A CRACKING PREMIER LEAGUE SLATE FOR THE WEEKEND FEATURING MANCHESTER CITY, LEICESTER CITY, ARSENAL, MANCHESTER UNITED, AND TOTTENHAM VS. CHELSEA
We have a cracking slate of Premier League fixtures before the Boxing day games next week. Everton are three points away form the relegation zone as they need to beat a woeful Arsenal to continue to try and climb up the table. Manchester City host Leicester City as the Cityzens try to close the gap on the Foxes at the Etihad. The oddsmakers are gifting us an amazing money line odd with Manchester United visiting Premier League’s worst Watford, and Tottenham host Chelsea for a London derby to end match day 18.
Overall Record: 31 – 32 (Shit)
Everton vs. Arsenal
PREVIEW
This should be Carlo Ancelotti’s first game in charge for the Toffees, and we all know how the Premier League goes about when a new manager is brought in. I wish there was a stat that would tell us the record of an incoming manager in their first game in charge. Im sure the wins are doubled than the loses, even with struggling Premier League teams. But there is no better way for Ancelotti to start his Everton career against a woeful Arsenal who refuse to play defense. Conceding three goals in first half against Manchester City made the Gunners look like they were running around like headless chickens. All Everton have to do now is let Arsenal run until they drop, so that the Chickens of Arsenal are ready to be served for our Christmas dinner. Tis the season!
KEY STATS
- Everton have conceded more than once in 14 of last 15 matches
- Everton won 4 of last 5 home PL games vs. London teams
- The last 7 home games Everton played vs. Arsenal, they have won 3
PREDICTION
I like the Premier League magic that it gives to teams that are introducing a new manager for the club. Watford have done it twice, and have lost both times, but this is Everton who have way too much money to fail. You think Carlo Ancelotti is going to manage a team in the second tier of professional soccer? Think again. The man will revive Moise Kean and turn him into the potential the scouts have been preaching for.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Sheffield United
PREVIEW
Brighton played the best game of their season against Crystal Palace during Monday’s game, but were denied the three points thanks to a left footed missile from Wilfried Zaha in the second half. But Brighton have been offensively a fun team to watch as they’ve been giving themselves so many opportunities. They have shot the ball 13+ times in each of their last three fixtures. They shot the ball 12 times versus Liverpool at Anfield. It’s an impressive offensive ‘display’, if you will, for the Seagulls as Sheffield United look to win their third consecutive Premier League game after beating Aston Villa 2-0. Right now, Sheffield has five players that have scored more than two goals in the Premier League this season. Three other players have recorded a goal so far, meaning that Sheffield may not have a consistent goals scorer but any Sheffield player can step up and score for the Blades.
KEY STATS
- Sheffield are unbeaten in their last 4 away games vs. Brighton
- Brighton are unbeaten in their last 3 PL games
- Sheffield are looking for their third consecutive PL win
PREDICTION
This is the first ever Premier League fixture for the two clubs. Historically, Sheffield have the upper hand as they have won five fixtures of their last eight against Brighton, but they haven’t played each other in 13 years. Maybe the tides won’t turn in the historical perspective, but Brighton are more in form and are more hungry for better results. Sheffield are due for a loss.
Manchester City vs. Leicester City
PREVIEW
This would have been the game of the week if Manchester City were to visit Leicester, but the Foxes are heading to the Etihad for a fixture that I’m not even sure what to expect. Leicester are four points ahead of the Cityzens after settling a draw against Norwich City last weekend. A little bull shit was sprinkled into the game as the referees ended Vardy’s scoring streak. A header by Vardy was heading into the goal until Tim Krul parried the ball into the net, labeling it as an own goal for Tim Krul. That could ruin the Foxes mojo. I feel like I’m on repeat when I say this, but Manchester City look like they are back to their Pep ways after beating Arsenal 3-0, scoring all three goals in the first half as Kevin De Bruyne flourished through the Arsenal midfield. Again, Arsenal’s defense is non existent as the gunners continue to play with seven players on the field. Dummies would have a bigger defensive presence than what the Gunners are fielding.
KEY STATS
- City won 4 of last 5 Premier League meetings vs. Leicester
- Leicester lost their last 3 away Premier League games vs. City
- City can win their 250th Premier League game to become the second team to win that many games in a single decade
PREDICTION
During Leicester City’s Premier League winning campaign, they tied City at home and beat the Cityzens at the Etihad 1-3. Since then, Manchester City have won 6 of their last 7 games against the Foxes. I do not have enough confidence in the Foxes for wining this games, otherwise I would be hammering the +675 the oddsmakers are allocating a Leicester win. And betting Manchester City -270 isn’t the most profitable bet you can make, or a safe bet. But I think the Under is the safe bet.
Watford vs. Manchester United
PREVIEW
Manchester United are away this weekend as they continue to play for Ole’s job against a Watford team that may as well hang up the boots for the remainder of the season. Although, Watford should have some sort of extra energy as United perform fairly poor away from home. United scored twice against Everton in their last fixture, an own goal by Lindelof in the first half followed by Mason Greenwoods goal into the near post as the game finished 1-1. Manchester clearly were the better side possessing the ball close to 70% and allocating 24 shots. Everton were lucky it wasn’t a thrashing. Watford held their own against Liverpool as they lost 2-0 at Anfield, which is a huge improvement from previous fixtures where they have lost by five and six goals. Yay for Watford?
KEY STATS
- Watford lost 14 of last 15 games vs. United
- Manchester United have 0 clean sheets in 12 games
- United are looking for their first back-to-back away win since February
PREDICTION
I picked this game because everybody gets skeptical when Manchester United play away from Old Trafford. And you have the right to be skeptical, even the oddsmakers have allocated their Money Line spread to -130 for United to win. Here is a stupid stat, United have won three games after drawing their previous seven opponents. Basically every time United tie, their next game could be a hit or miss, but I do think the Red Devils will hit our money line bet.
PREVIEW
We have a London derby to lead us into the Christmas week as the Spurs host the Blues of Chelsea. The Mourinho era is fitting in nicely with Tottenham after Jan Vertonghen headed a 91st-minute winner to give the Spurs three more points to Mourniho’s almost perfect start. But this was not a convincing win for the Spurs as the Wolves dominated Tottenham throughout the game. The scoreboard is the only stat that matters in soccer, with the Spurs winning 2-1 helped them climb up to fifth, three points behind Chelsea which makes this game more interesting. Chelsea and manager Super Frank are in a bad stint with their recent Premier League games, winning two league games in their last six. Bournemouth always do so well at Stamford Bridge that they are officially Chelsea’s kryptonite when they visit the Blues. Chelsea are’t playing bad soccer, but their defensive woes are becoming a problem rather than an issue. Tammy Abraham can not rely on his defense and needs revert back to his form that he was in earlier this season. Chelsea are getting the shots off, but just can’t find the back of the net.
KEY STATS
- Tottenham won 3 of last 5 PL games vs. Chelsea
- Chelsea won 2 of last 13 away games vs. Spurs
- Chelsea has the most London Derby (128) wins, Tottenham has lost (87) the second most such games
PREDICTION
This is a great game to watch, regardless who you support. If you love soccer, this will be circled on your calendar regardless. The all time record between these two clubs go in favor of Chelsea with 70 wins against the Spurs, having only lost 54 games against their London friends. Out of their last 22 fixtures in all competitions, 14 of those fixtures have hit the over. Since two of their last three matchups would have hit the under, the Over is our safe bet for this fixture.
WAG OUT!
