As we enter the New Year the Premier League is now at the halfway stage and Liverpool continue to lead the way at the top six points ahead of closest rivals Arsenal and still with a game in hand.
After a busy Christmas period the first full fixture of the new year will take place this weekend with some big games to look forward to at both ends of the table.
We begin on Saturday with an early afternoon fixture 12.30 UK time as in form Newcastle make a trip to London to face Tottenham who remain inconsistent and will hope the new year can bring back some form.
Elsewhere Aston Villa will host Leicester, Bournemouth face Everton, Crystal Palace play Chelsea, Manchester City welcome West Ham and bottom of the League Southampton go head to head with Brentford. All games at 15.00.
Saturdays action is rounded up with a tasty fixture on the South Coast as second place Arsenal travel to Brighton, at 17.30.
Sunday begins with Fulham v Ipswich 14.00, before a huge clash between fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield at 16.30.
The weekends final game this week takes place on Monday night at 20.00 as Wolves who have found a bit of form and climbed out of the bottom three welcome the in form suprise package of the season Nottingham Forest who sit third in the league and are starting to believe that Champions League qualification could be a reality.
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Newcastle United
Pre-Match Summary
Spurs who ended last year with a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves after conceding late, leaving much to be desired for the fans as this means only one win in the last seven league games for the London club. Newcastle on the other hand have now hit some top form and won the last four league games without conceding a single goal.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Spurs in and out form is a concern and furthermore they have a long injury list right now, Newcastle come here in superb form and could go five wins in a row, Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: The last eight H2Hs between these clubs have seen over 2.5 goals and this should be no different.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, what is likely to be an open game we could see goals for both teams today.
Pre-Match Summary
After starting off with a win and a draw Leicester manager Ruud Van Nistelrooys side have now lost four games in a row and it seems the honey moon period is well and truly over, it does not get much easier as they come to Villa Park to face an Aston Villa team who are unbeaten in the last five at home with 3W and 2D.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Villa are stong at home and in addition Leicester have not won an away game in the last five with four losses and the other game a draw. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Its easy to envisage goals here and Villa on their day can be ruthless, Leicester have a poor defence, so expect to see goals in this one, Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, despite having a poor defence, Leicester do have options upfront and are capable of nicking one.
Pre-Match Summary
The Cherrys continue to impress and are in an excellent run of form going unbeaten in the last seven games with 4W and 3D, while Everton who enjoyed a mini run themselves with a win and then three draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, then went and lost at home to Nottingham Forest and will be looking to regain some of that resiliance they showed previously as they remain dangerously close to the drop zone.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Bournemouths good run could continue here and are favourites, however Everton have showed they can frustrate top teams and perhaps could do the same here. Possible Draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Seven of the last eight H2Hs have been Over 2.5 goals so historically this has a strong chance.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this looks like a fixture that could see both teams on the scoresheet.
Pre-Match Summary
Palace who are now fifteenth have been a bit up and down in recent weeks welcome a Chelsea team who have not won in the last three with 2L and 1D. The away sides form has dropped off and it was not a pleasing festive period for the Blues, if they want to reignite their title challenge this is one they must win.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Chelsea have won this fixture the last six seasons in a row and they will need a repeat of that result if they are to remain in the title fight. Away win is likely.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Palace’s last three home games has seen Over 2.5 goals, and Chelsea are the second highest scoring team in the league so this has a strong chance.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Palace at home can be dangerous and Chelsea have plenty about them upfront to score goals.
Manchester City Vs West Ham United
Pre-Match Summary
City got back to winning ways with a 2-0 away win over Leicester to end a miserable run of form despite not being at their best they will hope now to push on in the new year. West Ham visit the Etihad after being on the end of a 5-0 home battering to Liverpool and this is not an away game they will relish as they have not won here since 2015.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: City will be hoping to build on last weeks win and they will take confidence that they have beaten todays opponents the last eight times in a row. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: A fixture historically full of goals and this could another, six of the last seven H2Hs have been Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, City are favourites here but in recent weeks have not been convincing and allthough a home win is expected, West Ham may be able to breach the City defence.
Pre-Match Summary
Saints are now becoming detached at the bottom of the league, having only won once all season. They are ten points away from saftey and a return to the Championship is almost certainly nailed on. Brentford who are twelfth place come here having not won an away game all season and also have a growing injury list may give Saints hope of a much needed win.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: A tough fixture to call, Saints have been really poor all season and have won only once, Brentford have not won away all season so this could go either way. Perhaps a Draw may be the way to go.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Brentford have had the second most games this season involving Over 2.5 goals so there is a chance of this outcome, in addition four of the last five H2Hs have also seen this stat.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, both teams will feel they can win this one and that should make for an open game with plenty of chances.
Pre-Match Summary
The Seagulls have drawn the last three games and have dropped down to tenth place, they remain hopefull of a European spot next season but will need to start turning draws into wins. Arsenal having won the last three have now jumped back into second place and have put themselves right back into the mix as title challengers.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Brighton have not beaten Arsenal at home for the last four seasons with Arsenal winning three of them games and the other a draw, Arsenal look to have hit some form and an Away win is a strong possibility.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals is likely, both sides like to attack and can create plenty of chances.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this should be an exciting game with lost of attacking talent on show, expect an open game with plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
Pre-Match Summary
Fulham are becoming draw specialists and have drawn four of the last five games making that eight in total for the season, they sit in eigth place and if like Brighton if these draws can be turned into wins they would be pushing for a European spot. Ipswich remain in the bottom three however a shock home 2-0 win v Chelsea last time out will give them a huge boost going into the new year.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Fulham head into this as favourites but Ipswich will not make this easy and after a big win over Chelsea will come here confident. Home win is likely but may not be straightforward.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This could be an open game and Over 2.5 goals is favourable.
- Both Teams to Score: Seven of Fulhams last eight games have seen both teams score, this game could easily be an extension of that stat.
Liverpool Vs Manchester United
Pre-Match Summary
Two fierce rivals go head to head at Anfield and United come here having lost the last three games and Ruben Amirom has not had the best of starts as United’s new boss. Arne Slot on the other hand has seen his Liverpool side lose just once all season and now look strong favourites to win the league as they continue to go from strenght to strength.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Always a big fixture when these two meet, but Liverpool look so strong at the moment it is hard to see who will stop them. Home win should be the outcome.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Liverpools last five league games have all been Over 2.5 goals and the reverse fixture earlier this season ended 3-0 so this has the makings of another game with goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, its hard to see liverpool not scoring, so this will depend on weather United can get at Liverpools defence.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Nottingham Forest
Pre-Match Summary
High flying Forest have won the last five games in a row, and continue to shock and impress as they occupy third spot only eight points behind league leaders Liverpool. Wolves have managed two wins and a draw in their last three games which sees them climb out of the relegation zone and things are looking a lot brighter after the appointment of new manager Vitor Pereira.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: A few weeks ago this would of looked like a strightforward Forest win, and allthough Forest are favourites here, they will have a togher job on thier hands. Away win is slightly favourable.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Wolves do still have the worst defesive record in the league and in form Forest are really firing, Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, despite a poor defence Wolves have started to turn things around and have some quality up front which may prove vital to their survival.
This weeks TOP BET:
Tottenham v Newcastle – Over 2.5 goals
Aston Villa – Home win
Man City – Home win
Brighton v Arsenal – Both teams to score YES
Liverpool – Home win
Place this bet here at Sportpesa NOW!
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