What a turn of events the Premier League has been this season. Current champions, Manchester City, look to have taken themselves out of the title race after suffering a fourth defeat this term, leaving them 14 points behind runaway-leaders, Liverpool. Elsewhere, Leicester City seem to be going nowhere at the moment, claiming eight successive top-flight league victories for their first time in their history. Further down the table, Manchester United and Tottenham look to close the gap on the top four, which now seems realistic after Chelsea lost for the third time in four games last weekend.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Saturday 14 December
Liverpool 1/5
Draw 6/1
Watford 12/1
(14:30)
It’s looking like Liverpool’s title to lose, and dare I not jinx it, but this team could even go the entire campaign unbeaten and replicate Arsenal’s Invincibles. From 16 games played, the Reds have won 15 times, dropping points in just one match – away to Manchester United. Nigel Pearson will take charge of his first game since being appointed as Watford head coach. He’ll be the Hornets’ third boss this season and hopefully, if all goes well, Pearson will be the last. This may not be the best game to judge his new impact on, but Watford could be on the rise again. Liverpool are yet to keep a clean sheet at Anfield, and although they’re expected to win this one, put your money on the Away Totals – Over 0.5 Goals – at 8/10.
Burnley 21/20
Draw 24/10
Newcastle United 26/10
(17:00)
It hasn’t been the best couple of weeks for Burnley who were hammered for the second time in a week after losing 5-0 to Tottenham last Saturday. Prior to that, Manchester City smashed them 4-1 at Turf Moor in midweek. That means its now three defeats in a row for Sean Dyche’s men. Newcastle, on the other hand, are unbeaten in three matches, winning their last two encounters away at Sheffield United and at home to Southampton. It’s going to be a cagey affair between these two sides, so I’d fancy a punt on Under 2.5 Goals at 7/10.
Chelsea 3/10
Draw 5/1
Bournemouth 17/2
(17:00)
Chelsea look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge this Saturday. After a superb run in the Premier League, Frank Lampard’s men have suffered a dip in form, losing three of their last four encounters. Despite a sloppy start in their home games, the Blues seemed to have picked on their form at the Bridge, winning four of their last five. It was a much-changed backline for Bournemouth in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool and it seems like Eddie Howe has to make further changes after the injury sustained by Nathan Ake. The Dutchman has been linked with a return to Chelsea and would have loved the opportunity of a second trial run. Ake would be an upgrade on what they’ve currently got in his position, which has resulted in the club’s run of just one clean sheet in their last seven league encounters. Take the Away Totals – Over 0.5 Goals – at a much better price at 7/10.
Sheffield United 9/10
Draw 26/10
Aston Villa 31/10
(17:00)
Sheffield United had been going through a torrid run of four games without a win in the Premier League, but snapped that run with a commendable 2-1 victory at Norwich. It was the perfect result for Chris Wilder and his men as they prepare for a hectic fixture congestion during the Christmas period. Aston Villa remain in the wrong end of the table, languishing in 17th place. They have, however, been away to some of the toughest teams in the league, playing at Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolves, Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal. The last time Villa travelled to a fellow newly-promoted club, they hammered Norwich 5-1. I’m going bold here and backing Aston Villa on the Win/Draw Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at 19/10.
Leicester City 2/9
Draw 11/2
Norwich City 10/1
(17:00)
Leicester City continue to be the gift that keeps on giving heading into the congestive Christmas period. The Foxes are on a superb eight-game winning streak, with hot-shot in attack, Jamie Vardy, scoring in each one of those victories. The 32-year-old Englishman will be looking to find the back of the net once again in hope of getting closer to breaking his own goalscoring record, netting in 11 consecutive games in a row back in Leicester’s title-winning season. Norwich have failed to adjust to the Premier League and are rooted deep into the relegation zone. Leicester City have the league’s leading scorer, while they also have the best defence in the division. Back the Home Win to Nil market at even money.
Southampton 9/10
Draw 28/10
West Ham 28/10
(19:30)
Southampton dropped down to the relegation zone after their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United. That ended their run of three games without defeat, and to be fair, Newcastle were the in-form team going into the tie. West Ham lost their seventh match in 10 league outings on Monday night when they let their 1-0 lead slip to lose 3-1 at home to Arsenal. Manuel Pellegrini is on borrowed time at the helm of West Ham, and defeat here could see his reign coming to an end. Southampton have won their last two home games and should come out on top here.
Sunday 15 December
Wolves 47/20
Draw 49/20
Tottenham 23/20
(16:00)
Super Sunday kicks off with a humdinger at the Molineux Stadium where Wolves host Tottenham looking to continue their long unbeaten run. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men haven’t tasted defeat in 11 league encounters – Wolves’ longest unbeaten run in the top flight since September 1962. The hosts have an excellent record against the ‘Big Six’ as well, beating Spurs 3-1 away from home last season. Tottenham were back to their resilient best last weekend, smashing Burnley 5-0. Heung-min Son, Dele Alli and Harry Kane have all looked sharp in front of goal under Jose Mourinho and will cause the Wolves backline loads of problems. Defensively, there’s still a few issues that needs to be solved. The Home Totals – Over 1.5 Goals – looks the best bet here at 7/4.
Manchester United 15/20
Draw 11/4
Everton 36/10
(16:00)
After two outstanding wins over Tottenham and Manchester City, Manchester United now find themselves in fifth position, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. They’re certainly a team on the rise again and doubts over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future at Manchester United have been muted for the time being. The new manager bounce couldn’t have kicked in for a better time for Everton after Duncan Ferguson won his first game as interim boss, beating Chelsea 3-1. The Toffees were unbelievable and another performance like that could be enough to cause another upset this weekend. It’s going to be one of the ties of the weekend, and just like they performed against Chelsea, I’m expecting Everton to come out at Old Trafford with the same tenacity. It may seem odd given the timing of Manchester United’s recent victories, but my money is on a share of the spoils.
Arsenal 47/10
Draw 4/1
Manchester City 5/10
(18:30)
Monday 16 December
Crystal Palace 29/20
Draw 22/10
Brighton 21/10
(21:45)
Crystal Palace close proceedings on Monday night when they host Brighton at Selhurst Park. Roy Hodgson’s men are on a decent run of form, unbeaten in their last three matches, winning twice, keeping clean sheets in all of those ties. After defeats against Manchester United, Leicester City and Liverpool, Brighton turned the corner by winning at Arsenal and then going on to draw against Wolves. Graham Potter has got the Seagulls playing his brand of football and are deadly on the counter-attack with Aaron Connolly and Neal Maupay proving to be a formidable duo up top. My money is on another upset here with Brighton to Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score at 33/20.
TREBLE @ 9/1
Watford Over 0.5 Goals 8/10
Leicester City Win to Nil 1/1
Wolves Over 1.5 Goals 7/4
Written by Jesse Nagel