Man City to sink Stoke, Liverpool can crush Benitez’s Magpies in Saturday action
Published:
Holly Thackeray | April 22, 2016
While you won’t want to miss out on FA Cup weekend wager action, there are also plenty of exciting Premier League fixtures worth a flutter on a sublime Saturday of sport.
In the early televised tussle Manchester City meet Stoke City, while later on in the day Rafael Benitez returns to Liverpool with drop zone danger side Newcastle United, Bournemouth host Chelsea and already relegated Aston Villa vie with Southampton. Don’t miss out on the array of generous betting opportunities with Coral, so read on as we run the rule over these marvellous matches…
Manchester City v Stoke City
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 23rd
- Kick-off: 12:45 BST
- The Etihad, Manchester
- Live on Sky Sports 1
City to rest stars ahead of Real?
Manchester City have now reached the moment in the campaign were they must be careful. Local rivals Manchester United sit precariously just one point behind in the top four chase, making this match against Stoke a must-win, though just three days later the Sky Blues battle Spanish juggernauts Real Madrid in their first-ever Champions League semi-final.
City are still more than capable of putting out a strong side to face the Potters, however, which is reflected by their odds-on 2/5 status to come away with three points.
Mark Hughes’ men will be without star man Xherdan Shaqiri, and enter the encounter having conceded 10 in their last three league games, including a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham last time out. With that in mind, the Citizens are 16/5 to blast four or more past the Potters themselves.
Stoke at the double
As for Stoke, who famously won this fixture last season, there is a 9/1 price for punters who fancy the Potters to complete a league double over their hosts, or 5/2 odds for a draw.
However, as Hughes’ guys are without a win in three, City seem best to back at 11/5 to be the victors but both teams score, with the Potters boasting plenty of threat in Mame Biram Diouf and Bojan Krkic (both 10/3 anytime chances).
While, wing wizard Raheem Sterling (7/5 to score anytime) could return to the City starting XI with Samir Nasri an injury doubt, while Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping Kevin De Bruyne (5/1 for the opener) and Sergio Aguero (2/1 to bag a brace or better) can work their magic early at the Etihad with a rest ideal for the in-form pair before Real arrive.
Liverpool v Newcastle United
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 23rd
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Anfield, Liverpool
Reds to keep up rampant scoring
Liverpool are odds-on at 8/13 for a fifth successive victory as Newcastle United journey from Northeast to Northwest having held Man City midweek.
The headlines are all about former Reds boss Rafa Benitez’s Anfield return, and the Spanish coach is 9/2 to stun his former side by pinching three points, or a more reasonable 3/1 to force a draw after doing so when he took Chelsea to Anfield back in 2013.
Still, Jurgen Klopp has his men riding the crest of a wave and, with confidence high from 16 strikes in their last four matches across all competitions. So, Liverpool look tasty at 19/4 to turn the screw and score four or more for the fourth time in five games.
Benitez and Magpies have backs against wall
Newcastle may have nabbed a point versus City but have it all to do away from home here as they continue to seek survival. The shaky defence will certainly be tested as, while injured Divock Origi misses out, Roberto Firmino (evens anytime), Philippe Coutinho (5/1 for the final say) and Daniel Sturridge (11/2 to score first) have shown they can step up to the scoring plate.
The Magpies may have to rely on their own marksmen too, with winger Georginio Wijnaldum a decent 10/3 anytime shout to score his second against the Reds this season.
Bournemouth v Chelsea
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 23rd
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Dean Court, Bournemouth
Can Cherries take Chelsea chance?
Bournemouth can go level on points with defunct Premier League champions Chelsea should they run out winners at Dean Court (19/10). All things considered, the Cherries are well worth a 5/2 shot to split the spoils having memorably sunk the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
The south coast club have welcomed back scoring shout Callum Wilson (9/4 to net anytime), while former Man Utd man Joshua King (7/4) has two in as many of his last matches.
Capital club stuck in slump
Inconsistent Chelsea, meanwhile, do not look tempting at 13/10 to triumph after winning one of their past seven in all competitions, despite a wealth of attacking options in Diego Costa (6/5), Willian and Pedro Rodriguez.
Aston Villa v Southampton
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 23rd
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Villa Park, Birmingham
Saints seeking high score
It remains to be seen which players will be given the nod at Villa Park, with the Birmigham-based club already condemned to relegation.
A Villans victory is a long 6/1 punt, as guests Southampton may still have something to play for, though they are six points from sixth place and the potential for Europa League football.
Ronald Koeman’s Saints are still 8/15 match favourites, however, as Graziano Pelle (4/1 for the first blow) has a great scoring record versus Villa, with Shane Long and Sadio Mane also previous scorers in this fixture.
Without a win since February, Villa’s best options could be players who want to put themselves in the shop window with Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede both 11/4 in the anytime market.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Sturridge is a superb 7/2 shout to score first.
