MY ACCOUNT
With just the three games taking place in the Premier League on Saturday, here we summarise our expert writers’ best predictions for each one.
Wolves vs Manchester City (Saturday, 12:30pm)
While a few moments of carelessness have cost them points this season, it would be an exaggeration to say that Pep Guardiola’s men are struggling.
Indeed, for all the thrills of the Newcastle 3-3 draw and the drama of Aston Villa nearly nicking an unlikely victory, it must be noted that City should have killed off their opponents in both encounters.
City’s levels of dominance would have resulted in victory far more often than not in those games.
Villa scored with their only shot on target and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope was in stunning form to deny the Premier League champions, who registered 22 shots but could only beat him three times.
Wolves boast plenty of technical quality and are likely to have more possession than most of City’s opponents, but their lack of killer instinct at the other end undermines their chances of springing a surprise.
Bruno Lage’s men have produced some nice football this season and mid-ranking opponents have found them hard to break down, but their lack of cutting edge is likely to cost Wolves against a Citizens side who usually make the most of their chances.
It may not be a rout and Wolves have the class to worry a sometimes vulnerable City backline, but the visitors should win by a goal or two.
Newcastle vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)
Newcastle have lost only one of their last 13 home Premier League games, 12 of those coming after manager Eddie Howe had made significant additions in last season’s winter transfer window.
The Magpies have a strong core and greater depth that has enabled them to stay competitive when key players are absent.
But if even one of the three big players — Allan Saint-Maximin, Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson — that have been missing lately are back for this game then the game could be up for Bournemouth’s recent revival.
Their draw at Wolves owed much to the failings of the hosts while the win at Nottingham Forest came about when the home team collapsed under some desperate pressure.
Newcastle can ensure they return to winning ways by relying on their greater defensive structure to keep a clean sheet.
Tottenham vs Leicester (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Tottenham, who have won four of their last five matches against Leicester, should pick up all three points on Saturday if manager Antonio Conte gets his selection right.
The Foxes have been beating themselves with some costly errors, while their brittle confidence has been exposed by conceding quickly again once their opponents have broken their resistance.
Eight of the last 14 Premier League goals they have shipped have come within 20 minutes of the previous one being registered.
So Spurs should assume control once they put the first one past Foxes goalkeeper Danny Ward.
But Leicester have netted in 22 of their last 24 away league games and could threaten enough to ensure both teams get on the scoresheet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
