Hi gang! There’s more games in England and Scotland this weekend and I’ve looked at the top games.
Norwich 1 v 2 Tottenham – Saturday 28 December – Premier League – Over 2.5 Goals (1.55)
It’s been over three months since Norwich won at Carrow Road, when they famously beat Man City and it looked as though they were going to avoid a relegation scrap. It’s not gone well since then, though, and they are in the bottom three as it stands. Tottenham have won three of their last five away games, losing only to Man United and Bayern Munich. I’m going for an Away Win and I expect goals. There have been Over 2.5 Goals in eight of Norwich’s nine home games this season and 11 out of 13 for Spurs away from home.
Burnley 0 v 1 Man United – Saturday 28 December – Premier League – Under 2.5 Goals (1.90)
Both of these teams are so inconsistent right now. Burnley, who have made Turf Moor a tricky place to visit in recent years, have lost three of their past five home games. Even worse, they have only scored twice in the last three of those games. United lost 2-0 to Watford in their last away game but they have won in each of their last three games at Turf Moor. Another stat to note is that the last five meetings between these teams at Turf Moor has featured Under 2.5 Goals – it could be a good bet here.
Celtic 2 v 0 Rangers – Sunday 29 December – Scottish Premiership – Under 2.5 Goals (1.90)
Just a few weeks after Celtic beat Rangers in the League Cup final, we get another Old Firm Derby. Celtic are top of the Scottish Premiership and are on a run of 14 straight home wins in all competitions. It’s a tough ask for Rangers, then. They haven’t won at Celtic Park since 2010, although they have won their last two away games in the Premiership. I think Celtic’s players have the experience here so I have to back a Home Win. I’m also tipping Under 2.5 Goals, which has happened in four of their last five derbies.
Arsenal 0 v 2 Chelsea – Sunday 29 December – Premier League – Double Chance Chelsea (1.40)
It’s only been a week since Chelsea beat Tottenham and now they return to north London for another derby. These teams last met in the Europa League final when the Blues thrashed Arsenal 4-1, and plenty has changed since then. Frank Lampard has done great work at Chelsea and has only lost three of his 13 away games this season in all competitions. This is the Gunners’ first home game under Mikel Arteta but they haven’t won any of their last six games at the Emirates. Even though Chelsea haven’t won there since January 2016, I think they will get all three points.
Liverpool 2 v 1 Wolves – Sunday 29 December – Premier League – Liverpool Win (1.30)
League leaders Liverpool have won their last 16 home games in the Premier League. In fact, they have now gone 49 league games at Anfield without defeat. They should be slightly fresher for this game than Wolves, since the visitors have under 48 hours to recover from their game against Man City on Friday. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side haven’t lost any of their last seven away games in the league but this is as tough as it gets right now. I can’t see them recovering in time and I’m backing a Home Win. Liverpool beat Wolves twice in the league last season, too.