Chelsea closed the gap at the top of the Premier League last weekend after coming from two goals down early on away to Spurs, to fight back and win the game 4-3. With Cole Palmer showing his quality yet again scoring twice with a superb man of the match display. This now leaves Chelsea only four points behind league leaders Liverpool as their cruical Merseyside derby clash with Everton was postponed due to a huge storm. The fixture is yet to be re arranged.
Arsenal failed to capitalise like Chelsea did and dopped further points as they could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Fulham, while Manchester City after seemingly turned a corner last weekend beating Forest 3-0, could only manage a draw also this time away to struggling Crystal Palace 2-2.
At the bottom Wolves lost again this time to West Ham 2-1, Southampton lost 1-0 away to Aston Villa and Ipswich also lost at home to Bournemouth 2-1, making these the bottom three clubs in the table.
Elsewhere, Brentford secured and excellent 4-2 home win over Newcastle, Nottingham Forest won away to Manchester United 3-2 and Leicester came from two nil down in the dying moments to snatch a 2-2 home draw against Brighton.
This weekend yet again is huge and some tasty fixtures for us to look at. Starting at the Emirates as Arsenal host Everton who have only won once away to Arsenal since 1996! The league leaders Liverpool are back at Anfield after a midweek trip to Spain in the Champions League and play Fulham, While Newcastle host Leicester and there is a big clash between relegation rivals Wolves and Ipswich at Molineux. All games take place Saturday at 15.00pm ko (UK time).
Sunday Brighton take on Crystal Palace at 14.00, before the Manchseter derby at the Etihad as old rivals City and United go head to head for 195th time at 16.00. Sunday continues with Chelsea v Brentford and bottom of the league Southampton v Tottenham both at 19.00 before the Monday night game between Bournemouth v West Ham at 20.00.
Pre-Match Summary
Arsenal thought they had won the game late on v Fulham last weekend only for a late Saka goal to be ruled out by VAR for offside, they remain third and unbeaten in five with 3W and 2D. Everton had a week off as their Merseyside derby was postponed due to bad weather and will come here fresh however this is not an away game they usually do very well in.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Everton have won once away to Arsenal in the last twenty eight years, a stat that cannot be overlooked, Home win is a probable outcome.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Everton found the net four times in their last game and Arsenal have good scoring form at home so this has potential to see Over 2.5 goals
- Both Teams to Score: Possibly, this will likely rely on if Everton can score or not, but they do have it then to nick a goal.
Pre-Match Summary
Liverpools postponed game last weekend allowed teams the opportunity to close the gap which Chelsea did. However Liverpool wont mind to much as they stay four clear with the game in hand and now back an Anfield against a team they have a strong record against. Fulham have lost only once in the last seven games with 3D and 3W, but coming here is always a tough assignment.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Liverpool rightly favourites here and its hard to go with anything else other than a Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Both teams rarely fail to score in games this season and Over 2.5 goals is likely again.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Liverpools early season solid defence has now started to be breached and Fulham have some good options up top.
Pre-Match Summary
Leicester come here unbeaten in two games under new boss Rudd Van Nistelrooy and seem to have a new found confidence in their play, today is a test though as Newcastle have been strong at St James’s Park and have only lost twice at home all season. Leicesters away form is not great and they make find this one tough.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Newcastle will be looking to recapture that early season form and be out for a win but despite Leicesters poor away form this season, they do have a decent record at Newcastle. Perhaps a Draw could be the way?
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Historically not a high scoring fixture but this season both teams have been amongst the goals so there is a fair chance there may be Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this looks like it could be an open game and there should be decent chances both ends.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Ipswich
Pre-Match Summary
A battle at the bottom for these two who are only seperated by goal difference and sit in nineteeth and eighteenth place. Both teams come into this having lost the three games and a win is now vital for each of these as we head towards a very busy festive period.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Wins have been hard to come by this season for both of these teams and nerves will play a part in this, difficult to pick any team to win with confidence and maybe a Draw could be the option?
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Wolves have the worst defence in the league and concede multiple goals regualrly and Ipswich are not much better, so strikers may take advantage of this, maybe Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, both these teams struggle to keep clean sheets and this may prove the case again today.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Pre-Match Summary
Two closely matched teams who sit in fifth and sixth place level on points and have equal records of 7W, 4D and 4L. Both teams will be fairly confident and are in good recent form, Villa come here afetr a midweek Champions League win away to Leipzig so Forest may be a bit fresher as these in form teams go head to head.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Forest would welcome a repeat of the result from last season a 2-0 win, but Villa are not easy to beat and will make this a good game. Selection may be a marginal Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: A tight game is expected and this could be a low scoring game. Under 2.5 goals is favourable.
- Both Teams to Score: Possibly. Despite a tight game expected it is possible both teams will score with their attacking prowess.
Pre-Match Summary
Palace visit the Amex having only lost once in the last six, allthough they have only won once in the sequence and the other five ended in a draw they will take confidence in that and come here agaianst a Brighton team who have lost a bit of form and have dropped down to seventh place out of the European places.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Brighton have not won in their last three games, however have beaten todays opposition in the last two seasons at home. Both teams have been drawing a lot of late and this yet again could be another Draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Palace have struggled this season on the whole for goals and are the leagues second lowest scorers, this may not be a game full of goals. Under 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: No. Unlikley to be a thriller and this may be decided by the odd goal.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Pre-Match Summary
United boss Ruben Amorim will get his first tatse of a Manchester derby and having lost the last two games will be targetting this as a big opportunity to get the fans on board. These teams meet for the 195th time and it this may be the best time for United to grab a win as City have been somewhat out of sorts and stringing together an awful run of form.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Despite being strong favourites, Man City are enduring a poor run of form and won once in the last ten games seven of which were losses. perhaps Away win could be a shrewd choice.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Eight of the last ten H2Hs have been Over 2.5 goals and it would be no suprise to see goals again in this.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes. Seven of the last eight have been both teams to score and as both teams should be at it again here.
Pre-Match Summary
Chelsea are now beginning to look like they could be a serious threat to Liverpool in a title race and have gone unbeaten in the league for the last seven in the league winning five of them games. Brentford who have been hit an miss so far this season have done most of their winning at home and have generally struggled away from home so this will be another difficult task ahead for Thomas Franks men.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Chelsea look a strong team now and certainly at home. Home win is a solid choice.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Brentford have the highest number of games that have been over 2.5 goals this season, that combined with Chelsea being the leagues top scorers makes this a very likely Over 2.5 goals match.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes. Brentford have shown they are capable of scoring plenty but do also concede plenty.
Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-Match Summary
Southampton remain bottom of the league as they have done since pretty much day one, and simply can not find a way to win, they continuously cause themselves problems and have not found any other way of playing costing them week in week out. Spurs allthough very inconsistent this season will come here today looking to bounce back from a poor display last weekend throwing a 2-0 lead away at home to Chelsea going on to lose the game 4-3.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Spurs are favourites and it is easy to see why given how Saints play, an Away win should be straightforward.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Only Wolves have conceded more goals that Saints and given Spurs attacking threat we may well see Over 2.5 goals in this one.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible. Spurs defence can have lapses of concentration and Saints may be able to snatch a goal.
Bourenmouth vs West Ham United
Pre-Match Summary
The Cherrys have now climbed to eigth position having won three on the bounce and look to be enjoying a good spell of form and host a West Ham team who have not been great this season but a big three points for the Hammers over Wolves in the last game will give them a huge boost coming here.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Bournemouths recent excellent form makes them favourites here and this could be four wins a row. Home win is expected.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This should be a good exciting Monday night clash with good opportunities. Over 2.5 goals has a good chance.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes. this should be an open enough game and with good forward players on display both teams to score should have a strong chance.
This weeks TOP BET:
Arsenal – Home win
Liverpool – Home win
Chelsea – Home win
Tottenham – Away win
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