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English Premier League: Week 16 Preview

Two players chasing the soccer ballOur football analyst previews the English Premier League week 16 action which kicks off on Saturday 9 December 2017.

Gameweek 16 of the Premier League has some cracking matchups to look forward to with the headline clash the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday. Before that clash, the Merseyside derby at Anfield will keep us entertained. There are lots of other exciting matches to watch and bet on this weekend.
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Saturday 9 December


West Ham 11/2 | Draw 31/10 | Chelsea 5/10
The opening match sees West Ham host Chelsea in a London derby in Saturday’s early kick-off. This will be David Moyes’ fifth game in charge of the Hammers. He lost his first game at the helm of the club 2-0 at Watford and then played to a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City, before suffering back-to-back defeats away at Everton (4-0) and Manchester City (2-1). Prior to the Hammers’ home draw against the Foxes, they lost 3-0 to Brighton and 4-1 to Liverpool on their turf.

Chelsea are in top form, having gone unbeaten in seven matches with six wins. Antonio Conte’s men completed the league double over their city rivals last season, winning both games 2-1. Back the champions at 5/10.


Burnley 14/10 | Draw 43/20 | Watford 2/1 
Burnley suffered their second defeat in three games as they were beaten 1-0 at Leicester City. Prior to that, Sean Dyche’s men won 2-1 at Bournemouth, before going down 1-0 at home to Arsenal. Despite those losses, the Clarets have been superb this season. They lie seventh on the table with 25 points, level with sixth-placed Tottenham and three behind the Gunners. Watford have also been impressive under Marco Silva this season.

The visitors come into this game off a 1-1 home draw over Tottenham and are three points behind Burnley. Silva’s side have struggled to get results in their recent away games, but have scored in every away match this season. In fact, only Manchester City and Liverpool have scored more goals than them. I’m going for Both Teams to Score at 9/10.

Crystal Palace 19/20 | Draw 24/10 | Bournemouth 28/10
Crystal Palace have improved under Roy Hodgson, going four matches undefeated. Although three of those games were draws, Palace look organized and much better defensively, keeping back-to-back clean sheets. After occupying 20th position for 11 consecutive gameweeks, the Eagles moved two places up the table to sit 18th, with just three points behind 17th-placed West Brom.

Bournemouth come into this game off a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton. Prior to that, they lost 2-1 at home to Burnley, before playing to a goalless draw at Swansea. Before that draw against Paul Clement’s side, they won consecutive away matches against Stoke and Newcastle. A tight affair is expected with the sides tipped to share the spoils.


Huddersfield 16/10 | Draw 39/20 | Brighton 2/1
Two promoted sides Huddersfield and Brighton square off at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday. David Wagner’s side are in terrible form, suffering four straight defeats against Bournemouth, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton. They shipped 13 goals in that run while scoring just once. The Terriers have been better when playing on their turf. It took an 84th-minute goal from Raheem Sterling for City to beat them and before that; Wagner’s side beat Manchester United 2-1 and West Brom 1-0.

Brighton are also on a poor run of form, going winless in four matches with two losses. The Seagulls were thumped 5-1 on their turf by a rampant Liverpool side last weekend. Chris Hughton’s side have impressed in their recent away matches. Before losing 1-0 against Manchester United last time out, they won consecutive matches, beating West Ham 3-0 and Swansea 1-0. This is a tough one to call. I’m going for Both Teams to Score at 12/10.


Swansea 16/10 | Draw 39/20 | West Brom 2/1
Swansea host West Brom at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday with both sides looking to move higher up the table. The Swans are bottom of the log, winless in seven matches with six losses, including two on the bounce. Paul Clement has got to improve that form if his side want to avoid being relegated at the end of the season.

West Brom are in 17th position, three points off the drop zone. The Baggies are winless in 13 matches, suffering six defeats, but they’ve drawn their last three games since the sacking of Tony Pulis. Alan Pardew will see this game as a great opportunity to bag all three points after being held to a goalless draw by former side Crystal Palace last weekend. I’m backing Pardew’s men to come away with maximum points.


Tottenham 1/4 | Draw 47/10 | Stoke 19/2 
Tottenham are struggling to find their rhythm, having gone four league games without a win. Defeats against Arsenal and Leicester City in between draws against West Brom and Watford has seen Spurs drop to sixth position after starting that run tied with second-placed Manchester United. Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to see his side return to winning ways against Stoke.

Mark Hughes’ side came from behind to beat bottom side Swansea 2-1 last weekend. Prior to that, the Potters were winless in four matches with back-to-back defeats. Hughes’ side have won just once from their five away matches, losing three times. Back Spurs to get the job done and claim all three points.

Newcastle 31/20 | Draw 9/4 | Leicester City 18/10
Newcastle’s winless run stretched to six matches after they were beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge by Rafael Benitez’s former side Chelsea. In that run, the Magpies suffered five defeats, two consecutively at St. James’ Park.

Leicester City are riding a two-match winning streak, having beaten Tottenham and Burnley. Claude Puel’s side have lost just once (2-0 at home to Manchester City) in their last nine matches, winning four times. I’m backing the Foxes on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/20.

Sunday 10 December


Southampton 3/1 | Draw 5/2 | Arsenal 9/10 
Arsenal will look to bounce back from their 3-1 home defeat to Manchester United when they visit Southampton on Sunday. Prior to that loss, Arsene Wenger’s side had beaten Tottenham, Burnley and Huddersfield, scoring eight goals without reply.

The Gunners will be confident of returning to winning ways as they’ve won their previous two meetings at St. Mary’s Stadium this year. They recorded a 2-0 win in the league, before dishing out a 5-0 thrashing in the FA Cup. Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have won just once in their last six matches, losing three times. I’m confident the Gunners will come away with maximum points.


Liverpool 3/10 | Draw 9/2 | Everton 9/1
The Merseyside derby will keep us entertained before the much-anticipated Manchester derby kicks off on Sunday night. Despite all the hype this fixture gets, Liverpool usually destroy Everton. In fact, the Toffees have failed to beat the Reds since 2010 and that was at Goodison Park. Their last victory at Anfield came in the 1999/2000 season. A very long time ago.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have faced better Everton sides than the one Sam Allardyce will come with on Sunday. Although the Toffees have improved in recent weeks, Liverpool have looked deadly with their fluid, full-throttle football. Klopp’s attacking quartet of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who is in the form of his life, should prove too strong for Allardyce’s side. The home win is the way to go.

Manchester United 22/10 | Draw 49/20 | Manchester City 12/10 
Manchester City have been superb this season, especially away from home, where they’ve been perfect, winning all seven of their games. Without Pogba, United are a different team, and although Mourinho will not be humiliated, you cannot allow a team like Man City to attack you. The likes of De Bruyne, Silva and Aguero should be too much for De Gea and United to cope with. I’m backing City to stretch their lead to 11 points at the top of the table with a win at Old Trafford.
Click here to read full Manchester Derby preview. 


TREBLE @ 44/10
Chelsea Win 5/10
Burnley vs Watford BTTS (Yes) 9/10
Arsenal Win 9/10


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