Player to score – Chris Wood (Bristol City v Nottingham Forest) 43/20
Chris Wood has been in exceptional form for Nottingham Forest of late, scoring six goals in his last six games in all competitions. The New Zealand striker has been embraced by Nuno Espirito Santo as the focal point of the Forest attack and is a good bet to extend his scoring run against Bristol City on Friday evening.
Forest are still struggling for consistent form, although there has certainly been an uptick in form since Nuno’s arrival at the City Ground in December. However, Nottingham Forest have still managed to score 15 goals in their last six matches and will likely have opportunities to find the back of the net at Ashton Gate.
Over 2.5 total goals – Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Monchengladbach (4/11)
Bayer Leverkusen’s comeback win over RB Leipzig last weekend was a big moment in their season with Xabi Alonso’s team four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table. Leverkusen are on a four-game winning run in the league and are aiming to make it five wins in-a-row against Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend.
The Bundesliga table-toppers have scored at least once in every league match they have played this season while there have been over 2.5 goals in Gladbach’s last 13 league games. Gladbach have also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven Bundesliga matches. Saturday’s match should produce goals.
Match to be a draw – Fulham v Newcastle United (27/10)
Fulham missed the chance to make the Carabao Cup final by drawing against Liverpool on Wednesday night, but the Cottagers now have the opportunity to make a run in the FA Cup. However, this weekend’s tie against Newcastle United will be a difficult one even if the Magpies are in poor form.
Eddie Howe’s team have won just one of their last six fixtures in all competitions and have struggled most acutely away from home. Fulham and Newcastle have struggled for goals in recent weeks and so this might be a match that is destined for a draw between two teams lacking firepower.
Both teams to score – Barcelona v Villarreal (3/5)
Xavi Hernandez remains under pressure as Barcelona boss after the Catalans were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Club during the week. Barca have found their scoring touch of late, netting nine times in their last three games in all competitions, but they are struggling to keep things tight at the back.
Indeed, Barcelona have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches in all competitions. Villarreal aren’t exactly in the most free-scoring form right now, but they have found the back of the net at least once in four of their last five league games. They could pose a threat against Xavi’s team.
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The marquee match of the FA Cup fourth round sees Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City on Friday evening. Spurs have a strong record against Pep Guardiola’s team, winning their last five home meetings with City. Extending that run to six wins in-a-row will be difficult given City’s recent form, though.
Since drawing against Crystal Palace in mid-December, Manchester City have won six matches in-a-row in all competitions and will be fresh after a mini winter break. Erling Haaland is expected to be out through injury, but last season’s Treble winners still have the attacking quality to get the job done.
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