The festive football season is alive and well, as we’re treated to the third round of Premier League fixtures this week!
Game Week 16 gets underway on Saturday night (AEST) when Liverpool has the chance to move top of the table with a win over Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa are out to continue their giant-killing run when they host the Gunners, Man U takes on the in-form Cherries and Tottenham goes to war with Newcastle!
Our VAR virtuoso has previewed all ten Premier League fixtures and provided his best bets below!
Crystal Palace and Liverpool meet in the early Saturday kickoff, with both sides entering this game on a 68hr turnaround.
The Eagles have enjoyed some level of success against the Reds, claiming two points in the pair’s last two league meetings.
Although, you’d have to flick back nine years to find Crystal Palace’s last home victory over Liverpool, a game in which Mile Jedinak scored!
Prior to last season’s draws, Liverpool had won the previous 10 league fixtures against the Eagles, outscoring them 30-6 across the trip!
I’m backing Liverpool to secure another multi goal victory at the expense of the home side here.
One on the league’s most elite scoring sides is set to take on one of the worst defensive sides in what should be an absolute thrilling contest.
Burnley are languishing in 19th place on the ladder after suffering their 12th defeat of the season (2W,1D), going down 1-0 to Wolves mid-week.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s leaky defence is letting them down this season, with the Seagulls yet to keep a clean sheet.
I’m backing the home side to come away with a win here, with over 2.5 total goals scored.
The Blades take on the Bees for the first time in Premier League history.
Both sides enter this fixture off the back of mid-week defeats, leaving the Blades stranded at the foot of the table.
Brentford rotated a large portion of their squad in the mid-week fixture and should be the fresher of the two sides here.
I’m backing the Bees to take all three points on the road.
Manchester United are bidding for back-to-back league wins and their fourth straight victory over the Cherries.
The Red Devils saw Chelsea off 2-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday morning (AEST), a scoreline which flattered the visitors.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth made light work of a struggling Eagles outfit, extending their unbeaten league run to four games (3W,1D).
Man U has made a habit of picking up tight victories against minnows this season.
I can’t see Ten Haag’s side holding the Cherries out here, but I think things are beginning to click for the fallen giants.
It’s Notts looking good for Forest at the minute…
Nottingham were walloped 5-0 by Fulham last time out and are staring down the barrel of five straight league defeats!
Meanwhile, the Wolves have a chance to climb into the top half of the table with a win here, and extend a run of five games without defeat at home (3W,2D).
I’d be surprised if Forest enter this clash with Steve Cooper still at the helm, with rumours swirling around his job security.
I like the home team here, combined with a shot on target from Cunha.
After knocking off Manchester City, Aston Villa turn their focus to league leaders, Arsenal.
The Villans top the league on home form, winning all seven of their fixtures at Villa Park, outscoring their opponents 24-5!
Meanwhile, the Gunners remain top of the table after seeing off Luton Town in dramatic fashion, with Rice striking in the 97th minute to complete a 4-3 win over the minnows.
Despite topping the league, the Gunners have looked vulnerable of late and I can’t see stoping this Emery driven monster.
As we enter the festive period, it only seems fitting we enjoy a battle of the Hams.
Fulham are looking to secure their fourth win from their last five home league fixtures when they welcome the Hammers to Craven Cottage.
Meanwhile, West Ham have lost three of their last four league away games (as of GW14), with their only road victory during that spell coming against Burnley.
The Irons hold a decent record against the Cottagers, winning five of the pairs last six meetings (1D).
Despite Fulham’s recent home form, the Hammers have them outmatched across the park and should continue their dominance in this fixture.
The Hatters play host to a Man City side with their backs well and truly against the wall.
In no point during his decorated managerial career has Pep failed to win a game in five consecutive league fixtures, a draw or a defeat here will change that.
The Citizens will welcome back Rodri and Grealish for this fixture, after the pair served out a one week suspension during their sides mid-week defeat to Villa.
Meanwhile, Luton almost completed the upset of the season, leading Arsenal 3-2, before conceding two late goals.
After managing just two shots on target against Villa, I’m predicting Pep will throw the kitchen sink at Luton, backing his forwards to out-fire the minnows.
Haaland has been extremely quiet by his standards, I’m backing the PL’s leading scorer to break his two game dry spell with a brace here.
The Toffees look to pile on the pressure to Pochettino when they play host to Chelsea this weekend.
The Blues have lost back-to-back away fixtures and risk dropping as low as 13th place should they lose again.
Meanwhile, Everton are in great form for a side fighting for survival, losing just once across their last six games in all comps (4W,1D) (as of GW14).
The Toffees have won four of their last five home games against the Blues (1L) and will feel confident heading into this one.
I believe to Toffees’ low block will be extremely difficult for a side of Chelsea’s strengths to break down, with Poch’s side thriving on transition football this season.
I’m backing Dyche’s team to take all points here, with the first real questions over Pochettino’s tenure set to arise.
Game week 16 wraps up with an absolute humdinger!
The Spurs welcome Newcastle to London, in a fixture which is sure to see goals.
The Toon completed the double over the Spurs last season, most recently pulling down their pants in a 6-1 hammering in North London.
Although, Tottenham are a much changed outfit since that defeat, the pain will still be felt throughout the club.
I can see the Magpies forward line finding much joy on the transition against the ever pressing Spurs.
On the flip side, Tottenham’s unrelenting high line will relish the chance to exploit Newcastle’s attacking fullbacks.
I’m going to go out on the limb here and suggest that we could see a few goals!