England Premier League Matchday 13 Odds & Picks: Spurs to Get Off to Winning Start Under Mourinho

• Jose Mourinho takes charge of first match as Tottenham manager
• Manchester City host Chelsea in Saturday’s late kick-off
• Manchester United travel to Bramall Lane for the only Sunday match

The Premier League returns this weekend for Matchday 13 of the 2019-20 season. After the last international break of 2019, club football takes over until March. Even without matches taking place, it wasn’t a quiet time in the Premier League world as Tottenham sacked long-serving manager Mauricio Pochettino and hired Jose Mourinho for his fourth stint in the league.

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the league to eight points with a victory over Manchester City before the break. Pep Guardiola’s side have a must-win match against Frank Lampard’s in-form Chelsea this weekend, while Mourinho takes charge of his first match in the early kick-off on Saturday with Spurs facing London rivals West Ham.

Premier League Matchday 13 Odds

Odds taken Nov. 22.

EPL Pick 1: West Ham vs Tottenham

West Ham started the season in good form after getting thrashed by Manchester City in their opening match. A run of six matches without a win has put Manuel Pellegrini under severe pressure heading into Saturday’s derby at the London Stadium, however. The Hammers are just five points above the relegation zone.

It’s hard to know how Tottenham will look in Mourinho’s first match in charge. Having only taken over in midweek, major changes are improbable, but Eric Dier is expected to start in midfield (Mourinho was keen to sign Dier when he was Manchester United manager). Spurs haven’t won in five league matches and are only a point ahead of West Ham.

📸 Jose meets the media at Hotspur Way. #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/iZwKCXAWqt

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 21, 2019

Mourinho will be keen to shore up a defense that has already conceded 17 goals this term. Despite the talent at their disposal, West Ham’s attack has been poor so far. Spurs are a good price to keep a clean sheet.

Pick: Tottenham to keep a clean sheet (+225)

EPL Pick 2: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Lampard takes his Chelsea side to visit his former club riding a six-match winning streak in the league. Manchester City’s defeat at Anfield before the international break saw them fall to fourth, a point behind Chelsea. City could be 12 points behind Liverpool by the time this match kicks off.

Frank Lampard at the heart of today's training session as preparations for #MCICHE step up! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Kw2Sqtavtq

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 19, 2019

Both managers have selection decisions to make. Guardiola is without suspended Bernardo Silva and could start Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in the front three. Lampard has N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and Mason Mount all available and it will be interesting to see if he fits all four into the starting line-up. Christian Pulisic suffered a minor hip injury during the break and might not start as a result.

Chelsea’s last trip to the Etihad ended in a 6-0 defeat. A similar result is very unlikely this time around. The Blues head north full of confidence, but are still heavy underdogs. This should be the best match of the weekend; City should have too much for the visitors, but plenty of goals are expected.

Pick: Manchester City to win, Sergio Aguero to score, over 2.5 total goals (+124)

EPL Pick 3: Sheffield United vs Manchester United

With budgets barely comparable, it is remarkable to think that Sheffield United are a point ahead of Manchester United ahead of their clash on Sunday. Testament to Chris Wilder’s management and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s underachievement, it’s a slight surprise to see the Blades at +228 to take all three points.

Manchester United have won five of their last six in all competitions, though they have won just two of six in the Premier League. The international break didn’t come at the best of times for the Red Devils – they appeared to have hit some form since the return of Anthony Martial from injury. With three defeats in their last six away matches in the league, however, a victory at Bramall Lane seems unlikely.

Wilder’s side have won one and drawn five of their six at home this season and boast an impressive record against top six opposition. The Blades narrowly lost to Liverpool but held Spurs and Chelsea to draws and defeated Arsenal. Their defense has been solid to date – only Leicester have conceded fewer goals.

The hosts to avoid defeat is the pick of the bets. Manchester United’s lack of creativity from midfield could cost them once again.

Pick: Sheffield United to win or draw (-135)