Premier League picks February 13: Manchester City seek another big step toward title versus Tottenham Hotspur

The Premier League moves into matchday 24 with the title picture coming more into picture. After starting the campaign slowly, Manchester City are five points ahead of Manchester United in the title race. 

The Cityzens have a massive test this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City lost to Tottenham Hotspur when the teams met earlier this season. Spurs dominated the fixture, winning 2-0.

Manchester City are favorites to win the Premier League. However, a loss to Spurs would open up the title race to Manchester United, Leicester City, and perhaps Liverpool.

Leicester City vs. Liverpool

Liverpool are struggling and are out of the title picture unless something dramatic occurs. They are 10 points back of Manchester City after being thrashed 4-1 at home by the Cityzens at home on Sunday. Liverpool are unbeaten in seven straight games versus Leicester City. They defeated the Foxes earlier this season 3-0 and never were in trouble.

Liverpool are very different now than they were in that victory at Anfield in November. The Reds were favorites to win the Premier League at that time. Now, they will be fortunate to turn things around and finish in the top four.

Leicester City are unbeaten in back-to-back games in the league. Striker Jamie Vardy is back from injury and will give Liverpool all kinds of trouble. Based on Liverpool’s awful run of form and inability to score goals over the course of their last five games, Leicester City should get a result. I pick Leicester City to get a win or draw at home to Liverpool, heaping the problems on the Reds.

Result: Draw or Leicester City win

Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs defeated Manchester City 2-0 earlier this season, but like the previous game in our blog, these teams were in different form. Manchester City are now favorites to win the league and are playing the best football of any team in the Premier League.

Tottenham have fallen well off the pace. They are eighth in the league and 14 points off of the league leaders, Manchester City. Spurs are a wildcard for this weekend and a win would blow open the door for the title race.

Manager Jose Mourinho is likely to park the bus with 11 players behind Manchester City’s attack to prevent them from scoring. It is a tactic that will see Spurs fail as they struggle to get out and score goals. Manchester City should continue their form and gain a big win at home to strengthen their title charge. Spurs have lost three of their last four and should fall to another defeat.

Brighton vs. Aston Villa

Aston Villa have gone from being a potential top-four finisher to an inconsistent team hanging onto a place in the middle of the standings. Brighton have eased away from the relegation zone and are now 10 points above the bottom three.

Graham Potter’s Seagulls do not have to worry about relegation and can play without stress this weekend. Brighton shocked Aston Villa earlier this season with a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Solly March on either side of an Ezri Konsa goal.

Can Brighton do it again but at home? Brighton are unbeaten in five straight league games and should get a positive result versus Aston Villa.

Result: Brighton win or draw

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