Manchester City vs Aston Villa
On Monday the Football Association charged City with breaking Financial Fair Play rules around 100 times between 2009 and 2018. A time span when City won the league 3 times. Ripples from the ongoing investigation are still being felt but the football must go on.
City lost to Spurs in their last game and visitors Aston Villa will see this as opportunity to pile on the pressure. Especially after giving up the lead twice in their 4 -2 loss to Leicester in their previous game. When the clubs met back in September, Leon Bailey grabbed an equalizer for Villa to earn a 1-1 draw.
Pep Guardiola will be without John Stones (Hamstring) and Phil Foden could return to the starting XI. We’d expect this to be one-way traffic, but Unai Emery is capable of being a stumbling block in City’s title race. Despite what could be a valiant effort, Man City should claim all three points.
Prediction 3-1
Leeds United vs Manchester United
The last time these sides met was just this past Wednesday. And what a game it was.
Managerless Leeds were ahead within a minute of the start and were up by 2 after the break. But United are made of sterner stuff under Erik Ten Haag. They fought back and by the end Leeds were holding on to earn a valuable point under the lights at Old Trafford.
And now for Part II.
Leeds backroom staff reminded the league why the team were a breath of fresh air when they returned to the top flight under Marcelo Bielsa. Their performance should be the ideal motivation as they try to save themselves from a relegation dogfight.
United will be on high alert to prevent lightning from striking twice. Jadon Sancho should start after impressing on Wednesday, and reminded fans why the Red Devils paid Dortmund £73 million for the winger. Marcus Rashford (MBE) is also reminding fans of the talent that made him one of the most exciting English talents of the recent past.
Elland Road will be loud, but United will know what to expect and should come away with a victory.
Prediction 1-3
Liverpool vs Everton
It’s only been one game, but what a game it was. Everton have been disappointing this season but they were strong and stubborn in their victory over leaders Arsenal last week. Call it the new manager bounce, but the Toffees go into the Merseyside derby looking to move up.
Liverpool fans, on the other hand, would rather not have their neighbours visiting Anfield just now. Jurgen Klopp and his Reds are on a downward spiral. Their last game a limp 3 -0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux and questions are swirling around the manager who made them champions just two seasons ago.
Something will give by the time the final whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool should get that first win of 2023.
Prediction 2-1
Closer to home, the DSTV Premiership takes a break this weekend for the Nedbank Cup. Sundowns will get their CAF Champions League quest going when they host Al Hilal Omdurman.
Elsewhere in the world of sport
The Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway today (Friday). Tournament hosts South Africa take on Sri Lanka at Newlands. And as one T20 spectacle begins, on Saturday, the exciting SA20 tournament comes to an end. Pretoria Capitals will take on the Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. If you’re in the mood for the longer format of the game. Turn your attention to the 1st test between India and Australia in Nagpur.
Rugby union will focus on the 2nd round of the Six Nations. England will be eager to get their first win when they face Italy. Scotland and Wales will be an absolute crunch fest. And the French will look to flex their muscles over the mercurial Irish.
And if you can burn the midnight oil, get some of that Super Bowl LVII (57) action if gridiron is something you enjoy. The Philadelphia Eagles will face Kansas City Chiefs.
There are tons more, so jump onto our website, take your time, and make those picks with your one & only Supabets!
