EPL action returns with a jam-packed midweek round.
On Thursday morning, two in-form teams battle it out when Crystal Palace welcome Manchester United to South London.
At the same time, the blue side of Manchester will be hosting a London side, when West Ham make the difficult journey north.
But the feature game sees bitter rivals Tottenham and Chelsea go head to head, in a game that could prove the final straw to break Sarri's back.
Read our EPL betting tips before punting on these cracking midweek games.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
EPL Odds: Chelsea $2.30 / Draw $3.40 / Spurs $3.30
A feast of high-quality games on Thursday morning is highlighted by what is always a spiteful clash between London rivals.
Both teams are looking to bounce back after deflating results.
Spurs' outside title hopes took a massive dent when they suffered defeat at the hands of a spirited Burnley over the weekend.
But the spotlight will well and truly be on the Blues for this match, who are having a disastrous 2019.
It was looking like the sky would be the limit for Maurizio Sarri's men, after they started their 2018/19 campaign by going 18 games undefeated.
Tottenham coincidentally ended that streak with a comprehensive 3-1 victory on November 25.
And since then, it's been pretty much all downhill for the Blues.
Respective 4-0 and 6-0 defeats to Bournemouth and Man City in the past 30 days have been compounded by the news that Chelsea will be banned from signing any new players for two transfer windows, due to breaches regarding youth players.
And then it got worse over the weekend.
The Blues lost in penalty shootout against City in the League Cup final, after the drama involving Sarri and Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Kepa refused to be substituted in the most concrete proof yet that Sarri has lost the dressing room.
This was a body blow after a surprisingly good display from the Blues, who held the Citizens scoreless after 120 minutes.
After such a demanding physical and mental effort, and with rumours of Sarri's imminent sacking increasing in volume, don't be surprised if Chelsea don't turn up here.
Tottenham meanwhile are desperate to return to the winner's circle after a shock 2-1 loss to Burnley in match week 28.
However, this defeat isn't as bad as it sounds.
The only team to have defeated Burnley since the turn of the new year have been Pep's Manchester City, demonstrating Burnley's superb form turnaround.
Furthermore, the Clarets' first goal against Spurs came from a corner that never should have been awarded in the first place.
With Harry Kane back in the team, and Tottenham sure to come out firing, look to the visitors to get the win.
Key EPL Stat
Spurs have won a league-high 11 away games this EPL season: Tottenham to win @ $3.30
EPL Betting Tip: Tottenham to win @ $3.30
Reasoning: Spurs not only come off an extra day's rest, but didn't have to play 120 minutes and penalties only to lose a final.
In other words, Chelsea will be massively deflated here.
Manchester City vs West Ham United
EPL Odds: City $1.14 / Draw $8.50 / Hammers $19
Can anyone stop the Man City train?
After claiming their first piece of silverware for the season against Chelsea, the Citizens are currently on track to claim a historic quadruple, by also picking up the FA Cup, Champions League and of course, the EPL.
City now trail Liverpool by a solitary point, but with vastly superior form, they look to be in the box seat.
This is reflected in the bookies' EPL odds. The bookmakers have the Sky Blues listed as $1.50 favourites to take out the title.
And based on City's recent home form, it's no surprise that West Ham are starting at $19 in the EPL odds for this match.
Man City have won seven consecutive home games in all competitions, scoring 35 and conceding 2 in this streak.
That's an average of 5 goals scored per game.
Considering that the Hammers haven't recorded an away win in their past five attempts, don't be surprised if another thrashing is on the cards.
Especially as this poor away streak has come against opposition that includes Crystal Palace, Burnley and AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup.
However, West Ham won't be completely without hope.
They currently sit 9th on the ladder, and have recorded 4 points from their previous two matches against "Top Six" opposition.
And if anyone is well aware of what the Citizens can do its Manuel Pellegrini.
The former City manager is now at the helm of the Hammers.
Expect him to set up his side to sit very deep in defence and try to score on the counter-attack.
The speed of Marco Arnautovic up front will be crucial to this game plan.
He was only given 30 minutes off the bench in the Irons' recent 3-1 win over Fulham, in anticipation of this match.
His quality is key if the visitors want to cause an upset.
Key EPL Stat
The Citizens have scored 4+ goals in 4 of their previous 5 matches against the Hammers: Man City to score 4+ goals @ $2.60
EPL Betting Tip: Total match goals over 3.5 @ $1.85
Reasoning: This is probably the safest bet with any value. City have been scoring goals for fun at home, while the Irons are capable of knocking in one or two.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
EPL Odds: Palace $3.25 / Draw $3.30 / Man U $2.30
This fascinating fixture pits two of the EPL teams in the best form up against each other.
Much has been made of Man U under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils proved they are equal to any opposition after drawing with Liverpool over the weekend, in a game they probably should have won.
But it's been Crystal Palace who have really impressed of late.
The Eagles have gone six games undefeated. This streak started with a 2-0 victory over Spurs in the FA Cup, and most recently saw them make light work of Leicester, winning 4-1 away from home.
In that game, Palace star Wilfried Zaha got back to his damaging best, scoring a brace in a superb second-half display.
Zaha has had a relatively quiet season, with just 7 goals and 2 assists to his name.
However, when in form and full of confidence, he's arguably the most exciting player to watch in the league.
With a bag of tricks and an eye for goal, Zaha could tear Man United's defence apart if he's in the mood.
But the Eagles are by no means a one-man team. Andros Townsend always poses a danger from the opposite wing to Zaha, while attack-minded left back Patrick van Aanholt continually links up with Zaha.
This is the flank where makeshift right back Ashley Young defends for the Red Devils.
If Young gets over-confident and starts playing like a winger, then look for Zaha and van Aanholt to make him pay.
As good as Man U have been of late, their incredible run of form under Solskjaer can't last forever.
They were far from their best against Liverpool, and were obviously hampered by three first-half injuries.
While the Red Devils have the squad depth to cover, they might come into this game a little fatigued.
Key EPL Stat
Wilfried Zaha has scored at least 1 goal in each of his previous 3 EPL appearances: Zaha to score at any time @ $3.30
EPL Betting Tip: Match to end in a draw @ $3.30
Reasoning: Palace's recent form suggests they won't be defeated at home, despite the quality of Manchester United under Solskjaer.
Feb 26, 2019 07:01 PM
AAP
Key EPL Stat
EPL Betting Tip: Tottenham to win @ $3.30
