After a two week pause for the FA Cup and EFL Cup, half the English Premier League teams return this week before the other half return next weekend due to the mini winter break in the English football schedule.
With five games taking place across the weekend, we’ve picked out our top tips and booking code for the upcoming action:
Chelsea to win, 1.63
After winning five of their previous six Chelsea went into the game against mid-table Championship Middlesbrough as strong favourites, but Michael Carrick’s side claimed a 1-0 win come the end of the game with Chelsea showing little to no threat throughout the 90 minutes. Fulham also lost their Carabao Cup semi-final, falling to a three minute comeback from Liverpool after originally taking the lead in the 19th minute.
While neither side are in particularly good form, derby day performances rarely rely on recent form as player’s know the game means more than any other. We expect this one to play out like this, with it being a hard-fought encounter between the two West London clubs. However, it has been 45 years since Chelsea last lost at Stamford Bride to Fulham and we believe Chelsea will keep this run going with a victory.
Julian Alvarez to score anytime, 2.75
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Julian Alvarez has become the main man for Manchester City while Erling Haaland has been sidelined with injury, and the Argentine has excelled under the pressure. In his last four appearances across all competitions Alvarez has netted five goals and two assists, leaving him in fantastic form coming into this game against a Newcastle side who have struggled in recent weeks.
Just three wins and seven losses in their last 10 games marks a torrid time for Eddie Howe’s men. Their defence has been especially leaky in this period with them conceding 18 goals, and this will be a worry for Newcastle as they now head go up against the top scorers of the Premier League.
While Newcastle will try to play with a strong defence and hold Manchester City out, we believe City will dominate this game and that Alvarez will get his goal.
Ollie Watkins to score anytime, 2.90
Aston Villa will be hoping to keep their place in the top two come the end of this weekend, with Manchester City able to leapfrog them prior to their game taking place. With this, they will be looking to star striker Ollie Watkins to help give them the victory against an Everton side who have lost four and drawn one of their last five games.
Watkins has managed just one goal in his past five appearances but the forward remains Villa’s top scorer this season with nine goals in the league, leaving him seventh highest across the entire league. With Everton conceding eight goals in their last three Premier League games, Villa and Watkins will certainly fancy their chances of a high-scoring game and we expect Watkins to get back on the scoreboard in this one.
Tottenham Hotspur to win, 2.98
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United have had an awful season by all accounts as they currently sit eighth, nine points outside of the UEFA Champions League places. Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, have been one of the league’s most exciting teams this season under Ange Postecoglou’s guide and they sit just one point behind rivals Arsenal in fourth place in the hunt for a top four finish.
United have managed just one win in their last five leagues games compared to Tottenham who have four in the same time period, leaving them the much more confident side of the two. While the game does take place at Old Trafford, United have been rather poor at home this season and we believe that Tottenham will claim the victory in this one.
Best Booking Code: 5ZQKBX5 (odds: 38.74)
Goalscorers: 5ZQKDMW
Chelsea & Tottenham win double: 5ZQKHXS
