Mark O’Haire is backing neither of the Manchester teams to win in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Manchester City vs Everton (12:30 Thursday)
Man City’s miserable run continued with a convincing defeat at Aston Villa. The Citizens have now suffered a remarkable nine defeats in 12, managing a solitary success in that sequence. With Everton grinding out goalless draws against both Arsenal and Chelsea recently, the Toffees look well-capable of picking up at least a share of the spoils.
Correct Score: 1-1
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace (15:00 Thursday)
Four wins from five unbeaten Premier League matches, including an eye-catching 3-0 success at Manchester United have propelled Bournemouth into the top-five. The Cherries have won the Expected Goals (xG) battle in 13 of their 17 EPL outings and command plenty of respective as favourites here against Crystal Palace.
Correct Score: 2-1
Chelsea vs Fulham (15:00 Thursday)
Both Chelsea and Fulham blanked for the first time in 15 successive Premier League games on Sunday, though the West London neighbours will expect to get back on the scoresheet when they face-off at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are W10-D3-L1 when welcoming sides outside the top-four, striking twice or more in 9/10 triumphs.
Correct Score: 2-1
Newcastle vs Aston Villa (15:00 Thursday)
Newcastle have found form with back-to-back 4-0 thrashings of Ipswich and Leicester, though Aston Villa should present a tougher obstacle at St James’ Park in a contest that promises plenty of entertainment. The Magpies have notched in 14 of 17 league dates with Villa following suit in 13 of 17, highlighting the potential for goals.
Correct Score: 2-2
Advised Bet: Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (1pt @ 19/20)
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham (15:00 Thursday)
Nottingham Forest are in their highest league position at Christmas in 30 years and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side look well set-up to take advantage of Tottenham’s defensive troubles.
Only Rodrigo Bentancur is due back for Spurs on Boxing Day, leaving Ange Postecoglou’s gung-ho side drastically short of available defensive bodies.
Correct Score: 2-1
Southampton vs West Ham (15:00 Thursday)
Ivan Juric begins his reign as Southampton boss, eager to build upon Sunday’s goalless draw at Fulham. Saints defended diligently and largely avoided making mistakes in their own third. Meanwhile, West Ham have quietened critics and are unbeaten in three, whilst three of their eight away days have ended in our proposed 1-1 correct score.
Correct Score: 1-1
Wolves vs Manchester United (17:30 Thursday)
Wolves enjoyed a dramatic new manager bounce as Vitor Pereira oversaw an excellent 3-0 triumph at fellow strugglers Leicester on Saturday.
The Old Gold have a good opportunity to go back-to-back as Manchester United arrive at Molineux following three league defeats in four, as well as just two triumphs on their travels this term.
Correct Score: 2-1
Liverpool vs Leicester (20:00 Thursday)
Liverpool trounced Tottenham on Sunday to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table to four points with a game in-hand.
Arne Slot’s side are backed to rack up another straightforward success against a Leicester outfit that’s shipped at least three goals on six occasions, allowing 2.18 goals per-game on average.
Correct Score: 4-0
Arsenal vs Ipswich (20:15 Friday)
Bukayo Saka’s injury clouded Arsenal’s impressive shellacking of Crystal Palace on Saturday but the Gunners should still be capable of comfortably overcoming Ipswich at The Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s men are W8-D1-L0 against the bottom-half, scoring 22 goals, whilst Town have lost four of their last five, three of which came ‘to nil’.
Correct Score: 3-0
If you, like Mark, believe Arsenal will be too strong for the Tractor Boys then we've got two big Boxing Day specialis for you. New customers on Paddy Power can back the Gunners to win at 30/1, while you can get 50/1 for a goal to be scored if you're new to Betfair.
Brighton vs Brentford (19:30 Friday)
Arguably the most attractive Premier League fixture of MD18 takes place on Friday night with goals almost a guarantee when Brighton and Brentford are involved.
Both Teams To Score has banked in an enormous 28 (82%) of their combined 34 league dates this season, 15 of which featured at least four strikes. A similar haul is anticipated here.
Correct Score: 2-2
Advised Bet: Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (1pt @ 31/40)
