CITY MAKE IT A PERFECT TEN
If there is one positive about Manchester City's defeat to Tottenham last November, it has seemingly acted as the catalyst for bigger and better things and since that 2-0 reverse in North London, they have steered clear of any league loss.
Which means after a shaky start for all the perceived title rivals, it does look as if the cream is finally starting to rise to the top and City are not just avoiding defeat, but they are also getting the better of all that comes before them.
Pep Guardiola's men have won their last nine league outings and they will look to make it a perfect ten when they travel to Anfield, as defending champions Liverpool will aim to bounce back from a disappointing performance in midweek.
Anfield was previously considered a fortress in footballing circles and with Burnley bringing Liverpool's incredible home unbeaten run to an end recently, the aim was to put down the building blocks for another last Wednesday.
However, the best laid plans have a habit of going to waste and you cannot really say Liverpool even wasted many chances against Seagulls, it was more the worrying trend of them failing to create anything substantial.
Something that will be of great delight to their opponents on Sunday and when you consider that City are giving absolutely nothing away in defence as of late, then more Merseyside misery for Liverpool is not outside the realm of possibility.
Which is why City to win and make it 10 successive league victories, is starting to look appealing to the punters and at odds of 2.10 for this to happen this weekend, it is something that should be seriously considered.
Summary: Back Manchester City to win on Sunday
HAMMERS WIN THE BRAGGING RIGHTS
With Brighton's uptick in form as of late, it has only compounded Fulham's relegation concerns and with the Cottagers now eight points from safety and seasoned veterans Burnley now standing between themselves and 17th, the task has just got tougher for Scott Parker and his players.
While although Fulham are not losing a whole host of football matches, they are not winning them either and if their tactic of trying to draw their way out of the relegation zone is noble, it certainly lacks a little urgency.
With every draw that Fulham manage to record, it can only be considered a small step and really the team that won last season's EFL Championship Play-Offs, now need to be making some rather giant strides.
While when it comes to giant strides, that is seemingly what opponents West Ham are taking in their unlikely bid for European football next season. Then again, when you look at their recent form, a crack at the Europa League is certainly no fluke.
After seeing their impressive unbeaten run come to an end against Liverpool, they bounced back in the best possible fashion in midweek, as they travelled to the West Midlands and got the better of Aston Villa.
That win saw a two-goal haul for new loan signing Jesse Lingard and if he can keep up such impressive goalscoring form, then he could be the pivotal player in David Moyes' plan for a top-six finish.
Ultimately, the Hammers need to keep getting wins on the board themselves and they will identify this encounter as one where they can earn maximum points and if that is the case, you can earn odds of 2.10 for your efforts.
Summary: Back West Ham to come out on top
NO LENO, NO PARTY
Arsenal's impressive unbeaten run come to an end in midweek, as they lost 2-1 to Wolves and in a game where they finished with just nine men on the field, Bernd Leno was one of the pair to get his marching orders.
Without Leno, Arsenal are a different beast altogether and this will play massively into the hands of an Aston Villa side, who will look to return to winning ways after an indifferent showing against West Ham.
Dean Smith's men will also harbour European aspirations of their own for next season and cutting off a direct rival will only be all the sweeter. Then again, what would be even sweeter, will be odds of 2.70 if they manage to get over the line.
Summary: Back Villa to beat Arsenal
