It’s a big weekend in the English Premier League as two title contenders collide in Manchester. Chelsea have been crushing teams of late, and have soared to the top of the league. However, they will be severely tested by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who have not been at their best, but are nevertheless very dangerous. Read up on that marquee matchup, as well as our picks and bet recommendations for all 10 games of Matchday 14.
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Premier League Week 14 Predictions and Preview
*Check out all English Premier League soccer odds here.
Saturday, December 3
Manchester City vs. Chelsea – 7:30 AM ET
City vs. Chelsea is one of the most eagerly anticipated matchups of the Premier League season to date. Chelsea have stormed to the top of the table thanks to seven straight wins. They’ve won those games by an aggregate score of 19-1.
Meanwhile, City have not been entirely convincing since their hot start. They’ve won their last two league games, but both have been by a single goal against inferior Crystal Palace and Burnley sides. Their home form has been unusually poor. They’ve drawn their last three in a row at the Etihad. Their defense has also been wretched. They’ve held just one clean sheet in their last 14 games in all competitions.
This is still a Pep Guardiola side, though, and City should have something up its sleeve tactically. Antonio Conte’s side aren’t nearly as adventurous away from home – they’ve scored just 9 away goals compared to 20 at home – and City have the firepower to break through a tough Chelsea defense.
Writer’s Prediction: With City’s unconvincing form, and Chelsea’s cautiousness on the road, this match ends with no clear winner. Take the draw at +225.
Crystal Palace vs. Southampton – 10:00 AM ET
Crystal Palace’s horrendous run of form continued as they lost a 5-4 shootout to relegation-threatened Swansea. That’s now seven games without a win for Palace, who have shipped at least two goals in their last five matches.
However, it remains to be seen whether Southampton can capitalize on Palace’s poor defending. The Saints have scored just six goals in six road games, and half of those came in one game. They also don’t concede too many, either. The total has gone under 3 goals in four of their last five games.
Writer’s Prediction: Taking the total to go under 2.5 (-125) is the best play in this matchup.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Swansea City – 10:00 AM ET
Swansea’s dramatic 5-4 win over Palace was great and all, but that’s not going to happen against Tottenham. They’ll be going from one of the very worst defenses in the league to one of the very best in Spurs. Tottenham showed signs of getting back to their best against Chelsea, and this matchup against Swansea is their best chance to score a convincing win.
Writer’s Prediction: Tottenham finally scores a comfortable 2-0 win. Take Spurs at -1.5 (-110) to cover on the Asian Handicap.
Sunderland vs. Leicester City – 10:00 AM ET
Sunderland are showing signs of life. Their two-game winning run may have been snapped, but at least they gave a decent enough account of themselves in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
Their renewed fighting spirit should carry on to their matchup with Leicester, who were very lucky to salvage a point at home against Middlesbrough. The defending champions have been a train wreck away from home, with no wins, five losses, and 16 goals conceded in six games.
Writer’s Prediction: Taking Sunderland at 0, +0.5 (-120) on the Asian Handicap is the smart play, since a draw will still win you half your stake.
Stoke City vs. Burnley – 10:00 AM ET
This should be a pretty straightforward matchup. Stoke may have lost their last home game to Bournemouth, but they had gone unbeaten in their previous three at the bet365 Stadium. Meanwhile, Burnley are just hopeless away from home. They’ve lost four of five away from home, and have scored a single goal, easily the worst in the league.
Writer’s Prediction: Take Stoke (-181) straight up to win over Burnley.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Watford – 10:00 AM ET
Watford suffered a bit of a letdown at home against Stoke as they were undone by a Heurelho Gomes own goal. However, don’t expect the Hornets to suddenly drop two in a row. They haven’t lost two straight games since they lost to Chelsea and Arsenal in the first few weeks of the season.
West Brom will offer some resistance, but in this battle of 8th vs. 9th in the table, the two teams could just end up cancelling each other out.
Writer’s Prediction: West Brom and Watford play out a draw (+215) at the Hawthornes.
West Ham United vs. Arsenal – 12:30 PM ET
Arsenal got a much-needed 3-1 win last time out against Bournemouth. Unsurprisingly, it was Alexis Sanchez and his two goals which sparked the Gunners back to life. They could find themselves in a bit of a battle against West Ham, though.
The Hammers have fixed their leaky defense in recent weeks. Since the start of October, they’ve given up more than one goal just twice in seven league games. They really should’ve beaten Tottenham before losing 3-2, and also held Man United to a 1-1 draw. The Gunners haven’t really played their best for past few weeks, and could be bogged down once again.
Writer’s Prediction: West Ham is decent value at +0.5, +1 (-110) on the Asian Handicap. This means that a 1-0 West Ham loss can still win you half your stake.
Sunday, December 4
Bournemouth vs. Liverpool – 8:30 AM ET
The injury to Philippe Coutinho is a huge loss for Liverpool. The Brazilian is so important in orchestrating the offense, especially against well-organized defenses. Bournemouth’s defense hasn’t been outstanding this year, but it has been very good at home. The Cherries have given up just six goals in six home games thus far.
Bournemouth should also like their chances of snatching a goal on the Reds defense. Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in six road games.
Writer’s Prediction: Bournemouth has enough quality to keep this close at home. Take the Cherries at +0.5, +1 (-110) on the Asian Handicap.
Everton vs. Manchester United – 11:00 AM ET
The Everton slide continues. The Toffees have now won just once in their last eight games (1-3-4) after a 1-0 loss to Southampton. This looks like a perfect opportunity for United to finally build off their improving form. They scored an impressive 4-1 win over West Ham in the EFL Cup, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan finally proving his worth after spending the first few months stuck on the United bench.
Writer’s Prediction: United gets the much needed win over Everton. Take United at +0.5 (+105) on the Asian Handicap for better value than the moneyline.
Monday, December 5
Middlesbrough vs. Hull City – 3:00 PM ET
If there was ever a game that should be considered a lock this week, this Monday game should be it.
Despite recording just one win in their last 11 league games, Middlesbrough haven’t played all too badly, especially in recent weeks. They forced draws against the big guns – Arsenal, Man City – and only lost by one goal against a juggernaut Chelsea team. They were also desperately unlucky against Leicester as they conceded a penalty deep into injury time.
Boro’s decent play should finally be rewarded against Hull. Hull have just been disastrous away from home. They’ve lost their last four road games, while conceding three or more goals in three of those losses.
Writer’s Prediction: Middlesbrough grabs the home win over Hull. Take Middlesbrough at -0.5 (-130) on the Asian Handicap for slightly better value than the moneyline.
There you have it, picks and predictions for all 10 fixtures. Now, it’s time to create a betting account now and put some bets down on all the great English Premier League soccer action this weekend.
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