Chelsea’s surprise defeat to Newcastle last weekend has thrown the title race wide open once again and Manchester City will be looking to capitalise on their rival’s failure and keep the pressure on with a win against Leicester. Elsewhere, Manchester United host Liverpool and Burnley host a Southampton side who have hit a rough patch of late. Read on to see who we have picked out of the weekend’s fixtures where we think both teams will hit the back of the net.
Saturday 13th December 2014
- Burnley v Southampton (20/21 with Ladbrokes) – We start at Turf Moor where Sean Dyche’s side welcome a Southampton who have lost three in a row. Burnley are currently unbeaten in three matches at home and they will need to make Turf Moor something of a fortress if they are to climb out of the relegation zone, yet they haven’t beaten Southampton in their last four matches against them. That could all change as whilst Southampton still look good going forward, they have conceded six goals in their last three matches, having only conceded six in their first twelve!
- Middlesbrough v Derby County (16/19 with 888sport) – With only two points separating the top four, this is a massive match as Aitor Karanka’s side look to gain ground on Derby at the top of the league. County have conceded on their last 14 visits to Teesside, but they have hit the net in all but three of their league matches this season, most recently drawing a blank against Leeds United at Elland Road.
- Arsenal v Newcastle United (39/40 with 888sport) – Newcastle travel to the Emirates high on confidence after two Papiss Cisse goals gave them a victory over Chelsea last weekend. Arsenal meanwhile lost away to Stoke and the pressure is most certainly on them to get a win on Saturday evening. With Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud in the side, they should be able to score, but their defence will be looking increasingly makeshift as Calum Chambers is suspended for this match.
Sunday 14th December 2014
- Manchester United v Liverpool (8/11 with Bet365) – Arguably the biggest match in the league season returns for its next instalment this weekend, with Manchester United finally hitting form. However, as with all “derby” matches, form is generally a poor indicator of who’s going to win and Liverpool will be fired up for a game which has been described as a pub match by Gary Neville.
- Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur (8/11 with BetVictor) – Tottenham travel to Swansea, whom they’ve beaten the last five times the two sides have faced each other. However, the Swans sit above Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the table and in Wilfried Bony they have the player who has netted the most Premier League goals this calendar year with 19.
- Genoa v AS Roma (10/11 with Ladbrokes) – Third hosts second as Rudi Garcia’s side travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferrarris hoping to keep the pressure up on top placed Juventus. Roma have won nearly every home league match so far this season, yet they have been slightly less convincing on their travels and Genoa, with Alessandro Matri up front, may well trouble them on the road once again.
Monday 15th December 2014
- Everton v QPR (evens with 888sport) – Everton have been going through a tricky patch of late and although we’d fancy them to come through this match, it might be harder than many expect. Eduardo Vargas and Charlie Austin have the pace and ability to give most teams a scare, but we doubt that the Hoops will be able to record a clean sheet at Goodison Park.