Out of the kindness in their heart, the Premier League has granted players Christmas Day off to spend with their families.
Though instead of watching the Ashes, they’ll be back to work on Boxing Day, with 10 exciting fixtures to be played out!
The action kicks off on Sunday evening (AEST) when the Reds host what’s left of the Leeds United squad.
Elsewhere, Man City takes on the Foxes, Arsenal looks to build on their form against the Canaries, and United are handed a bye against the Toons.
We’ve previewed all 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend and provided our best betting plays below!
Liverpool will be looking to close the gap on City when they play host to the corpse of Leeds United on Boxing Day evening (AEST).
The Whites squad has been hammered by both Covid and injury, with Beilisa forced to name a host of teenage academy players to make up the numbers.
Instead of rallying against adversity, Leeds has imploded, conceding 14 goals across their last three games, the same tally as their 12 games prior!
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s run of six straight league wins came to a halt, following a 2-2 draw to the Spurs over the weekend, a game marred by red card controversy.
The Reds saw off the Whites 3-0 earlier in the season, with both Salah and Mane finding their way onto the score sheet.
I’m expecting a similar result this time around, with the inform Jota chipping in with a goal of his own!
The Hornets take the field for the first time in two weeks when they travel to Molineux Stadium this weekend.
Claudio Ranieri’s side will be attempting to avoid their fifth straight league defeat, while distancing themselves from the dreaded drop zone!
They’ll be taking on the league’s quiet acheivers, Wolverhampton, who have only fallen to Liverpool and City across their last seven appearances (2W,3D).
Despite owning the second lowest scoring record in the league (13 goals), the Wolves find themselves in the top eight through pure defensive determination!
Games involving Bruno Lage’s side have averaged a league low 1.5 goals, with Wolverhampton’s last seven PL fixtures all seeing one or less goals scored!
Once again their is money to be made in the total goals market here and with the like of Jimenez and Traore struggling to hit the broadside of a barn, I’m happy to continue to back the unders!
The Spurs will be looking to back up their gutsy 2-2 draw vs the Reds with a victory against crosstown rivals Crystal Palace.
The Eagles were also forced to settle for a 2-2 last weekend against the Saints, leaving them stranded in the bottom half of the table.
Crystal Palace got the better of the Spurs earlier in the season, seeing off the then Nuno Santo managed side 3-0, though a red card against Tottenham defender Japher Tanganga lent a hand to the cause.
Since Conte has taken the wheel, Tottenham has gone five league games without defeat (3W,2D), conceding just three goals across the trip.
I’m backing Conte’s run to continue here, with his side holding out for another low-scoring victory.
The Gunners look to extend their spell of dominance when they take to the field against the Canaries.
Arteta’s side has won their last three league fixtures, outscoring their opponents 9-1 across the trip.
Alternatively, Norwich has lost their last three fixtures without so much as bothering the scorekeeper.
The Canaries are goalless in all seven games they’ve played against teams sitting inside the top eight, including a 1-0 defeat to the Gunners in GW4.
Arsenal are a much-improved outfit since that victory and while I can see more than one goal scored on this occasion, I can’t see the home side contributing to the scoresheet.
Burnley plays host to Everton in a contest devoid of festive spirit.
The Clarets continue searching for their second win of the season, as they risk falling deeper into the drop zone.
Meanwhile, the Toffees have only won once across their previous 11 league fixtures and are struggling to field a squad of 11 fit players.
Four of Burnley’s last five fixtures have resulted in a draw, with neither side setting the world alight at the minute, this fixture too, seems destined to finish as a stalemate.
West Ham will attempt to arrest their form slump when they welcome the Saints to Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers conceded their top-four spot to Arsenal last weekend, after winning just once across their last six league outings (2D,3L).
Fortunately for David Moyes and his side, they’ll be coming up against a Saints outfit who are winless in six games and lacking any real talent!
I’m backing the home side to get up in a game that should see chances created at both ends of the park.
Man City are looking to build on their three-point buffer atop of the league following a string of favourable results last weekend.
Standing in their way is Leicester City, who are out to claim back-to-back victories for just the second time this season.
The Citizens are on the march towards nine straight league wins, and though Leicester provides a step up in class to the home side’s last two opponents in Leeds and Newcastle, I can’t see Pep’s side being slowed.
City has scored 11 goals over their last two fixtures and I’m expecting the onion bag to bulge once again here.
From league leaders to point bleeders, the Chelsea Football Club is at risk of bundling out of the championship race unless they turn around their form here.
Tuchel’s side has dropped points in three of their last four PL games (2D,1L), leaving them six points behind Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa has won four of their last six games (2L), falling only to Liverpool and City across the trip.
Both sides will be missing a host of players through covid protocols, which will undoubtedly affect the quality of football on display.
This is a must-win contest for Chelsea and I’m backing them to step the challenge, though, without Lukaku, Werner, and Havertz, the Blues defense will need to be the deciding factor.
Much like Burley vs Everton, this fixture doesn’t offer a great deal of value to the neutral spectator.
Brighton is without a league win since GW5 (8D,3L), yet somehow there enter this match as $1.91 favourites.
Meanwhile, Brentford enter this game off the back of a win against Watford, be it two weeks ago!
The Bees will also be welcoming back their star striker, Ivan Toney, who has been absent through injury.
At the time of publishing the Seagulls have 12 players on their injury report, with almost the entirety of their defensive stocks depleted!
The Bookies are yet to clue onto the home side’s squad status, with the Bees currently sitting as huge $4.25 overs, a price I’m more than happy to jump on!
The Game Week 19 action wraps up on Tuesday morning (AEST) when Man U travels to St. James Park.
United are searching for their fourth straight league win since the departure of Ole, while Newcastle are in the market for the fourth straight belting!
The Toons have conceded 11 goals across their last three league games, while the four last meetings between this pair have all seen over 3.5 goals scored!
I’m b backing the Toons’ defensive woes to continue, with United cashing in with a big win!