Free football betting tips: Premier League Punting Pointers for matchday 15

Why aren't Manchester City scoring more?

This might look like a bizarre thing to be writing about given that Pep Guardiola's side thrashed Arsenal 4-1 in the last eight of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, but it really has been a huge issue for them in 2020/21.

Are they not scoring because they're focused more on defending, or are they focused more on defending because they're not scoring? A classic footballing chicken or egg paradox.

For what it's worth, I would be inclined to go with the latter. Guardiola has solved many of his side's defensive shortcomings through excellent recruitment, and now that they have significant strength in central defence it has become something to rely upon during tight matches.

Unlike for most teams, once upon a time it was actually pragmatic for City to push hard for a second goal late in games because they simply couldn't be certain that they'd be able to hold out for a clean sheet to win 1-0.

That is most certainly not the case now, and the goals will eventually return for Guardiola's side. They already have in fact, with a thumping 4-1 win at Arsenal in the last eight of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

In the Premier League it's just 14 goals in their past 11 fixtures. Despite that, they are still 2/5 to beat Newcastle with over 2.5 goals on Boxing Day.

City are 1/7 to win that game, but the win to nil option boosts it astonishingly to 5/6 with Betfair. They have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine games in all competitions, and only been breached eight times in their past 19 matches.

That price is completely ridiculous.

Are Brighton going down?

Look at the Premier League table, their recent results and their shortening relegation odds - Brighton are slipping dangerously close to the bottom three. Graham Potter's side are now 17th and just two points above the relegation zone having won only once in 13 games in all competitions.

While they're priced significantly shorter than a few weeks ago, Sky Bet still has them at 4/1 for the drop, with five teams - Sheffield United, West Brom, Fulham, Burnley and Newcastle - considered more likely to be a Championship club next season.

And bookmakers are no mugs.

Anecdotally, Albion have played well in near enough every match this season. They look like a good team and they try and play good football. Crucially though, it's not just to the naked eye that Brighton are performing well.