PREVIEW: 2023/24 Premier League – Week 16

Saturday 9 December

Crystal Palace 38/10 | Draw 3/1 | Liverpool 13/20 (14:30)

Palace face the prospect of a Liverpool side willing and able to make life as difficult as possible for their hosts. I’ve said a lot about the performances of Palace not matching up to their results, but in a game like this if you haven’t got all eleven players at their absolute best you lose… simple as that.

Given the inconsistency of the Eagles, back the Reds.

Wolves 19/20 | Draw 49/20 | Nott’m Forest 26/10 (17:00)

Wolves can slowly start turning the corner with a win here, they are another side who need to convert performances into results, but I think the work Gary O’Neil is doing will start to really pay dividends during the festive season.

Back the home win.

Brighton 5/10 | Draw 7/2 | Burnley 46/10 (17:00)

If Vincent Kompany decides to go toe-to-toe with Brighton here, I think it could get rather ugly. The home side will play a free-flowing and incredibly expansive brand of football, Burnley just don’t have the defensive shape to deal with it in my opinion.

The home win is a banker.

Sheffield 36/10 | Draw 29/10 | Brentford 13/20 (17:00)

The Bees seem to be all in or bust at the moment. They either give you a really good run for your money or go off the boil completely. Worth noting that they are dealing with the a proper injury crisis at the moment.  Sheffield United are still working hard to shake that thumping at the hands of Burnley and a subsequent loss to Liverpool, but I’m not sure this game will help.

Back the visitors.

Manchester United 6/10 | Draw 31/10 | Bournemouth 39/10 (17:00)

[I can’t believe I am writing a prediction for a United game I will watch live! Childhood dream realised! – anyway back to the prediction] I am quite surprised to see the prices available on this game to be fair, Bournemouth have shown they can be a handful and given United’s performances at times 6/10 seems a little on the sharp side.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils’ win against Chelsea in midweek gives me confidence. Back the home win.

Aston Villa 39/20 | Draw 51/20 | Arsenal 12/10 (19:30)

This is going to be a tough game for Arsenal. Unai Emery has shown he doesn’t mind not having the ball (even when playing at home) and he is comfortable closing spaces and looking to play on the counter.

Arsenal will have to bring the game once again to Villa, something they are comfortable doing, they will have to contain Villa’s pace and intent, again, something they are good at, but also look to break down a really well-drilled Arsenal side.

This smells like a draw, but I’m going to back Villa on the win/draw double chance.

Sunday 10 December

Luton 13/1 | Draw 6/1 | Manchester City 1/6 (16:00)

This is (respectfully) a question of ‘how many’. City are the better side, with a stronger squad depth and the ability to hurt you from anywhere. I won’t waste too much more time – back over 4.5 goals and be done with it.

Fulham 16/10 | Draw 49/20 | West Ham 31/20 (16:00)

Tough game to call this one. neither side will lack the confidence required to think they can win it, but West Ham will be flying high after beating Spurs on Thursday evening. 

West Ham to claim the spoils. 

Everton 5/2 | Draw 5/2 | Chelsea 1/1 (16:00)

I think the price on Chelsea is generous, and I say that whether you consider the result from Wednesday night or not. Everton’s resounding win against Newcastle throws a bit of a spanner into the works, though. Perhaps this is one to avoid?

Tottenham 5/4 | Draw 11/4 | Newcastle 7/4 (18:30)

What a fixture to close out a week of superb football in the Premier League. Spurs have gone all Spursy of late despite an excellent start to the season. Their latest reverse coming against West Ham on Thursday evening, another game in which they gave up an early lead to conede defeat.

Newcastle’s form has also been patchy of late, with their 3-0 thumping at Everton no doubt rining a few alarm bells up north. I’m leaning toward the home win, but perhaps both teams to score is the best bet.