Gameweek 17 of the Premier League action promises to offer another exciting round of matches with Sunday’s battle between Chelsea and Manchester City the headline act. But there’s plenty to look forward to this weekend with a number of huge clashes.
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Friday 1 January
Everton 11/10 | Draw 49/20 | West Ham 51/20 (19:30)
Everton have found their rhythm again and they’ll look to continue their surge up the table when they host West Ham. David Moyes’ men have impressed this season and have only lost to ‘big six’ opposition on the road (Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea). They drew at Tottenham and beat Leicester City, Sheffield United and Leeds United. I’m going for Both Teams to Score at 13/20.
Manchester United 15/20 | Draw 31/10 | Aston Villa 32/10 (22:00)
Manchester United are the dark horses for this season’s Premier League title. With Tottenham and Chelsea’s recent slump and Manchester City struggling to put together a long winning streak, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could yet be Liverpool’s nearest challengers at the top of the table. Aston Villa will provide a stern test for the Red Devils, but I still can’t see anything other than a United victory.
Saturday 2 January
Tottenham 15/20 | Draw 31/10 | Leeds United 33/10 (14:30)
Tottenham are strong favourites to see off Leeds United on Saturday, but they’ll need to be wary of the upset-threat posed by Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Jose Mourinho has got his tactics spot on a lot of the time but if he decides to sit back and allow the Peacocks to come at them, that could spell trouble for the North London outfit. Spurs are expected to win, but play it safe and take Both Teams to Score at 5/10.
Crystal Palace 11/10 | Draw 49/20 | Sheffield United 51/20 (17:00)
In one of the least exciting fixtures of the round, out-of-form Crystal Palace host bottom-of-the-barrel Sheffield United. Both teams are low on confidence but will be equally desperate for maximum points. My money is on the home win.
Brighton 31/20 | Draw 43/20 | Wolves 39/20 (19:30)
Brighton and Wolves’ recent battles have been tight affairs, with the sides cancelling each other out in the last three meetings. The Seagulls have also drawn the most times at home this season, even holding champions Liverpool. Back the stalemate at 43/20.
West Brom 17/4 | Draw 31/10 | Arsenal 6/10 (22:00)
Still flying high from their 1-1 draw away to Liverpool, West Brom will look to pile more misery on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. But the Gunners will be hoping their emphatic 3-1 victory over Chelsea will prove to be a turning point in their season. Along with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have failed to beat the Baggies, while they narrowly lost to Tottenham and Manchester United. Big Sam will make West Brom hard to beat, but Arsenal should find a way.
Sunday 3 January
Burnley 15/10 | Draw 9/4 | Fulham 19/10 (14:00)
Both sides have improved markedly since the start of the season, but Fulham, for me, still look a side likely to spend much of the season near the foot of the table. Burnley will only have themselves to blame if they don’t pick up all three points as this is an opportunity to move further away from the relegation zone. Back the home win at 15/10.
Newcastle 38/10 | Draw 28/10 | Leicester City 7/10 (16:15)
Newcastle United have been inconsistent and that is clearly evident in their mid-table placement. Leicester City, on the other hand, have picked up from where they left off last term, only this time, they’ll look to secure Champions League qualification. The Foxes put the Magpies to the sword last season, recording 5-0 and 3-0 victories. The away win is tipped confidently.
Chelsea 9/4 | Draw 26/10 | Manchester City 23/20 (18:30)
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Monday 4 January
Southampton 39/10 | Draw 33/10 | Liverpool 6/10 (22:00)
Southampton have been impressive this season, but they’ve struggled to punch above their weight, with Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City leaving St Mary’s with all three points. The Saints won’t make life easy for Jurgen Klopp’s men, but the champions, boosted by the return of Thiago Alcantara, should prove too strong here.
TREBLE @ 37/10
Man United Win 15/20
Leicester Win 7/10
Liverpool Win 6/10
