The reduced weekend of action in the Premier League continues with a couple of matches over the course of Saturday, one where the champions will be expected to showcase their title credentials once again.
Both matches are live on TV in the UK so there is no reason why on a freezing cold day we can’t sit back and enjoy what should be a couple of decent games with three important points on offer in both of them.
Chelsea vs Fulham (12.30 – TNT Sports 1)
The opening match of the day is the West London derby at Stamford Bridge as the two sides who lost in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup in midweek meet when Chelsea play host to their local rivals Fulham in a key game for both.
While neither are in any danger of anything this season, they are probably both lower in the table than they would like to be at this stage of events. That is certainly the case for Chelsea so they are probably under pressure to get a result here, especially given that they are at home and have just lost to a Championship side. Fulham probably don’t have a complete free hit here but they don’t have a whole lot to lose either so they can give this a good go and see if they can add to the growing woes at the Bridge. This was never a game I was going to get involved with anyway given their midweek exertions but neither are playing consistently enough to tempt me into action.
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Newcastle United vs Manchester City (17.30 – TNT Sports 1)
The second match of the day comes from St James’ Park where Newcastle United will be hoping to build on their morale boosting win in the FA Cup last weekend when they entertain the champions Manchester City who will be looking to move within two points of top spot.
Newcastle haven’t had a good time of it in the Premier League and need to get back to winning ways swiftly if they are going to be involved in Europe next season, unless they win the FA Cup. Manchester City probably haven’t really delivered the goods by their high standards this season but this is the part of the year where they tend to click into gear and you would imagine they will kick on from here. The big concern for Newcastle is that even though they have some players coming back, they seem to have forgotten the art of defending and against a rampant City side who have two key players back and fresh I think that could be significant. Liverpool opened Newcastle up at will in their last Premier League game and I think City will do likewise. I expect an away win here and I’m surprised the Asian line is only 0.75 here. I fancy City to cover that and give us a full win.
Tips
Back Manchester City (-0.75AH) to beat Newcastle United for a 3/10 stake at 1.92 with Bet365
