Football
Derek Bilton, ESPN.co.uk betting writer 4y

Can Aston Villa leapfrog Watford and climb out of Premier League relegation zone?

Our bets on Liverpool and Granada both landed on Sunday to ensure a small weekend profit for the column. The Premier League action continues in midweek and there's a huge game at the foot of the table between Aston Villa and Watford.

Running total: -£17.92

The Banker

Just one point separates Aston Villa and Watford in the Premier League table and the pair square off in a huge relegation battle on Tuesday. Villa's form has fallen away in recent months and they've struggled due to injuries to key personnel.

The Hornets meanwhile are in the midst of a six-match unbeaten streak, and look a side transformed under Nigel Pearson. On Dec. 28 they cruised to a 3-0 win over Villa with Troy Deeney the tormentor in chief on that occasion, scoring a brace and generally terrorising the Villa defence.

Jack Grealish has been absolutely magnificent for Villa in recent weeks and took his tally to seven goals and five assists for the season with a weekend equaliser at the Amex Stadium. However Watford will know if they can keep the shackles on Grealish they will give themselves every chance and they look a bet here at 11/8.

Selection: £4 on Watford to win at 11/8 with bet365.

The Tasty Treble

So many 'good things' have been turned over at short odds in the Premier League in recent weeks, but surely Tottenham (2/5) will do the business at home to Norwich on Wednesday? The Canaries have won just one of their 11 matches away from Carrow Road and Jose Mourinho's men should have too much class on home soil.

Elsewhere, 'Under 2.5 goals' looks good at 10/11 when Everton host Newcastle, a game between two teams who don't give much away defensively. The Magpies have a crippling injury list but have been punching above their weight this season having already beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Add in both teams to score at 7/10 when Leicester City host West Ham. The Hammers have been OK on their travels this season (12 points from 11 matches) while the Foxes have started gifting too many soft goals of late which has to be a concern for Brendan Rodgers. The Premier League treble pays just over 7/2 with bet365.

Selection: £4 on the treble at 3.54/1 with bet365.

The Euro Wager

Atalanta are the top-scoring team in Serie A and look sure things to beat basement boys SPAL on Monday night. Luis Muriel and Josip Ilicic have scored 20 goals between them this season and can help the Orobici cover a two-goal handicap against the lowest scorers in Italy's top flight.

Selection: £5 on Atalanta -2 to beat SPAL at 13/10 with bet365.

The Wildcard Tip

Sheffield United have not beaten Manchester City in seven attempts in the Premier League era but might not get a better chance to do so than on Tuesday night. The Blades are seventh in the table and claimed an impressive point against Arsenal last time out. The Citizens are rocking and their win rate without Aymeric Laporte in the team is a mere 66%. Chris Wilder has to be in any manager of the season conversation given what he's achieved and the Blades could be worth a small punt here to spring a shock against the champions.

Selection: £1 on Sheffield United to win at 8/1 with bet365.

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