This weekend really marks the start of the frantic Christmas period in the Premier League, with four rounds of matches coming in the space of 12 days from this Saturday. These games will be crucial for sides seeking to find momentum, and for little statistics and records; only two sides have ever stayed up after being bottom at Christmas, and the struggling sides won’t want that weight on their shoulders.
So, we here have another weekend of big games ahead of us, culminating in a truly super Sunday. We have the passion of the Tyne-Wear derby, and a battle between two of last season’s top four. Before that we could even see a new name at the top of the Premier League tree, albeit temporarily. So with no further ado, here is our look at four big games coming this weekend, with betting tips for each.
Saturday 20th December 2014
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:45) – City to win to nil (11/10 with Sky Bet)
Man City kick off the weekend at the Etihad Stadium, as they look to extend their fantastic winning run. They’ve looked great in general in recent weeks, although the 1-0 win over Leicester wasn’t a spectacular performance. They were without all three of their strikers in that game, but Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic will both be back to lead the line against Palace.
They’ll be needed, too; as a heavy win for City here would see them go above Chelsea on goal difference. With the leaders not playing until Monday that would be a big message to send out. They shouldn’t have too much to worry about against Palace, who have won just one of their last 10 games. Given the Eagles’ woeful form in front of goal, they’ve scored just twice in their last four, City should have an easy enough day at the back. City to win to nil is therefore our tip here, although you could also look at the handicap markets given that they’ll want a big win.
QPR v West Brom (15:00) – QPR to win (11/8 with BetVictor)
QPR will once again be hoping their home support can fire them to three more huge points in the fight for survival. Their away form this season has been awful, but they’ve made up for it in recent weeks with their good home form, winning three of the last four and taking a point off Man City. Things didn’t go so well for them at Goodison Park on Monday, losing 3-1 at Everton. But, with talismanic striker Charlie Austin returning for this game, you’d expect QPR to be big favourites.
And while they are favourites, they’re still well priced to beat a West Brom side who’ve won just twice on the road all season. When you consider one of those was a freak win at Spurs, and the other at bottom side Leicester, they’re hardly great travellers. Going to places like QPR will be tough for the Baggies, and there’s not much pointing towards them getting a result here. QPR are priced at relatively fantastic odds going into this one, they’re well worth backing ahead of the weekend.
Sunday 21st December 2014
Newcastle v Sunderland (13:30) – Sunderland to win draw no bet (2/1 with BetVictor)
This Sunday sees the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season at St James’ Park, with these two bitter rivals eagerly awaiting this one. This derby has always been heated, although it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves outside of the North East. The temperature has been cranked up for this one, after Jack Colback’s controversial move from Sunderland to Newcastle in the summer. That, along with Sunderland’s back to back 3-0 victories at St James’, promises us quite a lot.
Newcastle come into this one higher in the table and in good form of late, but their recent derby performances has left much to be desired. Many have asked if their players really understand the occasion, because they haven’t risen to it in quite a few years. They’ll have no excuses on Sunday, with the crowd likely to whip up a storm, but they will face a determined Sunderland side. Gus Poyet has made his side tough to beat, drawing 10 of their 16 games so far. Given that form, and their recent derby successes, backing Sunderland to win, draw no bet seems like a smart bet here.
Liverpool v Arsenal (16:00) – Arsenal to win (6/4 with Coral)
Out of form Liverpool host Arsenal this weekend with both sides needing a win. Liverpool have obviously had their problems in recent weeks, and it’s hard to see things getting easier for Brendan Rodgers and his team in the coming weeks. His decision to drop the underperforming Simon Mignolet for the sub-standard Brad Jones perfectly sums up Rodgers’ position between a rock and a hard place.
Things have been far from easy for Arsenal this term, and Arsene Wenger might just find some common ground with the Liverpool boss, given how under fire they’ve both been this season. Wenger is experienced enough to deal with it, and his side responded with a 4-1 drubbing of Newcastle last weekend on the back of a good victory – by the same scoreline – at Galatasaray. Wenger is currently without 11 players, and has had to field a makeshift defence in recent weeks. Luckily for them they face a Liverpool side burdened with misfiring strikers, so they should be able to get away with their problems at the back here. In another case of what seems to be bookies getting in the Christmas spirit, you can back Arsenal to win at 6/4, which looks a steal with Liverpool in all sorts of disarray.
So those are our tips for this weekend’s action, and there are some great value odds available. You can also band these four together into an accumulator, which comes in at tasty odds of 35/1 with BetVictor. Given how many favourites that includes, it’s not a bad option for a low stakes bet this weekend.