The first set of games just after the epic conclusion to the world cup would be played today. English clubs resume their charges for various goals this season.
We cannot deny that the world cup was an interesting one with every fixture having it’s own set of dramatic displays. But now we are back to watching club football and the EPL is the first destination.
Straight Wins.
Arsenal and West Ham lock horns in the Premier League’s late kick-off on Boxing Day. Both teams have a few injury concerns heading into the game and with that in mind, we’re expecting a tight and tense 90 minutes at the Emirates Stadium. Even though Jesus will miss the game, we’re still backing Arsenal to beat West Ham here today. The Gunners have won five of their last six encounters with West Ham, and have won the last three meetings at the Emirates emphatically. We can say this should be an easy game to welcome fans and continue pushing for the title charge as the league restarts. Bet9ja have 1.52 odds, Paripesa have 1.53 odds and 1xBet have 1.53 odds.
Aston Villa experienced a turnaround in November under new manager Unai Emery, but they might have trouble extending their brief winning streak when they host Liverpool on Boxing Day. Emery’s appointment triggered a turnaround in form, as the former Arsenal manager led them to consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since April after they had only won three of their first 13 games in the league. During this time, Liverpool also experienced a comeback, defeating Spurs and Southampton to move into the top six and snap a two-match losing run. Following a challenging start to the season, Jurgen Klopp’s team has already won four of their past six games in the top flight. Liverpool should find this easy to win and would come out on top today. Bet9ja have 1.77 odds, Paripesa have 1.79 odds and 1xBet have 1.79 odds.
Both Manchester United and Nottingham Forest returned to competitive action in midweek where the pair secured wins and progressed through to the next round of the League Cup. The last time these two sides went head-to-head in the Premier League, Man Utd ran out 8-1 winners. Manchester United has a very good record against Nottingham Forest, picking up wins in each of the pair’s last five league meetings. We’re backing Man Utd to win on Tuesday as the hosts have won three of their last five competitive and non-competitive matches. Nottingham Forest has lost three of their last five matches in all competitions and looks set to struggle at Old Trafford. Bet9ja have 1.30 odds, Paripesa have 1.35 odds and 1xBet have 1.35 odds.
Both Crystal Palace and Fulham may have experienced setbacks as a result of the World Cup, and both London clubs will be seeking redemption when they meet on Boxing Day at Selhurst Park. Palace secured four victories in their previous six Premier League games before suffering a dismal loss against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest in their most recent match. Although Fulham is having a strong season and is currently in ninth place, they are winless in three games and completed the season with two 2-1 loss to the two Manchester clubs before the league was halted for the international championship in Qatar. The home advantage would prove key in this fixture and we can certainly see Palace coming out on top. Bet9ja have 2.08 odds, Paripesa have 2.15 odds and 1xBet have 2.15 odds.
Over 2.5
This is one of those games that promises goals and we hope the two teams deliver the goods on Boxing Day. Four of the last five meetings between Aston Villa and Liverpool have ended with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals being produced. Four of Aston Villa’s last six competitive and non-competitive matches have also concluded with at least three goals being scored, and the same can be said for four of Liverpool’s last five outings. With Aston Villa scoring in four of their last five home league games and netting five in their two games under Emery, backing over 2.5 goals looks like a solid option. Bet9ja have 1.60 odds, Paripesa have 1.68 odds and 1xBet have 1.68 odds.
Both Leicester and Newcastle played during the middle of the week, and both teams advanced to the League Cup’s following round. But in their subsequent match, which takes place once the World Cup is over and the Premier League returns, three points are on the line. In each of the last six league games between Leicester and Newcastle, at least three goals have been scored, and we anticipate more of the same on Boxing Day. While Newcastle scored four goals in their most recent away contest against Southampton, the Foxes have scored two or more goals in four of their last five competitive and non-competitive games. Bet9ja have 1.83 odds, Paripesa have 1.93 odds and 1xBet have 1.93 odds.
Tottenham, a contender for the Champions League, will visit Brentford. The previous meeting between these two teams ended in a scoreless tie, but fans are expecting more goalmouth action this time around. Since five of Brentford’s and Tottenham’s last six competitive and non-competitive games resulted in over 2.5 goals, we are forecasting goals in this encounter. Although neither team has been able to keep many clean sheets recently, both teams have recently looked incredibly good going forward. This should be an entertaining spectacle as Tottenham would be missing key players in defense due to the World Cup, with that in mind Brentford would surely come out to score goals. Bet9ja have 1.76 odds, Peripesa have 1.85 odds and 1xBet have 1.85 odds.
Manchester City’s first game back after the World Cup was a 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the EFL Cup. Their next league match is a Wednesday trip to Leeds. City enters the holiday schedule in the league standings five points behind leaders Arsenal, but they should be able to catch up to the Gunners with three points at Elland Road. Manchester City defeated Leeds 7-0 at the Etihad last season, and they triumphed 4-0 when they last played here at the close of the previous campaign early in Jesse Marsch’s spell as Leeds manager. This will be Leeds’ first game since the tournament in Qatar came to an end, whereas City have had a chance to get back to full speed with a tricky cup game against Liverpool and that should work in their favor as well. We expect City to score lots of goals in this fixture as we see them cruise to a win Bet9ja have 1.40 odds, Paripesa have 1.40 odds and 1xBet have 1.40 odds.
Anytime Goalscorers
Erling Haaland
The Norwegian Striker is undoubtedly the best now in the English Premier League. Erling Haaland won’t have faced his father Alfie’s old team since he moved to Manchester, and following his goal against Liverpool, he appears to be the best choice for an anytime scorer, having scored four goals in his past five games in all competitions. Bet9ja have 1.55 odds while Paripesa have 1.44 odds.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford returned to the United squad with a goal against Burnley in midweek following an impressive set of displays for England at the World Cup. The England international top scores for Man Utd this season with 4-goals in the Premier League alone but has also netted 2-goals in the League Cup and 3-goals in the Europa League, so you can see why we’re backing the 25-year-old to score against Nottingham Forest this week. Bet9ja have 2.45 odds while Paripesa have 2.15 odds.
Salah
Mo Salah might not have been firing on all cylinders so far this season but he still has 6 Premier League goals to his name and sits one behind his teammate Firmino in the Liverpool goalscoring chart. Salah has enjoyed an extended rest due to Egypt not qualifying for the World Cup and he scored the only goal when Liverpool played host to Villa last season, so we’re backing the Egypt international to find the back of the net on Boxing Day. Bet9ja have 2.35 odds while Paripesa have 2.3 odds.
Harry Kane
Goalscorer punters can look towards Harry Kane with confidence. The Tottenham striker may have missed a crucial penalty in the World Cup but he still has 17 competitive goals this season and has found the net in his last two Premier League games. England forward hasn’t received much credit for his incredible performances this season due to Haaland’s brilliance but he has been outstanding and deserves a mention. Bet9ja have 2.20 odds while Paripesa have 2.10 odds.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.