The English Premier League returns with round 22 getting underway on Saturday 12 January 2019.
After what was a fascinating festive period, the English Premier League returns to our screens with plenty to look forward to. Log-leaders, Liverpool, have finally been beaten, and that came at the hands of the champions, Manchester City, who blew the title race wide open again.
The race for top four has also become a tad more interesting, with Chelsea and Arsenal letting their advantage above Manchester United slip, with the Red Devils seemingly rejuvenated since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim boss.
As expected, he’s won all four league games in charge so far, but the true test comes this weekend when his side travel to London to face Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. Down at the bottom, plenty will be at stake when Cardiff and Huddersfield battle it out in Wales this Saturday, while Burnley host Fulham on the same day.
Saturday 12 January
West Ham 49/20 | Draw 28/10 | Arsenal 1/1
Saturday’s action kicks off with a London derby between West Ham United and Arsenal. The Gunners always seem to play the Hammers at the perfect time, with the hosts currently winless in their last two league matches. After that embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Liverpool, Unai Emery’s men bounced back in another London derby, beating Fulham 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Samir Nasri, who once donned the red and white colours of Arsenal, will get the chance to revive his career – with no better way to announce himself against his former employers.
However, West Ham have a torrid home record, winning just four of their 11 matches played so far, while only Tottenham have scored more away goals than Arsenal. That said, the Gunners’ defence has been just as shaky. Back Arsenal on the Win/Draw Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at 19/20.
Burnley 14/10 | Draw 43/20 | Fulham 43/20
Burnley will be looking to win three games in a row for the first time this season when they host Fulham at Turf Moor. Sean Dyche has brought Tom Heaton back in goals, and since then, the team have done wonders. Joe Hart fans, read into that how you will.
Fulham are the only team in the division yet to win away from home this season, with much of the onus been placed on Aleksandar Mitrovic to score the goals. The Serbian striker will definitely find it tough against a revitalized Clarets defence over the past couple of weeks. With home advantage, Burnley are tipped to come out on top here at 14/10.
Crystal Palace 5/4 | Draw 9/4 | Watford 47/20
Crystal Palace look to distance themselves from the relegation zone when they take on Watford. Palace seem to have cemented 14th spot for now, with the teams below them at least four points behind, while they’re also four points behind Brighton in 13th place.
In their last Premier League outing, Watford were involved in one of the most entertaining matches this season in a match that ended 3-3 with Bournemouth, with all six goals coming in the first half. Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu have been in superb form this season, while the Hornets are unbeaten in their last three league games on the road, including a 2-0 win over West Ham. Back the away win here – plenty of value at 47/20.
Cardiff 5/4 | Draw 2/1 | Huddersfield 26/10
Cardiff and Huddersfield go head to head in what is a massive six-pointer for both clubs. In their last two home games, Cardiff have been battered and bruised by Manchester United and Tottenham respectively, although, before that, Cardiff were on a three-match winning streak at home.
On the other hand, Huddersfield have been the whipping boys of the lost, losing their last eight league matches and are rooted to the foot of the table. The home win is a great bet here at 5/4 – get on!
Brighton 8/1 | Draw 9/2 | Liverpool 3/10
After suffering their first defeat of the season, Liverpool seek a return to winning ways when they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton. The Reds are still four points clear at the top of the pile, and despite losing at Man City, Jurgen Klopp’s men could walk away from that game with plenty of positives to take back.
Brighton have been impressive at home, losing just once in their last seven league matches, against Chelsea, while they also held Arsenal in front of their home crowd. The reverse tie ended 1-0 in favour of Liverpool, so Brighton will know how to hold their own against the log leaders. Still, I can’t see anything but a Liverpool win here.
Leicester 1/1 | Draw 24/10 | Southampton 29/10
Leicester City seem to have become one of the most unpredictable teams in the league. The Foxes beat Chelsea and Manchester City, then lost to Cardiff, which perhaps indicated that Leicester City tend to raise their game for the big ties only. That showed once again in the FA Cup when they were dumped out at Newport City.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has done very little wrong since taking over the reins at Southampton with his side grinding out a commendable goalless draw at Chelsea in their last league encounter. At 39/20, I’m going bold again, with Southampton tipped on the Win/Draw Double Chance & Both Teams to Score.
Chelsea 1/4 | Draw 5/1 | Newcastle 11/1
Rafael Benitez will come up against his former employers when his Newcastle side make the trip to London to face Chelsea. The visitors are winless in their last four league matches, and are expected to go to the Bridge with their usual defensive tactics. For Chelsea, they’ve somewhat been disappointing at home, winning just six of their 11 matches, while they have also failed to score in their last two matches at Stamford Bridge.
From the top six, the Blues have also scored the least amount of goals with the club in desperate need for a top-class striker in the transfer window. Still, their defence has been rock-solid at times and against a side like Newcastle, they’ll fancy their chances of returning to winning ways. Back Chelsea to Win to Nil here at 17/20.
Sunday 13 January
Everton 15/20 | Draw 29/10 | Bournemouth 7/2
For the neutrals, this could be the game that catches the eye this weekend. Both teams have been leaking goals aplenty, while their respective attacks have not been goal-shy as well. In fact, this fixture produced a nine-goal thriller last season with Everton winning 6-3 on the day.
It will certainly be a thrilling encounter here as both Everton and Bournemouth are level on 27 points, with both teams desperate to get back into the top half of the table – a place they feel that they belong in. Take Over 3.5 Goals here at 31/20.
Tottenham 21/20 | Draw 26/10 | Man United 49/20
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s red-hot Manchester United travel to London on Sunday to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s title-chasing Tottenham as the Premier League returns. Spurs are third in the Premier League on 48 points after 21 games, while the appointment of Solskjaer has seen the Red Devils claim four league wins in a row to bring them back into the top-four race.
Spurs will look to complete the league double over United for the first time in the Premier League era, while the Red Devils will be seeking revenge for their heavy 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford earlier this season. Kane and Son have scored 22 league goals between them this season and they will create issues for United’s defence, which has been the leakiest among the top-six. I don’t think it will be a one-sided affair, but I fancy Spurs to come out on top here.
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Monday 14 January
Manchester City 1/5 | Draw 57/10 | Wolves 12/1
Manchester City showed no signs of slowing down in recent weeks as they’ve re-earned many of pundits’ respect again after humbling Liverpool to their first defeat, while they also hammered Rotherham United 7-0 in the FA Cup. Wolves have a relatively decent record against the ‘big six’, and ended 2018 off with a stellar 3-1 win over Spurs away from home.
Away from home, they’ve also drawn against Arsenal and Manchester United, while they managed to hold City off as well in front of their home support. The champions have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league encounters, and I doubt that feat will change against a fearless Wolves outfit. Back City & Both Teams to Score at 29/20!
TREBLE TIPPED @ 12/1
Burnley Win 14/10
Cardiff Win 5/4
Everton vs Bournemouth Over 3.5 Goals 31/20
