Leicester v Man Utd
Premier League – 2.05 pm
Sky Sports
Everywhere you look there is some massive top sporting action this weekend, and our best bets of the day for Sunday is going to focus on three such big encounters. Manchester United were embroiled in a fantastic tussle at home against Burnley in midweek. They went into the game having won all six league fixtures under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But heading into the final 5 minutes at Old Trafford, the Red Devils found themselves 2-0 down. Both their winning streak and undefeated streak in serious jeopardy.
But then Burnley gave them a way back into the game by conceding a penalty with 3 minutes to go. Paul Pogba duly converted. Then United found an equalising goal in the 92nd minute. While they couldn’t pull out enough to keep their winning streak going, it moved them onto a seven-match undefeated streak of form in the top flight. United have suffered just one defeat in their last 12 league games. Their home winning streak may have gone, but they will be looking for their fourth straight road victory. They make the trip to the King Power to face Leicester on Sunday. The Red Devils are 5/6 odds-on favourites to get the win.
It has been something of a strange season from Leicester. Boss Claude Puel never seems far away from his job being under threat. They haven’t exactly given the home fans a great deal to cheer about this season. The Foxes have won four of their 11 home league games only. But what they are able to bring to the table is a pretty mean defence. It helped them beat Man City recently. It helped them get a point against Liverpool in midweek.
So will that be able to help them at least avoid defeat in this fixture against a side who are right on top of their form at the moment? Understandably Leicester are underdogs but the leading bookmakers have an even money quote on them to not get beaten in a double chance option.
Manchester City v Arsenal
Premier League – 4.30 pm
Sky Sports
Just when Manchester City looked to be right back in the swing of normal service being resumed, they suffered a massive setback in their title hopes on Tuesday night. After Sergio Aguero had put them 1-0 ahead inside the first minute of their clash with Newcastle at St James Park, it looked to be another evening where the reigning champions would be cruising to victory. They totally controlled the game but they just couldn’t find the killer touch to get a second goal.
That came back to bite them. I for one never saw the turnaround in fortunes that was coming. Two defensive howlers from the Citizens threw away the points. Now their title defence gets even tougher as they try and catch Liverpool. It is back to home soil on Sunday for them, and at least Manchester City can look at the positive of having won all but one of their home games this season (L1). What kind of response to that setback against Newcastle do the Citizens?
Arsenal are a side who continue to impress and frustrate at the same time. They continued their great home form in the league with a win over Cardiff in the week. But their season in terms of a title race, or even comfortable top-four finish, has fallen short. That’s largely because of some poor away form. Arsenal have only won four times away from home this season. The Gunners have failed to win any of their last five on the road.
Basically, anyone who shows up at the Etihad Stadium would be underdogs and Arsenal are big ones at 7/1 odds to win this game. But one has to wonder if this is the perfect time for them to be going there? Manchester City were dealt a heavy blow to their confidence. This game has is a pretty strong promise of goals. Let the fun begin!
New England at LA Rams
Super Bowl NFL – 11.30 am
BBC
With such a late start for the Super Bowl, it is going to be time to put on an extra pot of coffee. It’s time to get those matchsticks out to prop up eyelids. This NFL showdown is a massive spectacle and for this season’s match, there is the New England Patriots, starting as slight 8/11 favourites to claim victory over the LA Rams. The Patriots are in their third straight Super Bowl. Things didn’t go to plan for them last year at this stage, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.
It will be all eyes on veteran quarterback Tom Brady who is trying to become the most successful player ever in the sport by winning his sixth Super Bowl ring. He is going to be opposed by the young and exciting Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Goff has just led his team through some immense displays of attacking power this season. The Rams are 11/10 odds to pick up the victory in this match and given their stats, given their higher ranking over the Patriots in yards gained and overall points for the season, this could once again, be another very special Super Bowl fixture.
