Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
The Premier League table is finally starting to take on a more familiar look and with the cream rising to the top, the battle for points and places at both ends of the division is starting to heat up.
With the notoriously tough festive period on the horizon and top-flight fixtures coming thick and fast, the intensity looks set to be cranked up another few notches this weekend, and there are 10 juicy looking Premier League contests to look forward to between Friday and Sunday.
Below, we’ve taken a look at some of the stand out betting tips ahead of the latest round of games in our unique Premier League early value accumulator.
Remember, we’ll be covering all of this weekend’s matches in detail with exclusive betting tips for each game on our Premier League predictions page.
Friday, December 11
Leeds vs West Ham
A run of just one win from their last five Premier League assignments is a poor return for a Leeds side that have rarely looked second best in any fixture this season, though Marcelo Bielsa’s slick-passing outfit should still provide stiff opposition for West Ham at Elland Road.
The Irons – who were beaten at home by Man Utd in their last outing – saw both teams score in 60% of their away games this season, while Leeds saw goals notched at either end in 60% of their matches in Yorkshire. Expect goals at both ends again when Leeds and West Ham lock horns.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score @8/15
Saturday, December 12
Wolves vs Aston Villa
Wolves will be licking their wounds following their 4-0 drubbing against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, and without their talisman and attacking focal point Raul Jimenez, Wanderers looked worryingly toothless on Merseyside.
Villa meanwhile, will have had 13 days rest by the time they kick off at Molineux on Saturday after their clash with Newcastle was cancelled last week, and with energy to burn, Dean Smith’s Villains could steal some points in the West Midlands.
Betting Tip: Aston Villa double chance @ 4/7
Manchester United vs Manchester City
The latest edition of the Manchester Derby comes heavily wrapped in intrigue and with subplots layered deep ahead of this clash of the titans, far more than points and bragging rights are on offer for the victors.
United got the better of their local rivals in three out of four meetings last season, however, with both the Red Devils and City inconsistent this term, punters are advised to stick to the goal markets for this one.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score @4/6
Everton vs Chelsea
Title chasing Chelsea have yet to taste defeat on the road this term, though Frank Lampard’s expensively assembled side will be fully aware that Everton toppled the Blues on each of the Londoners last two trips to Goodison Park.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are wilting badly at present however, and their run of just one win from their last seven Premier League fixtures leaves them looking vulnerable against a Chelsea team armed with a nine-game unbeaten streak.
Betting Tip: Chelsea to win @3/4
Sunday, December 13
Fulham vs Liverpool
Liverpool are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches, and buoyed by their statement performance and 4-0 win over Wolves last time out, the defending champions look ready to put their foot to the floor in pursuit of more domestic silverware.
Jurgen Klopp’s free-scoring Reds have scored in both halves in eight or 73% of their 11 league fixtures so far this season, and they should find more double period success against a Fulham team carrying the division’s second worst defensive record.
Betting Tip: Liverpool to score in both halves @5/6
Arsenal vs Burnley
A dismal stretch of one win and two goals from seven Premier League games has left Arsenal scratching around near the foot of the table in 15th, and the Gunners are in dire need of a pick me up against Burnley at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Clarets won’t make life easy for their struggling hosts however, and having taken points in three of their last four league tests, Sean Dyche’s battlers are starting to grind their way up the table. With the pressure firmly on Arsenal, Burnley can tighten the squeeze by avoiding defeat in the capital.
Betting Tip: Burnley double chance @11/8
Premier League early acca
To get the most out of the early value this week our predictions can be combined to make a 29/1 accumulator with bet365. You can add all six to your betslip using the banner below.
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