1. Chelsea to win by a single goal at Crystal Palace (13/5)
CHELSEA HAVE ALREADY secured the Christmas number one spot thanks to Wednesday’s win at Sunderland. But a club record-equalling 11th consecutive league win on Saturday will further enhance the title credentials of Antonio Conte’s side.
Dogged single-goal victories over West Brom and then the Black Cats in the past week, suggest that Chelsea are able to grind out important wins better than any other side in the league at the moment.
Although a trip to Selhurst Park is never easy, the Blues will face a Crystal Palace team that are counting down the days to the new year after a dreadful 2016 in the Premier League. Since the start of the year, the club has shown nothing but relegation form, with just 26 points from 35 games.
On Wednesday, Palace struggled to create many clear cut against Manchester United, with the home side happy to soak up the pressure against Jose Mourinho’s men. A similar performance from Alan Pardew’s team will yield a favourable result for the visitors.
2. West Ham to win to nil at home to Hull (2/1)
The Hammers have endured a miserable start to the season, but they can look back on a positive week after an encouraging draw at Anfield was followed by a much-needed win at home to Burnley.
Hull however, travel to the London Stadium on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Spurs and have failed to score in any of their last four matches away from home.
All three of West Ham’s home Premier League wins at home have been by a 1-0 scoreline and a similar result can be expected on Saturday.
3. Man City against Arsenal to contain over 3.5 goals (15/8)
Sunday’s fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal promises to be an early Christmas cracker as two of the league’s biggest teams meet at the Etihad.
Despite losing to Everton in midweek, Arsenal will be quietly confident of being more than a match for Pep Guardiola’s side, with the Gunners unbeaten against City since 2013.
Arsene Wenger’s men have also not lost back-to-back league games in over two years and will fancy their chances in this titanic tussle.
The outcome of this fixture though looks difficult to call, but both managers pride themselves on playing attractive, attacking football meaning we could be treated to plenty of goals in the pick of the weekend’s ties.
4. Pogba to score in Man Utd’s win at West Brom (7/2)
Unbeaten in seven Premier League matches, Manchester United are slowly showing signs that they could finish in the Champions League places at the end of the season.
Jose Mourinho doesn’t believe his side’s performances have converted in the points they deserve, but two important wins against Spurs and Crystal Palace can only help his new team cultivate a winning mentality.
With Michael Carrick and Ander Herrea anchoring the midfield, Paul Pogba has been given the freedom of the park, and was the standout player in Wednesday’s victory at Palace, and will be key again in the Saturday evening kick-off.
West Brom themselves have won four of the last six league games and have looked reinvigorated in recent weeks as they flirt with the European positions.
But with Antonio Valenica and Chris Smalling returning for the visitors, United know anything less than three points would further dent their Champions League aspirations.
5. Everton and Liverpool to play out a score draw (10/3)
The two Merseyside clubs meet on Monday night with Everton and Liverpool enduring contrasting seasons.
Everton will be keen to gather some momentum ahead of the hectic festive schedule, with the win against the Gunners on Tuesday only their second victory in 11 league games.
But the home fans will be demanding that the side that performed in the final hour, rather than the opening 30 minutes, shows up against their cross-city rivals.
Jurgen Klopp’s team will feel they need to make up for the costly dropped points at Bournemouth and at home to West Ham. A win may be needed to keep in touch with leaders Chelsea, but a draw seems the more likely scenario.
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