Premier League betting preview: Ian Wright’s tips on Man City vs Tottenham, Man Utd and Burnley

THE festive period is upon us and that means the Premier League actions comes thick and fast.

Fortunately former Arsenal and England star IAN WRIGHT is more than capable of hacking the pace and here he runs the rule over three tasty ties to bring you some tips straight out of the top drawer.

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Brighton vs Burnley betting preview – Chris Wood to score first, 4/1

Burnley were as high as fourth earlier this week and are having the season of their lives so you can only see this one going one way.

The worrying thing for Brighton is that they are losing at home and away. I rate Chris Hughton and he has his side that are defensively organised but Brighton and the other promoted teams are finding it tough at the moment.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying they’ve be “found out” but the gaps where they are just lacking a player of genuine Premier League quality are starting to show. They are resolute in defence and hoping to get something on the break but it’s not working out right now.

Sean Dyche’s stock is at an all-time high and he’s bucking trends while doing his thing. He has made just 13 changes to his starting XI this season - eight fewer than the nearest rival - and if his boys can stay injury free during the festive period they’ll continue to do well.

He has players who can blast through the fixture pile-up, while too many managers use it as an excuse to rotate. Players can hack it if you put them in and he’s showing that.

Chris Wood loves playing against his old club and has hit five in five since leaving Brighton so he’ll be my pick for first goalscorer at 4/1 and I can see the Clarets going on to win 2-1; A tasty pick at 10/1.

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Manchester City vs Spurs betting preview – Leroy Sane to score first, 5/1

I can’t see a weakness in Manchester City at the moment. And that’s not good news for Spurs, as good as they have been playing this season.

To do well against City you have to have the ball and it’s not an easy task to get it off them at the moment.

It makes me laugh when I think of all the armchair bandits who said the English game would prove too big a challenge for Pep Guardiola.

Yes the games are tougher but you have to say he is taking the p*** this season. His City side are battering teams week-in, week-out and even when they’re not they are showing the team spirit and determination to grind out results.

Spurs have players who are fit and can score in the likes of Harry Kane and Hueng-min Son but on current form you have to see this as a City win.

Spurs will be dangerous on the break with Kane and Son but that is all they can hope for. They’ll try to play on the front foot and that could be their undoing.

I can see City laying down yet another marker here and running out 3-0 winners at 9/1 and it’s a bit of a lucky dip at City at the moment but I fancy Sane to net the opener at 5/1.

West Brom vs Manchester United betting preview – Romelu Lukaku to score first, 10/3

Man United weren’t exceptional against Bournemouth and you could see by the subdued nature of Romelu Lukaku’s non-celebration that the criticism is starting to get to some of Jose Mourinho’s players.

Bournemouth had more shots than United at Old Trafford, which doesn’t often happen, and but for another standout performance from David de Gea they may have dropped some more points.

United are picking up points but they are not doing it in a way that pleases the fans or inspires real confidence that they could mount a serious challenge if Manchester City are to drop points – as big an if as that currently looks.

I don’t think West Brom will go at United as much as Bournemouth did as it would be stupid of them to come out all guns blazing.

That would play into United’s hands and they would pick them off on the break, like they did against Arsenal, and that would get messy for the Baggies quite quickly.

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As such I expect Alan Pardew to set up a defensive unit, attempt to frustrate United and see what breaks their way. This won’t be one for the neutrals but I think United will prove too strong for the hosts and run out 2-0 winners at 5/1.

I’m glad Lukaku netted in the midweek fixture and I can see him building on that with another opener here. Sun Bets go a trop price 10/3 and that make is a worthwhile endeavour for me.

Be lucky,

Wrighty