The opening match of the English Premier League Round 19 is set for Friday, December 22nd, 2017, when Arsenal welcomes Liverpool at Emirates Stadium, while on Saturday, December 23rd, 2017, we’ll see the other nine tilts, including a derby between Leicester City and Manchester United at King Power Stadium.
ARSENAL vs. LIVERPOOL
3-Way: 1: Arsenal +146; X: +258 Draw; 2: Liverpool +183 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Arsenal -123; Liverpool +107
Total +3: Over -119; Under +102
ARSENAL
After two consecutive draws against Southampton (1:1), and West Ham (0:0), the Gunners finally won three points against Newcastle (1:0) last weekend, and they are currently in the fifth spot of the Premier League table with 33 points and a 31:20 goal difference, one point behind their next rival Liverpool in the fourth spot. Arsenal’s recent displays are far away from their top game, while on last Tuesday, they’ve managed to reach the Carabao Cup Semi-finals after a 1:0 victory over West Ham at Emirates Stadium.
Injuries and suspensions: Santi Cazorla (plantar fascia), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Shkodran Mustafi (thigh)
Head-to-head: Liverpool won the previous three H2H meetings, including a convincing 4:0 win at home early in the season. Arsenal’s last victory over the Reds was in the 2014/2015 season, 4:1 at home.
LIVERPOOL
The Reds hammered Bournemouth 4:0 on the road in the previous round of the English Premier League after two draws in a row at home against Everton (1:1), and West Bromwich Albion (0:0). They are currently in the fourth spot of the table with 34 points and a 38:20 goal difference, four points behind Chelsea in the third spot. Liverpool won four consecutive matches away from home, scoring 16 goals in the process, and conceding just two in a return.
Injuries and suspensions: Nathaniel Clyne (back), Joel Matip (muscle, doubtful), Alberto Moreno (wound, doubtful)
Arsenal vs. Liverpool – Match Prediction
Both teams are having some problems at the defensive end throughout the season, while they possess a lot of options in the final third, so I expect to see some goals in this clash.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-119)
EVERTON vs. CHELSEA
3-Way: 1: Everton +494; X: +284 Draw; 2: Chelsea -159 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1: Everton -129; Chelsea +111
Total +2.5: Over -101; Under -119
EVERTON
The Toffees had a terrible start of the season, but in the last five rounds they’ve recorded four wins and one draw, including a 3:1 victory over Swansea City last weekend, so they are currently sitting at the ninth place of the Premier League table with 25 points and a 24:30 goal difference, nine points behind Liverpool in the fourth spot which leads to the UEFA Champions League next season. Everton won four matches in a row on the home soil, so the next clash against Chelsea should be the real test for their current abilities.
Injuries and suspensions: Yannick Bolasie (cruciate ligament rupture), Seamus Coleman (fractured leg), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), Ross Barkley (hamstring), James McCarthy (hamstring), Leighton Baines (calf, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Chelsea won the previous four H2H meetings, conceding just one goal on those four occasions. Early in the season, they’ve beaten the Toffees 2:0 at Stamford Bridge, while Everton recorded their last victory almost two years ago in the English FA Cup (2:0).
CHELSEA
The Blues have beaten Southampton 1:0 in the previous round, and on last Wednesday they’ve recorded the third consecutive win beating Bournemouth 2:1 in the English Carabao Cup. After the first 18 rounds of the English Premier League, they are laying at the third spot of the table with 38 points and a 32:14 goal difference. The Blues have played pretty well on the road this season, recording six wins, one draw, and two losses with an 18:7 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: David Luiz (knee)
Everton vs Chelsea – Match Prediction
The Blues are favorites in this match, but I think the Toffees could get a positive result in front of the home fans, particularly because they are in a great form since Sam Allardyce took the helm.
MY PICK: Everton AH +1 (-129)
BRIGHTON vs. WATFORD
3-Way: 1: Brighton +160; X: +216 Draw; 2: Watford +196 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Brighton -121; Watford +106
Total +2.5: Over +126; Under -154
BRIGHTON
The Seagulls are playing in a disastrous form recently as they are without a win for seven matches in a row, recording three draws and four losses in the process. They’ve failed to find the net in the previous three games, while they’ve scored just one goal in the last six games. Brighton is currently in the 13th spot of the Premier League table with 18 points and a 14:23 goal difference, three points above the relegation zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Steve Sidwell (back), Shane Duffy (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: Their previous duel in the third round was finished in a nil-nil draw, while Watford won two out of the last four meetings in the English Championship, and two games were ended in a draw.
WATFORD
Just like their next opponent, the Hornets are in a terrible form in the last couple of weeks, recording three defeats in a row against Burnley and Crystal Palace on the road, and Huddersfield at home in the previous round. Watford is currently in the 10th spot of the table with 22 points and a 27:33 goal difference, while on the road they’ve recorded one win and four losses in the last five games.
Injuries and suspensions: Nathaniel Chalobah (knee), Younes Kaboul (thigh), Craig Cathcart (knee), Will Hughes (hamstring, doubtful), Stefano Okaka (calf, doubtful), Miguel Britos (foot, doubtful), Kiko Femenia (hamstring, doubtful), Marvin Zeegelaar (red card suspension), Abdoulaye Doucoure (yellow card suspension), Troy Deeney (red card suspension)
Brighton vs. Watford – Match Prediction
Both teams are in crisis, so this clash is a great opportunity to get back on the right track. The Seagulls are pretty inefficient in the last few weeks, and I think they have to score in front of the home fans, as Watford’s defense is one of the worst in the Premier League.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-107)
MANCHESTER CITY vs. BOURNEMOUTH
3-Way: 1: Manchester City -909; X: +976 Draw; 2: Bournemouth +2293 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -2.5: Manchester City -130; Bournemouth +113
Total +4: Over -106; Under -107
MANCHESTER CITY
The Citizens crashed Tottenham 4:1 at home in the previous round and it was their 16th consecutive Premier League victory. They are topping the table with 52 points and a 56:12 goal difference, 11 points ahead of their city rival Manchester United in the second spot. Manchester City couldn’t keep the clean sheet at home in the last four matches, but they’ve easily managed to score more goals than their opponents. Just one out of nine clashes at Etihad Stadium was finished in the under.
Injuries and suspensions: Benjamin Mendy (cruciate ligament surgery), John Stones (hamstring), Vincent Company (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Since Bournemouth reached the Premier League, Manchester City won all five H2H duels, including a 2:1 victory in the third round this season when the Citizens have started their incredible run.
BOURNEMOUTH
The Cherries have suffered a 4:0 defeat against Liverpool at home in the previous round of the English Premier League, and they are currently in the 16th spot of the table with 16 points and a 15:24 goal difference, just one point above the relegation zone. They are without a win for six Premier League matches in a row, recording three draws and three losses in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Tyrone Mings (back), Brad Smith (hip)
Manchester City vs. Bournemouth – Match Prediction
It seems like we already know the winner here, and I will be disappointed if the Citizens fail to score at least three goals in front of the home fans.
MY PICK: Manchester City AH -2.5 (-130)
SOUTHAMPTON vs. HUDDERSFIELD
3-Way: 1: Southampton -164; X: +292 Draw; 2: Huddersfield +509 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Southampton +110 ; Huddersfield -127
Total +2.5: Over +108; Under -131
SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints have recorded three losses and two draws in the previous five Premier League matches, including a 1:0 defeat against Chelsea on the road last weekend. They’ve earned just two wins in the last ten matches, so they are currently in the 12th spot of the table with 18 points and a 17:24 goal difference, three points ahead of Newcastle in the 18th spot. The striker Charlie Austin is playing in a good form recently, as he scored four goals in the last six encounters, helping his team to earn a win against Everton, and a couple of draws against Bournemouth and Arsenal.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go
Head-to-head: It was a nil-nil draw in the third round early this season, while these two clubs played against each other eight years ago in the English League One, and the home side won both times.
HUDDERSFIELD
The Terriers are playing in an on-off form in the last few weeks, recording three losses and two victories, including a brilliant 4:1 win over Watford on the road in the previous round. They are in the 11th spot of the table at the moment with 21 points and a 16:30 goal difference, three points ahead of their next rival, and six points above the danger zone. The Terriers had a tough time away from home thus far, recording two wins, one draw, and six losses with a 7:19 goal difference, while four out of the last five away matches were ended in the over.
Injuries and suspensions: Elias Kachunga (ligament), Jon-Gorenc Stankovic (cruciate ligament rupture), Philip Billing (ankle), Jonathan Hogg (red card suspension)
Southampton vs. Huddersfield – Match Prediction
The Saints desperately need a win here, or they will be in all kind of troubles, so I expect to see a tight and nervous match with no more than two goals in total.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 Goals (-131)
STOKE CITY vs. WEST BROMWICH ALBION
3-Way: 1: Stoke City +123; X: +220 Draw; 2: West Bromwich Albion +257 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Stoke City +122; West Bromwich Albion -146
Total +2: Over -128; Under +111
STOKE CITY
The Potters continued with poor performance as they were beaten by West Ham 3:0 at the home stadium in the previous round, and it was their third loss in the row, fourth in the last five Premier League matches. They are currently in the 17th spot with 16 points and a 19:39 goal difference, just one point above the relegation zone. Their defense is the worst in the league, while on the other end, they’ve scored just three goals in the last five games.
Injuries and suspensions: Stephen Ireland (fractured leg)
Head-to-head: West Bromwich Albion won four out of their last six H2H encounters, while two matches were ended in a stalemate. Stoke City’s last win was in the 2014/2015 season, 2:0 at home, while just one game in the last three seasons was finished in the over.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Baggies have changed the manager, but they haven’t change the form, as they are without a win for 17 matches in all competitions, sitting in the relegation zone with 14 points, a 13:24 goal difference and a 2-8-8 record. In the last five games, WBA has earned three draws along with defeats against Swansea City (1:0) and Manchester United (2:1) in the previous round.
Injuries and suspensions: Craig Dawson (knee, doubtful), Nacer Chadli (muscle, doubtful)
Stoke City vs. West Bromwich Albion – Match Prediction
This clash is probably the hardest one to predict in Round 19, and what to expect when the worst defense in the league meets a team who haven’t won a game since August? I believe we’ll see at least one goal on both sides, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a goalless draw.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (+100)
SWANSEA CITY vs. CRYSTAL PALACE
3-Way: 1: Swansea City +204; X: +211 Draw; 2: Crystal Palace +156 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Swansea City +113; Crystal Palace -128
Total +2: Over -128; Under +111
SWANSEA CITY
After a terrible form in the last couple of months, Swansea City fired Paul Clement, and it is still unknown who will be their next manager. The Swans have recorded just one win in the last ten Premier League matches, along with one draw and eight losses, including a 3:1 defeat against Everton last Monday. They are sitting at the bottom of the table with 12 points and a 10:25 goal difference, four points behind Stoke City in the safe 17th spot, and five points behind their next rival. Swansea City’s attack is the most inefficient in the league, but they’ve managed to score three goals in the previous four games.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go
Head-to-head: The Swans won the last three H2H meetings, including a 2:0 victory at Selhurst Park in the third round. Crystal Palace’s last victory was three seasons ago, 1:0 at home.
CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles escaped from the relegation zone with two consecutive victories over Leicester City (3:0) and Watford (2:1), while they are unbeaten for seven matches in a row. They are currently sitting at the 14th place of the Premier League table with 17 points and a 15:28 goal difference, while they are undefeated in the previous three encounters away from home.
Injuries and suspensions: Connor Wickham (cruciate ligament rupture), Chung-Yong Lee (muscular problems), Christian Benteke (yellow card suspension)
Swansea City vs. Crystal Palace – Match Prediction
The visitors are on a great run, while on the other side, the Swans desperately need a win here after they’ve earned just four points in the last ten rounds. The home soil could be an advantage in this one, so I believe Swansea City could get a positive result on Saturday.
MY PICK: Swansea City to Win (+204)
WEST HAM vs. NEWCASTLE
3-Way: 1: West Ham +114; X: +229 Draw; 2: Newcastle +270 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: West Ham +113; Newcastle -134
Total +2.5: Over +116; Under -140
WEST HAM
The Hammers are undefeated for three Premier League matches in a row, recording two wins against Chelsea and Stoke City, and one draw with Arsenal, while they’ve kept their net intact on these three occasions. They are in the 15th spot of the table at the moment with 17 points and a 17:32 goal difference, two points ahead of their next opponent. On last Tuesday, the Hammers were beaten by Arsenal 1:0 in the English Carabao Cup, recording just one shot toward Arsenal’s goal. They will miss the playmaker Manuel Lanzini for the next two games, so it could be a big problem for their attacking play.
Injuries and suspensions: Jose Fonte (malleolar), Sam Byram (thigh), Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring, doubtful), Manuel Lanzini (suspension through sports court)
Head-to-head: Newcastle won the first clash of this season 3:0, while the home side won each time in the last five meetings (three wins for Newcastle, and two for West Ham)
NEWCASTLE
The Magpies are playing in a horrible form recently, as they’ve suffered four defeats in a row, while they’ve recorded just one draw in the previous nine matches along with one draw with WBA on the road. Newcastle has dropped to the relegation zone with 15 points and a 16:27 goal difference, so Rafa Benitez will have to make some changes as soon as possible, or it will be another painful Premier League season for Newcastle’s fans.
Injuries and suspensions: Jonjo Shelvey (red card suspension)
West Ham vs. Newcastle – Match Prediction
The visitors will have to try to get a positive result here, so I expect to see a great match, and I believe will see some goals on both sides, besides West Ham’s recent defensive job.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-111)
BURNLEY vs. TOTTENHAM
3-Way: 1: Burnley +583; X: +313 Draw; 2: Tottenham -185 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1: Burnley -105; Tottenham -108
Total +2.5: Over +105; Under -127
BURNLEY
The Clarets kept the clean sheet for the third game in a row, playing a nil-nil draw with Brighton on the road in the previous round of the English Premier League. They are still in the sixth spot of the table with 32 points and a 16:12 goal difference, one point ahead of Tottenham in the seventh spot. The Clarets were great on the home soil this season, recording five wins, two draws, and two defeats with a 7:3 goal difference, while all these nine matches at Turf Moor were ended in the under.
Injuries and suspensions: Dean Marney (cruciate ligament rupture), Tom Heaton (shoulder), Jonathan Walters (knee)
Head-to-head: The Spurs won four out of their last seven H2H duels, while the other three were ended in a draw, including a 1:1 stalemate in the third round this season.
TOTTENHAM
The Spurs were hammered by Manchester City 4:1 in the previous round, and it was their second defeat in the last five Premier League matches, along with two wins and one draw. They are far away from the last season’s form, sitting in the seventh spot with 31 points and a 31:18 goal difference, three points behind Liverpool in the fourth spot. After four consecutive wins on the road, the Spurs failed to get a win in the last five away matches, recording one draw and four defeats.
Injuries and suspensions: Victor Wanyama (hyaline cartilage), Toby Alderweireld (hamstring)
Burnley vs. Tottenham – Match Prediction
The Clarets will certainly take a defensive approach, but I think we could see some goals in this clash, especially if we get a quick goal. Likewise, this could be the end of the Spurs winless string on the road.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (+105)
LEICESTER CITY vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
3-Way: 1: Leicester City +354; X: +266 Draw; 2: Manchester United -120 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Leicester City +103; Manchester United -120
Total +2.5: Over -106; Under -111
LEICESTER CITY
The Foxes put an end on a four-game winning string with a terrible 3:0 defeat against Crystal Palace at home last weekend, while they lost on penalties to Manchester City last Tuesday in the English Carabao Cup. The one-time English champions are currently in the eighth spot of the Premier League table with 26 points and a 27:26 goal difference, eight points behind Liverpool in the fourth spot. The winger Riyad Mahrez is playing in a great form recently, scoring three goals in the last five Premier League matches.
Injuries and suspensions: Robert Huth (malleolar)
Head-to-head: Manchester United won the last four H2H encounters, while they’ve beaten the Foxes 2:0 at home in the third round of this year’s campaign.
MANCHESTER UNITED
The Red Devils are trying to keep the pace with the Citizens, as they’ve won the last two Premier League matches against Bournemouth (1:0) and West Bromwich Albion (2:1), but they’ve upset the fans last Wednesday when they were beaten by Bristol City 2:1 in the English Carabao Cup. Jose Mourinho’s boys are currently in the second spot of the Premier League table with 41 points and a 39:12 goal difference, while on the road they’ve won three games in a row.
Injuries and suspensions: Eric Bailly (ankle), Michael Carrick (heart), Marouane Fellaini (knee)
Leicester City vs. Manchester United – Match Prediction
The visitors will have to look for a win here if they want to keep the pace with Manchester City, but the Foxes are playing pretty well recently, and I believe they can score in front of the home fans.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-123)
