While the dust is still settling from the weekend’s fixtures, the Premier League gets straight back into action on Tuesday. This is part of a demanding run for English sides, with 90 top flight games across six weeks through Christmas. That could be crucial for sides fighting for Europe or looking to beat the drop, with every point vital across the bust festive period. Will we see any big shocks across the midweek matches?
This round of fixtures is a real mixed bag, with some big games between relegation contenders, and tough trips for teams near the top of the table. The live games this week see Watford hosting Manchester United, while David Moyes returns to Goodison Park with West Ham. Ahead of the Tuesday and Wednesday games, we’ve picked out a few betting tips across the biggest games for you to take a look at.
Tuesday 28th November 2017
Brighton v Crystal Palace (19:45) – Brighton to win (8/5 with BetVictor)
You could make a solid case that this game should be shown live on TV, given the newly heated rivalry between these sides. Since Brighton’s promotion both sets of fans have been building up to this clash, which sparked up a little more following a fiery play-off semi-final clash in 2013, as Palace returned to the top flight.
With the Seagulls now joining them at the top table, this is a huge occasion for both clubs. Putting that game under the floodlights should only add to the atmosphere, and this should be a really entertaining game.
The worry for Palace is that things looked much brighter for them during the summer when they first checked for this fixture. An awful run of form since has left them in serious trouble, and they’re still waiting for their first away goal of the campaign. Brighton have put together a solid run, especially against the sides around them. They’ll not only want to punish their rivals, but they’ll want to push Palace closer to the drop and take this brilliant chance to earn another three points. We think the hosts are worth backing, especially considering they are priced at attractive odds of 8/5 with BetVictor.
Watford v Man United (20:00) – Both teams to score (19/20 with Bet365)
United can expect a tough trip to the Hornets’ nest this week, with current Watford boss Marco Silva causing problems for the Red Devils last term with his (then) Hull side. It’s hard to see United repeating the 6-0 win Man City recorded at Vicarage Road, with the visitors coming here on the back of some really poor form on the road. Having lost three of their last four on their travels, could Mourinho’s United slip up away to Watford for the second season in a row?
The Hornets have packed a sting up front this season, having scored two or more goals in 10 of their matches already this season. For a side who finished fourth from bottom of the Premier League last term, that’s a great turnaround. Part of United’s problems on the road have been a loosening of their standards defensively, and Watford have enough threat going forward to add to that.
However, the hosts have been quite poor at the back themselves, they’ve got the fifth worst defensive record in the top flight, despite sitting in the top eight at the moment. That has us backing both teams to score here, a bet which has landed in United’s last four visits to this ground.
Wednesday 29th November 2017
Everton v West Ham (20:00) – Both teams to score (10/11 with Betfred)
David Moyes prepares for a return to Goodison Park with West Ham this week, with both his current and former side in crisis. This match will be a huge test for Moyes, and it will be interesting to see the reaction he’ll get, especially as he was linked with a return to the Toffees earlier this season. The Scotsman will probably be more concerned about the result, and this must be an opportunity for him to arrest West Ham’s difficult season so far.
Everton’s poor form both at home and in Europe has left them with a hugely disappointing season just months after a massive spending spree. They’ve got an incredibly mismatched squad, and that’s left them struggling. However, their main concern is at the back, as shown in hammerings against Arsenal and Atalanta at home.
Meanwhile, West Ham have the worst defensive record in the league, which makes us think that goals are on the agenda here. Both sides can finish if given the chance, and these two defences are likely to be wide open again. We’re backing BTTS in this one, which is great value at 10/11 with Betfred.
Stoke v Liverpool (20:00) – Liverpool to win by one goal (13/5 with Betfair)
Liverpool’s only away defeats in the Premier League this season came at sides above them in the table, so they should be confident of stopping a Stoke side who have slightly lost their aura at home. The Potters have a really mixed record at their own ground, with two defeats, two draws and two wins. They’ve gone through odd patches of form this season too, drawing here with Manchester United and then losing 4-0 to Chelsea. While we’re expecting another defeat for Mark Hughes’ men here, we can’t see it being by such a huge margin.
Aside from huge defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City, all of Stoke’s losses have been by a single goal. They’ve lost their last six clashes with Liverpool, including their last three at the Bet365 Stadium. That run of form is going to continue in our eyes, especially as Jurgen Klopp’s side have won by a single goal in eight of their previous 11 away Premier League victories. There’s some excellent value to be found on a repeat, with an away win by a single goal priced at 13/5 with Betfair.