The midweek games get underway on Tuesday as Leicester take on Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. Elsewhere, West Ham welcome Aston Villa, Arsenal face Southampton and Man Utd host Stoke. On Wednesday, Watford play Chelsea at Vicarage Road and Everton entertain Newcastle.
Leicester v Liverpool
The two teams are separated by 13 points, with top-of-the-table Leicester looking to extend their advantage over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, who both trail by three points. Ranieri’s men have had 10 days in which to prepare following their 3-0 home win against Stoke City in the Premier League, but the visit of Liverpool to the King Power marks the start of a potentially pivotal run of fixtures for the club. The Foxes face tricky-looking trips to both the Etihad and Emirates over the next fortnight, before returning to finish February at home to struggling Norwich City.
Ranieri hopes to have winger Jeff Schlupp available after a recent hamstring problem, otherwise the Italian has a fully-fit squad from which to chose from.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will welcome back several first-team regulars against Leicester City after making 10 changes in the FA Cup fourth-round clash with West Ham United. Only Simon Mignolet kept his starting place as the Reds played out a goalless draw against the Hammers on Saturday evening, and the replay adds another game to an already crowded fixture list for Klopp’s side.
Captain Henderson will return for Liverpool after sitting out at the weekend to rest his heel problem.
Strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi, playmaker Philippe Coutinho and defender Martin Skrtel are all set to return to training this week but will not be considered for the match against the Premier League leaders.
The draw at 12/5 (3.40) would help Arsenal and Man City, but also whoever agrees with our pick.
Arsenal v Southampton
The most interesting element to take in consideration on this game is the odds. Arsenal at 4/5 (1.80) is a price to think twice as a ‘too good to be true’. There is an explanation though. The Gunners are without a win in the Premier League since their 1-0 vs Newcastle on January 2, and their recent form has allowed Leicester to go 3 points clear at the top of the table. Alexis Sanchez scored the winner against Burnley last Saturday (2-1 in the Emirates) when Wenger made nine changes from the team that lost 0-1 to Chelsea.
Tomas Rosicky is out once more. The Czech Republic international only returned from a knee problem ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Burnley but suffered a thigh problem during the game and will spend another spell on the sidelines. Bellerin, Monreal and Cech should return. New signing Elneny is waiting for his Premier League debut after the one in the cup. Coquelin, Welbeck, Cazorla and Wilshere are all out.
Southampton head to the Emirates in good form and knowing that revenge matters to the Gunners after their 4-0 victory over them on Boxing Day. Austin came off the bench to score the winner at Old Trafford on his Southampton debut as the Saints earned their third win in a row (0-1). The striker could now make his first start for the club.
Pelle and Davis remain doubtful while Jay Rodriguez and Gardos are unavailable.
We will bet on Under 2.5 goals here waiting for a tough match and some good defending from the Saints.
Man Utd v Stoke
Manchester United passed through Derby County in the Cup on Friday night, while Stoke lost at Crystal Palace – just days after their Capital One Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool. In the Premier League the Red Devils currently occupy 5th place – 4 points and four places ahead of the Potters. Louis van Gaal is always under pressure and was booed alongside his players last time out as they suffered defeat at home to Southampton (0-1).
Stoke went down 3-0 to table-topping Leicester City in their last Premier League game. But they strolled past United when the sides met over the festive period, as United put in one of their worst showings of the campaign to date. Marc Wilson is out. Mark Hughes made eight changes for Saturday’s FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace, with the likes of Peter Crouch, Glen Johnson and Marko Arnautovic all missing out.
This time we will back United. They are 7/10 (1.70) to win with bet365, the main sponsor of Stoke City.
As of the match mentioned played in Boleyn Road, it is our pick of the day. Read the preview and tips on West Ham v Aston Villa.
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