Man City to sink Stoke, Liverpool can crush Benitez’s Magpies in Saturday action

Mark Hughes’ men will be without star man Xherdan Shaqiri, and enter the encounter having conceded 10 in their last three league games, including a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham last time out. With that in mind, the Citizens are 16/5 to blast four or more past the Potters themselves.

Stoke at the double

As for Stoke, who famously won this fixture last season, there is a 9/1 price for punters who fancy the Potters to complete a league double over their hosts, or 5/2 odds for a draw.

However, as Hughes’ guys are without a win in three, City seem best to back at 11/5 to be the victors but both teams score, with the Potters boasting plenty of threat in Mame Biram Diouf and Bojan Krkic (both 10/3 anytime chances).

While, wing wizard Raheem Sterling (7/5 to score anytime) could return to the City starting XI with Samir Nasri an injury doubt, while Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping Kevin De Bruyne (5/1 for the opener) and Sergio Aguero (2/1 to bag a brace or better) can work their magic early at the Etihad with a rest ideal for the in-form pair before Real arrive.

Liverpool v Newcastle United

• Premier League
• Saturday, April 23rd
• Kick-off: 15:00 BST
• Anfield, Liverpool

Reds to keep up rampant scoring

Liverpool are odds-on at 8/13 for a fifth successive victory as Newcastle United journey from Northeast to Northwest having held Man City midweek.

The headlines are all about former Reds boss Rafa Benitez’s Anfield return, and the Spanish coach is 9/2 to stun his former side by pinching three points, or a more reasonable 3/1 to force a draw after doing so when he took Chelsea to Anfield back in 2013.

Still, Jurgen Klopp has his men riding the crest of a wave and, with confidence high from 16 strikes in their last four matches across all competitions. So, Liverpool look tasty at 19/4 to turn the screw and score four or more for the fourth time in five games.

Benitez and Magpies have backs against wall

Newcastle may have nabbed a point versus City but have it all to do away from home here as they continue to seek survival. The shaky defence will certainly be tested as, while injured Divock Origi misses out, Roberto Firmino (evens anytime), Philippe Coutinho (5/1 for the final say) and Daniel Sturridge (11/2 to score first) have shown they can step up to the scoring plate.

The Magpies may have to rely on their own marksmen too, with winger Georginio Wijnaldum a decent 10/3 anytime shout to score his second against the Reds this season.

Bournemouth v Chelsea

• Premier League
• Saturday, April 23rd
• Kick-off: 15:00 BST
• Dean Court, Bournemouth

Can Cherries take Chelsea chance?

Bournemouth can go level on points with defunct Premier League champions Chelsea should they run out winners at Dean Court (19/10). All things considered, the Cherries are well worth a 5/2 shot to split the spoils having memorably sunk the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

The south coast club have welcomed back scoring shout Callum Wilson (9/4 to net anytime), while former Man Utd man Joshua King (7/4) has two in as many of his last matches.

Capital club stuck in slump

Inconsistent Chelsea, meanwhile, do not look tempting at 13/10 to triumph after winning one of their past seven in all competitions, despite a wealth of attacking options in Diego Costa (6/5), Willian and Pedro Rodriguez.

Aston Villa v Southampton

• Premier League
• Saturday, April 23rd
• Kick-off: 15:00 BST
• Villa Park, Birmingham

Saints seeking high score

It remains to be seen which players will be given the nod at Villa Park, with the Birmigham-based club already condemned to relegation.

A Villans victory is a long 6/1 punt, as guests Southampton may still have something to play for, though they are six points from sixth place and the potential for Europa League football.

Ronald Koeman’s Saints are still 8/15 match favourites, however, as Graziano Pelle (4/1 for the first blow) has a great scoring record versus Villa, with Shane Long and Sadio Mane also previous scorers in this fixture.

Without a win since February, Villa’s best options could be players who want to put themselves in the shop window with Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede both 11/4 in the anytime market.

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Coral’s top tip: Sturridge is a superb 7/2 shout to score first.