The highlight games for the next set of EPL matches are ARSENAL versus BRIGHTON and LIVERPOOL versus WOLVES. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 18 matches with his unique and insightful commentary. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Be sure to check out John’s new book, entitled “Three Days At Anfield“, a riotous and heartfelt tribute to Barnsley FC that blends football nostalgia, fan memoir, and a love letter to the beautiful game. Available on Amazon now.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Game Week-18
There’s only one Premier League game on Boxing Day this year which has caused a bit of controversy for the purest out there.
Whilst it is a shame that there aren’t any other Top Flight fixtures on a normally busy schedule for football, the day that Boxing Day falls on, just dictates that’s the way it is.
Added to that, there are games in the lower leagues so if folk are that bothered about not getting to a game, maybe visit one of those matches taking place near them.
Friday 26th
MANCHESTER UNITED v NEWCASTLE
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
As it is Boxing Day, despite there only being one game, it would be remiss not to include John Newsome’s famous story about the historic day.
‘Probably the best day of the year to watch football.
In 2020, going to the Boxing Day football was put on hold due to the pandemic meaning everyone stayed indoors, watching the telly.
Let’s hope, all who want to watch football, can go to a game.
As George Michael once said,
‘This year, to save us from tears, everyone’s going to the football.’
Hopefully, the stadiums will be full, (that includes the Etihad).
Boxing Day is a day to get out of the house having spent the previous day indoors, putting batteries in Toys that had ‘Batteries Not Included’ on the box.
The kids would be shouting, ‘Daaa-d there’s no batteries in this Evel Knievel bike!’
The best toy of the 1970s!
So Dad, having been given the clue of ‘Batteries Not Included’ but choosing not to heed that warning, has to nip down to the local shop, that he knows will be open on Christmas morning in the hope of finding some Double AA batteries.
The shopkeepers are aware of this phenomenon and the normally £2.99-4-pack of Double AA batteries, are now £8.99 for 2, as the shopkeeper knows that Dad’s life isn’t worth living if he returns home, without the batteries.
This phenomenon only happens on Christmas morning.
Come Boxing Day, Mum and Dad (other combinations of parenting are available in this ever-evolving Cosmopolitan world we live in!) are ready for the boozer and a few liveners, talking with their mates as one is fed-up with talking to the wife/husband, wife/wife, husband/husband (or Gender Neutral/Neutral) and kids, then a stroll down to the ground to watch their beloved team lose.
No one is bothered that the Manager picks the wrong formation or only uses 3-Subs, not the permitted 5, leaving the Star-Striker on the bench because the lad has indulged in a bit too much Turkey the day before.
The Midfield General is in the stands, not able to play, because he picked up his 5th-booking of the campaign, in the previous game, knowing that the 1-match ban would allow him to have a good Christmas Eve in the local nightclub, ‘Japanese Whispers’ and Christmas Day on the food and drink.
‘Sorry boss’ he says with a wink, as he walks off the pitch, in that last outing, with the thought in his head that he’s not playing on Boxing Day.
The parents are still happy, back in the boozer asking who’s won the King George VI at Kempton and realise the horse that was backed at 20/1 fell at the final fence whilst 50 yards in front of the rest and after cursing the said horse and its jockey,
‘The useless little..’
They order another few pick-me-ups to take away the hurt of going back home to the in-laws and kids.
After the cold Turkey from the day before, has been warmed up and turned into a Turkey Biriyani and a few glasses of Sherry, just to be polite, the Christmas Special of Call The Midwife is on the 55-inch.
The good old days.’
Manchester United suffered the predicted defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Although United have vastly improved over the last few months, Ruben Amorim’s Devils are no match for the Top Teams which now include Unai Emery’s Villains.
Matheus Cunha did score on the stroke of half-time to level things up after Villa’s opener, however, Villa then scored a 2nd after the break to clinch the victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
United were missing Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui who have all left Manchester for the Sun of Morocco to play for their respective International Teams in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Not a bad gig for the lads.
Manchester United sit in 7th place with the same 26 points as Crystal Palace, going into the Christmas period.
Newcastle blew a 2-goal lead against Chelsea at St James Park on Saturday.
Nick Woltemade made amends for his Own Goal against Sunderland last week, scoring twice in the 1st-half to give Newcastle an advantage at the break.
Chelsea then tweaked things in the 2nd-half and eventually scored two themselves to gain a point from a draw by a 2-2 score.
Newcastle were in complete control up until the interval, however, Enzo Maresca out thought Eddie Howe in the tactics department and got the better of the home team in the 2nd-half.
All in all it was a fair result from a brilliant pre-Christmas game that leaves Newcastle in 11th place with the same 23 points as Brentford and Fulham, all having completed 17 games.
This fixture last season took place almost 12 months ago to the day, on December 30th, 2024.
Newcastle gained the post-Christmas present of 3 points, gaining an away day victory over United by a 2.0 scoreline.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton with the goals, both scored on the 1st-half.
Betfred offer Manchester United at 11/8, the Draw at 23/10 and 13/8 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 13/2 that Anthony Gordon Scores First and 11/5 that Newcastle Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 1-2- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Saturday 27th
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MAN CITY
12.30 in England
TNT Sports
Nottingham Forest suffered a defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday Night Football.
When it looked like both teams would be level at the break, Douglas Luiz fouled Kevin in the box, giving the on-field referee Anthony Taylor no option other than to award a penalty.
It couldn’t have been a more stone wall penalty but the dreaded VAR had to get involved and took 3 minutes to eventually confirm what everyone knew.
Fulham converted the penalty and with no further goals in the 2nd-half, Forest suffered the loss from a 1-0 scoreline.
The defeat leaves Nottingham Forest in 17th place with 18 points from the opening 17 games.
Man City temporarily jumped to the top of the table following Saturday’s destruction of West Ham at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland and Tijjani Reijnders scored the 1st-half goals, with Erling adding his 2nd and City’s 3rd after the break.
Mr Haaland did have the chance to get an hat-trick but fluffed his lines in front of the net.
As mentioned, the victory over the Hammers by a 3-0 scoreline, gave City 37 points and put them at the summit for a couple of hours before Arsenal’s win against Everton later in the evening.
It’s an early call but it does appear that only Man City and Arsenal are going to be competing for the Premier League Title this season.
Aston Villa and Chelsea may have something to say about that but for the time being, it’s City and the Gunners that are at the top after 17 games completed.
Nottingham Forest gained the home victory over Man City in last season’s encounter between the two at the City Ground.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute to give Nuno’s Tricky Trees the points from a 1-0 scoreline.
It’s Sean Dyche’s turn now to try and get one over Pep Guardiola.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 4/1, the Draw at 3/1 and Odds On 8/15 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 2/1 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 13/8 that Man City Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-3- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
ARSENAL v BRIGHTON
15.00 in England
‘One-Nil to the Arsenal, one-nil to the Arsenal!’
Was the cry from the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday when a single Viktor Gyokeres converted penalty gave Arsenal the victory over Everton by the iconic Gunners score of 1-0 (to the Arsenal!)
The scoreline is synonymous with the George Graham Arsenal team of the late 1980’s and early 90’s when a resolute set of Defending would often see Arsenal score a goal then shut up shop, inevitably gaining the win from a 1-0 scoreline.
Arsenal sit at the Top of the Premier League table with 39 points from the 17 games played so far.
In the 33 Premier League seasons, the team that have topped the table at Christmas have gone on to win the title on 17 occasions.
This was the case last season, with Liverpool winning the league in Arne Slot’s first campaign at Anfield, having led the way from early November.
However, there is a cautionary note to that statement-
It is the third time in the last four years Arsenal will have led the top flight at Christmas but on both of the previous occasions, they were beaten to the title by Pep Guardiola’s High Flying Blues.
Given this record and with City closing the gap on Arsenal in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta’s side will be more aware than anyone that there is no room for complacency despite sitting in pole position at this time.
On all four occasions Arsenal have led at Christmas, the Gunners have failed to win the title, finishing second in the 2002/03 campaign and third in 2007/08, before being pipped twice by Pep under Mikel.
Brighton and Sunderland played out a pre-Christmas bore draw on Saturday at the Amex, with neither team finding the back of the net meaning the faithful in attendance were witness to a draw by a 0-0 score.
The Sunderland fans travelled a total of 680 miles there and back, that took them 10 hours in total, to watch their idols play out a goalless draw.
Merry Christmas!
The ex-Seagull, Simon Adingra was on show but like the rest of the Black Cats, couldn’t manifest a goal.
Brighton sit in 9th place with the same 24 points as Everton having completed 17 games.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score when these two met at the Emirates last season.
Kai Havertz scored the Arsenal goal in the 1st-half, with Joao Pedro replying for Brighton after the break.
Declan Rice was shown 2 Yellow Cards and the subsequent Red early in the 2nd-half leaving Arsenal a man down for the remainder of the game.
The score was also 1-1 in the fixture at the Amex later on in the campaign.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 4/11, the Draw at 10/3 and 6/1 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Bukayo Saka Scores First and 5/4 that Arsenal Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BRENTFORD v BOURNEMOUTH
15.00 in England
Brentford got back to winning ways on Saturday, gaining an away day win over Wolves at Molineux.
After a goalless 1st-half, Keane Lewis-Potter scored twice to give Keith Andrews’ Bees the points from a 2-0 score, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
Wolves did have the opportunity to spoil the ‘correct score’ when awarded a penalty late on, however, the Bees Stopper Caoimhin Kelleher saved the tame spot-kick.
Probably what a team need when they have lost 3 of the previous 4, with the other being a draw, is a game against Wolves.
Brentford sit in 12th place with the same 23 points as Fulham and Newcastle, all having completed 17 games.
Bournemouth are now winless in 8 Premier League games, following Saturday’s draw against Burnley at the Vitality.
Antoine Semenyo did score to give the Cherries a lead, however, the away team scored an equaliser in the 90th minute to snatch a draw from a 1-1 scoreline.
Bournemouth have drawn 4 and lost 4 of their previous 8 fixtures.
In total, the Cherries have drawn 7 of the 17 Premier League games played so far, losing 5 of the other 10 with 5 wins in total, meaning a tally of 22 points.
The strange anomaly regarding the drawn games is that one of them finished 4-4, one finished 3-3, two finished 2-2, one ended 1-1, added to 2 x 0-0, which basically means, when Bournemouth take to the pitch, anything can happen.
The Cherries are the leading goal scorers out of 14 of the 20 clubs with 26 goals scored (Tottenham have also scored 26), only the Top 5 and Manchester United have scored more.
However, the reason Andoni Iraola’s team are as low as 14th, is because they have conceded the most goals (29) out of 15 of the 20 teams, with just 4 of the 6 teams below conceding more.
Therein lies the problem.
The Cherries will always score goals but need to firm things up at the back to turn the draws into wins.
Brentford gained the home win when Bournemouth ventured up the road to the GTech Stadium last season.
Goals from Yoane Wissa (2) and Mikkel Damsgaard gave Thomas Frank’s Bees the victory over Andoni Iraola’s Cherries by a 3-2 scoreline.
Evanilson and Justin Kluivert got the Bournemouth goals when the score was 0-0 and 1-1 to take the lead on 2 occasions but like a bad dog walker, the Cherries couldn’t hold on to the lead.
Betfred offer Brentford at 6/5, the Draw at 23/10 and 15/8 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Antoine Semenyo Scores First and 13/5 that Bournemouth Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 2-2- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BURNLEY v EVERTON
15.00 in England
A very late converted penalty by Armando Broja earned Burnley a point from a draw by a 1-1 score, against Bournemouth at the Vitality on Saturday.
That stopped the losing streak stretching back to the beginning of November which has seen Burnley lose the 7 previous games before the trip to the South Coast.
Burnley stay in 19th place with 11 points from the 17 games played.
Everton suffered their 2nd loss in a row on Saturday, succumbing to a defeat against Arsenal by a 1-0 scoreline.
The 17 Premier League games have seen Everton win 7, draw 3 and lose 7, giving a tally of 24 points going into the post-Christmas period.
It was December 2023 when Sean Dyche took his Everton team back to Turf Moor to face Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Goals from Amadou Onana and Michael Keane, both scored in the 1st-half, gave the Toffees the victory from a 2-0 away day scoreline.
Betfred offer Burnley at 11/4, the Draw at 11/5 and slight Odds On 9/10 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 15/2 that Jack Grealish Scores First and 2/1 that there are Under 1.5 Goals.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Caoimhin Kelleher- Brentford
RIGHT-BACK- Lewis Miley- Newcastle
CENTRE-BACK- Jaka Bijol- Leeds United
CENTRE-BACK- Joachim Andersen- Fulham
LEFT-BACK- Ian Maatsen- Aston Villa
MIDFIELDER- Declan Rice- Arsenal
MIDFIELDER- Keane Lewis-Potter- Brentford
MIDFIELDER- Morgan Rogers- Aston Villa
FORWARD- Anthony Gordon- Newcastle
FORWARD- Dominic Calvert-Lewin- Leeds United
FORWARD- Erling Haaland- Man City
STAR MAN- Erling Haaland- Man City
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Man City To Win- 2/11
Brentford To Win- 21/20
Liverpool To Win- 21/20
Arsenal To Win- 4/7
Leeds United To Win- 13/8
Aston Villa To Win- 11/10
Fulham To Win- 5/4
Correct Scores-
Wolves v Brentford 0-2- 9/1
Correct Tips-
Newcastle v Chelsea-
Nick Woltemade To Score First- 9/2
(Doubled To 9/1 following Nick’s 2nd Goal)
Bournemouth v Burnley-
Antoine Semenyo To Score First- 4/1
Man City v West Ham-
Erling Haaland To Score First- 7/4
(Doubled To 7/2 following Erling’s 2nd Goal)
Man City To Win Both Halves- 23/20
Wolves v Brentford-
Under 2.5 Goals- 4/5
Everton v Arsenal-
Arsenal Win To Nil- 11/8
Leeds United v Crystal Palace-
Dominic Calvert-Lewin To Score First- 5/1
(Doubled To 10/1 following Dominic’s 2nd Goal)
Over 2.5 Goals- Evens 1/1
Aston Villa v Manchester United-
Morgan Rogers To Score First- 7/1
(Doubled To 14/1 following Morgan’s 2nd Goal)
LIVERPOOL v WOLVES
15.00 in England
Liverpool secured the away-day victory over Tottenham on Saturday night.
After a goalless 1st-half that did see a Tottenham player sent off for a horrendous challenge on Virgil Van Dijk, goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike gave Liverpool a lead going into the final 25 minutes.
Tottenham did score a goal to halve the deficit, then had a 2nd player sent off, meaning Liverpool had a 2 man advantage to hold on for the victory which eventually came.
The win from a 2-1 score lifts Liverpool in to 5th place with the same 29 points as Chelsea, both having completed 17 games.
There was a slight setback for Arne Slot, in the fact that Alexander Isak picked up an injury which could see the Swede miss quite a few games.
That said, Hugo Ekitike, who has 8 goals this season, is a very good stand in for Alexander and the missing Mo Salah who is on International duty for Egypt playing in the AFCON in Morocco.
Wolves suffered their 10th Premier League defeat in succession on Saturday and their 15th in total, this time against Brentford at Molineux by a 2-0 scoreline.
That scoreline could have been different if Jorgen Strand-Larsen had converted a late penalty, however, JSL (not the Pop Group) saw his tame kick saved by the Bees’ Stopper.
The result leaves Wolves at the bottom of the table with 2 points from the opening 17 games and still offers up the question, why did Rob Edwards leave Middlesbrough to take over at Wolves?
Liverpool gained a narrow victory over Wolves in last season’s affair at Anfield.
A goal from Luis Diaz and a converted Mo Salah penalty gave Liverpool the lead at the break.
Matheus Cunha pulled a goal back for Wolves in the 67th minute, however, with no further goals, Arne’s Slot Machines held on for the win from a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 2/11, the Draw at 5/1 and 10/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Hugo Ekitike Scores First and 5/4 that Liverpool Win Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 4-0- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
WEST HAM v FULHAM
15.00 in England
West Ham suffered the predicted defeat against Man City at the Etihad on Saturday.
The loss from a 3-0 score leaves West Ham in the relegation zone sitting in 18th place with 13 points from the 17 games completed.
That’s now 5 points from safety which Nuno Espírito Santo needs to keep an eye on and not allow the gap to get much wider.
Fulham gained a home win against Nottingham Forest on Monday Night Football.
Raul Jimenez converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to give the Cottagers a lead at the break.
With no further goals in the 2nd half, Fulham got the victory from a 1-0 score.
The win leaves Fulham in 13th place with the same 23 points as Brentford and Newcastle.
West Ham gained the London Bragging Rights in last season’s encounter when Fulham visited the London Stadium.
Goals from Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta gave the Hammers the victory over the Cottagers by a 3-2 scoreline.
Alex Iwobi scored both of the Fulham goals when the score was 2-0 and 3-1 in favour of the home team.
Betfred offer West Ham at 13/8, the Draw at 11/5 and 7/5 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Jarrod Bowen Scores First and 15/8 that Harry Wilson Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 2-2- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CHELSEA v ASTON VILLA
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Chelsea came from 2 goals down at half-time against Newcastle at St James Park, to grab a point from a draw by a 2-2 score.
After trailing at the break, Enzo Maresca must have got into his Blues in the dressing room who came out stronger in the 2nd-half.
Goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro earned Chelsea the well deserved point following a great pre-Christmas game, that made the faithfuls long journey North an enjoyable one.
There were cries of,
‘How much?’
In disbelief, when the Newcastle bartenders replied £3.70 after the Blues fans ordered a pint in the local Wetherspoon, as the Cockney’s were more used to paying £8 for a beer.
‘How much?’
Chelsea sit in 4th place with 29 points after the opening 17 games.
Aston Villa sit a place above today’s hosts in 3rd with 36 points following Sunday’s victory over Manchester United at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers scored both goals, 1 in each half to give Unai’s Claret and Blues the win from a 2-1 score.
Villa are now just 3 points adrift of Arsenal at the summit.
Who do Aston Villa face on the 30th of December?
That’s right, Arsenal, so in theory, depending on results in Game Week-18, Villa could have the same points as the Gunners going into the New Year.
The game is at the Emirates which obviously gives Arsenal the advantage, as well as the hosts having a far superior goal differential so it would take a bizarre twist to leave Villa at the Top of the Table come the turn of the year.
Chelsea gained a comfortable home win over Aston Villa when Unai’s Claret and Blues visited Stamford Bridge to face Enzo’s Blues last season.
Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored in the 1st-half, with Cole Palmer adding a 3rd late on to give Chelsea the victory from a 3-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Chelsea at slight Odds On 4/5, the Draw at 5/2 and 11/4 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Cole Palmer Scores First and 7/4 that Ollie Watkins Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 2-2- Get 12/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 28th
SUNDERLAND v LEEDS UNITED
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Sunderland and their loyal fans, travelled a total of 680 miles taking 10 hours, to play out and watch a goalless draw against Brighton at the Amex on Saturday.
Merry Christmas!
The Black Cats were chasing the Seagulls all afternoon hoping for a bite to eat but alas, nothing.
Even the ex-Brighton player, Simon Adingra, unlike Postman Pat and his Black Cat, failed to deliver (a goal) meaning both teams shared the points from a draw by a 0-0 score.
Ho, ho, ho.
Sunderland sit in 6th place with 27 points from 17 games completed.
Black Cats and Voodoo Dolls, living La Vida Loco!
Leeds United are on fire at the moment, with the ‘Leeds are falling apart’ ditty locked away in the drawer.
Don’t worry, it will more than likely be back on show sooner rather than later.
After 4 straight defeats, Leeds are now on a 4 game unbeaten streak following 2 wins and 2 draws.
The latest game saw Daniel Farke’s Whites gain a victory over Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at Elland Rd, late on Saturday evening.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice in the 1st-half to give the home team a lead at the break.
Ethan Ampadu added a 3rd on the hour mark.
Palace did score a late consolation goal in the 92nd minute, however, that wasn’t the end of the goals with Anton Stach adding a 4th for Leeds in the 101st minute, to give the Whites the victory from a 4-1 scoreline.
That leaves Leeds United in 16th place with 19 points from the 17 fixtures completed.
The West Yorkshire Puddings then headed off into the Leeds Night looking for the local ‘Spoons to purchase a pint with 6 straws.
These two teams played against each other last season at the Stadium of Light, however, that was a Championship affair when both were on their way to promotion to the Promised Land.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
Chris Rigg scored the opener for Sunderland, with Joel Piroe getting an equaliser for Leeds to take both teams in level at the break.
Junior Firpo added a 2nd for Leeds just after the restart.
Unfortunately for the travelling West Yorkshire Puddings in attendance, Junior then scored a 2nd, however, that was an Own Goal, in the 97th minute, which gave both teams a point apiece.
Betfred offer Sunderland at 6/4, the Draw at 2/1 and 7/4 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Dominic Calvert-Lewin Scores First and slight Odds On 5/6 that Both Teams Score.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 28th
CRYSTAL PALACE v TOTTENHAM
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
As just mentioned, Crystal Palace suffered a defeat against Leeds United at Elland Rd on Saturday.
The Eagles faithful made the long journey North to face a Leeds side at 8 PM, which is credit to them considering their idols lost by a 4-1 score, making the long trip home an arduous one.
Oliver’s Army were Driving Home for Christmas after seeing Justin Devenny score a late consolation goal in the 92nd minute when the score was 3-0.
Palace played in the Europa Conference League on the previous Thursday, then the game against Leeds on Saturday and followed that up with a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal on Tuesday, so at the moment Oliver Glasner has to juggle his team selection for this busy period.
Crystal Palace sit in 8th place with the same 26 points as Manchester United from the 17 games played.
Rest in Peace, Chris Rea.
Tottenham suffered another home defeat at their New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, this time against Liverpool by a 2-1 scoreline.
After being reduced to 10 men when Xavi Simons made a horrendous challenge on his fellow Dutchman Virgil Van Dyke, Tottenham had to play the remaining 60 minutes a man lite.
Liverpool scored twice in the 2nd-half before Richarlison pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute.
Tottenham were then reduced to 9 men when Cristian Romero was shown a 2nd Yellow Card and the subsequent Red in the 93rd minute.
There was still another 10 minutes played but there were no further goals leaving Tottenham with the 5th home defeat out of the 9 games played at their New Stadium.
Tottenham sit in 14th place with the same 22 points as Bournemouth from the 17 fixtures completed.
Crystal Palace gained the home win over Tottenham when the two teams met at Selhurst Park last season.
A single Jean-Philippe Mateta goal scored in the 31st minute, gave Oliver Glasner’s Eagles the victory over Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs by a 1-0 scoreline.
Palace also gained the away victory in the fixture at the New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later on in the season.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at Evens 1/1, the Draw at 9/4 and 12/5 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 10/3 that Jean-Philippe Mateta Scores First and 15/8 that Richarlison Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-1- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
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