Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

Take 12-1 City to be surprise champions

After 15 games of a Premier League season disrupted by international games we can at last see a pattern emerging. Manchester United have not really hit top form – they are undefeated but seven draws have cost them 14 points – and have Chelsea's recent slump to thank for their lead. Arsenal have lost three times at home but are hanging on, with Robin van Persie back from injury and looking good.

Meanwhile Manchester City and Spurs have proved viable contenders, City after alleged unrest in their expensive squad, and Spurs while competing in the Champions League for the first time. Just six points cover these five teams. So, who wins the title?

United and Chelsea are joint 13-8 with some bookies, but most go 6-4 in favour of the Blues. Arsenal are 9-2 with Betfred, with City 12-1 at Bet 365. Spurs, surprisingly, are 33-1 with Stan James. There is a series of big matches coming up this month – Spurs v Chelsea, United v Arsenal, Arsenal v Chelsea – so points will be lost. A speculative tenner goes on City, kings of the snood, who may get their necks in front with winnable fixtures this month.

In the NFL there are five games left to sort out the play-off contenders, easier said than done with each of the top 12 hopefuls involved in divisional rivalry. This weekend sees the Pittsburgh at Baltimore, Atlanta at Tampa Bay while the New York Jets visit New England – £10 on a home win treble is advised.