Who Will Collect Three Points and an Early Christmas Present in the EFL This Week?

We are heading towards Christmas and that means it is going to be a busy time of the year for the elite footballers in the Premier League. With a set of fixtures this weekend, followed by a Boxing Day full fixture list, then another set of games next weekend followed by a second set of games on New Years Day, there are 12 points up for grabs for most teams over the period.

The only exceptions to this are Liverpool and West Ham who do not play this weekend due to Liverpool’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, which means that the game between the two teams at the London Stadium has had to be postponed to be played at a later date in the season.

If you would like to enjoy some top quality betting on the Premier League over what is a busy period of the season for the teams, then why not sign up with the latest bet365 New Player Bonus to get a great deal when you join and the opportunity to earn some bonus cash as you bet on the site following your first deposit?

Remember too, you can enjoy some great sports betting opportunities on the Premier League outside of the UK too. In the United States for example, states like Pennsylvania and Indiana are now offering sports betting to customers online. In Pennsylvania, check out the current playsugarhouse promo code details in the link for some of the great offers you can get over the festive season.

Additionally, if you live in Indiana, then you can enjoy a great value deal with the current BetRivers Affiliate Code “HOOSIERBONUS”. Simply use that code when signing up to get a top-quality deal at one of the premier sportsbooks offering betting in the Hoosier state.

Let’s now take a look at the games taking place this weekend in the Premier League together with our preview and tip for each.

Premier League Fixtures – Sat 21^st & Sun 22^nd December

All kick off times are 3pm on Saturday unless otherwise stated.

• Everton v Arsenal (12.30pm)

Both of these teams could have new managers in the hotseat come kick off on Saturday lunchtime with Everton linked with Carlo Ancelotti and Arsenal Mikel Arteta. Of the two, Ancelotti looks the most impressive appointment and with Duncan Ferguson picking up four points in his caretaker role, Everton are flying at the moment, while Arsenal are struggling. Even if Arteta does come in, I don’t see an awful lot he can change in this team and as such, I strongly fancy an Everton win here. Tip – Everton to win – 13/10.

• Aston Villa v Southampton

This is a real relegation six-pointer for both teams, where a win could have a massive impact on their fortunes and give them a real boost in their fight to stay in the Premier League. Both teams have 15 points, but Southampton have a markedly worse goal difference. Villa are at home and that could be a key advantage here, but both sides are lacking confidence. This could be a draw, but I am just about backing Villa to snatch a narrow win. Tip – Aston Villa to win – 11/8.

• Bournemouth v Burnley

Both these teams picked up excellent wins last week to end a barren run of results, Bournemouth away to Chelsea and Burnley at home to Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s team badly needed that win after five straight losses and I back them to continue their streaky form with another win here. Burnley are a talented side but they are rocking a little defensively. I think there won’t be many goals here but one may be enough to claim the win. Tip – Bournemouth to win – 6/5.

• Brighton v Sheffield United

These two teams have had somewhat improved form of late and both are sitting in relative safety in the Premier League, especially Sheffield United. Brighton though have been playing well of late but without perhaps getting the rewards they deserve. Sheffield United’s superb defensive record means that I can’t see them losing this game, but by the same token, I don’t think they will do enough to win it either. Tip – Draw – 23/10.

• Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Newcastle United have a pretty decent home record at the present moment and it is going to be hard to see how Crystal Palace, one of just two teams to have scored fewer goals than Newcastle, will create enough to be a major contender here. Palace battled hard to earn a draw at home to Brighton but their lack of goals is a real worry. If Newcastle can score just the once, then that may be enough to claim the win. Tip – Newcastle to win – 6/4.

• Norwich City v Wolves

Norwich City earned a fine point away at Leicester City, while Wolves were losing at home to Tottenham on the same weekend, but that said, I still feel Wolves are the team to back here. Norwich are just too easy to open up defensively and a team like Wolves with the intelligent midfielders they have and the pace on the counter, I feel will give Norwich lots of problems, As such, I am expecting a comfortable victory for the visitors in this one. Tip – Wolves to win – 19/20.

• Manchester City v Leicester City (5.30pm)

The biggest game of the season for both these teams takes place at the Etihad and both teams badly need a win to keep on the tails of Liverpool. The pressure is more on the home side as they are four points behind the Foxes and 14 adrift of Liverpool. Leicester only managed a point at home to Norwich last week while Manchester City destroyed Arsenal and on that form, you would have to have this down as a home win for City, but I do feel it will be a close run thing. – Tip – Man City to win – 4/11.

• Watford v Manchester United (Sun, 2pm)

Manchester United have won 16 of the last 17 games between these two teams in all competitions and with Watford yet to have won a game at home this season, the likelihood seems to be that United, who beat Manchester City on the road in their last away game, should be confident of a victory here. That said, Watford did look much improved at Anfield and while I feel they will make it tough for United here, I still feel the Red Devils will have enough to get the win. Tip – Man Utd to win – 4/5.

• Tottenham v Chelsea (Sun, 4.30pm)

Fifth meets fourth in the Premier League going into this weekend and as Tottenham’s recent form has improved under ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, so Frank Lampard’s Chelsea team have lost their way a little in recent weeks, losing four of their last five Premier League games. As such, given that this game is away from Stamford Bridge, I fancy Tottenham to continue their upward trend in form and if they can win this game, they will leapfrog above Chelsea into fourth in the table. Tip – Tottenham to win – 11/8.

*All odds shown were correct at the time of writing, 3pm on Tuesday 17^th December 2019