We have derbies galore to look forward to in the Premier League this weekend with West Ham United and Chelsea getting things up and running with a London derby on Saturday afternoon. The rivalry between these two isn’t on the same level as Spurs v Arsenal but even so, it’s a great way to start the action.
On Sunday things definitely heat up, as Liverpool and Everton square off in a mouth-watering Merseyside derby at Anfield. As if that wasn’t super enough, Sunday gets even better, as following that, league leaders Manchester City make the short trip to Old Trafford to face rivals Manchester United. If the Red Devils are to have any chance of stopping Pep Guardiola’s men this is surely a game they must win.
There’s also some top action in the Football League Championship as third-placed Bristol City play fourth-placed Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday night. We’ve got tips for all those games plus a few more besides, so read on we bring you the highlights of the football weekend.
- West Ham United v Chelsea – Chelsea to Win -1 (13/10 at BetVictor)
- Newcastle United v Leicester City – Leicester City to Win (9/5 at Coral)
- Southampton v Arsenal – Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score (11/4 at Bet365)
- Liverpool v Everton – Liverpool to Win -1 (5/6 at Betfair)
- Manchester United v Manchester City – 1-1 Draw (6/1 at Betfred)
- Sheffield United v Bristol City – Sheffield United to Win 2-1 (8/1 at Betfair)
- Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday – Sheffield Wednesday to Win and Both Teams to Score (11/2 at BetVictor)
- Reading v Cardiff City – Cardiff City to Win (31/20 at Betfair)
Premier League
After yet another late winner last weekend, Guardiola’s Man City retained their eight-point lead at the top of the division. There were also victories for Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool, with north London pair Spurs and Arsenal losing further ground at the top.
At the other end of the table Swansea City and West Ham fell to defeats yet again. That pair have now lost a combined 19 times from 30 games and look in big trouble.
Looking forward, as said, we have a feast from the top flight. This weekend, we have three exciting games to get stuck into on Sunday, with the Merseyside and Manchester derbies taking centre stage.
West Ham United v Chelsea – 9th December
The Premier League weekend starts with a London derby at the London Stadium as West Ham and Chelsea do battle. The Hammers, who are second from bottom, are the clear underdogs on their own patch.
David Moyes has yet to register a win as West Ham boss, drawing one and losing three of his four games in charge so far. Things don’t get any easier here either. Visitors Chelsea are in fine fettle right now and they have dropped just two of the last 21 points available.
Antonio Conte’s men should have far too much quality for the hapless Hammers on Saturday, so take a look at BetVictor’s 13/10 for the away side to win -1. We could see this one ending 2-0, or perhaps even 3-0 so -1 the right side of evens looks like great value.
Chelsea to Win -1 – 13/10 at BetVictor
Newcastle United v Leicester City – 9th December
Saturday’s late kick off comes from St James’ Park where Rafa Benitez’s out-of-sorts Newcastle United host Claude Puel’s improved Leicester City. There’s not a lot to split these two in the betting and on current form that seems a little strange.
After a pretty decent start, the Magpies have slumped to five defeats in six Premier League affairs. In fact, a narrow 1-0 win over a woeful Crystal Palace is their only success in 10 league games. The Foxes, meanwhile, have won five, drawn two and lost just one since sacking Craig Shakespeare.
Leicester will be looking to capitalise on Newcastle’s poor form, and we fancy Puel’s men to steal all three points in Tyneside. A City win is priced at 9/5 with Coral and that offers real value.
Leicester City to Win – 9/5 at Coral
Southampton v Arsenal – 10th December
Southampton host Arsenal at St Mary’s in Sunday’s opening match. The Gunners will be looking to get back to winning ways after being beaten by Man Utd at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
The Saints, meanwhile, will be hoping to secure a third home league win in four games, but they have lost their last two at home against Arsene Wenger’s boys, shipping seven and scoring none.
Arsenal should be good enough to take all three points on the south coast, but we do fancy the Saints to notch this time. Have a punt on the Londoners to win and both teams to score at 11/4 with Bet365.
Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score – 11/4 at Bet365
Liverpool v Everton – 10th December
The first derby on Sunday comes from Merseyside as rivals Liverpool and Everton lock horns at Anfield. The Reds are in terrific form going into this one, and they will fancy their chances of adding another three points to their growing tally this weekend.
The Toffees have improved of late, though, sealing back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since April. Sam Allardyce picked up a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in his first game in charge last weekend, following on from a 4-0 victory over West Ham prior to that.
Unfortunately for Allardyce and Everton, we can see their poor run against their rivals continuing this Sunday. The Reds have won by more than one goal in three of the last four Merseyside derbies at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s team are priced at 5/6 (Betfair) to win -1 this Sunday. The Toffees’ defence isn’t fixed just yet and we can see the Reds’ rampant attack being too hot to handle.
Liverpool to Win -1 – 5/6 at Betfair
Manchester United v Manchester City – 10th December
The top two in the Premier League go head-to-head as United host City in one of the most eagerly anticipated Manchester derbies in quite some time. Despite being away from home, Man City head in as favourites, looking to win an amazing 14th Premier League game in a row.
Guardiola’s side have been near faultless this season, winning a staggering 14 of their 15 PL games. Only Everton have managed to stop the Citizens from winning and as things stand they are on for a record points total. Victory at Old Trafford on Sunday will take them 11 points clear at the top. However, a home win will see Jose Mourinho’s boys close the gap to “just” five points.
With the game taking place at the Theatre of Dreams, this has the potential to swing either way. United have been formidable at home this term and the atmosphere is sure to be electric. With that in mind, back the 1-1 draw, which you can get at 6/1 at Betfred.
1-1 Draw – 6/1 at Betfred
Championship
Wolverhampton Wanderers beat rivals Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Monday night to go four points clear of second-placed Cardiff City. Wolves are 10 points clear in the automatic places, while Cardiff are six above third-placed Bristol City. The Robins make the trip to Bramall Lane on Friday for the standout fixture of the Championship weekend. Meanwhile, Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds travel to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading.
Sheffield United v Bristol City – 8th December
Chris Wilder’s Sheff Utd and Lee Johnson’s Bristol City have arguably been the two surprise packages in the Championship this term. Both teams go into this one level on 37 points apiece and very much hoping for a play-off place at least come May.
The Blades have had a little slump in form recently, winning none of their last three. In contrast, the Robins have won six of their last eight, which has seen them leapfrog United into third in the second-tier table.
Only Wolves and Cardiff have picked up more points at home than Wilder’s men, and we fancy Sheffield Utd to get back on track with a hard-fought triumph on Friday. Take a look at the hosts to win 2-1 at 8/1 with Betfair in what should be a thrilling and fascinating Championship showdown.
Sheffield United to Win 2-1 – 8/1 at Betfair
Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday – 9th December
Daniel Farke’s Norwich City have gone from the play-off places to 16th in the table after a disastrous run of form. This Saturday evening, Carlos Carvalhal’s Sheffield Wednesday are the visitors to Carrow Road.
Since beating rivals Ipswich Town in October, the Canaries have failed to win any of their subsequent eight games in all competitions. As for the Owls, they have drawn their last four on the spin, but are unbeaten in seven Championship matches.
This could be a close game at Carrow Road, but we’re backing Wednesday to leave with all three points. Put your money on the away team to win and both teams to score at odds that are more than fair – 11/2 with BetVictor.
Sheffield Wednesday to Win and Both Teams to Score – 11/2 at BetVictor
Reading v Cardiff City – 11th December
On Monday night, Neil Warnock’s Cardiff make the trip to Reading to face Jaap Stam’s Royals at the Madejski Stadium. The high-flying Bluebirds are the slight favourites.
Reading have made a poor start to their season, sitting 14th after 20 games, despite finishing in the play-offs last term. Maybe somewhat surprisingly, Cardiff find themselves hot on the heels of leaders Wolves in second having accumulated an excellent 43 points from their 20 fixtures.
After winning three of their last four away from home, Cardiff will be looking to keep up that momentum by claiming maximum points at Reading on Monday. Odds of 31/20 (Betfair) for the Welsh side to prevail are just too good to turn down against a team where something clearly isn’t working this term.
Cardiff City to Win – 31/20 at Betfair