There are a few heavyweight bouts on the cards in this round of exciting Premier League football. On Saturday evening Arsenal will be in the red corner and Chelsea will come out swinging from the blue corner in this Boxing Day clash that headlines the weekend.
Leicester City and Manchester United will lock horns in Saturday’s early kick-off, while Wolves and Tottenham close out the round in what’s expected to be a tactical battle between two fellow Portuguese managers.
Saturday 26 December
Leicester City 39/20
Draw 51/20
Manchester United 27/20
(14:30)
Leicester City’s final game at the King Power Stadium for 2020 sees the Foxes host Manchester United. Brendan Rodgers’ side are in the chasing pack of teams, hot on the heels of champions Liverpool. However, their record on home soil doesn’t bode well for their chances in this tie, losing four times from seven games against the likes of West Ham, Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton. Manchester United have suffered the same struggles as Leicester at Old Trafford, but have been perfect on their travels, claiming six wins on the bounce. The famous 5-3 clash when Leicester returned to the topflight instantly comes to mind when you mention these two teams. United have gone unbeaten in the following 12 meetings with eight wins and four draws. The early kick-off could prove tricky but I’ll be backing United to claim their seventh straight victory on the road.
Aston Villa 9/10
Draw 26/10
Crystal Palace 28/10
(17:00)
Aston Villa will be aiming to get back on track this Saturday and will be boosted with the returns of Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz after the pair missed out against Burnley and West Brom through suspension. Since thrashing champions Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park, Dean Smith’s troops have subsequently suffered defeats at home to Leeds, Southampton and Brighton. Midfielder Trezeguet was the difference maker during Crystal Palace’s last visit as the Egyptian’s double claimed the spoils in a 2-0 victory. Christian Benteke was sent off in that particular match and could potentially return to face the Villans after being showing a red card at West Ham a few weeks ago. Both Teams to Score (Yes) seems the best way to go in this matchup.
Fulham 43/20
Draw 23/10
Southampton 27/20
(17:00)
Fulham’s improving performances have been gaining points in recent games, most notably from the hard-fought 1-1 draw during Liverpool’s visit to Craven Cottage, as Scott Parker’s team continue to their season-long battle against relegation. The Cottagers’ most worrying sign is that they’ve only managed to beat fellow new boys West Brom on their own patch. Southampton are the in-form team in the league that have taken everyone by surprise under the tutelage of Ralph Hasenhuttl, whose stamped his blueprint onto his group of players. The Saints are unbeaten in six games on their travels with three draws (Chelsea, Wolves & Arsenal) and three victories. I can’t see Southampton losing this encounter. Back the away win.
Arsenal 28/10
Draw 26/10
Chelsea 19/20
(19:30)
Arsenal play host to Chelsea with manager Mikel Arteta under severe pressure. The Gunners have lost four and drew once from their last five league matches at the Emirates and desperately need to turn things around. Gabriel Magalhaes will return from suspension to bolster Arteta’s defence against the likes of old boy Olivier Giroud. The French striker has faced Arsenal twice in the Blue of Chelsea, bagging a goal and two assists in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final. Frank Lampard’s charges are looking to get themselves into top gear during the second half of the season. The Blues are expected to play their best football now that their new signings have acclimatized to west London. Four months ago, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in red-hot form and proved instrumental in Arsenal’s 2-1 FA Cup final victory when these rivals last met at Wembley. A lot is expected of the club captain to change their fortunes, and reviving his troops with a Man-of-the-Match performance could be catalyst needed to get his confidence back. Lampard has too much quality in the ranks and will likely bring on three world class players off the bench to see off the game. Chelsea will claim maximum points and add to Arsenal’s woes.
Manchester City 1/8
Draw 8/1
Newcastle United 18/1
(22:00)
Manchester City have failed to hit the heights of previous seasons where the Citizens regularly scored five goals each weekend. There’s been a lack of creativity in midfield with Pep Guardiola opting for two deep-lying midfielders in recent matches. The absence of Sergio Aguero, who’s expected to return to the fray after recovering from a hamstring injury, has been a huge loss with Gabriel Jesus struggling to find his shooting boots. City will target a 10-match winning streak to put themselves in the thick of the title race. Newcastle suffered a 5-0 defeat in their last trip to the Etihad Stadium. I suggest taking Home Win to Nil (Yes) at 15/20.
Sheffield United 34/10
Draw 28/10
Everton 8/10
(22:00)
Sheffield United look certain for the drop back into the Championship after the worst start in history. To make matters worse, Blades’ boss Chris Wilder will be sweating on the fitness of Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge who limped off with a hamstring injury in the 3-2 defeat to Man United, just nine days ago. Everton had struggled to compete without their star names who are slowly making their returns and adding quality back into this resurgent Toffees outfit. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are tipped confidently.
Sunday 27 December
Leeds United 13/20
Draw 31/10
Burnley 15/4
(14:00)
Leeds United return home to Elland Road to lock horns with Burnley. Marcelo’s Bielsa’s men have taken a lot of plaudits for their grab the bulls by the horn approach of winning the ball as quick as possible and attacking the spaces ahead with blistering speed, spearheaded by Patrick Bamford. However, the results have been less impressive. As fans we’re entertained but the Peacocks have won just once in five home games. Burnley have begun to hit their stride. It may not show on the log standings, but Sean Dyche’s men seem to be back to their dogged and cagey performances that make it near impossible to score against. I fancy the Clarets on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/10.
West Ham United 13/10
Draw 47/20
Brighton 53/20
(16:15)
West Ham United clashing with Brighon has been a delight for the neutrals in recent meetings with 12 goals scored from the last three clashes. From their last six home games, the Hammers have lost just once to Man United. David Moyes’ team will be outsiders for UEFA Europa League qualification if they can be consistent against the opponents of similar quality like Brighton to make progress on the log standings. Brighton were winless in four games prior to hosting bottom side Sheffield United. Avoid picking a winner and take Both Teams to Score (Yes) to come home flying for the fourth consecutive meeting between these clubs.
Liverpool 1/7
Draw 15/2
West Brom 17/1
(18:30)
Reigning champions Liverpool host newly-promoted West Brom to fortress Anfield in the penultimate match of the weekend. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have a perfect record on their hallowed ground of seven straight wins on the bounce. “Big Sam” Allardyce will have his work cut out against a manager who’s won FIFA Best Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons and with Thiago Alcantara returning soon. Take Liverpool on the (-1) Handicap at 7/20.
Wolves 24/10
Draw 22/10
Tottenham 5/4
(21:15)
Wolves are without influential spearhead Raul Jimenez for this cracking encounter against Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux Stadium. Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto stepped up for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in their last game on home soil, cruelly edging Chelsea 2-1 with the last attack of the match. Jose Mourinho’s Lilywhites suffered their first defeat on their travels when they travelled to Anfield and will be looking to get back to winning ways. The four meetings between these sides have been entertaining goal-filled humdingers since Wolves re-joined the topflight, however, I see this tie playing out differently. Both sides are very similar in their approach and will be cautious to not giving anything away in the first half. Back the draw in the Half-Time market at even money.
TREBLE @ 13/2
Southampton Win 27/20
Man City Home Win to Nil 15/20
Everton Win 8/10
Written by Bryan Naicker