The Premier League returns to action this week, with the fixture list beginning to congest amidst the busy Christmas schedule. We preview the best of the action below.
Wolves vs Manchester United – Saturday 12:30
Julen Lopetegui got his Wolves career off to a perfect start with a fighting comeback against Everton on Boxing Day to record his side’s third league win of the season. The result ended a four-game winless streak and saw the west Midlands side climb off the foot of the table, though work needs to be done if they are to pull away from the relegation zone. The home side will start Saturday’s contest as 3/1 underdogs, with a draw priced at 5/2.
Manchester United continue to improve under Erik ten Haag, with their dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday serving as the Red Devils’ fifth win in six games at Old Trafford, with a top four finish now firmly in sight. Their midfield seems completely transformed by the arrival of Casemiro and controlling the tempo of games is beginning to become a formality. ten Haag’s side will start as firm favourites for this one, but seem a little overvalued at 10/11.
Marcus Rashford seems to have sustained his goalscoring form from the World Cup, with Tuesday’s opener against Forest making it five goals in his last six appearances at Old Trafford. Although the Englishmen is yet to net away from home, he could be set to break that sequence against a Wolves side who haven’t kept a clean sheet in six. As such, William Hill have boosted his odds to score and United to win to nil from 6/1 to 9/1.
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Newcastle United vs Leeds United – Saturday 15:00
The sky is seemingly the limit for Newcastle after they strung together a sixth successive league victory with a 3-0 dismantling of Leicester. The Magpies are also on an 11-game unbeaten streak – a run which has seen them consolidate an unprecedented third place spot as we approach the halfway mark of the season. They will begin Saturday’s clash with Leeds as comfortable 4/9 favourites.
Leeds continue to somewhat stare down the barrel, with Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to champions Manchester City their sixth defeat in eight league games, leaving the west Yorkshire side just two points adrift of the relegation zone. Jesse Marsch’s men have characteristically failed to keep a clean sheet in that run of fixtures, making pulling away from the drop increasingly challenging. A win for them at St James’ Park on Saturday is deemed unlikely at 6/1, with the draw probably a better shout at 7/2.
Only three away teams from a possible eight have managed to find the net at St James’ Park this season, and whilst Leeds have racked up the same number of goals as Manchester United this campaign, this well-drilled Newcastle back line should have enough about them to keep the Yorkshire side out. With that in mind, the home side to keep a clean sheet at 23/20 looks a reasonable selection.
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Brighton vs Arsenal – Saturday 17:30
Arguably the game of the day sees an in-form Brighton go up against table-topping Arsenal at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last three games against Mikel Arteta’s side in all competitions, including a 3-1 win at the Emirates in the League Cup this season.
Despite this, the Gunners seem to be unstoppable at the moment. You feel their next four fixtures – Brighton, Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United – will provide some clarity on whether they have the capacity to win their first league title for 19 years. They are 11/10 to overcome the first of those stumbling blocks on Saturday and secure victory against Roberto De Zerbi’s men, with the home side 12/5 to continue their fine run of form.
Eddie Nketiah proved on Boxing Day that he can aptly deputise for the injured Gabriel Jesus with a goal against West Ham, and is 11/2 to be the last goalscorer again on Saturday. Meanwhile, all of Leandro Trossard’s last five league goals have come against ‘Big Six’ teams, with the Belgian striker 23/10 to find the net anytime against the Gunners.
Check out all the latest betting offers from William Hill.
