The Premier League during the Christmas season is truly a most wonderful time of the year for soccer fans. This Monday’s Boxing Day fixtures will be eagerly anticipated, not to mention the two midweek fixtures. Without further ado, here are my predictions and best bet recommendations for all 10 games on the schedule.
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Monday, December 26
Watford vs. Crystal Palace – 7:30 AM ET
Crystal Palace are now without a manager after the sacking of Alan Pardew. That spells good news for Watford, who are desperately in need of a win after losing four of their last five games, with three coming on the road. They will be at home against Palace, where they have been fairly decent. Four of their six wins this season have come at Vicarage Road.
It’s probably safe to expect a few goals, as well. Watford hasn’t kept a clean sheet in its last seven games, while Palace’s games have seen 3 or more goals in eight of their last nine Premier League contests.
Writer’s Prediction: It’s tough to trust either team to come away with the win, so let’s go with the total to go OVER 3.0 goals (EVEN).
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion – 10:00 AM ET
Arsenal are in the middle of yet another bad slump. They’ve dropped back-to-back away games, which have seen them slide nine points off the top. Generally, Arsenal would be a good bet to bounce back at home, but this is a dangerous West Brom side which has conceded just eight goals in eight games away from home. The Baggies gave Premier League leaders Chelsea all they could handle in a narrow 1-0 road defeat.
Writer’s Prediction: Arsenal wins, but West Brom puts up a fight. Take West Brom at +1.5 (-115) on the Asian Handicap.
Burnley vs. Middlesbrough – 10:00 AM ET
Burnley are just a handful at home. All five of their wins this season have come at Turf Moor, and three of their three losses have come against Arsenal and Man City. Middlesbrough are tough to beat, though, especially on the road. Five of their eight away games have ended in draws. Their cautious approach could give the Clarets a tough time in terms of breaking them down.
Writer’s Prediction: Boro holds off Burley in a 1-1 draw (+193).
Chelsea vs. Bournemouth – 10:00 AM ET
Chelsea’s incredible winning run is now up to 11 games after posting a third consecutive 1-0 win, this time against Crystal Palace. You’d have to think that streak will come to an end at some point, but even with leading scorer Diego Costa suspended, it probably won’t come at home against Bournemouth. Chelsea have been close to untouchable at Stamford Bridge. They’ve won 7 of 8 home games, with 21 goals scored and just 4 conceded.
The Cherries, on the other hand, have been one of the worst road teams in the league. They’ve won just once in eight away games with five losses.
Writer’s Prediction: Chelsea takes charge and rolls to another home win, 2-0. Take the Blues at +1, +1.5 (-115) on the Asian Handicap, which means you win the whole bet if they win by two clear goals and only lose half the bet if they win by just a one-goal margin.
Manchester United vs. Sunderland – 10:00 AM ET
Manchester United have seemingly solved their issues, as evidenced by their three wins in a row. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been on fire with seven goals in his last six Premier League games. United actually have a poor record at Old Trafford, with just three wins in eight home games, but they have a good opportunity to improve that 3-4-1 mark when they host Sunderland.
Even with Sunderland’s recent upswing, they should not be trusted on the road. The Black Cats have just one win and have scored four away goals all season long, second-worst behind Burnley in the league.
Writer’s Prediction: United aren’t exactly banging in the goals, while Sunderland just don’t score away. Let’s take the total to go UNDER 3.0 (-115) for better value.
Leicester City vs. Everton – 10:00 AM ET
Champions Leicester have finally been showing signs of life in recent weeks. They absolutely demolished Man City 4-2 at home. And after Jamie Vardy got sent off against Stoke, they battled back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw. Everton have similarly put up some promising performances with their win over Arsenal and their heartbreaking injury-time derby loss to Liverpool.
Leicester will be at home, where they are tough to beat. They’ve lost just once in eight at the King Power Stadium. Meanwhile, Everton have lost five of six away from home. But a somewhat resurgent Everton should be able to put up a fight.
Writer’s Prediction: Leicester and Everton cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw (+217).
Swansea vs. West Ham United – 10:00 AM ET
Swansea’s road woes have continued under Bob Bradley. They’ve given up at least three goals in their last three away games – all losses. However, they’ve won their last two at home, both against fellow relegation strugglers in Crystal Palace and Sunderland, while scoring at least three goals in the process.
West Ham have won back-to-back home games to lift them clear of the relegation scrap for now, but their road form remains concerning. They’ve lost five of their eight away games this season.
Writer’s Prediction: Swansea scores a big 2-1 home win (+144).
Hull vs. Manchester City – 12:15 PM ET
Manchester City have recovered well from their 4-2 humiliation against Leicester as they handled both Watford and Arsenal at home. They are still without the suspended Sergio Aguero, but Fernandinho returns to shore up the midfield, which will be a big boost after the loss of Ilkay Gundogan. City should be able to extend their recent winning run in next assignment against Hull. The Tigers haven’t won since beating Southampton in early November.
Writer’s Prediction: Man City rolls to an easy 2-0 win over Hull. Take City at +1.5 (-115) on the Asian Handicap.
Tuesday, December 27
Liverpool vs. Stoke – 12:15 PM ET
Liverpool got a bit lucky with their injury-time winner against Everton. But you have to be good to get lucky sometimes and Liverpool have been very good, especially at home. They’re 5-2-0 at Anfield with 21 goals scored and just six conceded. Stoke can be a tough out on their day, but they the Potters just lost goalkeeper Jack Butland, ahd will likely struggle to survive the Liverpool barrage without him.
Writer’s Prediction: Liverpool run out easy 3-1 winners. Take the total to go OVER 3.0 (-120).
Wednesday, December 28
Southampton vs. Tottenham – 2:45 PM ET
Southampton have their home form to thank for rising up to 7th in the table. The Saints have lost just once in eight home games, and have given up just five goals – the second-fewest behind only leaders Chelsea. That could mean problems for Tottenham, who have not been the most prolific team away from home. They have also been unable to grab all three points too often, as four of their eight road games have ended in draws.
Writer’s Prediction: Southampton frustrate Tottenham into a 0-0 draw (+217).
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