Despite a number of clubs campaigning for a break due to rising Covid-19 cases, the Premier League’s crowded festive calendar will go ahead as planned. The majority of teams are kicking off on Boxing Day, with some standout clashes to look out for. And many of these sides are back in action again just two days later, as the league puts on another full matchday packed with great potential for Premier League betting.
Premier League Matchday 19 Predictions
Liverpool v Leeds United Betting Tips
Two of the division’s most entertaining teams lock horns at Anfield in what could be a Christmas cracker on Boxing Day. Fans will need to decide whether Leeds United can focus enough of their defensive duties to have any chance of getting a result against an in-form Liverpool side.
The Reds may have dropped two points on their last outing away to Tottenham, but that point at Spurs was a solid one given they went down to 10 men in the second half. Jurgen Klopp has been one of the most vocal managers when it comes to demanding a pause in the action, and the Liverpool boss will need to balance his rotations amid a minor coronavirus outbreak for the match.
That said, the Reds should welcome back the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho following positive tests, with that duo lending real defensive solidity to Klopp’s title-chasing side. Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t ever seem particularly concerned with defensive solidity, with Leeds conceding 36 goals in 18 matches so far, at an average of exactly two per game. With that in mind, Liverpool are 17/2 to win this game 2-0 with our Premier League betting tips.
However, the Whites could be in even more trouble if they play with their usual cavalier approach, which saw them follow up a 7-0 pasting at Manchester City with a 4-1 defeat against Arsenal. Take the hosts to win big in these Liverpool v Leeds tips. The Reds are 5/2 to win by four or more goals, with the outright market not producing much value at 1/6.
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Manchester City v Leicester City betting tips
The defending champions are building up a lead at the top of the Premier League table, which stands at three points over second-placed Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s side are looking like the kind of well-oiled machine that usually strolls to the title, although the Blues will be wary of Liverpool’s challenge over the coming months.
The Citizens should also be wary of Leicester, who beat them 1-0 in this season’s Community Shield. The Foxes also thrashed City 5-2 in last term’s corresponding fixture at the Etihad, meaning each team has won two of the last four meetings between the pair. Turning that recent head-to-head record to their advantage looks a tall order for Leicester here, however.
Brendan Rodgers has been hit with a raft of positive Covid tests, along with injuries to key personnel. The Foxes have only won two of their last seven Premier League fixtures, with both of those victories at home to relegation candidates Watford and Newcastle – while Man City are an entirely different prospect altogether.
It may be a test for them, but expect the home team to pass it with flying colours. City are in top form at present, winning all eight of their league matches since losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace at the end of October. The Blues have scored 24 goals during that run at an average of exactly three per game, conceding only three at the other end. A 3-0 home win is 15/2 in these Man City v Leicester matchday betting tips, while the Citizens are 6/25 in the outright market.
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Newcastle United v Manchester United Betting Tips
The only game taking place the day after Boxing Day sees Newcastle United host Manchester United at St James’ Park. It’s a crucial game for both teams, with the Magpies desperate for a win to stop their slide towards the Championship, and the Reds looking to cut the gap to the top four.
Newcastle’s players have been proving to the club’s fans that the problem wasn’t Steve Bruce all along, with the Magpies only winning one of their 10 games since their former manager’s departure. Eddie Howe secured that solitary win in one of his seven games in charge, with the Toon losing heavily to Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City in their last three games.
A tough run of fixtures sees Man United pitch up at St James’ in this festive encounter, with the Reds playing their first game in more than two weeks due to a couple of coronavirus-enforced postponements. It remains to be seen how much harm the inactivity does to Ralf Rangnick’s hopes of maintaining a positive start to life at Old Trafford.
United have won both of their Premier League matches under their interim manager 1-0, keeping rare clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Norwich before the virus intervened. Rangnick has no doubt been putting the time to good use in terms of coaching his tactics and philosophy, in spite of training ground closures, so United’s display here will be interesting.
Irrespective of tactics, there’s no doubt about where the quality lies in this match-up. Man United have so much more talent at their disposal than their hapless hosts. Even though the locals would love an upset, take the visitors to make it three wins from three under their new boss in these Newcastle v Man United matchday predictions. The Reds are 1/2 for the win, and you can back them to keep a third straight clean sheet while taking the victory at 17/10.
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Matchday 19 Premier League Betting Tips
Around the other grounds on Boxing Day, there’s an intriguing clash between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park. The Blues’ title challenge has stuttered in recent games, so take Steven Gerrard to continue his good start as a Premier League manager with a home win at 5/1.
Antonio Conte has also made a good start as Tottenham boss, with Spurs up against former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace. Tottenham are the 4/5 favourites with home advantage, but the visitors could be worth a look for a point at 3/1.
At Turf Moor, Burnley play their first match for two weeks when they host an inconsistent Everton. Rafa Benitez secured arguably his best result as Toffees manager in drawing 1-1 away to Chelsea last time out, while the Clarets are in the relegation zone. Back Everton to take a hard-fought win at 15/7.
West Ham have had a tough spell after dropping from fourth place in the wake of a run of just one win from four. The Hammers host a poor Southampton team who’ve failed to win any of their last six games here though, so back the Irons for the win at 4/5.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are looking good at 1/2 to beat Norwich away from home. Wolves should beat Watford comfortably at Molineux, with their odds listed at 8/9, while a draw could be a result to look out for at 5/2 when Brighton welcome Brentford to the Amex Stadium on Boxing Day.
Premier League Matchday 20 Predictions
Arsenal v Wolves Betting Tips
Arsenal welcome Wolves to the Emirates in the early kick-off on Tuesday 28 December. The Gunners have finally found their form under Mikel Arteta, rising into the Champions League places on the back of a solid run of results. Maintaining performance levels will be the key for this young Arsenal team, who will face a test against Bruno Lage’s side.
Wolves beat Arsenal 2-1 home and away last season, and they’re making a decent go of challenging for the European places again this term. The Wanderers are struggling for goals though, after only netting 13 times in their opening 18 Premier League fixtures. But then again, they do keep things tight otherwise, conceding only 14 at the other end.
It won’t be easy for Arsenal to break down this Wolves side, with an under 2.5 goals bet interesting at 4/5. In the outright market, it’s tough to look past the home team at 7/10, with the hosts 11/2 to win 1-0 in these Arsenal v Wolves tips. Arteta has a deeper squad at his disposal, although his striking options depend on the Arsenal manager’s willingness to reintegrate former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back into the fold.
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Chelsea v Brighton Betting Tips
On Wednesday, title hopefuls Chelsea aim to get their campaign back on track with a home game against Brighton. The Blues have stumbled in the face of stern competition at the top of the Premier League table, only winning one of their last four games. Thomas Tuchel may bemoan the circumstances around matches not being called off due to Covid-19, but that sort of form is not good enough to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool.
Brighton ought to be relatively amenable guests for Chelsea to get things going once again. The Seagulls are capable of playing some great football, but they often waste chances and lack a real cutting edge. Graham Potter’s side have failed to win any of their last 11 league matches, which would be extremely concerning were it not for the fact that they have drawn eight of those games.
Brighton also picked up a draw in last season’s corresponding fixture at Stamford Bridge, battling to a goalless stalemate having lost 3-1 at home to the Blues earlier in the campaign. A result similar to that first meeting looks most likely here, with a repeat of that 3-1 scoreline in favour of the European champions priced at 13/1. The hosts could be decent value for your weekly accumulator at 2/5 in these Chelsea v Brighton tips.
Everton v Newcastle United Betting Tips
Two clubs who only ever appear to be one defeat away from crisis lock horns at Goodison Park on Thursday evening. Everton could find themselves up in the top half of the Premier League table on the back of a good Christmas period, but there’s also the risk of the Toffees getting stuck in a couple of potentially tricky fixtures and dropping closer to the relegation zone.
Newcastle do have some dangerous players despite their lowly position, but they simply don’t seem capable of putting everything together, in a manner similar to their hosts. The Magpies did complete an impressive double over Everton last season though, winning 2-1 at St James’ Park before a 2-0 triumph at Goodison in the return. That could give the visitors some confidence ahead of these Everton v Newcastle predictions.
That said, Newcastle look even worse than last season, with the optimism of their recent takeover feeling like a distant memory. Everton have home advantage here and should pick up the three points at 7/8. Newcastle have struggled for goals, so take the Toffees to win to nil at 9/4.
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Premier League Predictions for Matchday 20
Heading around the grounds on Tuesday, there should be three easy points in store for Crystal Palace at home to Norwich City. The Eagles are playing some good stuff under Patrick Vieira, while the Canaries look as though they’re hurtling towards another immediate relegation. Palace are 7/10 for the win.
Up the road in Hertfordshire, Watford face a tough game against top-four hopefuls West Ham. David Moyes’ side have dropped a few points in recent games, but they should have more than enough to see off the Hornets at even money.
Down on the south coast, there will be plenty of marching in to sing about as Southampton welcome Tottenham to St Mary’s. The visitors’ fans should ultimately have the bragging rights, with the numbers looking good for a Spurs win at 13/10.
Later in the day, Leeds host Aston Villa at Elland Road. The Whites are capable of playing some exhilarating football on their day, but Steven Gerrard has proven he has astute tactical nous to go with the attacking style of play he exhibited at Rangers. Go with Villa at 6/4.
Tuesday’s evening kick-off could see some fireworks, as Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers welcomes former club Liverpool to the King Power. The Foxes haven’t been in good form lately while the Reds have been rampant, so take the visitors for the win at 3/5, potentially in a high-scoring affair.
Wednesday sees Manchester City visit Brentford, who are out at 16/1 to produce their most impressive win to date on their Premier League bow. It’s very tough to go against City at the moment though, with Pep Guardiola’s side heavy favourites at 2/9.
Finally on Thursday, Manchester United and Burnley wrap up the Premier League’s fixtures for 2021 at Old Trafford. The Reds have come unstuck against Burnley in the past, but Ralf Rangnick’s side should have what it takes to pick up a much-needed three points at 4/11 in the betting.
