This week the Champions League is taking up the headlines, as English clubs prepare to fight for their lives in Europe. While the build-up and fall out to those games will likely dominate this week, there is, of course, another round of Premier League games to look forward to this weekend, with some pretty important ties ahead. Just how will the sides returning from European action fare?
This weekend is missing both the league leaders Leicester and champions Chelsea, who meet on Monday night. But the weekend’s live games are a mix of top sides and relegation contenders, and once again, nothing can be taken for granted. Results last weekend showed that the big clubs can’t just turn up and win anymore, the league is too competitive. Here we’re taking a look at Saturday and Sunday’s games, asking if there could be more shocks in store and picking out a betting tip for each.
Saturday 12th December 2015
Norwich v Everton (12:45) – Everton to win (29/20 with Coral)
Norwich head back to Carrow Road after another defeat away from home last week. The Canaries’ return to the top flight saw them make a bright start, but recently they just can’t sort out their away form. This recent blip has them 16th in the table, and they need to get a few good results at home to stop them dropping into the bottom three over Christmas. With Everton heading to town next, Alex Neil’s men need to be at their very best if they’re going to pick anything up on Saturday.
The Toffees head here in ninth place, but they’re also unbeaten in seven games. Roberto Martinez has his team playing very well at the minute, and Romelu Lukaku is in fantastic form. He’s scored in his last five Premier League games, and while it’s not quite close to Jamie Vardy’s record, it’s still an impressive total. If Lukaku can keep this form up Everton should go far, and he should be able to inspire his team to a win this weekend. We expect another success for Martinez and his team, so we’re backing them to win at 29/20 with Coral.
Bournemouth v Manchester United (17:30) – Draw (12/5 with BetVictor)
It just doesn’t get any easier for Bournemouth in the top flight. Fresh from a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge they’re in action against Manchester United, a meeting of to two teams who are struggling for goals. United were booed off after a disappointing 0-0 draw with West Ham last week, and now with Wayne Rooney possibly missing, their threat up front will be even more diminished. Louis van Gaal’s style has been to try and grind teams down when they park the bus against the Red Devils, but it just doesn’t seem to be working.
Bournemouth’s goal worries stem from injuries to Max Gradel and Callum Wilson, which were both big blows early on in the season. Since then, the Cherries have been dropping down the table, and lately they’ve found themselves in the relegation zone. Glenn Murray’s winner against Chelsea last weekend gave them a precious win, but can they get a similar result in this one? Well, we can see them holding off United, as their display at Stamford Bridge last week was one of a team who are set up to deal with Van Gaal’s system. Given their recent struggles to pick up victories, we think that the Red Devils will drop more points here, and we’re backing them to draw at 12/5 with BetVictor.
Sunday 13th December 2015
Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30) – Arsenal to win and both teams to score (12/5 with Bet365)
Aston Villa got a much needed point last weekend against Southampton, but they’ll be disappointed about not holding on to all three. They need as many points as they can get on the board right now, as they sit bottom of the table, and we know how sides usually end up faring when they’re bottom on Christmas Day. With Arsenal heading to town this week, Remi Garde and his men face a huge task as they look to pick up a first victory since the opening day of the season.
Villa have certainly improved under Garde, but it’s hard to see that being enough for them to get a win over an Arsenal side who sit second in the table. In fact, with Leicester playing on Monday, the Gunners can go top here if they win. Arsene Wenger’s men should get the three points they need, but recent results have shown us that winning against a team at the bottom isn’t as easy as many imagine. While we’re backing an Arsenal win, we’re doing it on the result and both to score market, at 12/5 with Bet365. Given that Arsenal haven’t kept a league clean sheet since October, that looks like a great price.
Tottenham v Newcastle (16:00) – Over 2.5 Tottenham team goals (5/4 with Betfair)
Fresh from their shock win over Liverpool, Newcastle head down to White Hart Lane to take on Spurs. The Lillywhites are in fantastic form, and having gone a club record 14 league games unbeaten, they sit fifth in the table, and they look set to push for a top four place. Newcastle are still rooted in the bottom three, and it’ll take more than their win last weekend to get them out of trouble.
The Toon can’t stop leaking goals, having conceded 14 in their last four away games. With Spurs high on confidence and Harry Kane in lethal form, they should be able to rack up a big win here. With Europa League qualification already in the bag, they should rest players in midweek, and come into this game fresh. That’s why we’re backing over 2.5 goals for Spurs, at 5/4 with Betfair.