Reds to clinch cup revenge in City clash among Premier League ties
Published:Lee Gormley | March 1, 2016
The midweek Premier League action continues into Wednesday night as Liverpool meet Manchester City only days after the latter’s Capital One Cup final victory, while West Ham United and Tottenham clash in a London derby. Elsewhere, Manchester United face Watford, Arsenal host Swansea City and Stoke City contest Newcastle United.
Liverpool v Manchester City
- Premier League
- Wednesday, March 2nd
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Anfield, Liverpool
- Live on BT Sport 1
Liverpool look to avenge cup final loss
After suffering an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat in the Capital One Cup to Manchester City, Liverpool will look to recover from their heartache swiftly and gain instant revenge in the pair’s Premier League meeting at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds must bounce back quickly to avoid further misery domestically, and the hosts are 17/10 with Coral to secure a home victory, while Manuel Pellegrini’s visiting Sky Blues are 11/2 to prevail with both sides scoring (£20 max stake).
Despite their Wembley loss last Sunday, the Merseysiders actually possess the more dominant record over City in recent league match-ups, having won three of the previous four and losing on just one occasion.
South American influence could be key again
In the last three encounters between the sides on all fronts, Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has found the target, including a late cup final equaliser before extra-time, and is 11/4 to dispatch anytime again in his latest appearance for Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero, who comfortably tucked away his spot-kick in the Wembley shootout, is 11/4 to fire the travelling Citizens to three points on the road, with a £20 max stake. The Argentine attacker netted in the reverse clash on home turf and has four career goals in 14 clashes against the Reds.
Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho was an unlikely opening goal scorer at Wembley and he is 6/1 to strike again anytime, while former Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling is 2/1 to dispatch, having missed an abundance of chances in the recent Wembley meeting.
West Ham United v Tottenham
- Premier League
- Wednesday, March 2nd
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Upton Park, London
Hammers host Spurs in London derby
Tottenham travel to Upton Park in search of three points to help keep the pace with league leaders Leicester City, and will be confident of ousting their London rivals West Ham United after a 4-1 victory earlier this term.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs are on a title charge and face a Hammers outfit still in a strong position to gain a European spot this season, making the visitors 3/1 to triumph with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Spurs sharpshooter Harry Kane bagged a brace in that previous league victory over Slaven Bilic’s Irons and the England international marksman is 4/1 to open proceedings this time out, while Dele Alli is 15/8 to strike anytime.
For the hosts, attacking trio Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Emmanuel Emenike are all 15/8 to clinch scoring success in front of their own fans, with prolific Frenchman Dimitri Payet 15/2 to bag the game’s final goal.
Manchester United v Watford
- Premier League
- Wednesday, March 2nd
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Old Trafford, Manchester
Red Devils look to avoid Hornets sting
Following their 3-2 success over Arsenal at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United are aiming to capitalise on a surge in form and overcome Watford, with the Red Devils 7/5 to earn a win to nil on home turf.
Quique Sanchez Flores’ Hornets are still chasing a top half finish though and battled to claim a scoreless draw with Bournemouth last time around, making them 5/1 to sting their rejuvenated opponents on the road.
Watford were lucky not to snatch a draw in the reverse clash, with frontman Troy Deeney dispatching a late penalty to put proceedings level before helplessly netting an own goal after 90 minutes to gift United the win.
The Hornets hitman is 2/1 to dispatch at the right end anytime this time out, while strike partner Odion Ighalo is 15/8 to pounce past David de Gea. Man Utd youngster Marcus Rashford has become the latest Old Trafford starlet to rise to prominence and is 9/2 to open proceedings, with Memphis Depay 6/5 to follow up his Vicarage Road goal with another here.
Arsenal v Swansea City
- Premier League
- Wednesday, March 2nd
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- The Emirates, London
Gunners host stuttering Swans
With Arsenal’s title aspirations having been dealt a significant blow in that defeat to Man Utd, Arsene Wenger’s Gunners are seeking to bounce back against a stuttering Swansea City outfit in London.
The capital club comfortably toppled the Swans 3-0 last October, but were on the losing side twice last season, including a 1-0 defeat on home soil, with Bafetimbi Gomis having bagged a late winner.
Arsenal are 9/4 to prevail with a vital three points, while Francesco Guidolin’s Welsh outfit are 17/2 to inflict a hammer blow to their opponent’s title hopes.
Swansea striker Gomis could be key to that possible outcome and is 11/4 to net anytime, with Gunners marksman Danny Welbeck 4/1 to score first.
Stoke City v Newcastle United
- Premier League
- Wednesday, March 2nd
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- The Britannia Stadium, Stoke
Potters battle with Toon on home soil
The previous two encounters between Stoke City and Newcastle United have ended all square and another draw is 12/5 to occur at the Britannia, though Steve McClaren’s Magpies are 16/5 to claim a crucial away triumph.
Mark Hughes’ Potters have recovered from four previous league outings without a win to secure recent back-to-back successes over the Cherries and rock-bottom club Aston Villa, making them 9/4 to prevail without conceding.
Peter Crouch netted in both meetings with Newcastle last season and is 6/1 to bag the game’s last effort here, while Irish attacker Jonathan Walters is 6/4 to strike anytime and Toon maestro Georginio Wijnaldum is 11/4 for goal of his own.