Huge local rivals square off in the Premier League this weekend. I wonder if Big Sam Allardyce will be able to continue Sunderland’s recent success in the Tyne-Wear derby?
Though nothing to glorify, this is the fixture in which a Newcastle fan punched a horse a couple years ago.
Disclaimer: no horses were harmed in the writing of this column.
Manchester United v. Manchester City
RANDOM FOOTY FACT: Old Trafford was nicknamed the “Theatre of Dreams” by former United star, Sir Bobby Charlton.
For the life of me I cannot figure out Man Utd. Right when they are primed to go on a nice run, they put up a stinker like they did at the Emirates. Then you write them off and they manhandle Everton at Goodison. Now they have to travel back from Moscow and get ready to host Man City who just came off the high of a last-second Champions League win.
Short week, derby match, both teams fighting for first place; all these things tell me that the draw is the smart play here. And this fixture is long overdue for a stalemate. There has been an outright winner in the last 12.
Pick: Draw (+240)
Leicester v. Crystal Palace
Call me stubborn but I don’t see Leicester continuing their run of good results. They have been the cardiac foxes so far this season, going down two goals on three separate occasions only to come back and draw or win. But that’s not a good long term formula. Crystal Palace under Alan Pardew as I’ve documented in the past are exponentially better on the road than at home. Leicester in four home games have conceded 10 goals. The sharp play is the Eagles.
Pick: Crystal Palace draw no bet (+125)
Bournemouth v. Tottenham
Prior to the international break Spurs were in really good form. However, since they got back they have drawn with Liverpool at home and lost to Belgian side Anderlecht in the Europa League. I think Sunday offers them a great chance to get back on the right track.
Bournemouth are a step down, and lost their best player Callum Wilson to a torn cruciate, leaving them with Glenn Murray leading the attack. So far they have been much better at home than away and could hold down a leggy opponent, but I see Spurs creating enough chances to put one or two past the keeper and having enough on the back end to secure all three points.
Pick: Spurs (+125)
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Serie A special: Fiorentina v. Roma
Some bad blood exists between these teams over the Mohamed Salah transfer. La Viola thought that they had called dibs, Salah said no thank you and pushed for a move to Rome.
He will be front and center come Sunday and this match is for first place as these two sides sit first and second in the Serie A table. One may expect a tight affair given the circumstances but if you look at the recent form for these two sides, Roma’s last seven games and Fiorentina’s last five games have gone over 2.5 goals.
With first place at stake and with much animosity between these two teams, it’s hard to see either side holding back.
Pick: Over 2.5 goals (-110)
Last week’s record: 1-3 (-2.25 units)
Overall: 14-22-3 (-10.2 units)