Once again there are some big games at both the top and the foot of the Barclays Premier League with Burnley hosting Crystal Palace and Arsenal travelling to Manchester City.
We’ve picked out those matches, as well as a selection of others from both the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership as we seek goals galore and both teams to score.
Saturday 17th January2015
- Burnley v Crystal Palace (21/20 with Betfair) – We kick off this week’s tips with Palace’s trip to Turf Moor. Palace were in good form against Spurs last week and they will be looking to continue their good start under new manager Alan Pardew. Burnley meanwhile, have notched in each of their last four matches including a 2-1 win over QPR last weekend and they are a good side at home.
- QPR v Manchester United (5/6 with Ladbrokes) – All of QPR’s 19 points in the league have come at home this season and they are another side who make good use of home advantage. United will be looking for a reaction after their defeat against Southampton and whilst they will be confident of hitting the net, they are defensively suspect and this match has got goals in it with Charlie Austin in cracking form.
- Leicester City v Stoke City (Evens with Betfair) – Having endured a tough season so far, Leicester have gone four matches unbeaten and their home performances are going to be vital if they are to stay up. However, Stoke will take heart from the fact that Leicester have the second worst defensive record in the division.
- Swansea City v Chelsea (21/20 with BetVictor) – Chelsea have been jittery on the road lately and they suffered their second league defeat of the season when they travelled to White Hart Lane on New Year’s Day. Swansea have scored in all but four of their matches this season, including a pair of goals at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign. Chelsea meanwhile will be expecting a win and with their plethora of attacking talent there’s no reason why they can’t achieve that.
- Newcastle United v Southampton (5/6 with BetVictor) – Newcastle have won eight and drawn two of their last ten meetings with Southampton, but Saints have been in cracking form lately and they will expect to build on their 1-0 win over United last week. For Newcastle, Ayoze Perez will be their main goalscoring threat and the diminutive Spaniard can cause trouble for defences with his pace and movement.
- Hamilton Academical v Celtic (20/21 with BetVictor) – At the beginning of the season few would’ve predicted that a win for Hamilton over Celtic at New Douglas Park would see the home side draw level on points with the Glasgow giants. The Accies will be no pushovers at home and although Celtic will be clear favourites to win, Martin Canning’s side will push them all the way.
Sunday 18th January 2015
- Manchester City v Arsenal (3/5 with Ladbrokes) – Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero have a combined total of 37 goals between them this season and you wouldn’t bet against either of the South American maestros scoring yet again on Sunday. Both teams have been defensively frail at points this season and we’d back the wealth of attacking talent that will be on display to exploit those weaknesses.