We preview the final round of EPL fixtures for 2017, with matches set to get underway from Saturday 30 December.
There are nine fixtures taking place in the Premier League this weekend although there aren’t any mouth-watering matches with Liverpool’s home tie against Leicester arguably the biggest game of the round. However, there’s still plenty at stake and a great opportunity for soccer punters to end the year off on a high.
Saturday 30 December
Bournemouth 15/10 | Draw 43/20 | Everton 39/20
Bournemouth managed to avoid a fifth straight defeat thanks to an injury-time goal from Callum Wilson which snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw against West Ham, who thought they had won it late on. Eddie Howe’s side are now winless in 10 matches with five defeats, including last Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Chelsea in the League Cup.
Everton spent Boxing Day on the road this year, and suffered from some weary legs at the Hawthorns against West Brom. Wayne Rooney and Idrissa Gueye remained out, which didn’t help, but Sam Allardyce’s men earned a hard-fought point in a goalless stalemate. The Toffees are now unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, winning five times and earning draws against Liverpool and Chelsea. I’m backing the visitors to come away with all three points.
Chelsea 1/5 | Draw 11/2 | Stoke City 25/2
Alvaro Morata struck his tenth goal of the Premier League campaign as Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton that moved Antonio Conte’s side to within one point of second-placed Manchester United. Morata, who has scored in each of his last two games, will be aiming to add to his tally as he comes up against Stoke, the opponents he netted a hat-trick against in a 4-0 win at the bet365 Stadium in September.
The Blues have won their last six league games in a row at Stamford Bridge, scoring 12 goals while conceding three, keeping four clean sheets. Mark Hughes’ men have had a good week, beating West Brom 3-1 at home and earning a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield. However, they’re winless in their last five away matches, suffering three defeats. You can go with Morata to score anytime & Chelsea to win or Home to Win to Nil at 15/20.
Huddersfield 27/20 | Draw 2/1 | Burnley 47/20
Huddersfield will be satisfied to find themselves in the comfort of mid-table with a demanding fixture at home to high-flying Burnley on Saturday. The Terriers are unbeaten in three matches, winning 4-1 at Watford, before drawing two in a row against Southampton at St Mary’s and Stoke at home.
Burnley put in an impressive performance to earn a 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Boxing Day. A point at Old Trafford is usually a good result, but Sean Dyche would have been hugely disappointed not to have come away with all three as his side had taken a two-goal lead. The Clarets have been impressive on the road this season, getting results on their trips to Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Man United. Back the visitors on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20.
Liverpool 7/20 | Draw 9/2 | Leicester City 7/1
Full preview to follow shortly.
Newcastle 21/20 | Draw 43/20 | Brighton 28/10
Newcastle, who are yet to play Manchester City at the time of writing, have been struggling for form. Their 3-2 victory at West Ham last Saturday was their first win in 10 matches. In those games, they lost eight times, including suffering four straight defeats at St. James’ Park, failing to score in three of them.
Brighton suffered a fourth straight defeat on the road, going down 2-0 against Chelsea on Boxing Day. In those defeats, the Seagulls failed to get on the scoresheet. With both sides struggling in front of goal and Brighton’s 14 of their 20 games having just one team on the scoresheet, I’m going for Both Teams to Score (No) at 7/10.
Watford 7/10 | Draw 51/20 | Swansea City 4/1
Watford came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Leicester City at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day. That was the Hornets’ first win in seven matches. In that run, they lost five times, including four in a row. Marco Silva’s side will be desperate to build on their recent win against bottom side Swansea.
The visitors managed to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace, but their away form doesn’t give them much confidence coming into this game. The Swans have lost their last seven away games, shipping 16 goals and scoring just three times. Back the home win at 7/10.
Manchester United 4/10 | Draw 37/10 | Southampton 13/2
Manchester United have struggled in recent weeks, giving Chelsea hope of pipping them to second place on the table. Jose Mourinho’s side were dumped out of the League Cup last Wednesday, losing 2-1 in the quarter-finals to Championship side Bristol City. That followed with back-to-back 2-2 draws against Leicester and Burnley, cutting their lead over the Blues to just one point.
Southampton’s winless run stretched to seven matches as they were thumped 5-2 by Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. It was their fifth defeat from nine away games and fourth from their last five. United are unbeaten in their last four meetings against the Saints, winning three times. The home win is the way to go.
Sunday 31 December
Crystal Palace 9/1 | Draw 52/10 | Manchester City 1/4
Short and sweet here – Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have been sensational, winning 18 of their 19 matches, netting 60 goals while conceding just 12.
The Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September. That was their 14th win in their last 15 meetings against the Eagles and also their second consecutive 5-0 win over them. I’m going for City to Win by Three or More Goals at 31/20.
West Brom 37/10 | Draw 28/10 | Arsenal 7/10
The Hawthorns has been a tough ground for Arsenal to go to in recent seasons with Arsene Wenger’s side winning just once in their last five battles there. Their last two trips have ended in defeat, however, West Brom are extremely low on confidence and even lower on the table, sitting in 19th place. The Baggies are winless in their last 18 Premier League matches and the Gunners, who won the reverse tie 2-0 in September, should leave with all three points. Great value on the away win – get on.
Treble tipped at 6/1
Everton Win 39/20
Man United Win 4/10
Arsenal Win 7/10
