A busy Sunday schedule in the Premier League features five fixtures, including the return of one of English football's most fiercely contested rivalries, the North East derby between Sunderland and Newcastle.
That is one of four 2pm kick-offs, with Manchester City looking to keep up the pace on Arsenal with victory at Crystal Palace, while Nottingham Forest host Tottenham and West Ham lock horns with a red-hot Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
The action concludes with Brentford at home to Leeds United, with the lowly visitors eager to build on last week’s win over Chelsea and draw with Liverpool.
Sunday Premier League Tips
Manchester City to beat Crystal Palace @ 5/6
Sunderland or Draw double chance vs Newcastle United @ 8/13
Both teams to score in West Ham vs Aston Villa @ 7/10
Brentford to beat Leeds United @ 19/20
Four-fold acca at 8.81/1
Citizens to keep up the pace in Gunners pursuit
Manchester City oozed class in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory away at Real Madrid in the Champions League, suggesting that they were firmly over a November wobble that saw them lose to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen before making hard work of wins over Leeds and Fulham.
The Citizens have won 11 of their last 14 matches and, while they have not always had their own way in recent meetings with Crystal Palace, a two-point gap behind Arsenal at the top should ensure that they are fully focused on the challenge ahead.
Palace have won only one of their last four Premier League matches, having shared the spoils with Bournemouth and Brighton and been beaten by Manchester United, and Pep Guardiola’s side look back to peak form, having had eight shots on target at the Bernabeu in midweek.
Leg 1: Manchester City to beat Crystal Palace @ 5/6
Black Cats can stand firm in derby clash
There are few bigger derby days in England than Sunderland against Newcastle United and this will mark their first top-flight clash in almost a decade.
There will be no lost love between this pair in what should be a fiery occasion to boot, but it is hard to see the Black Cats being beaten.
The Wearsiders have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League and they have yet to taste defeat in seven home games this season, winning four times and holding both Arsenal and Aston Villa to draws.
Newcastle were involved in a tough midweek battle at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday, drawing 2-2, and they have won just twice in 10 attempts away from St James’ Park.
Leg 2: Sunderland or Draw double chance vs Newcastle United @ 8/13
Goals to flow at the London Stadium
Nine wins in their last 10 Premier League matches, including last weekend’s 2-1 victory at home to Arsenal, have seen Aston Villa emerge as surprise title contenders.
However, both teams have scored in five of their last six fixtures – they were 4-3 winners at Brighton on their last league road trip – and more entertainment could follow at the London Stadium.
West Ham have improved drastically since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival, with their only defeat in their last six coming at the hands of Liverpool, and they have drawn 1-1 in their last two outings, with Manchester United and Brighton.
Both teams have scored in six of the Hammers’ last seven matches and this clash with Villa may follow the same pattern.
Leg 3: Both teams to score in West Ham vs Aston Villa @ 7/10
Road woes may continue for Whites
Brentford dominate at home, while Leeds United tend to struggle away from Elland Road, suggesting that this should go to form, with the Bees fancied to land the spoils.
The Londoners have won five of their seven home league games this season, which features victories over Villa, Liverpool and Man Utd, while Leeds have lost six of their seven on the road, succeeding only at basement boys Wolves.
Leg 4: Brentford to beat Leeds United @ 19/20
