*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
It’s normally around this time of the season where we resign ourselves to nothing other than a mundane finish to the year, with maybe one European spot up for grabs and at least two sides absolutely nailed-on to go down.
And we can usually accept that. It’s the lack of a title race that really, really irks and we’ve been denied one the last couple of years.
But now? Oh boy.
Saturday: Everton vs Manchester City
Kick off: 5.30pm
Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League
The weird thing is – that slip-up to Spurs by City is a slight blot, but they’ve taken 43 points from 16 games. They’re having one of the best seasons in the history of the competition, even factoring in the superclub form where teams just rattle off mad run after mad run.
And yet Liverpool have crept right up behind them, making statements as they do it. Frank Lampard should not be an issue for Manchester City, but we haven’t seen them have to perform under pressure in a while now, which makes this game absolutely fascinating at its core.
And what better way to turn up the drama than waiting on a couple of legs to land a tasty multiple alongside? Here’s our Bet Builder for this huge clash on Merseyside.
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The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right now*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 16/1 at the time of writing with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Man City to Win
I might have been teasing and teeing it up, but I see almost no way, conceivably, that City won’t win this game. And the primary reason for that is the type of culture that Frank Lampard sides seem to carry themselves with – like an over-cockiness that turns try-hard players into strollers when they need to dig in.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the dressing room at Everton still doesn’t feel under pressure despite the situation they’re in – and that’s key to their problems. That, and the fact they’re playing one of the best sides in Europe doesn’t help. Naturally.
Half-Time: Draw
But this is now becoming a bit of an issue. City generally fall back into their shell ever so slightly when the reality of other teams’ results beginning to matter gets into their psyche.
They’re a well-drilled machine. When in full-flow, you can actually see the laser focus – training pitch to match and replicate – with no outside factors. When City begin to think, though? That’s a slightly tougher issue.
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Kevin De Bruyne to Score Anytime
My goodness, me. Please go and watch Southampton’s opener from last week for a briefing on what I’m about to say, but Everton’s biggest failing is when they have to track midfield runners.
Their lack of effort, from Big Donny in particular, is astounding. When City get the ball wide and Everton are forced to stretch, their midfielders will fill holes in those gaps and completely disregard the players on the edge of the box.
City to Have Six or More Shots on Target
Did you see the part where I said it will be level at half-time? Well, I’d nearly expect the first 15 minutes of the second half to feature six City shots on target in that scenario.
Everton v Man City betting tips:
Man City to win
Half-time: Draw
Kevin De Bruyne to score anytime
Man City to have 6 or more shots on target
*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 16/1 at the time of writing with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
FREE BET IF 1 LEG LETS YOU DOWN
If one leg of your 4+ fold Bet Builder fails to land, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Bet Builder Free Bet If 1 Leg Lets You Down per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
Saturday’s football tips
- Football Tips: Thommo’s 10/1 turbo treble for Saturday’s 3pms
- Premier League Tips: Paddy Power’s betting guide to the weekend fixtures
- Football Tips: Paddy traders’ ultimate Cheat Sheet this weekend
- Football Tips: 5/1 play leads the way in Thommo’s Everton v Man City punts
- Football Tips: 15/2 punt will do for Thommo in his Man Utd v Watford bets
- Football Accumulator Tips: Paddy’s 12/1 treble for Saturday night’s European action
Sunday’s Selections
- Football Tips: 20/1 Chelsea v Liverpool punt for your free £/€5 bet builder
- Football Tips: 15/2 flutter in Thommo’s Chelsea v Liverpool Carabao Cup Final wagers
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