This Premier League preview sees the final two live matches of the weekend.

The first fixture is the 4pm kick off on Sunday between Sunderland and Manchester City at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are still scrapping for every point at the bottom of the table. Their last showing against City whilst ultimately ending in defeat was highly encouraging.

Manchester City are on an excellent run of form under Pep Guardiola again, they are fighting on three fronts at the moment.

Sunderland vs Manchester City – Sunday 5th March 2017 – 16:00 - Sky Sports 1

Sunderland

Sunderland welcome Manchester City to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League, with the home side in desperate need of a win.

Sunderland come into this fixture on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat, away against Everton.

Idrissa Gueye (40) opened the scoring in the first half, with an excellent strike for his first Everton goal.

It meant Everton headed into the break with a deserved lead, although Sunderland will have been disappointed.

Romelu Lukaku (80) completed the win late on, with the Belgian easing past former team mate Bryan Oviedo to make it 2-0.

Tough Season So Far

David Moyes side have had a tough season, but they have to be more consistent if they are to survive.

They come into the match in poor form, with four defeats in their last six matches they have looked in real trouble.

Their only win in the last six matches was against Palace, a phenomenal 4-0 win away at Selhurst Park.

Sunderland find themselves bottom of the Premier League on 19 points, they are three points from safety.

Big Test For Sunderland

The Black Cats come into this match as underdogs, with Man City's excellent form of late and pedigree informing the bookmakers.

The match against Man City will be a huge challenge for Sunderland, with the Blues unbeaten in their last six.

Sunderland will be looking to better their recent record against City, they have lost the last six successive meetings.

Sunderland are 17/2 with Jermain Defoe at 8/1 to score first.

sunderlandCity Discover Form

Guardiola's side come into this match on the back of a 5-1 win against Huddersfield, with passage through to the next round of the FA Cup secured.

Huddersfield took a shock lead in the 7th minute thanks to Harry Bunn, with Bravo beaten again.

City did have plenty of handball appeals turned down, but eventually scored through Leroy Sane (30).

Sergio Aguero opened his account from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 (35), before Pablo Zabaleta made it 3-1 (38).

Aguero doubled his tally for the night in the 73rd minute to make it 4-1, with his replacement Kelechi Iheanacho grabbing a late fifth (90+1).

In truth Manchester City were by far the better side, Guardiola will be delighted with another excellent performance.

City In Great Form

City have been in great form of late, they now have a very realistic shot of winning the FA Cup in Guardiola's first season.

Guardiola's men are now unbeaten in their last six matches, with four wins and two draws in that sequence.

Manchester City are third in the league, but they find themselves with a game in hand on 2nd placed Tottenham.

Same Again For Pep

The match against Sunderland sees Manchester City emerge as favourites, with their excellent form finding favour with the bookies.

A win will mean they will be unbeaten in seven matches, winning six straight against Sunderland as well.

Pep will be looking for City to continue their overall record against Sunderland, with 63 wins, 20 draws and 43 defeats in 126 meetings.

Man City are 2/7 with Sergio Aguero at 9/4 to open the scoring.

 

The Second and final fixture sees West Ham take on Chelsea at the London Stadium.

West Ham haven't found their new home to be the happiest of hunting grounds but they will want to capitalise on their recent good form and the league cup win here a few months ago.

Chelsea come into the match in excellent form, the title is theirs to lose and they look imperious in the cup to boot. This will be a tough fixture for Conte and his side as the Hammers are in great touch themselves.

West Ham vs Chelsea – Monday 6th March 2017 – 20:00 - Sky Sports 1 

West Ham

West Ham welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium in the Monday Night Football, with both sides in good recent form.

Slaven Bilic's side come into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw, this time away against fellow Londoners Watford.

Troy Deeney (3), opened the scoring for the Hornets, with the skipper giving Watford the perfect start from the penalty spot.

Andre Ayew (73) equalised for the Hammers late in the second half, with just his second goal of the season.

Michail Antonio was sent off in the 86th minute, adding insult to injury for the Hammers, who held out for a valuable point.

Home Comforts

The London Stadium hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Hammers this season.

West Ham do come into this match in good recent form though, they are unbeaten in their last three fixtures.

They have been beaten just once in their last six, although that was a 4-0 hammering at home against Manchester City.

The Hammers come into this match in 9th place, despite their tough start to the season they enjoy an excellent current placing.

Chelsea Huge Challenge

West Ham face a tough challenge against Chelsea, they come into the match as underdogs despite having home advantage.

Slaven Bilic's side face the best side in the Premier League, with Chelsea odds on favourites for the title.

The Hammers will be looking to build on their excellent 2-1 result in the league cup, knocking the Blues out in the process.

West Ham are 9/2 with Andy Carroll at 15/2 to score first.

West Ham

Chelsea's To Lose

Antonio Conte's side come into this match in excellent form, and on the back of a 3-1 win against Swansea.

Cesc Fabregas (19) marked a rare start with a goal, the former Arsenal man making his 300th appearance.

Fernando Llorente (45+2) equalised for Paul Clement's side just before the break, a vital goal for Swansea.

Pedro continued his excellent season with yet another goal (72), before Diego Costa completed the scoring in the 84th minute.

Swansea will feel slightly aggrieved, with Azpilicueta handling the ball at 1-1, it could have given the Swans a 2-1 lead.

Blues In Excellent Form

Chelsea have continued their excellent form this season, and will be looking to tie up a league and cup double this season.

Conte's side are unbeaten in their last six, with four wins and two draws coming in another impressive run of form.

The Blues find themselves top of the Premier League as it stands, by a huge margin of ten points.

With just 12 games to go and a massive points gap it really is Chelsea's title to lose.

Blues Favourites

The Blues come into this match as favourites, despite West Ham beating them 2-1 in the last fixture at the London Stadium.

This will be a tough fixture for Antonio Conte's side, with West Ham in an excellent vein of form themselves.

Chelsea will be looking to continue their excellent record against West Ham, in 93 meetings they have won 39, lost 35 and drawn 19.

Chelsea are 8/13 with Diego Costa at 100/30 to open the scoring.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Defoe to score first @ 8/1 and Manchester City to win 3-1 @ 9/

Tip 2 – Costa to score first @ 100/30 and a 2-2 draw @ 16/1

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