The Premiership has lived up to its reputation as the world’s most exciting league by serving up high-scoring games, thrills and controversies aplenty this festive season. Fans are in for more drama and intrigue in the days ahead as there are some cracking games to look forward to. The fixture list is extremely congested at this time of year and managers regularly rotate their starting 11s, making it an unpredictable time for punters. However, there is plenty of value to be had on Boxing Day, December 27 and December 28 at green-listed bookmakers and here are the most intriguing fixtures:
Tottenham v Southampton
Harry Kane broke Alan Shearer’s Premiership record for the most hat-tricks in a calendar year when he put Burnley to the sword with three fine strikes at the weekend. He is now gunning for Shearer’s all-time Premiership scoring record, and can take another stride towards breaking it when Spurs host Southampton on December 26. He is now level with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the Golden Boot race and looks a good bet to make finish as the division’s top scorer for the third time running (6/4 with Betfair, 5/4 with William Hill). He is 4/5 with Sky Bet to score at any time and that looks a great option in this game.
Bournemouth v West Ham
Two of the league’s leakiest defences face off on Boxing Day as Bournemouth host West Ham. The Hammers have conceded 35 goals in 19 games this season and Bournemouth have let in 28, so this should be a good day for attackers. You would expect an open game between two teams that like to take risks and play offensive football, so both teams to score looks a great bet here. 10Bet has a market leading 13/15 on this, while some Green Listed Bookmakers are offering 5/6.
Man Utd v Burnley
Jose Mourinho read his players the riot act after throwing away a lead to draw away at 10-man Leicester at the weekend. They should respond with a win when they host Burnley at Old Trafford and the odds are short on them doing so. To get more value, Man Utd to win and under 3.5 goals looks interesting at 10/11 with Ladbrokes, Coral and Betway. Burnley keep things pretty tight at the back and have conceded just 15 goals in 19 games so far this season. If Utd win it is likely to be a narrow, hard-fought victory.
Watford v Leicester
The Hornets are in absolutely horrendous form and have taken just one point from their last six games. That has seen them fall to 10th in the table and they will be sucked into the relegation battle if they do not buck their ideas up quickly. Leicester are rejuvenated under Claude Puel and have taken 11 points in the same period, moving five points clear of Watford in the table. They showed battling spirit to come back against Man Utd and should feel confident in their ability to win this one. The away win is 2/1 with Marathon Bet and 15/8 with many Green Listed Bookmakers, which looks very attractive. If you are feeling more cautious, Leicester draw no bet is
117/100 with Marathon. Another option would be both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 21/20 with William Hill and Boyle Sports as this game features two attacking sides that concede plenty of goals.
Liverpool v Swansea
This one could prove a bit of a mauling as Liverpool are in exceptional form going forwards at the moment, with the Fab Four on fire. Philippe Coutinho, Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are too hot for Premiership defences to handle and they constantly bang in plenty of goals. Liverpool’s shortcomings are at the back and Swansea will feel they can score, but Liverpool should outgun them. The Reds to win and over 3.5 goals looks good at 5/4 with Ladbrokes and Coral.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Palace beat the Gunners here last season under Sam Allardyce as a late resurgence saw them beat the drop. They are now fighting it once again, with Roy Hodgson in the dugout, and will feel they can win this one as Arsenal’s form has been poor. Palace at 7/2 with Stan James and Paddy Power, and 50/13 with Unibet, will tempt some punters, but once again that over 2.5 goals and both teams to score might be a better option. Coral has 19/20 and Boyle Sports has 20/21 on this. Arsenal’s 3-3 draw against Liverpool exposed their defensive shortcomings, but also highlighted the attacking threat they always possess, so this should be a goal fest at Selhurst Park.
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