We’re in Lap of the gods

AYMERIC LAPORTE is the answer to an Etihad puzzle that’s not as simple as the markets suggest.

Manchester City are 1/12 to beat toothless Southampton (3pm).

I can’t recall seeing a shorter 1X2 price in the Prem this season, though, full disclosure, I can’t recall the names of all the major Wombles any more either.

Was the one with the bowler hat called Uncle Growler? Unlikely, I’d have thought.

I tipped Saints ante post to finish top-10 this season. Clearly a cry for help. It didn’t arrive. Turns out Danny Ings is no Mo Salah. The clues were there if you looked.

All the evidence points to City punts, but they have two far bigger games in the offing.

Sergio Aguero at 4/11 ‘anytime’ will look daft if he only plays 45 minutes, with his dressing gown on.

Saints’ decent defence gets wobbly at set-pieces.

Bet Laporte (above) ‘first scorer’ each-way at 28/1 (Bet365). The big Frenchie is rested and has a good eye for goal.

‘City win to nil’ at 4/5 is pick of likeliest results. Last time: Winners at 4/1 & 2/1