You Bet: Shaken Manchester City must get their heads right in Premier League home straight
Manuel Pellegrini's men are spiralling into a wretched run they need to reverse quickly
Having also gone out of this season’s Champions League, City are in danger of spreading a crisis of confidence from the top downwards. It appears that the club hierarchy lost faith in Manuel Pellegrini some time ago and inevitably that undermines the coach’s authority with the players, whose confidence is also affected by the uncertainty swirling around the club.
The 1-0 defeat at Burnley was a surprise nevertheless, and overall form still suggests City are the second-best team in the Premier League at least, but they are left relying on a coach and players who might not be at the club next season to make sure they qualify for the Champions League again.
The issues that might undermine City have risen to the surface just as the teams immediately below them have found their form.
It is interesting that West Brom, the visitors to the Etihad in Saturday’s early match, are one of the teams ahead of City in the 10-match form table. Thanks to the impetus provided by new manager Tony Pulis, West Brom have lost only two of their last 10 games and have averaged 1.6 points per game during that run. City, by contrast, have lost three of their last 10 and averaged 1.5 points per game.
Danger lurks for City if they under-perform again, but it has to be said that Pulis’s teams generally struggle against the top teams, particularly on the road. West Brom’s only match against a big-six side since he took charge was a 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham and last season, while he worked wonders overall with Crystal Palace, Pulis lost six out of eight against big-six teams – from a possible 24 points he picked up only four, all at home.
Tottenham could do with a boost in their challenge for a Champions League place and should get it at home to bottom club Leicester. Tottenham are second only to Chelsea in results against the bottom seven, with nine wins out of 11, while Leicester are on another long winless run (currently seven matches).
Southampton also need to revive their form and will be wary of visitors Burnley, having lost the reverse fixture 1-0. Since then, however, Southampton have won four out of five against teams in the bottom seven and their form might not be declining as severely as it appears.
Having recommended Aston Villa last weekend, the same advice applies even in a tougher match at home to Swansea. Tim Sherwood has encouraged greater attacking intent and, with Villa now scoring goals, their win prospects appear to be ahead of any adjustment in their odds.
TOP FIVE BETS:
Aston Villa home win
The quality is showing now that Tim Sherwood has them scoring
Liverpool home win
Tight match on form lines but visual impression suggests hosts have the edge
Charlton on handicap
Much improved under new manager Guy Luzon
Hoffenheim away win
Excellent win rate against struggling teams
Werder Bremen on handicap
Unbeaten in seven against teams outside top four
SHORTLIST:
Stoke, Brentford, Real Sociedad,
17
Points dropped by Everton from a winning position this season
16
Points recovered by Tottenham from a losing position this season
12
Premier League matches without a draw for Arsenal