Premier League Tips: Villa to avoid defeat at Old Trafford in 19/1 four-fold

• Palhinha can't stop Man City

• Villa to complete double over Man Utd

• Vardy to lead winn over Everton

Palhinha crucial to avoid thrashing

Fulham v Man City
Sunday, 14:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Fulham were easily dismantled 3-0 by Arsenal in a recent game at Craven Cottage, and Marco Silva's aggressive form of pressing is certainly vulnerable to a team like Man City.

City showed in midweek what happens when you push up against Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland. However, the big difference from Fulham's Arsenal defeat is that Joao Palhinha is back.

Palhinha has completed 119 tackles this season, 28 more than anyone else, and his ability to get across the width of the pitch will be crucial on Sunday.

He must find a way of getting tight to De Bruyne, although with Pep Guardiola likely to return to a 4-3-3 - with two eights behind Haaland - Fulham probably don't have the numbers in midfield to cope.

Fulham are unlikely to cause problems on the break, either. Daniel James has been deputising as the centre forward but his runs in behind, despite his pace, won't be enough alone to get through Man City's back three.

There only real hope is set-pieces, but Alexandr Mitrovic's suspension means even here the visitors hold an advantage.

Narrow midfield to hit United on the break

Man Utd v Aston Villa
Sunday, 14:00

In Aston Villa's 3-1 victory over Manchester United in Unai Emery's first match in charge the hosts' narrow 4-2-2-2 completely bamboozled Erik ten Hag.

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were overwhelmed by the box-shape midfield, leading directly to the first and third Villa goals, and it seems likely that something similar will happen at Old Trafford.

Villa were very conservative against Fulham, stubbornly refusing to play above a snail's pace in the hope it would draw Fulham out. It showed just how much Emery is willing to adapt his tactics and just how humble, and patient, his team will be.

On Sunday, that means sitting deep and absorbing pressure, therefore denying space to United's quick forwards and limiting Bruno Fernandes.

From this hunched position, expect John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey to swerve infield to find pockets either side of Emiliano Buendia as he distracts Casemiro.

That battle should give Villa chances to counter-attack at speed through Ollie Watkins - and should allow Villa to continue their unbeaten run.

Relentess TAA pressure offset by Son space

Liverpool v Tottenham
Sunday, 16:30
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

This could be a really fun game. Liverpool have rediscovered some of their relentless energy in recent matches, swarming West Ham for long periods in midweek thanks to the new interior position taken up by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

He is playing in central midfield when Liverpool have possession in order to sure up the middle, keep teams pinned back, and spray intelligent forward passes.

Tottenham Hotspur are clearly vulnerable to that, given their propensity to play only two central midfielders, and yet they will fancy their chances of hitting Liverpool on the break.

West Ham countered numerous times down their left through Jarrod Bowen, targeting the area that Alexander-Arnold had vacated by moving into midfield. Heung-Min Son, on this side, should be able to similarly take advantage.

The slow start against Man Utd, followed by the comeback, showed that for Tottenham everything rests on their capacity to lift themselves to the challenge.

But at Anfield Liverpool surely have the advantage in arriving first to the ball and enacting their game-plan, making a home win the most likely outcome.

Barnes can strike Everton's weak point

Leicester v Everton
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Back at home, Dean Smith will return to the fast vertical football he looked to implement in the 2-1 victory over Wolves last weekend, but this time with greater playmaking qualities through the thirds thanks to Harvey Barnes' recovery from injury.

Together with James Maddison, he should provide progressive passing options for Youri Tielemans in precisely Everton's weakest area.

Sean Dyche's side did very well to hold Crystal Palace to a 0-0 draw, although it is easier to sit deep and stay strong against dribblers than it is piercing line-breaking passers like those Leicester possess.

Even with Andre Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure back in action it is unlikely Everton will be able to gain control over this crucial area.

What's more, Jamie Vardy's runs in behind are becoming an important feature again, and Everton's centre-backs James Tarkowski and Michael Keane are notably slower than most.

As Everton, without an away win since October, shuffle uncomfortably across, a few moments of surging energy from Leicester's most creative players should be enough to get behind the visiting defence.

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