The Premier League returns this weekend after a pause for the FA Cup on February 8 and 9.

Our recommended acca focuses on five of the matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday, including Manchester City vs Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.

A £10 wager on our three-leg acca would pay out £66.73, while the same stake on our five-leg version offers a potential return of £167.09.

Manchester City vs Newcastle United: Newcastle over 1.5 goals (6/5)

Manchester City lost 3-2 to Real Madrid on Tuesday, harming their chances of advancing to the last 16 of the Champions League. They also have work to do to qualify for next season’s edition of the competition.

As we saw against Madrid, City are still struggling to prevent their opponents from creating chances. Previously the masters of control, Pep Guardiola’s side are now so easy to play through.

That is a worry ahead of this weekend’s clash with a Newcastle United side that has had a full week to prepare for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Alexander Isak is one of the most in-form strikers in Europe right now, while Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon are also playing well.

That front three thrives in transition and there will be plenty of opportunities for Newcastle to exploit City’s deficient structure without the ball.

Guardiola’s team have conceded three goals to Madrid, five to Arsenal and one to lower-league Leyton Orient this month. Newcastle can score twice here.

Select Newcastle to score over 1.5 goals at 6/5 with bet365

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: Tottenham or draw (4/9)

Neither Tottenham Hotspur nor Manchester United has had much to celebrate this season. Both teams are in the bottom half of the Premier League table after 24 rounds of fixtures.

Tottenham have stuck with their manager Ange Postecoglou, who has pointed to an injury crisis as justification for his team’s poor form. There is something in that, but Spurs should not be 14th in the standings.

United opted for a change of coach earlier in the campaign, but they are arguably worse under Ruben Amorim than they were under Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils have saved some of their best performances for away games against fellow members of the big six. They beat Manchester City 2-1, for instance, and drew at the home grounds of Liverpool and Arsenal (the latter in the FA Cup).

On this occasion, though, we expect Spurs to edge it. The north Londoners have not been playing well of late, but they still create chances on home turf. That could make the difference against this lacklustre United team.

Back a Tottenham Hotspur win or a draw at 4/9 with bet365

Leicester City vs Arsenal: Arsenal to win to nil (11/10)

Arsenal were rocked by the news this week that Kai Havertz is out for the season. With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus already on the treatment table, the Gunners will have to make do with a second-string attack.

It is difficult to envisage them closing the gap to Liverpool, which currently stands at seven points, with so many key forward players injured.

At least Mikel Arteta’s side have a strong defence to fall back on. Clean sheets are the path to Arsenal remaining in the title race.

A trip to Leicester City is a test that Arsenal should be able to pass without too much difficulty. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are in woeful form as they battle against the drop.

Leicester have lost four home league games on the bounce without scoring. Arsenal can shut them out on their way to victory at the King Power Stadium.

Go for an Arsenal win to nil at 11/10 with bet365

Liverpool vs Wolves: Liverpool to score in both halves (8/13)

Liverpool were the victims of late drama at Goodison Park on Wednesday, as James Tarkowski struck an equaliser for Everton in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.

That was disappointing for Arne Slot’s charges, but they still extended their lead at the summit of the standings in what was their game in hand.

If Arsenal beat Leicester in the early kick-off on Saturday, Liverpool would only be four points clear in top spot when their game against Wolves kicks off.

That would put them under a little bit of pressure, but we expect the Reds to come through this assignment unscathed. 

Wolves have the third-worst defensive record in the division, while Liverpool are comfortably the top scorers.

Choose Liverpool to score in both halves at 8/13 with bet365

Southampton vs Bournemouth: Bournemouth to win (11/20)

Southampton will almost certainly be relegated this term, but at least they are on course to beat Derby County’s all-time low points tally of 11. 

One more win would be enough for the Saints to exceed that amount following their success against Ipswich Town last time out.

However, they are unlikely to get what they want against high-flying Bournemouth, who remain in the mix for a top-four finish.

The Cherries have several players out injured yet they have continued to put points on the board.

Bournemouth are the real deal and they should prove too strong for Southampton at St Mary’s.

Tip Bournemouth to win at 11/20 with bet365

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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