Every manager in the Premier League knows the importance of the Christmas period. The league’s history is littered with title challenges that fell apart in November and December while several teams who went on to be relegated had the stuffing knocked out of them before the decorations came down.
With a double dose of top flight action this week, the festive schedule has very much started. That means extra work for the players but it’s great for fans and punters. To make the most of the bumper fixture list, we’ve picked out our choice of the best bets from Tuesday and Wednesday’s Premier League games.
- Brighton v Crystal Palace – Brighton to Win (8/5 with BetVictor)
- Watford v Man United – Man United to Win & Both Teams to Score (13/5 with Bet365)
- Bournemouth v Burnley – Bournemouth to Win to Nil (21/10 with Betfred)
- Everton v West Ham – 2-2 Correct Score (16/1 with Bet365)
- Stoke v Liverpool – Liverpool to Score Over 2.5 Goals (16/5 with Ladbrokes)
Premier League
There has yet to be a disappointing round of fixtures in the Premier League. Individual teams may have disappointed their fans but the overall standard of entertainment is high and should remain so on Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ve got important games for those chasing Man City at the top of the table and some huge clashes between those team struggling at the foot of the table ahead of us including Everton versus West Ham and the fierce derby between Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Brighton v Crystal Palace – 28th November
It doesn’t immediately jump out as a derby game but there is no questioning the depth of ill feeling between fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace. The so called ‘A23 Derby’ is as hotly contested as they come and it may be the Seagulls fans who are left with the bragging rights on Tuesday night.
Brighton have made a steady start to their season but you get the feeling they need a big morale boosting win. This would certainly tick the box and at 8/5 with BetVictor, Brighton look good value against a Crystal Palace side who have lost all of their away games to nil so far.
Brighton to Win – 8/5 with BetVictor
Watford v Manchester United – 28th November
In Marco Silva, Watford have an incredibly ambitious, well regarded, young Portuguese manager making a splash in the Premier League. Where have we heard that before?
The comparisons with Jose Mourinho aren’t going to end any time soon for Silva who would dearly love a win over his compatriot and a Man United side who are cooking on gas at the moment. Unfortunately, a goal is about the most the Watford can expect on Tuesday night.
The return of Paul Pogba into the Man United midfield has injected a sense of fun back into the team thanks to the Frenchman’s incredible passing, dribbling and physical ability. Watford have attacked the Premier League’s best sides on their meetings and will surely do the same but Man United have the extra quality and inner belief that should see them through. So, back the away side to win and both teams to score at 13/5 with Bet365.
Manchester United to Win and Both Teams to Score – 13/5 with Bet365
Bournemouth v Burnley – 29th November
Eddie Howe is an institution at Bournemouth but it’s worth remembering that he left the South Coast club for Burnley only a few short years ago as he believed the Clarets had more ambition.
It’s turned out well for both Bournemouth and Burnley who are now established Premier League sides. Still, both Howe and his opposite number, Sean Dyche, know just how quickly things can change in the top flight.
Burnley have made an incredible start to the season but is there a chance they could slip up on Wednesday night? It’s always a possibility when you’ve got teams playing above themselves and it’s especially likely against a Bournemouth side who are improving almost every week. The Cherries have already overcome a shocking start to their season and are scoring goals in addition to looking increasingly solid at the back so take the 21/10 Betfred are quoting on the home side winning to nil.
Bournemouth to Win to Nil – 21/10 with Betfred
Everton v West Ham – 29th November
Everton and West Ham are having their own battle to see which team can underperform preseason expectations most. Both clubs see their futures fighting it out for places in the top six but their struggles to stay out of the bottom six has seen both Ronald Koeman and Slaven Bilic lose their jobs.
David Moyes arrived at West Ham talking a good game but he’s only now learnt about the size of the task he faces with an unbalanced squad and fans in open revolt against the club’s owners. As for Everton, their dallying over appointing a manager has led to yet more damaging defeats.
This is a game that both teams will believe they can win but which they could both be disappointed with a draw. Still, it should be entertaining for the fans given the poor defensive records of both teams so take a punt on the 2-2 correct score at 16/1 with Bet365.
2-2 Correct Score – 16/1 with Bet365
Stoke v Liverpool – 29th November
Mark Hughes is a spikey, confrontational character but in his quiet moments he must understand that this season is a huge one for his future as Stoke manager. Fans have a habit of getting bored with the status quo and for Stoke, the status quo is about as good as it gets.
After three ninth placed finishes in a row, Stoke dropped to 13th last season. They secured just one win against teams who finished above them and were on the end of some spankings at home. Fans with season tickets get especially upset when their team fail to compete at home and save for the 1-0 win over Arsenal, it’s been tough viewing for the Bet365 Stadium faithful.
Liverpool arrive on the back of some up and down form. Their defence is clearly in need of some major work but going forwards Liverpool are about as good as it gets in the top flight. Jurgen Klopp’s team scored six goals against Stoke last season and they could rack up the goals once again. That makes a bet on Liverpool scoring over 2.5 goals on Wednesday look well worth a play at 16/5 with Ladbrokes.
Liverpool to Score Over 2.5 Goals – 16/5 with Ladbrokes