After two rounds of Premier League games already this week, clubs are gearing up for a third game in a week this weekend as the festive fixture frenzy really begins. The traditionally busy month of December has blasted off to a fast start with two match days in quick succession, with a packed calendar of football still ahead over the Christmas period.
For this weekend, we’ve once again got four live games across Saturday and Sunday, including title challengers, relegation battlers and a clash of two surprise packages. Chelsea and Man City both face tough opposition on Saturday, before West Ham meet Swansea and Villa play Leicester on Sunday. We should have a great weekend ahead of us, and here we have previews of each of the big games and a betting tip for all four, plus a long odds accumulator on top of that.
Saturday 6th December 2014
Newcastle v Chelsea (12:45) – Draw (10/3 with Bet365)
The weekend kicks off with Chelsea’s second trip to the North East in a week, for a match in which they’ve struggled of late. The Blues face a Newcastle side to whom they’ve lost in their last two trips to St James’ Park, and they’ll be hoping for an improved performance here. They drew 0-0 at Sunderland last weekend, so could it be another draw in the North East for the Blues?
Well, Newcastle’s impressive unbeaten run may have come to an end last weekend, but they’ve been very assured at home of late as they haven’t lost there since the opening day. Newcastle will have to cope with the return of Diego Costa, who will be back from suspension and fully rested after missing out in midweek. With the problems the Magpies have had at the back this season, can they handle him? Costa is a good bet for first scorer, but our tip here is the draw, with Chelsea not having been in the best of form against the Toon in recent times.
Man City v Everton (17:30) – City to win and both teams to score (9/5 with BetVictor)
With the league leaders playing in the early game, City have the perfect chance to respond as they play in the Saturday evening game. They host Everton, who they beat home and away last season. City come in to this game as favourites, given Everton’s inconsistent start to the season and City’s apparent rejuvenation. The Toffees’ recent unbeaten run was brought to an end at White Hart Lane last weekend, and a trip to City isn’t be best way to try and bounce back.
City are starting to hit top gear in the chase for the title, suddenly many are saying they are back in the race after cutting Chelsea’s lead by two points last weekend. Despite all that, there’s a long way to go and Chelsea still have a healthy lead. City need to keep winning if they’re to have any chance of getting back on top, and their recent home form should mean they get the win here. Everton are a good attacking side, however, so expect them to trouble this City defence and get a goal or two.
Sunday 7th December 2014
West Ham v Swansea (13:30) – West Ham to win (13/10 with Coral)
Two high flying sides meet at Upton Park on Sunday when Swansea travel to West Ham. The Hammers moved up to fifth at the weekend after they ended Newcastle’s unbeaten run. Their fantastic start has their fans now fully behind Sam Allardyce, and they could well be pushing for European football towards the end of the season given how well they’ve been playing.
Swansea spent a while in fifth themselves last season, but they’ve gone off the boil a little of late. Gary Monk is having an impressive first full season in charge at the Liberty, but they could do with improving their away form. West Ham isn’t really the place to go to do that, as they’ve seen off the likes of City, Liverpool and Newcastle at Upton Park this season. At odds of 13/10, they’re good value to add Swansea to that list.
Aston Villa v Leicester (16:00) – Aston Villa to win (13/10 with BetVictor)
The final game of the weekend is a relegation six pointer, with both of these sides off form. Aston Villa sit 16th, and they’ve not won a home game since the end of August and they’re currently the lowest scoring side in the division. Their point at home to Southampton a few weeks ago looked like it could have been more, with the Villains playing well and looking solid. But Nathaniel Clyne scored an equaliser to deny them the points. They’ll be looking at this game as a great chance to turn that run around.
As for Leicester, a defeat at QPR at the weekend sent them bottom of the table, but for long periods they looked like they’d end their five game losing streak on the road. They took the lead, fell behind but came back to level, before Charlie Austin’s goal sent them home with nothing. They played well, but their confidence isn’t there. Given that, it’s hard to see how they’re capable of getting a win here. Villa’s performances in recent weeks have improved, even if results haven’t, so they should finally be able to give their home support something to cheer about. At odds of 13/10, they’re good value for a home win here as well.
Those are our trips for the weekend’s big games, and there seems to be quite a bit of value out there if you can pick a winner. We’re hoping these four tips give you a little extra for your Christmas shopping, but if you’re looking for something with a little longer odds, try the accumulator. These four selections come to a 61/1 fourfold with BetVictor, and at those odds it could be well worth a couple of quid.