The headlines were all on Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo after his late winner in the Manchester derby last weekend left Pep scratching his head yet again with another defeat in the Premier League.
United came from a goal down to beat their rivals 2-1 with two late goals, a Bruno Fernandes penalty levelled the game before twenty two year old Amad Diallo netted the winner to send the travlling away fans and manager Ruben Amorim into huge celebrations!
The defeat for City left them nine points behind the league leaders and now only one win in the last seven league games.
Chelsea narrowed the gap at the top even further to just two points after a home win over Brentford 2-1 as Liverpool failed to beat Fulham and could only manage a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
It ended all square at the Emirates 0-0 as Everton took a well earned point away from Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest remain fourth after an excellent home win over Aston Villa 2-1.
At the bottom is was further misery for both Southampton and Wolves as they both lost again resulting in both clubs parting with their managers after Saints suffered a heavy defeat at home 5-0 to Spurs and Wolves conceded a last minute goal to fellow strugglers Ipswich who went home with a 2-1 win and all three points.
Elsewhere Newcastle won convincingley at home to Leicester 4-0 and Crystal Palace won suprisingley away to Brighton 3-1, while Bournemouth and West Ham shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
This week we look ahead to Aston Villa v Manchester City on Saturday 12.30 ko UK time. Followed by three games all at 15.00 ko including Brentford v Nottingham Forest, Ipswich v Newcastle and West Ham v Brighton. Saturday is rounded up with Crystal Palace v Arsenal at 17.30.
Sunday begins with Everton at home to in form title chasers Chelsea, and Fulham v Southampton, Leicester v Wolves and Manchester United v Bournemouth all taking place at 14.00 ko.
Before the final game of the weekend which sees a huge clash between Tottenham v Liverpool at 16.30
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Pre-Match Summary
Despite losing the last game to Forest, Villa are starting to find thier form again with some excellent performances and results especially at home. City come here after suffering yet another defeat, this time to the hands of local rivals Manchester United, and Pep Gaurdiola admittley has explained he is finding it difficult to correct the problems City are having.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Two closley matched teams which should make for an exciting game. Could go either way this but Citys poor form makes them vulnerable and a Home win is favourable.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This should be a game with plenty of goalscoring opportunities and Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, two teams who have strong attcking options makes this a stong liklihood.
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Pre-Match Summary
Brentford suprisingley remain unbeaten all season at home and will take great confidence from that going into this as they welcome a Forest team who continue to find good results and continue to throw up a shock as they sit in the top four. They are playing without fear and look like they can cause problems for anyone.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Another close game to call, Brentfords home form is the best in the league and they have won seven of their eight games here, that stat can not be overlooked. Home win has a strong chance.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Brentfords games this season have largley involved goals and with these two in form teams its likely to see more here Over 2.5 goals yes.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, the last six H2Hs have seen both teams scoring and this may well prove the case again here.
Pre-Match Summary
Ipswich grabbed a massive three points last weekend away to Wolves, the win will give them a significant boost despite them remaining in the relegation zone. Newcastle also took three points with a big win over Leicester 4-0 and followed that up with a 3-1 midweek win in the EFL cup over Brentford so come here in high spirits.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: An interesting fixture which may not be as simple to call as it looks, having said that Newcastle have strength in depth and this may prove difficult for Ipswich, Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This could be an open game, and the last five H2H meetings have all been Over 2.5 goals, this is outcome looks a strong possibility again today.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Ipswich have scored at least once in five of their eight home games and Newcastle have only failed to score once away from home this season in eight.
Pre-Match Summary
West Ham seem to have turned a bit of a corner and followed up a home win over Wolves with a good draw away to Bournemouth last weekend and manager Lopetegui who was under scrutiny seems to have bought himself a bit more time as manager. Where as Brighton have lost a bit of form and their identity and have not won in the last four games with 2D and 2L.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Five of the last six fixtures between these two when West Ham have been at home have ended in a draw. This could possibly go the same way.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Potentially a tight game but both teams have goals in them and this may result in Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, neither side can seem to keep a clean sheet in recent weeks and this looks likely to be the case again.
Pre-Match Summary
These two teams met midweek in the EFL cup with Arsenal coming out on top 3-2, This will be a slightly different game and Arsneal will revert back to playing their strongest team after resting senior players for the cup game. Palace will be putting the cup game behind them and will look to build on last weekends away win over Brighton.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Arsenal go in favourites but it may not be that straightforward, Palace have drawn the last two at home against tough opponents Newcastle and Man City, can they go one better here?
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Palace will make this tough and we may not see a free flowing Arsneal we are used to, Under 2.5 goals may be a better selection.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Arsenal are always capable of scoring with the talent they have, Palace at home are always a threat also.
Pre-Match Summary
Everton earned a solid away point at Arsenal last weekend and now back at Goodison Park will be hoping of going one better, it will not be easy as said than done however as they welcome in form Chelsea who are second in the league and are unbeaten in the last ten games in all competitions. Chelsea have won the last seven games in a row.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Everton will look to make this a tough assignment for the visitors but Chelsea look good right now and should have enough to pick the lock, Away win is likely.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Everton have it in them to make this tight and that could result in not much goalmouth action. Under 2.5 goals has a good chance.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Chelsea will remain a threat with the players they have and Everton at home can be dangerous, especially from set pieces.
Pre-Match Summary
Saints suffered another heavy defeat last time out 5-0 at home to Spurs and come here after sacking manager Russell Martin, they remain rock bottom of the league and as we head towards a busy festive period things do not look good. Fulham who twice lead agaist liverpool last weekend may be left feeling a bit frustrated at only taking a point, as Liverpool had a player sent off and managed to come from behind twice with the game ending 2-2.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Southampton have stand in interim manager Simon Rusk in charge for this one, Fulham will be looking to have no mercy and a Home win is likely.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: It is hard to ignore how easily Saints have been to score against, that in mind if Fulham show up it could be another goal fest. Over 2.5 goals yes.
- Both Teams to Score: No. This is a tough place to visit for the best of teams, Southampton without a proper manager may struggle here.
Leicester vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-Match Summary
The Foxes will want to forget last weekend pretty quick as they lost 4-0 away to Newcastle, but today they welcome a Wolves team who have gone from bad to worse in recent weeks and now without a manager things are looking bleak for the midlands team. Leicester are marginal favourites for this and its easy to see why.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Leicester have won the last three meetings at home and in current circumstances have a great chance to make the four. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Wolves have the worst defensive record in the league and are leaking mulitple goals week in week out, Over 2.5 goals has a solid chance.
- Both Teams to Score: Despite all there weaknesses Wolves do have some decent attaking players and have goals in them so both teams to score is a possiblity.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Pre-Match Summary
United will have had an excellent week and the bragging rights from a first ever derby win for new boss Ruben Amorim, he will be hoping this is the kick start his United team needs after a few inconsistent weeks. Bournemouth come here after rescuing a point at home to West Ham last weekend which extends an unbeaten run to four with 3W and a draw.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Bournemouth have won the last two away league games so will not sit back here but United are favourite and overall have been pretty solid at home this season a Home win is favourable.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Two teams who look to be in good goalscoring form so Over 2.5 goals could be a possibility here.
- Both Teams to Score: Each team do have defensive vulnerabilities and can be exposed, both teams to score is likely.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Pre-Match Summary
This fixture is usually a thriller will plenty of action and goals, this should be no different. Liverpool failed to win in the last game at home to Fulham letting their grip on top spot loosen slightly, defeat her today could open the door for chasing Chelsea. Spurs have been inconsistent at best this season and will want to start finding a bit of form and string results together, what better game to do it that today.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: A game which usually has thrills and spills and can go either way, Liverpool do go into the game as favourites but Spurs can throw up a suprise so take caution with this one.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Only twice in the last ten H2Hs has this fixture seen less than two goals, Over 2.5 goals is a ver strong liklihood.
- Both Teams to Score: The last eight H2Hs in a row has seen both teams find the net, this should be another open game and that stat looks to extend.
This weeks TOP BET:
Aston Villa v Man City – Over 2.5 goals
Leicester – Home win
Fulham – Home win
Tottenham v Liverpool – Both teams to score YES
Place this bet here at Sportpesa NOW!
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