Three essential bets for this weekend

Friday? Again? Excellent stuff. It means it's time for a look ahead to this weekend's three essential bets. Thomas Rooney of Footballtips.com takes you through them.

Forgive me if there is a fairly mundane feel to some of this piece. I've just realised that while Tom Cleverley continues to be picked by England, Juan Mata and Isco haven't made the Spain squad.

Let's just think about this for a second. Actually, let's not. If we needed a reminder that England are so far behind the World's best - this is it.

Anyway, let's forget about that for now. England don't play until Wednesday next week so there's plenty more time for Three Lions chat then.

For now, on with the essential bets...

1) Suarez to score and Liverpool to win

You might be surprised to hear that Luis Suarez has gone five games without a goal, while it is just one strike since the middle of January.

Liverpool's form has still been good though and Suarez has been extremely influential. He's assisted his team-mates and been a constant nuisance for opponents.

This weekend could be his chance to be the match winner again though. Liverpool head to Southampton on Saturday evening in a game bathed in quality.

Fired up and due a goal, Suarez to score and Liverpool to win at 2/1 with Betfred is very tempting indeed.

2) Manchester City to edge out Sunderland at Wembley

Next up, there's a very good chance Man City will win at Wembley in the Capital One Cup final this weekend. However, I want to add some value to this and don't think it will be easy.

Sunderland have had the better of them several times in the last couple of years and they will put up an almighty fight. Do they know any different under Gus Poyet?

This is a Man City side that will learn from their mistakes in the FA Cup final defeat against Wigan last year. They will NOT be taking the Black Cats lightly.

Ladbrokes are offering 3/1 for Man City to win by one goal in 90 minutes.

3) Norwich to win at Aston Villa

Let's get this out there now - I'm a Norwich fan. Therefore, it's extremely rare I tip the Canaries to win. However, there's a sneaky feeling about Sunday afternoon.

Norwich head to Villa Park on the back of a potentially season changing win over Tottenham and this weekend presents the first chance to use it as a platform.

Chris Hughton's men are certainly playing well at the moment and it's been finishing chances that's been missing. Maybe, just maybe - that will take an upward turn now.

As for Villa, their home form is poor and a slow start could see the home faithful on the players' backs. Then, Norwich are due to beat former boss Paul Lambert - no doubt.

If Hughton's men play as they have been, with some added self belief, they are definitely worth backing at 3/1 with Bet Victor.

Thomas Rooney is the editor of Footballtips.com, the best place for all your Premier League Tips.