Liverpool will sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand as we enter a busy Christmas period.
The reds secured yet another win last weekend in a nine goal thriller as they triumphed against Spurs 6-3 making this a twelfth win of the season.
Chasing Chelsea remain 2nd and were left frustrated as they could only manage a 0-0 draw away to Everton, while Arsenal looked back to their best with a big away win over Crystal Palace 5-1.
Manchester City lost again 2-1 away to Aston Villa and the title race for City certainly looks to be over.
Elsewhere Nottighma Forset won 2-0 away to Brentford, keeping them in fourth place, Newcastle won away to Ipswich 4-0, and Bournemouth won away to Manchester United 3-0.
West Ham v Brighton ended 1-1 and Fulham v Southampton was 0-0, while Wolves managed a big win over Leicester 3-0.
We look forward to eight games all taking place on Boxing Day starting at the Etihad as Manchester City take on Everton at 12.30 ko UK time, who have managed solid 0-0 draws in the last two games v Arsenal and Chelsea.
At 15.00 Bournemouth v Crystal Palace, Chelsea v Fulham, Newcastle v Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest v Tottenham and Southampton v West Ham, before a 17.30 ko see Manchester United travel to Wolves.
Liverpool will face Leicester at Anfield at 20.00 to round up the Boxing Day games.
Friday 27th there is two games including Brighton v Brentford at 19.30 and Arsenal v Ipswich at 20.15.
Pre-Match Summary
City are in unfamiliar territory as they continue this worrying trend of losing games, a 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa the latest in a long line of poor results leaves them way down in seventh and now twelve points behind the leaders. Everton come here and will be confident after two well earend draws against Arsenal and Chelsea in the last two matches.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: City are big favourites to win here but it may not be that simple against a very resolute Everton team who may be able to frustrate City.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: There is always a chance of goals when City are involved but Everton may look to park the bus again and make this a tight affair. Under 2.5 goals could be a better option.
- Both Teams to Score: No, It is unlikely Everton will come here to attack and this could end up a dull match with not many goals.
Pre-Match Summary
The Cherrys recorded a huge 3-0 away win over Manchester United last weekend and now back at home will want to build on that against a Palace side who conceded five at home to Arsenal and will not be wanting a repeat of that as they hover dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Bournemouth now into the top five in the league are looking good and on paper this should be a straighforward Home win..
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: With in form strikers coming up against a poor defense this could be a high scoring game. Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Palace allthough leaking goals have showed from time to time this season they are capable in front of goal.
Pre-Match Summary
A West London Boxing Day derby, both these teams drew their last games 0-0 and will be wanting to get back to winning ways. Chelsea are now four points behing league leaders Liverpool and can not afford any further slips, while Fulham with a win could jump to fifth place if other results go their way.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Fulham have drawn their last three matches and looking hard to beat, however Chelsea back at home should be able to take advantage. Home win is expected.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Chelsea are the leagues joint second highest scoring team so goals are always on the cards. Over 2.5 goals is favourable.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, five out of the last six games each of these teams have played have seen goals for both teams.
Pre-Match Summary
Newcastle have won the last two league games by 4 goals to nil, and after a mini poor run of form look to have turned it round again, Villa come here also in decent form and have won three of their last four league games noteably last weekend against Man City 2-1.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Not an easy game to predict with both teams seemingly in good form this could go either way. Perhaps a Draw may be the selection.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: The last four league H2Hs have all been Over 2.5 goals and this may well be the story again today.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, it would be no suprise seeing goals for both teams here, in form teams with excellent attacking options.
Nottingham Forest Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-Match Summary
Forests unbelievable good run continues and they currently sit in fourth position and have won four of their last five league games. Spurs visit today an their inconsistent season continues as they lost at home 6-3 to Liverpool last weekend. Spurs did beat Forest twice last season so will take some confidence from that.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Another game which potentially could swing either way, but Forest are proving it is not just a fluke and are in the position they are in deservedly. Home win is possible.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Spurs last three leagues have been (3-4, 0-5 & 3-6), very open matches with lots of goals. Over 2.5 goals is likely today.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this could be an open game with plenty of goalmouth action, both teams to score has a strong chance.
Southampton Vs West Ham United
Pre-Match Summary
Saints managed a draw away from home last weekend to earn a valuable point, they do remain bottom of the league though and still have won only once all season. West Ham have now gone three games unbeated with 1W and 2D, they will fancy there chances here given Saints poor form.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Saints welcome in a new manager which may give the team a much neede boost, however its hard to see a win for them today. Away win is a more likely outcome.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals is probable, Only Wolves have conceded more than Saits this season and West Ham have players who can punish a weak defence.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible chance, Saints struggle to keep clean sheets, they do pose a threat going forward at times and being at home with a new manager taking charge we may see goals.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Manchester United
Pre-Match Summary
Wolves got off to a superb start under new boss Vitor Pereira with a huge 3-0 away win to Leicester and that hopefully for them is a sign of whats to come in their battle against the drop. United come here after suffering a 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth and looked somehwat out of sorts. Manager Rubern Amorim will be looking for a response from his players.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Wolves are the underdogs but they have been pretty much every game this season, that big win last weekend could have sparked something and a Home win could be the way to go here.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Wolves despite that big win last week are still the leagues worst defensive team having conceded forty goals in seventeen games. Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, if this game is anything like last season where it ended 3-4we will be in for a Boxing Day treat.
Pre-Match Summary
Liverpool have now won twelve games from sixteen matches and now have real momentum as we head into Christmas time. Leicester visit Anfield on the back of a 3-0 home defeat to Wolves, and Ruud Van Nistlerooys men have a tough job as they have not won here for over twenty years.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Its hard to look past heavy favourties Liverpool. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Liverpool seem to be scoring at will atthe moment and this again could be another goal fest. Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: No, Leicester will do weel to create many chances here, this could be a one sided affair.
Pre-Match Summary
Brighton have now gone five games without a win 3D and 2L and questions are being asked about manager Fabian Hurzeler, who insists his team will be back to winning ways soon. Brentford not in the best form themselves having lost three of their last four league games and have now dropped into the bottom half of the table.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Two teams who sit tenth and twelfth and not much seperating them, this has the makings of an even game and could result in a Draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: An interesting fixture with two teams who are out of form but can play some excellent football at times, it could be a close one but, Over 2.5 goals may be the case.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Brightons last ten games in all competitions and five of Brentfords last six games have all been both teams to score.
Pre-Match Summary
Arsenal are now six points behind the top in third place after a big away win over Crystal Palace 5-1 last weekend and today welcome an Ipswich team who have lost four of the last five games including the latest game which was a 4-0 home defeat to Newcastle.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Arsenal look to be hitting some good form again now and this should go the way of a Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals is likely, Arsenal at home usually score multiple goals, while Ipswich have won two of their last three away games scoring twice in them games.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Ipswich in recent weeks have proved they are capable of netting and Arsenal can be caught on the counter.
This weeks TOP BET:
Bournemouth – Home win
Chelsea – Home win
Newcastle v Aston Villa – Over 2.5 goals
Liverpool – Home win
Arsenal – Home win
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