Andy's Sunday tips - Man City to nick win
Our usual double offering of televised Sunday football throws up a close encounter between two evenly matched sides and a game that Manchester City simply can't afford to lose...
Blackburn v Aston Villa
I'm not quite sure what to make of this current Villa side. On the one hand, they have plenty of young, talented players which bodes well for the future, but on the other hand, they lack a couple of experienced heads who can guide them through their paces.
That's why I think the signing of Robert Pires was a canny one. At 37 years of age, he's not going to be scoring 20-odd goals a season or running at defenders at pace like he used to. But he's a player who has been there and done it for both club and country for a decade-and-a-half.
He's a vastly experienced player who always took great care of himself in terms of diet and lifestyle and conducted himself in the right way at all times. His capture is as important for what he can contribute off the pitch as on it.
Blackburn are very different at home to the side they are away from Ewood Park and their results over the past few seasons certainly back that up. They have a few flair players like David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen in their ranks but essentially they're a typical Sam Allardyce side who work hard, give their all every match and make life tough for their opponents.
If Blackburn take their chances, their greater experience should see them take all three points, but with speedsters Marc Albrighton and Ashley Young looking in great form and ever dangerous on the break, I'm going to play it safe and lay Villa.
Recommended Bets:
Lay Aston Villa at [3.55]
Back the 1-1 draw at [7.2]
Fulham v Manchester City
All is not well at Eastlands. Manchester City seem to be able to raise their game for the big occasions but they can't win often enough when the spotlight is elsewhere. I'm not sure Roberto Mancini knows what his best XI is or indeed what is the best system to use given the squad at his disposal.
Mario Balotelli had a great game a couple of weeks ago and then got himself sent off and banned for the next three. Joe Hart, one of their most consistent performers this season, may not be fit for this match.
For what it's worth, I preferred the shape of the team against Birmingham last weekend with Gareth Barry left out and Adam Johnson coming in to provide an extra attacking option. If City are to compete for a top-three finish, I think they need to start being a little less cautious and a little more ambitious.
Mark Hughes would absolutely love to win this fixture and send his former employers the message that he should have been given more time. If he was allowed to, I'm sure he'd swap the suit for a pair of playing shorts and a Fulham top and go out there and throw his weight around and bag a couple of goals. Unfortunately, he'll have to rely on the likes of Clint Dempsey and Zoltan Gera to do that and on the day that might not be enough to stop City from getting back on track.
I don't expect Mancini's men to all of a sudden start playing expansive, free-flowing football but, by hook or by crook, I think they'll get the win they crave.
Recommended Bets:
Back Manchester City to win at [2.42]
Back Manchester City to win 1-0 at [8.2]
Back David Silva to be first goalscorer at [9.0]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 20 Nov 2010
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