The ever-changing environment that is the Premier League will no doubt throw a few more curve balls at us this weekend. Week 16 brings with it a key match for many clubs this weekend with the Manchester derby between the top of the table City and United. Nothing will change in terms of places but a Manchester United win gives some hope to the chasing pack and may show a few more dents in City’s armour that looks impenetrable at the moment. It’s not the only big derby of the weekend though with Liverpool hosting an Everton side that has started to find some form again with the appointment of Allardyce a positive one in their push back up into the top 10.
Week 16 Best Bet: Swansea vs West Brom – BTTS – No at $1.67
Week 16 Best Value Bet: Liverpool vs Everton – Liverpool to win & BTTS Yes at $2.5
Week 16 Head to Head Multi Bet: Crystal Palace Win ($2), Chelsea Win ($1.5), Liverpool win ($1.28), Huddersfield/Brighton Draw ($2.88) = $11.05
**Odds from Sportsbet.com.au as of 7th December
Headline Fixtures
Liverpool vs Everton
Thanks to some improving form from Everton, this promises to be a pretty competitive fixture compared to if this had taken place just a few weeks ago. Everton were looking in real strife dwindling towards the bottom of the table but they’ve since won their last 2 and will be a much more competitive side under Allardyce. They may have only taken those wins over West Ham and Huddersfield but the fact they’ve scored 6 without conceding is a significant improvement in their first 13 matches of the season where they’ve scored just 13 times. Liverpool still aren’t exactly defensively stable so you should expect plenty of opportunities for this Everton side that is looking more confident. What Liverpool lack in defence though they more than make up for it up front. That’s where this one looks likely to be lost for Everton. They’ll be right in this but it looks like a tough ask to take the game on and also keep the likes of Salah quiet.
Predicted Result: Liverpool 2-1
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at $1.8
Best Value Bet: Liverpool to win & BTTS at $2.5
Manchester United vs Manchester City
Home ground advantage will count for little in this one particularly given United have beaten City just twice in their last 7 home league matches. City’s confidence too doesn’t seem to be dissipating having now won 13 straight albeit their last 3 have all been pretty close 2-1 affairs with their fair share of fortune. One thing that looks clear here is that Mourinho will look to keep this really tight defensively, particularly with the suspension of Pogba which nullifies some of their midfield dominance. After all, United have conceded just 1 goal in their 7 home league matches this season and with De Gea in such brilliant form at the moment he’ll feel like he can stop anything. Regardless of whether there is goals or not in this one, it’ll be very difficult to score for both sides. There’s still pressure on City here to get a result despite an 8 point lead at the top of the table. The opportunity to make it a league record 14 straight wins would be an incredible achievement but don’t expect this one to be easily achieved because United will be hell bent on making this a match where City are pulled back ever so slightly.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.93
Best Value Bet: Draw at $3.6
Remaining Fixtures
West Ham vs Chelsea
The hammers are still struggling but they’ll have had a boost of confidence in pushing Manchester City all the way in their 2-1 loss last weekend. They’ll have a good crack at Chelsea here too but the reigning Champions will be very difficult to beat. The Blues have lost just once away from home and it doesn’t look like happening again in this one.
Predicted Result: Chelsea 3-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.79
Best Value Bet: Chelsea to lead at Half-Time at $1.91
Burnley vs Watford
Burnley’s good run of results is starting to dip a little with 2 losses in their last 3 games. A home match against Watford will be very difficult too with Watford looking a solid away side so far this season – They’ve lost just 2 of their 7 away from home. Burnley though will be difficult to beat themselves though but may have to settle for a draw given how competitive a side Watford are looking at the moment.
Predicted Result: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Burnley to win either half at $1.75
Best Value Bet: Draw & BTTS at $4.33
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth
Undefeated in their last 4, that trend looks set to continue for Palace here. Bournemouth have been the better side this season and their away form has been excellent recently with 2 wins and a draw in their last 3. This looks set to be a win/draw for Palace as their home form and confidence builds back up under Hodgson.
Predicted Result: Crystal Palace 2-1
Best Bet: Crystal Palace to win either half at $1.53
Best Value Bet: Crystal Palace to win at $2
Huddersfield vs Brighton
Huddersfield have been struggling a little bit lately as they edge closer towards the drop zone albeit a pretty healthy 5 point gap on 18th Placed Palace at the moment. Brighton had been looking a decent side but their 5-1 thumping to Liverpool may knock a bit of the wind out of them. Expect them to bounce back but a draw may be their best potential result here.
Predicted Result: Draw 2-2
Best Bet: Huddersfield to win either half at $1.88
Best Value Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $2.68
Swansea vs West Brom
Things keep going from bad to worse for Swansea but when they look at West Brom’s away form they might be able to take some confidence from that. The Baggies have won just once on the road from 7 games and have scored just 4 goals in those. Swansea equally have some scoring capability issues at the moment having only scored 4 times themselves at home but if ever there was an opportunity to get a win it’s here.
Predicted Result: Swansea 1-0
Best Bet: BTTS – No at $1.67
Best Value Bet: Half-Time Draw at $1.83
Tottenham vs Stoke
Spurs have really had a shocking time of it lately without a win in their last 4 league games and winning just 1 of their last 6. Stoke aren’t shy about stepping against Tottenham either having produced some surprises against them in recent years. In saying that, Spurs have won their last 3 against Stoke 4-0 and despite their current run of form should be due for a return to winning ways albeit that it may not be as easy as previous meetings.
Predicted Result: Tottenham 2-1
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at $1.91
Best Value Bet: Half-Time Draw at $2.63
Newcastle vs Leicester
On form, Newcastle are struggling taking just 1 point in their last 6 matches whilst Leicester have lost just once in their last 6. Leicester’s confidence will be running high too after wins over Tottenham and an in form Burnley side so expect this to be a tough day for Newcastle.
Predicted Result: Leicester 2-1
Best Bet: Leicester to win either half at $1.88
Best Value Bet: Half-Time/Full-Time – Draw/Leicester at $6
Southampton vs Arsenal
Arsenal were well beaten by Manchester United last time out, on the scoreboard at least. The Goalkeeping heroics of De Gea largely meant Arsenal’s solid chances of a result wouldn’t come to fruition. That’ll be frustrating for them and now they have a tricky away trip to Southampton. They’ve had some good results over the Gunners in recent seasons too where they’ve lost just once in their last 5 meetings at home. Arsenal’s mindset heading to this will be interesting because it’s hard to know how they’ll react after the United result last week. They’ll either respond in a positive way and be a good shot at the 3 points but there’s also the chance they drop their heads, particularly if Southampton are asking questions early on in the match.
Predicted Result: Draw 2-2
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at $1.67
Best Value Bet: Half-Time Draw at $2.1
