17:30 UTC)

Both teams eased through their FA Cup ties comfortably without arguably some of their best players, if that’s even possible with Man City given their strength in every area of the pitch and the depth of talent in the squad. 

Man City will be buoyed by the return of Kevin De Bruyne (at last) but he knows himself he has to be careful "I worked hard and I'm happy to be back," said the 32-year-old. "I felt good so I'm pleased about that but I'm still nowhere near where I need to be.

"It's a good continuation of the process of the last few weeks. I feel good, the movements were good, I felt comfortable in what I was doing and that was the only thing I was really looking for.

"To get that ovation after being away for five months gives you more of a boost. There will be moments I want to play every game, but I know in the back of my mind I need to take care of myself."

In the end nowhere near his best but still got an assist within 17 minutes is an ominous sign of things to come for the second half of the season. Ironically KDB’s return will probably edge Kalvin Phillips closer to the exit at City with Newcastle looking highly likely the destination for the ex-Leeds Utd midfielder.

Eddie Howe needs players back fit or dip into the transfer window but if the reports are to be believed with the loan deal and owned clubs St James’s Park may be graced with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo on loan (we will see about that). Slowly but surely the injury list is easing Isak is now back scoring but inevitably, given Newcastle’s record this season, the win came at a price with an injury to Joelinton which has left Howe waiting anxiously for the medical report on a highly significant figure in his plans.

Howe will have known defeat to The Black Cats was unthinkable and would have increased the noise around St. James’ Park, which has grown in recent weeks for his removal, but which the manager insists he ignores to focus on the task in hand.

He will be delighted with how his Newcastle players dealt with the intense atmosphere and the pressure of the derby occasion in such measured fashion, with Bruno Guimaraes pulling the strings and Anthony Gordon a constant danger.

Howe will now hope a measure of calm returns to Tyneside ahead of the next big challenge.

Even potentially without Haaland upfront City still have that talented squad to choose from and with Alvarez leading the line will the Toon’s defence cope not based on our odds with Pep Guardiola’s men priced at 1.55 to win with Eddie’s lads at 5.57 and the draw at 4.50. Maybe City following up with another 5-0 win is more to your taste, it’s worth a go at 47.75.

 

Everton vs Aston Villa (Saturday 14:00 UTC)

Everton have slipped in recent matches losing their last 3 league matches slipping them back just above the relegation places despite the 10-point reduction they sustained even if they had those points still it would only get them 12th at best. Talks of Alli returning won't fill the Toffees fans with a huge boost and with the takeover not still ratified by the Premier League Dyche probably won't be dipping into the transfer market in January.

Performances have been very hit-and-miss this season glimpses of brilliance but then fall short in matches they should win with the talent they have. All talk is on Onana and Branthwaite exiting with European giants Real Madrid watching both players they would be a big loss to Everton but for sure at some point, they need a big game defender, midfielder and forward to give them more of a structured spine to the team. Dyche will be eagerly awaiting the purse strings being quickly opened.

Aston Villa have been the surprise package this season and still holding on in there in second place in the table but like all the top teams their recent form hasn’t been as consistent as they Unai Emery would’ve liked.

Villa have adapted a very solid match structure. A lot of teams are now putting 10 men behind the ball and trying to score with balls over our defensive high line, fair enough. The patient build-up play in possession may not be pretty, but it eventually grinds teams down which is why they've been scoring some very late goals. They need to hold onto that grit and determination the rest of the season especially playing in Europe, the Premier League and FA Cup Villa must hold out with this strategy and hope their squad can withstand the long run in.

Despite the gulf in the league table odds are a strange one for this you would think the Villans would be out in front…..far from it. Villa are priced at 2.44 to win but not far behind are Everton at 2.81 I would be tempted by a draw at 3.63 and at 1-1 being 7.00 that’s one I would keep an eye on. 

 

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Manchester United vs Tottenham (Sunday 16:30 UTC)

Ange travels to Old Trafford missing arguably one of their most influential player in Son and with Maddison still out injured and a few others added to that injury list potentially easing this may be coming at the right time for the team. Werner’s imminent arrival I'm just not convinced by him, never was at Chelsea, but he has proven experience in this league which Spurs need. Ange Postecoglou will be glad of a fresh face but will hope Werner’s finishing can be more reliable.

He’ll certainly get plenty of chances as deliveries are aplenty from players across the pitch but it does seem Spurs at times don’t want to take risks and would rather walk the ball into the net rather than take shots from in or around the box. Should they really be after a traditional number nine in the transfer window?

Erik ten Hag has problems of his own reported squad unrest, Sancho drama, minority takeovers..the list goes on. On the field, he remains staunch in his approach to games but the fans aren’t convinced at all. United are still too slow in the build-up. And there's still no clue or plan on how to play out from the back. Marcus Rashford needs to be advised to start attacking the defence he is confronted with and refrain from constantly turning and passing back. 

Erik’s men were seemingly lucky to drag themselves through the win at Wigan but Erik didn’t see an issue. "It's all about the win but first half, the way we played, the performance, how we worked the ball, how we made our runs, the investment in the final third, we created a lot of chances and that was pleasing to see. I think we should have scored more but the good thing is we created the chances.

"We have so many injuries and illnesses but still we put out a strong side. We had a good team, so we were confident before, we must win this game.

"You never underestimate any opponent, definitely not this side, you know they will fight for their life because it's the game of their life. We took the game very good."

"We created a lot of chances and what would have made the difference today was putting the ball in the net a bit more with the occasions which we had. They had one or two counter-attacks but overall we controlled the game and had some good moments.

United are favourites in this game being priced at 2.22 and Spurs at 2.96 but again like the previous match I would be tempted to go a draw given the two sides recent woes priced at 3.99.

 

Full list of Premier League fixtures - Matchday 21

Friday 12th January 

Burnley vs Luton

 

Saturday 13th January 

Newcastle vs Man City

Chelsea vs Fulham

 

Sunday 14th January 

Everton vs Aston Villa

Manchester Utd vs Tottenham

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Friday 12th January**

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