Gameweek 13 of the Premier League season is almost upon us, with 18 out of 20 teams in action on Saturday and Sunday.
Our recommended acca focuses on five of the matches taking place in the top flight of the English game, including the titanic tussle at the top of the table.
A £10 wager on our three-leg acca would pay out £52.50, while the same stake on our five-leg version offers a potential return of £151.67.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa: Chelsea to win (3/4)
Aston Villa were in European action a day earlier than Chelsea this week, but Enzo Maresca uses a second-string side for the Conference League. That means his first team should be pretty fresh for Sunday’s showdown at Stamford Bridge.
Villa have gone off the boil of late, winning only one of their last seven outings in the Premier League.
Their intensity has dipped and opponents are finding it easier than ever to slice through their defensive structure. The likes of Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Nicolas Jackson will have plenty of chances to run in behind Villa’s backline here.
Chelsea are in a good place under Maresca, who has made them competitive much quicker than most people expected.
With home advantage behind them, the Blues can register another victory this weekend.
Go for a Chelsea win at 3/4 with bet365
Liverpool vs Manchester City: Both teams to score (1/2)
Manchester City are in an unfamiliar position. For the first time in the Pep Guardiola era, they have lost three Premier League games in a row. That may well become four on the bounce on Sunday.
With eight points already separating these two teams, Liverpool could in effect knock City out of the title race with a win here.
That might sound like a premature statement given how well Guardiola’s side tend to do in the second half of campaigns. But it is clear that something is not right at City.
The absence of Rodri is the main reason for their slump, but there is a general sense that this team has grown old together.
City are still creating chances, though, and with Kevin De Bruyne set to return to the starting XI, they should score against Liverpool. Keeping the Reds out at the other end will be much harder.
Choose both teams to score at 1/2 with bet365
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United: Under 2.5 goals (Evens)
Crystal Palace are second-bottom of the Premier League right now, but there is not a great sense of panic around the club.
That is because an injury crisis goes a long way to explaining their predicament, while performances have generally been better than results. Oliver Glasner retains the faith of fans and board members alike.
Palace scored twice against Aston Villa in their most recent assignment, but they are still one of the least productive teams in the division. Only Southampton have made the net bulge less often.
As for Newcastle, they have the joint-fourth worst attack in terms of goals scored. We should not expect a goal-laden 90 minutes at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Tip under 2.5 goals at evens with bet365
Back the 3-fold acca
Manchester United vs Everton: Under 3.5 goals (4/9)
Ruben Amorim kick-started his tenure as Manchester United manager with a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town last weekend. United took an early lead at Portman Road, but they were second best for much of the match.
There is plenty of work for Amorim to do at Old Trafford. He has introduced a new system and style of play, and it will take time for the players to get used to it.
Unfortunately, that means a top-four finish is unlikely this term given United head into the weekend in the bottom half of the table.
Everton were also involved in a draw last time out, as they failed to find a way past a Brentford side that played more than half of the match with 10 men.
United are average going forward and Everton are resolute defensively, so this promises to be a low-scoring affair.
Back under 3.5 goals at 4/9 with bet365
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town: Ipswich or draw (23/20)
Nottingham Forest have been the surprise of this Premier League season, but the upcoming schedule looks daunting.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will face Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur among others in December. We will learn a lot about this Forest team over the next few weeks.
A home game against Ipswich will not necessarily be easy either. The Tractor Boys may be in the relegation zone, but they are not easy to beat. Kieran McKenna’s men have lost the same number of games as Tottenham up to now.
What is more, Ipswich recently beat Spurs and they probably shaded last weekend’s meeting with Manchester United. We reckon they will avoid defeat at the City Ground next.
Select Ipswich or draw at 23/20 with bet365
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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