There are several big games taking place in the Premier League this weekend, including the blockbuster fixture from the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur lock horns.
There’s also some top action in the Football League Championship, starting on Friday night when Sheffield Wednesday host leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
As we enter the busy festive period in English football, stand by for what promises to be some cracking action from the top two leagues.
- Leicester City v Crystal Palace – Leicester City to Win -1 (11/4 at Betfair)
- Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur – Manchester City and Both Teams to Score (9/5 at Betfair)
- West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United – Manchester United to Win to Nil (6/4 at BetVictor)
- Bournemouth v Liverpool – Liverpool to Win 2-0 (15/2 at Bet365)
- Everton v Swansea City – Everton to Win to Nil (13/8 at Betfred)
- Sheffield Wednesday v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Wolverhampton Wanderers to Win (15/13 at Ladbrokes)
- Cardiff City v Hull City – Cardiff City to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time (9/5 at Ladbrokes)
Premier League
Man City stretched their legs at the top of the Premier League table after a superb 2-1 win at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby last weekend. After just 16 games, Pep Guardiola’s boys have already accumulated a staggering 46 points. After travelling to Swansea City on Wednesday, City host Tottenham in a mouth-watering matchup this Saturday.
Leicester City v Crystal Palace – 16th December
We kick things off at the King Power Stadium where Claude Puel’s in-form Leicester City entertain the Premier League’s bottom side, Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace. Puel has hit the ground running at the KP, but can his Foxes beat the Eagles this Saturday?
Palace will still be reeling after Christian Benteke’s injury-time penalty miss denied them a vital three points at Selhurst Park against Bournemouth last Saturday. As for Leicester, they came from behind to beat Newcastle United.
City are the team in form here, and we can see them adding another three points to their total in this one. The hosts are as short as 10/11 for the win, so check out Betfair’s 11/4 for Leicester to prevail with a -1 goal handicap.
Leicester City to Win -1 – 11/4 at Betfair
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur – 16th December
The standout fixture of the weekend comes from the Etihad as runaway leaders Man City face Tottenham. Despite Spurs winning 5-1 against Stoke City last weekend, Mauricio Pochettino’s boys head to Manchester as underdogs.
The Citizens have hardly put a foot wrong this term, and they look nailed on to win the Premier League title come May. Spurs have been in patchy form, but they will be hoping that last weekend’s thumping win is the start of something good.
Unfortunately for Spurs, we can see them leaving the Etihad without the result they desire, but we also fancy them to score. With that in mind, take a look at the top price of 9/5 (Betfair) for the hosts to win and both teams to net.
Manchester City and Both Teams to Score – 9/5 at Betfair
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United – 17th December
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United will be looking to hit back after last Sunday’s disappointing defeat to local rivals Man City. After welcoming Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Wednesday, United travel to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
The Red Devils were outclassed and outplayed on their own patch in the Manchester derby last weekend, fully deserving their 2-1 defeat. Meanwhile, Alan Pardew’s West Brom were beaten 1-0 at Swansea.
With two very winnable games in a week, you would expect Mourinho’s men to hit back. Man Utd to win to nil at the Hawthorns is available at the solid price of 6/4 at BetVictor.
Manchester United to Win to Nil – 6/4 at BetVictor
Bournemouth v Liverpool – 17th December
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool do battle at Dean Court in Sunday’s late match. The Reds head to the south coast as the bookies’ favourites to get the three points.
Liverpool will be hoping to put things right straight away following last weekend’s frustrating Merseyside derby draw at Anfield with Everton. As for the Cherries, they survived a late penalty scare to leave Selhurst Park with a point.
It’s going to be a tough week for Bournemouth, who travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday. Liverpool will be out for blood, and we fancy them to ease to a win at the Vitality Stadium. The visitors to win 2-0 is nicely priced at 15/2 with Bet365.
Liverpool to Win 2-0 – 15/2 at Bet365
Everton v Swansea City – 18th December
The action in the Premier League continues through to Monday next week. Sam Allardyce will be looking to keep up his fine start in the Everton dugout as his side entertain Paul Clement’s Swansea at Goodison Park.
Since Allardyce took over in Merseyside, Everton have beaten Huddersfield Town 2-0, and drawn 1-1 with rivals Liverpool. Big Sam was also in the stands for Everton’s 4-0 win over West Ham United. Swansea, meanwhile, lifted themselves off the bottom with a 1-0 win over West Brom last week.
After turning their fortunes around, Everton should have too much quality for the Swans on Monday. Therefore, have a punt on the hosts to win to nil, which you can get at the good odds of 13/8 at Betfred.
Everton to Win to Nil – 13/8 at Betfred
Championship
Both Wolves and Cardiff were held to draws last time out, meaning Lee Johnson’s Bristol City, who won 2-1 at Sheffield United, were the Championship’s big winners last weekend. This Saturday, the Robins host Mark Warburton’s inconsistent Nottingham Forest. Before then, though, Wolves travel to Hillsborough on Friday night as they look to extend their lead at the top. Meanwhile, Cardiff host Hull in the final Championship game of the round.
Sheffield Wednesday v Wolverhampton Wanderers – 15th December
Wolves will be looking to extend their lead at the top to seven points when they play Carlos Carvalhal’s out-of-form Sheff Wednesday at Hillsborough this Friday night. Wanderers head to Sheffield as favourites.
Wolves were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland at Molineux last weekend. As for the Owls, they were easily beaten 3-1 at Carrow Road, extending their winless run to five matches.
Wednesday may be desperate for the points, but we believe that the leaders will be too strong from them on Friday. Put some money on Ladbrokes’ odds of 15/13 for the away win.
Wolverhampton Wanderers to Win – 15/13 at Ladbrokes
Cardiff City v Hull City – 16th December
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff will be looking to return to winning ways following Monday’s comeback draw at Reading. This Saturday evening, Nigel Adkins’ Hull are the visitors to the Welsh capital.
Cardiff, who sit second in the league, fought back from two goals to earn a superb 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium on Monday. As for Hull, Adkins began life at the KCOM Stadium with a win against Brentford last Saturday.
The Welsh outfit are unbeaten at home in the league this season, winning seven and drawing three of their 10 matches at the Cardiff City Stadium. Warnock’s men should prevail in this one, so back them at 9/5 with Ladbrokes to be winning at half time and full time.
Cardiff City to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time – 9/5 at Ladbrokes