Gameweek 18 of the English Premier League takes place from the 26th to 28th December and we have a few festive plays for selected matches including Man United v Newcastle, Arsenal v Brighton, Burnley v Everton, Liverpool v Wolves, West Ham v Fulham and Sunderland v Leeds
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Sunday 28th December Sunderland v Leeds
Sunderland finished the previous round in sixth place with 27 points after a 0-0 draw at Brighton. That was their first match without some key players who are on AFCON duty but they are unbeaten at home with 5 wins and 3 draws.
Leeds have won 2 and drawn 2 of their last 4 to pull clear of the drop zone. They are starting to find the net on a much more regular basis with Calvert-Lewin in top form, most recently bagging a brace in a 4-1 home win over Palace.
This should be a good watch and my value play of the round comes in the anytime goalscorer market. Sunderland centre back Omar Alderete is some player and an underrated threat from set pieces. He has 1 goal this season and a couple of attempts hit the woodwork, hopefully he can be on target on Sunday
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Omar Alderete at 14/1 with Sportingbet
Saturday 27th December Arsenal v Brighton
Arsenal will lick off 2 points clear of Man City and 3 better off than third placed Valla after last week’s results. Their only dropped points at home came against City (drew 1-1) and although there has been revolving doors on the treatment room for much of the season and especially in recent weeks, they have won 3 of their last 4.
Brighton are without a win in their last 4, a run comprising of 2 draws and 2 defeats but remain in the scrum in ninth place. They lost an EFL Cup tie 2-0 here in October and will be hoping former Arsenal man Danny Welbeck is fit to return after missing recent matches.
The Gunners made it through to the EFL Cup semis with a penalty shoot out win over Palace but it was far from convincing. They will probably field something like their strongest line up here but my gut feel is there could be a goal for Brighton and I’m with Arsenal to win 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1.
Bet: Multiscores Arsenal to win 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 at 32/10 with Sportingbet
Saturday 27th December Burnley v Everton
Burnley snapped a 7 match losing streak thanks to an injury time equalizer in last week’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. They remain in deep trouble, second bottom with 11 points and 7 shy of fourth bottom Notts Forest.
Everton went down 1-0 at home to Arsenal last week. Goalscoring (among the limited striking options) remains the main problem and they will start this round in mid table.
Armando Broja came off the bench to get Burnley’s equalizer last week and against an Everton side who are far full from strength he might pop up again this week.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Broja at 33/10 with Pokerbet
Saturday 27th December Liverpool v Wolves
Liverpool came out on top of a frantic game away at Spurs with a 2-1 win last week but there was bad news with Isak fracturing a leg and he will be absent for some time. They are unbeaten in their last 6 in all competitions and have moved back up to fifth in the table, albeit 10 points off the pace being set by Arsenal.
Wolves were only undone in injury time in their most recent road trip, a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal but last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Brentford was another low point in a season which still sees them waiting for a first win and just 2 points in the column that matters most.
Wirtz has been looking far more dangerous in recent weeks and although I’ve been down this road a number of times this season he gets another chance to pop up with a goal.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Wirtz at 2/1 with Pokerbet
Saturday 27th December West Ham v Fulham
West Ham were no match for Man City last weekend and a 3-0 defeat keeps them third bottom with 13 points, 5 shy of fourth bottom Forest. They do have a much more favourable looking run of games coming up and these next few weeks could see them revive their fortunes or sink.
Fulham’s 1-0 home win over Forest on Monday saw them move up to thirteenth and 23 points. Away form is nothing special but they did win a London derby at Spurs recently.
West am really need a good festive period and whilst I wouldn’t be rushing to back them to win the game, Jarrod Bowen came through for me last time I backed him to score and I’ll stick with him again here.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Jarrod Bowen at 1.85/1 with Sportingbet
Friday 26th December Man United v Newcastle
In addition to the likes of Mbeumo and Diallo away at AFCON United have now lost Bruno Fernandes to injury and their defence also has a patched up look abut it recent times. After a 2-1 defeat at Villa they finished the previous round in seventh place, 3 points ahead of Newcastle and a total of 28 goals conceded is the highest tally of any of the top 15.
Newcastle have their own strains in terms of player availability, especially in defence. They coughed up a 2-0 lead at home to Chelsea last week and their last road trip saw them go down 1-0 at Sunderland.
With neither side at full strength in what as an open looking betting heat I will chance my arm that Cunha can register a goal for third match running.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Matheus Cunha at 19/10 with Pokerbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change