Expert Jury: City won't let rivals back into title race

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Hartlepool look solid at a shade of odds-against to overcome League Two basement boys Oldham, who have won only once in 11. Pools threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Mansfield on Boxing Day but only leaders Forest Green and sixth-placed Newport have won at Victoria Park from the 11 who have tried this season.

Racing Post's Steve Palmer: Aston Villa to beat Brentford. There has been an efficiency about Steven Gerrard's Villa against the lesser-lights. Villa have failed to get much when tackling the top teams, but Gerrard has clearly devised a system which works when his charges need to be on the front foot. They will be gunning for three points at the Community Stadium and can be fancied to get them.

Racing Post's Aidan Perkins: Charlton to beat Wycombe at home stands out. The Addicks have a good recent record at The Valley, winning their last three League One games at home without conceding, while Wycombe, despite being six places better off in sixth, have only won one of their last six on the road.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: It's a relegation six-pointer in League Two as Scunthorpe welcome Carlisle. Experienced manager Keith Hill has brought some stability to the Iron, which should see them pull clear of the relegation zone come Saturday teatime.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: West Brom can be opposed at skinny odds at home to Cardiff on Sunday. The Baggies remain in the Championship promotion hunt but they have failed to find the net in five of their last seven league games, which includes recent meetings with bottom two Barnsley and Derby. Cardiff have lost only one of their last five on the road and are capable of frustrating them.

Racing Post's Steve Palmer: Leyton Orient at home to Bristol Rovers. Orient have been chalked up at odds-on across the board for their League Two meeting with Rovers, but the Londoners have been beaten by Crawley and Tranmere in their last two outings. Rovers have won two of their last three games and they lost only 2-1 to high-flying Port Vale in the other despite suffering two red cards in the match.

Racing Post's Aidan Perkins: Aston Villa at Brentford on Sunday worry me. With the suspended Tyrone Mings missing from the heart of the visitors' defence, they could get punished by the physical and pacey Ivan Toney and Yoane Wissa.

Brentford caused Man City some problems in the first half the other day and Thomas Frank's side, backed by a vociferous crowd, have already beaten Arsenal and Everton at home and drawn with Liverpool.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: Wayne Rooney is doing a fine job at troubled Derby. If the Rams have any chance of survival, then they need to beat a Reading side who could be suffering from a lack of competitive football having not played since December 11.

Is the Premier League title race all over?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Yes, it certainly looks that way. City have a habit of growing into a title challenge so the fact they have built a commanding eight-point cushion courtesy of ten straight wins doesn’t bode well for their pursuers. Plus they have superior squad depth so can ring the changes without looking much weaker, which is only going to aid their cause over this hectic period.

Racing Post's Steve Palmer: Football is a funny old game, but something particularly riotous needs to happen for Manchester City's Premier League title campaign to come unstuck. Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea appear to have been found out, dropping points against poor teams, while Liverpool will probably be badly hampered by the Africa Cup of Nations. The loss of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane will be sorely felt by the Reds.

Racing Post's Aidan Perkins: Not quite yet. City look irresistible and you cannot see them dropping many points whereas both Liverpool and Chelsea seem to be faltering at the worst possible time.

However, Pep Guardiola's men have Arsenal away and Chelsea at home in their next two games so there's still a glimmer of hope for the chasers. If they pick up six points from those two, though, then it will be pretty much job done.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: It looks that way. Chelsea and Liverpool have been hard hit by Covid-19 and injuries, which has seen them slip away over the last few weeks and with both clubs set to see players depart for the Afcon, City look like pulling further away, as Pep continues to rotate his exceptional squad.

Who wins the FA Cup?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Only three of the last 26 FA Cup winners have been not classed in the so-called big-six, so it makes sense to stay at the head of the market. At the prices, Arsenal, who have lifted the trophy in four of the last eight years, could be the way to go. The Gunners have made the last four of the EFL Cup and won’t be hindered by European football.

Racing Post's Steve Palmer: Manchester United. Roy Keane said during a recent spat with Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports that United had become a "cup team", and Keane will expect the Devils to make a bold bid for FA Cup glory. Ralf Rangnick's side appear good value for the competition with three teams ahead of them in the betting. United have got big-occasion players on their books and Rangnick has had a month to get his ideas across. His team are capable of beating anyone on their day.

Racing Post's Aidan Perkins: I like the look of Tottenham. They have a fairly straightforward home third-round tie against League One Morecambe and Antonio Conte has galvanised them so they look difficult to break down and have plenty of attacking threat as they hit teams on the counter.

Conte will likely rotate in the cup but a few more kind draws and that elusive search for silverware for Tottenham - it's been nearly 14 years - could soon be over.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: No doubt the big hitters will be there or thereabouts come May, however given a good draw the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace or Brighton could be celebrating under the Wembley arch.

Where is the value in the EFL Cup semi-final first legs?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Tottenham or draw double chance at Chelsea. Antonio Conte’s Spurs have one extra day to prepare for Wednesday’s semi-final first leg and have an easier task as they head to Watford while Chelsea play host to Liverpool. The Blues have failed to win four of their last six matches at Stamford Bridge and are not performing with the same zest as they were earlier in the campaign.

Racing Post's Steve Palmer: No goalscorer in Chelsea versus Tottenham. Spurs have looked far more secure at the back since Antonio Conte has taken the reins and the former Chelsea chief can mastermind a blank at Stamford Bridge. There is every chance Chelsea may turn up a little leggy, having hosted Liverpool in a crucial Premier League late-Sunday contest, and Tottenham will relish the opportunity to return home with the semi-final level pegging.

Racing Post's Aidan Perkins: Liverpool to win at Arsenal, even if Jurgen Klopp may field a weakened side.

He's still likely to include several first-teamers who have shone in this competition so far this season, like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi (if fit) and the Reds have only lost one of their last six trips to the Emirates.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: Both matches have the potential to be really entertaining games. Tottenham will fancy leaving Stamford Bridge with at least a draw, especially given Chelsea's long injury list. Conte is a fantastic tactician and will look to exploit any weakness that Chelsea has.

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