With the Premier League now a third of the way through the season, Gameweek 13 is marked by Sunday’s huge double-header as four for the top-eight meet, with Manchester City hosting West Ham before Chelsea entertain Manchester United.
As two sides separated by just three points face-off at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s champions sit the same amount off top spot in the standings behind Chelsea who play afterwards at Stamford Bridge. West Ham remain upwardly mobile despite an away defeat to an albeit improving Wolves side last time out. That, after inflicting a first league defeat of the season to Liverpool three weeks ago and before then, the Irons had gone unbeaten in seven, including knocking out their GW13 opponents City in the Carabao Cup – also at the Etihad – on penalties a month back.
That result stands the visitors in good stead here, however, West Ham have not beaten City since 2015, although that was at Eastlands. City came unstuck here late in October against Crystal Palace, and the Hammers on paper are a more efficient side. The hosts are the resounding favourites of course, but West Ham can’t be overlooked with the chance to draw level on points with their opponents, and if 10/1 odds with SkyBet, William Hill, SpreadEx and SBK are too tall for your liking, a draw at 5s looks far better fare, offered by most bookies.
Following shortly after then, the Blues and Red Devils meet once more in the capital. With a sizeable 12 points between the duo after as many league games, the stakes currently are little different this time around and Chelsea are 4/7 with Betfred and Betfair to take three points. But could United pull off a surprise under Michael Carrick in what could be his final game in caretaker charge, before Ralf Rangnick takes the interim reins at Old Trafford? United are available at 11/2 with Bet365.
In the scoring department meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku could go head-to-head with Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Belgian now cleared to play. For Both Players to Score, SkyBet’s 10/1 double is definitely a no-brainer, should both start the game.
Elsewhere, at Carrow Road, Norwich go in search of their third league win on the bounce against Bruno Lage’s rising Wolves side. Though the men from the Black Country have a decent record on the road this term, in their last away game, Wolves fell to the Eagles. Having suffered a goal drought up to GW10, the Canaries have now scored in every game in the last three, so the value here looks for Both Teams to Score. If that is your inclination, VBet’s best price is 42/41 or more widely, evens.
One of Sunday’s other offerings takes place in Lancashire as Burnley host Tottenham at Turf Moor. Though the Clarets find themselves in the bottom three, Sean Dyche’s men are unbeaten in three, including an impressive draw away to the league leaders. Facing up to fellow London opposition in GW13, conversely, Spurs arrive in the north-west on the back of a humiliating loss to NS Mura in Europe, with Antonio Conte plunged into an early crisis with the Lilywhites.
Though Spurs are 11/10 with SBK, Burnley look great value here at 11/4 with Betfair and Betway. Having scored seven goals in the last 270 minutes of gametime, Burnley’s attack looks to have found its rhythm once more, and for Maxwel Cornet to score again is 17/4 anytime with QuinnBet.
Alternatively, Burnley have scored three goals in each of their last two games at home, and for a repeat run in front of goal versus a side struggling in defence, 15/2 odds with PariMatch, BetVictor and Unibet could be worth examination. Over 1.5 goals for Burnley, could, though, be a more pragmatic approach at 21/10 with the same three bookies.
