Our betting expert Jones Knows makes his Premier League predictions; watch Chelsea vs Sheffield United, Leicester vs Wolves and Manchester City vs Liverpool all live on Sky Sports; Play Super 6 Extra to win £5,000!
Sunday 8 November 2020 16:57, UK
Our betting expert Jones Knows makes his Premier League predictions for the weekend.
A monster of a football match.
I just hope we get a cleanly run affair in order to gauge a true understanding of what levels these two teams are operating at. For the last two campaigns, these two have been streets ahead of the rest. Is that still the case? Are these two still the standard-bearers for the Premier League?
I would say Liverpool certainly are. Barring the anomaly at Aston Villa, they have put in some excellent performances with their full-backs, central midfield and deadly front three still the best in the business.
However, I am yet to be convinced that City are the same beast though. I would say they are massively vulnerable this season for a top-two finish.
This has been the worst start after six league games in Guardiola's 12-season senior managerial career. His City side have won fewer games, scored fewer goals and conceded more goals than in any of his previous seasons in charge of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
At this stage of last season, City had already scored 24 goals, they have just nine this time around. The intensity without the ball has also looks toned down, something that you cannot accuse Liverpool of.
I think this is a bigger game for City than it is for Liverpool in that regard. They have more questions to answer. More points to prove.
A defeat would leave them nine points adrift of Jurgen Klopp's team. Even at this stage, that is a huge gap to chase down. All those factors make Liverpool a very tempting proposition at 12/5 for an away win. It is not often you can get prices of such juice about a team than ran away with the title just a few months ago and remain consistently operating to the same performance level.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-3 (20/1 with Sky Bet)
I think the markets may have overreacted to both these teams results last weekend. Arsenal's win at Manchester United was another feather in the cap for Mikel Arteta, who is becoming a bit of a master of stifling top teams with a defensive block. But this will be a different type of test and his boys look short at 4/6 for the victory.
Meanwhile, Villa impressed with their attacking output against Southampton despite falling to a 4-3 defeat. Remember, this is a team that went to Leicester and won and have thumped Liverpool. I would not be quick to deem their start a fluke.
Dean Smith's side have won both away Premier League games this season, without conceding. Their balance in midfield with Ross Barkley, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn, flanked by Jack Grealish down the left, is an exciting combination.
With over 4/1 on offer, I am happy to play the away win. Back of the net.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Jamie Carragher and Steve Bruce are among the guests on this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast.
Sky Sports pundit Carragher joins Peter Smith and Adam Bate to look ahead to the big Super Sunday clash between Man City and Liverpool, while Steve Bruce is on the line to discuss Newcastle's Friday Night Football trip to Southampton and the form of star striker Callum Wilson.
Also on the show we analyse how Chelsea have turned around their defensive problems, how Leicester have coped with injury problems, and Adam makes a bold Pitch.
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
