It’s Derby Weekend in the Premier League

If you like drama and excitement at its most intense, then this coming Sunday in the Premier League promises to be one of the best of the entire season. That’s because each of the three games being played that day is a big local derby fixture and there is plenty on the line in each of the games, which should ensure plenty of drama.

Some of the most exciting fixtures and games in Premier League history have been derby matches and to have three on a single day is hugely exciting both for the fans of the teams competing and for neutrals watching on television, or those who perhaps fancy a flutter on the games.

So if you are one of those who enjoys a wager from time to time and you fancy a bet on any of the games we’ve previewed below then check out the latest bet365 Sport New Player Bonus offer, which will see you join a top quality site and have the chance to earn up to £100 in bet credits when you bet.

Remember too, there is a full complement of games taking place on Friday and Saturday to complete Matchday 14 in the Premier League, starting with Cardiff’s game with Wolves on Friday evening, as well as six more games on Saturday, including Manchester City facing Bournemouth, Manchester United’s trip to Southampton and a number of key matches at the bottom end of the table such as Newcastle v West Ham, Crystal Palace v Watford and Huddersfield Town v Brighton.

Outlined below is our preview for each of the three games taking place on Sunday, together with our prediction for the outcome and the correct score for each game. We will also give you the reasons why we have gone for these bets.

Sunday 2^nd December

Chelsea v Fulham – 12pm

Somewhat strangely, Chelsea come into this London derby on the back of a defeat, their first of the season, while Fulham come into the game on the back of only their second win of the season, in what was Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge of the struggling visitors.

There were certainly signs in that game that Ranieri will have a positive effect for Fulham over the course of the season, but it seems a huge ask to go from beating a poor Southampton team at home, to visiting a team of the quality of Chelsea, in their own back yard, and then being able to secure the win.

There is no denying though that Chelsea were very poor against Tottenham last week, especially defensively, and even their main attacking players, such as Hazard and Willian, struggled to get into the game. However Fulham don’t have the players to nullify those players as Spurs did and as a result, especially on the back of that result, I think Chelsea will be doubly focused to get a win here.

With home advantage and having dropped into fourth on the back of that defeat, Chelsea will know that nothing less than a win will suffice, and I am going to back them to get precisely that at 1/8 with bet365 Sport, although a more enticing bet is for Chelsea to win the game by a 3-0 scoreline, which is a 7/1 shot with bet365 at the time of writing.

Arsenal v Tottenham – 2.05pm

Prior to their midweek Champions League game, Tottenham have won all of their last five games and are the form team in the Premier League along with Manchester City. Arsenal are unbeaten in the Premier League since Matchday two though and like Tottenham, they come into this game on the back of a positive result.

Spurs performance against Chelsea last weekend was a massive boost for the team who have been indifferent against top three teams so far this season, but the manner of their victory and performance will give them real hope of securing what would be a rare win for them against their most fierce rivals.

Arsenal though are not losing matches and under Unai Emery have scored the joint-second highest number of goals in the Premier League this season (tied with Chelsea). Question marks however do remain about that Arsenal back line, which does look still a little shaky at times and which will be put to the test by Tottenham’s attacking players.

Personally, of all the games on Sunday, I think this one has the potential to be the most exciting in terms of goals scored and quality of play as both these teams are in great form and there is plenty at stake for each side.

In truth, while Arsenal have home advantage, Spurs are playing so well at the moment that I can’t see them losing here. That said, Arsenal are also flying and as such, I cannot see them being defeated either. This makes the draw the clear option at 12/5 with bet365 and if you want a correct score I feel a 2-2 scoreline at 10/1 is a great value bet.

Liverpool v Everton – 4.15pm

The final game of the weekend is the Merseyside derby as Liverpool and Everton clash at Anfield, in a fixture which has not seen an Everton victory since 2010. In the 17 games played since, there have been nine draws between the teams, with Liverpool winning all eight of the other encounters.

This Everton side is perhaps one of the best equipped to end that run. Now up to sixth in the Premier League table, Marco Silva’s team look a much more effective unit than the Blues did last season, especially going forward where Richarlison and Sigurdsson have been the teams main goal threat.

Liverpool’s strength this season has been defence with just five goals conceded in 13 games so far, tied with Manchester City for the best record in the Premier League. The Reds haven’t been as explosive in attack of late, but there are signs that their triumvirate of attackers, Salah, Mane and Firmino, are starting to click back into gear.

That could be ominous for Everton as the Reds have produced some solid performances at home of late, albeit against lesser opposition, and the home side may need their star men to produce a much improved display against their rivals who are going to match them for intensity and passion.

However, Everton’s record at Anfield is very poor and with so much at stake for the home side, I think they will be the team that comes out on top, so I am backing Liverpool to win at 4/11 and for the correct score I think a 2-0 victory for the Reds at 7/1 with bet365 is a solid option.