Match Preview : Manchester City vs Middlesbrough

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Manchester City will be buoyant ahead of their league match against Middlesbrough on Saturday after securing a hugely impressive 3-1 win over Barcelona in midweek.

Pep Guardiola will now be demanding that performance to be the standard for the rest of the season and that begins against newly promoted Boro at the weekend.

Middlesbrough secured their first win in eight last time out but have been out of shape all season and only have 10 points after 10 league matches this season. They are three points above the bottom three but won’t be expected to get anything from this final match before the international break.

This is the first time the two sides have met in the Premier League since 2009 when City won 1-0. The scoreline should be more comfortable this time around. Naija and Bet

Team News

Manchester City – Pep Guardiola could make some changes to the side that excelled in their 3-1 win over Barcelona on Tuesday.
Fernandinho was forced off in that historic win and is unlikely to feature on Saturday against Middlesbrough. Claudio Bravo missed the win through suspension but is free to return between the sticks this weekend.
Vincent Kompany was benched against Barcelona but could come back into the side for the reception of Middlesbrough, while Nolito is another option should Guardiola rotate in attack.
Middlesbrough – Grant Leadbitter made his first appearance of the season as a second half substitute in their 2-0 win over Bournemouth last time out.
Gaston Ramirez is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season last time out. Other than this forced change, Aitor Karanka may stick with the same team that secured their first win in eight, although Adama Traore may need some rest after starting in back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time in his career.
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Match Facts
Man City have seen under 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 11 matches against Middlesbrough in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Middlesbrough‘s last 4 games (Premier League).
Man City are undefeated in their last 8 home matches (Premier League).

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Manchester City has 1.20 odd to win the match on NaijaBet  while Middlesbrough has 13.27 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 6.34.

Match Preview : Manchester United vs Burnley

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Manchester United bounced back from their 4-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend with a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday night to advance to the League Cup quarter finals.

They must now turn their attentions to Saturday where they need to beat Burnley to avoid dropping further behind the league leaders, with six points currently between them and Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Burnley pulled off a surprise 2-1 win over Everton last time out, but have lost all three of their away games in the league thus far and have conceded three goals in each of them.

They cannot continue that form away from home and need to change that quickly, although that is easier said than done.

The home side have scored three goals in each of their previous two home meetings with Burnley, which does not bode well for Sean Dyche’s side this weekend. Naijabet.com

However, United have endured a a tough schedule in the last few weeks and fatigue could definitely play a part this weekend.

Match Preview : West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City

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Pep Guardiola has now gone six matches without a win for the first time in his managerial career following their 1-0 defeat in the League Cup to Manchester United on Wednesday.

Despite having gone the whole of October without a win, Manchester City are still top of the league, level on points with Liverpool and Arsenal. City need to arrest that form, although West Brom won’t go down without a fight.

West Brom have drawn three of their last four matches, although they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool last time out. They have only won two matches all season but are three points above the bottom three, with four other teams bridging the gap between the Baggies and the relegation places.

City have won each of their last six matches against West Brom and scored at least two goals in each of those matches. Guardiola rested some of his key men in midweek and their freshness should give them the edge at the weekend. Naijabet.com

Team News
West Bromwich Albion – Tony Pulis will be without Claudio Yacob after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last time out. West Brom can, however, welcome Jonny Evans back from suspension.

Match Preview : Tottenham vs Leicester

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Tottenham have now failed to win their last four games in all competitions and will look to bounce back from the disappointing midweek defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup. Spurs remain the only unbeaten team in England’s top tier, however.

Defending champions Leicester meanwhile have the worst away record in the Premier League this term and have lost all four games on their travels this season. They did, though, win this fixture last season, landing a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.

Spurs can exact revenge upon the Foxes on Saturday, with a home win a possibility.

Team News
Tottenham – Moussa Sissoko serves the second of his three-match ban having been reprimanded for an elbow on Harry Arter in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
Harry Kane is back in training, but Saturday’s welcome of Leicester could come too soon for the striker, while Toby Alderweireld is set to feature after being forced off in the 1-1 draw with West Brom.

Match Preview : Sunderland vs Arsenal

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Sunderland are still looking for their first win in the Premier League this season having lost seven of their nine league matches this season.

Arsenal’s run of six straight wins in the league game to an end last weekend after only managing a 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough.

Ominously, the last time these two played it finished 0-0 but Arsenal haven’t gone two league matches without a goal since February.

Team News 
Sunderland – Sunderland were dumped out the League Cup on Wednesday after losing 1-0 to Southampton and frustrations boiled over as David Moyes was sent to the stands. Naija and Bet

Match Preview : Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion

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Liverpool were disappointed to come away with just a point at home to Manchester United last time out and Jurgen Klopp will expect a response from his players at home to West Brom on Saturday. Nevertheless, the point shared means Liverpool are still unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.

However, this isn’t the home banker many expect. Tony Pulis is actually unbeaten in his last eight matches against Liverpool, but the loss of Jonny Evans in this fixture could prove definitive in their attempts to prolong that record.

West Brom have drawn each of their last three matches 1-1 and have only lost two league matches in eight this season. Four of the last five meetings in this fixture have finished in a draw and it will require a good performance from Liverpool to ensure they end that streak.

Team News

Liverpool – Georginio Wijnaldum has returned to full training after missing the 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Monday with a hamstring injury. Naijabet.com

Adam Lallana is also in better shape having been forced to start that match from the bench and both should come into contention to start this weekend.

Match Preview : Liverpool vs Manchester United

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Liverpool have been in tremendous form going forward this season, but the potential loss of Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum could change the complexion of this fixture.

Manchester United aren’t quite clicking under Jose Mourinho but they cannot afford to drop any more points, as they start a gruelling nine-day period that presents fixtures against Liverpool, Fenerbahce, Chelsea and Manchester City.

United have won each of the last four league matches against Liverpool, but they will need to make significant improvements on Monday in order to continue that streak. Naijabet.com

Team News

Liverpool : Jurgen Klopp is sweating on the fitness of Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum ahead of Monday’s clash against Manchester United. Lallana missed the international break after picking up an injury in the first half of their 2-1 win against Swansea a fortnight ago, whereas Wijnaldum was forced off against France with a hamstring injury.

Match Preview : Manchester United vs Stoke City

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Manchester United struggled to a 1-0 win over Zorya on Thursday, which has killed some of the momentum gained from their 4-1 win over Leicester in the league last weekend. Jose Mourinho will want to finish on a high before the international break.

Stoke managed to stop the bleeding last time out but still only managed a 1-1 draw with West Brom. The absence of Jack Butland is really being felt between the sticks, although Xherdan Shaqiri’s return should improve their play going forward.

United haven’t lost at home to Stoke since 1976. They’ve won 15 of the resulting 16 matches at Old Trafford since then and Mourinho will not accept anything else other than three points.

They cannot afford to fall further behind their title rivals before the second international break of the season and should overcome a Stoke side short on confidence.

Manchester United – Wayne Rooney overcame a back problem to feature off the bench in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Zorya in the Europa League. Anthony Martial also made his first appearance after missing their last two matches through injury. Luke Shaw is suffering from illness and may miss out here.
David De Gea, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia were given the night off and are expected to return to the starting XI on Thursday.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also pushing for a return to the United first-team having missed their last five matches but he may not be risked until after the international despite returning to training earlier this week.
Stoke – Shay Given has lost his spot between the sticks to 33-year-old Lee Grant. It cannot be underestimated how badly they need Jack Butland back.
Match Fact
Man Utd have won their last eight home matches against Stoke in all competitions.
Man Utd have won 9 of their last 11 Premier League home matches.
Man Utd have scored at least two goals in their last 8 home matches against Stoke in all competitions.
Man Utd have been winning at both half time and full time in 5 of their last seven Premier League home matches.
Man United have seen over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 8 home matches against Stoke in all competitions.
Stoke have lost 5 of their last 6 away matches in Premier League.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man Utd‘s last 3 games (Premier League).

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Manchester United has 1.31 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Stoke City has 9.o0 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 5.11

Match Preview : Hull City vs Arsenal

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will recall Petr Cech for Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Hull and could also have Theo Walcott available again.

Cech was rested from Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain. In his absence, David Ospina impressed, but Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper will return for the trip to the KCOM Stadium.

The hosts boast their best ever start to England’s top flight campaign after four games, including back-to-back wins against Leicester and Swansea in their opening two matches.

A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off to pay tribute to ex-player Daniel Wilkinson, 26, who died in hospital on Monday after collapsing during a match while playing for non-league Shaw Lane. Naijabet

The club said: “We ask supporters to join us in remembering Daniel on Saturday during a period of silence, which will start and end on referee Roger East’s whistle.”

Team news

Walcott faces a late fitness test, as does Olivier Giroud who is carrying a knock.

Saturday’s fixture will come too early for Aaron Ramsey, who has a hamstring injury, and Gabriel Paulista, who is short of match fitness.

Hull’s new signing Dieumerci Mbokani is expected to be included in caretaker boss Mike Phelan’s squad for the home game, following his deadline-day arrival on loan with a view to a permanent deal from Dynamo Kiev.

Club-record signing Ryan Mason and Will Keane may be given starting roles after making their debuts off the bench in last week’s 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Fellow new recruits Markus Henriksen, James Weir and David Marshall hope to feature – Phelan has no new injury concerns.

Match stats

Since beating Arsenal in their opening Premier League meeting with them in September 2008, Hull City have lost six of the last seven meetings between the two sides.

Arsenal have lost just one of their previous six visits to Hull, with that defeat coming over 100 years ago in 1915.

Alexis Sanchez has scored four times and assisted two goals in four previous games against Hull in all competitions.

Hull City’s last three Premier League matches have seen a goal scored in the 90th minute or later – the last two of which changed the outcome of the game.

Santi Cazorla has scored two goals and assisted a further two in his four Premier League appearances so far this season.

Naijabet Odds

Arsenal are Naijabet’s odds-on favourites at 1.54 despite both sides being on the same points and Hull being the home side.

The Tigers are given a 5.79 chance and are 4.05 for the draw, with the online bookmaker still considering them even-money chances for relegation.

Chelsea vs Burnley preview

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Willian has returned to training with Chelsea ahead of their Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday.

The midfielder had been struggling with a calf injury at the start of the season, and will have his fitness checked ahead of the Stamford Bridge meeting.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has also warned his side to be wary of the counter-punches the Clarets used so effectively in beating Liverpool last weekend.

“It’s incredible as only one year ago people were paying attention to the possession ball. But against Liverpool Burnley had 25 per cent and Liverpool had 75 per cent, and yet the result is 2-0 to Burnley!

“So for this reason I told my players to pay attention. I hope the team will push to win. This is the English league and every game is very tough.” Naijabet.com

Burnley were the surprise package in the Premier League last Saturday with their 2-0 victory over the Reds last weekend, but crashed out to Sky Bet League Two side Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

However, the Clarets know they can compete at Stamford Bridge, picking up a late 1-1 draw there on their last visit in a stormy encounter that saw Nemanja Matic sent off.

Team news

Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma remains sidelined with a knee problem while boss Antonio Conte also has another injury worry, but he would not name the player concerned.

Thibaut Courtois, John Terry, Oscar, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa should return to the starting line-up after dropping out for the midweek EFL Cup win over Bristol Rovers.

Burnley are expected to be back at full strength after the midweek loss to Accrington Stanley when Sean Dyche made 10 changes to the team that drew with Liverpool.

Tom Heaton, record signing Steven Defour and Andre Gray will be among those coming back in, although Ashley Barnes (hamstring) will remain out alongside Liverpool loanee Jon Flanagan, who is not ready to play a full game so soon after completing 120 minutes on Wednesday night.

Opta stats

Chelsea are unbeaten in their four Premier League meetings with Burnley, winning three and drawing one.

Burnley have found the back of the net in all but one of their last eight clashes with the Blues in all competitions (a 3-0 top-flight defeat to Chelsea in August 2009).

Branislav Ivanovic scored in both league meetings in 2014/15, the last season the two sides met.

Chelsea have won the Premier League title in both of the previous seasons Burnley were in the division.

Burnley have conceded just one goal in their last five Premier League matches (three of which were in May 2015, the other two in August 2016).

The Blues have lost just one of their last 45 Premier League home games against newly-promoted opposition, but this came last season versus Bournemouth (0-1).

Diego Costa has scored seven goals in nine Premier League appearances for Chelsea in the month of August.

Burnley have picked up just two points from 11 previous visits to London in the Premier League (W0 D2 L9), scoring six times and conceding 28 goals.

Antonio Conte is currently unbeaten in 29 successive league home matches as a club manager (W27 D2 L0), last suffering a home defeat in January 2013 (Juventus 1-2 Sampdoria).

George Boyd has run the furthest (24.9km) and made the most sprints (166) in the Premier League so far this

season.

NaijaBet Odds

As at this post Chelsea has 1.19 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Burnley  has 14.33 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 6.21