The action at the top of the English Premier League is beginning to heat up. Liverpool are now five points ahead after a 1-1 draw against Leicester City in their midweek encounter.
Tottenham will be hoping to close in on second place Manchester City who are two points ahead of Spurs as Mauricio Pochettino's charges will host Newcastle United on Saturday, 2 February.
Former Platinum Stars central midfielder, David Makgale got in on the matches that will feature this weekend and gave us his predictions. Do you agree with his choices?
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle (English Premier League)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 2 February S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Tottenham Hotspur 3rd Newcastle 17th
Useful facts: It's tough times for Tottenham Hotspur, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace last Sunday and are at risk of relinquishing their fourth place on the log standings, with Chelsea and Arsenal breathing down their necks. The injury to talismanic striker Harry Kane was a case of bad timing and it remains to be seen how the Lilywhites are going to approach their next few games without his services. However, even in that case, they are favoured to get past a Newcastle side that has been huffing and puffing for the better part of this campaign. The visitors have only won five in 23 games and scored a paltry 23, so should not trouble Tottenham's defence that has let in 23 in 23 matches, averaging one goal conceded per game.
David Makgale: Tottenham Hotspur win
Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (LaLiga)
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 2 February S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Real Sociedad 9th Athletic Bilbao 11th
Useful facts: Not much really separates the two teams and their respective league positions suggest as much, so it is a close one to call. For starters, Real Sociedad have scored 25 goals in 21 games, while Athletic Bilbao have netted 22 from the same number of games. Furthermore, the home side has let in 24 goals, while the visitors have conceded 26. The two sides are one point adrift of each other and Bilbao desperately need a win to move up the table, but playing away from home, could settle for a point – after all, they are one of two teams with the team with the joint-most draws in the league (11).
David Makgale: Athletic Bilbao win
Celta Vigo v Sevilla (LaLiga)
Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool 2 February S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Celta Vigo 17th Sevilla 4th
Useful facts: It's hard to see Sevilla not walking away with all three points in this one. Celta Vigo have lost a whopping 10 games after 21 rounds of action, conceding 36 goals in the process. Strangely, though, they are the fourth highest scorers in the league, behind leaders Barcelona (58), their opponents (36) and Real Madrid (34), having netted 33 goals. The last time the two teams met, in October last year, Sevilla prevailed with a 2-1 scoreline, in a game in which for the better part of the second half Celta Vigo played with 10 men.
David Makgale: Sevilla win
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