Manchester City v Aston Villa free betting tips - 20.Jan.2021 20:15

Manchester City Form

Manchester City may have made an inauspicious start to the season but the 1.64 Premier League title favourites appear to be hitting top gear at a crucial stage of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side have won five successive league games to climb into second place in the table. With a game in hand on leaders Manchester United and only two points behind, there is no doubting the team to beat heading into the second half of the season.

The Citizens extended their unbeaten record to 15 matches in all competitions after demolishing Crystal Palace 4-0 on Sunday. It was a dominant performance and City have started adding goals to their impressive defensive record this season. John Stones continued his outstanding resurgence with the defender scoring twice while Kevin De Bruyne provided his 100th assist for the club. City have conceded the fewest goals in the league and their swagger is back which will be an ominous warning to their title rivals.

Aston Villa Form

Aston Villa are preparing for their first league game since the first day of the year after suffering a Covid-19 outbreak. The club’s training ground has been closed in recent weeks and their home match last week against Tottenham was postponed.

Villa, who were forced to field a youth team in their FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, were also due to face Everton on Sunday but this was also called off leaving question marks about their players’ health and fitness heading into this game.
Villa were beaten 2-1 at Manchester United at the start of January but the team have been impressive this season. Eight wins from 15 games is a strong return and the side have as many as three games in hand on the teams above them. Jack Grealish has been exceptional this season and the team will hope the playmaker is fit to start this match.

Manchester City v Aston Villa betting tip

City are overwhelming favourites for this match and it is hard to disagree with this status based on recent form. The hosts are hitting their stride and have not lost a game since defeat at Tottenham in November. City have beaten Villa in their last five clashes. We back over 2.5 goals.