Man City v Fulham Tip

With 11 wins in 11 home league matches this season, one has to assume that Man City will fancy their chances against the side with the worst away attack in the Premier League. The league leaders are evens (Bet365) to win the match with a clean sheet but that looks opposable with one of the form players in the top flight lining up for the visitors. There looks to be more value in backing Clint Dempsey to find the net at a best price of 7/2 (Ladbrokes) in the anytime goalscorer market.

The talismanic American can do no wrong at the moment - he is the first Premier League player to reach four goals in 2012. His midweek strike against WBA made it 11 goals in 13 games in all competitions. His second-half hat-trick against Newcastle a fortnight ago was particularly impressive in a season full of highlights.

With Bobby Zamora now departed, it is quite possible that Fulham boss Martin Jol will continue to play Dempsey in the striking role he adopted on Wednesday. Opportunities may be at a premium against Man City, but at over 6 ft we can always expect the 28-year-old to at least threaten at set-pieces. On current form, if he only gets one chance, he is likely to take it anyway.

Mancini’s title contenders have looked more defensively vulnerable ever since Yaya Toure left for Africa; the protection he affords the back four has been sorely missed. And, after three defeats in the last six there could be a few home jitters at a match they are expected to win. Dempsey may take full advantage; he’s scored three times on this ground before and is a great price to do so again.