We can put another painful international break behind us and look forward to a jam-packed festive period of club football, kicking off with Gameweek 12 of the Premier League.
The action gets underway in Leicester, where the Foxes take on their former manager and the in-form Blues.
Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Ipswich, as Man United play their first fixture under the rule of Ruben Amorim.
Our Offside Oracle has previewed all 10 EPL fixtures and provided his best bets below.
The Blues look to consolidate their position inside the top four when they travel to King Power Stadium to take on the Foxes.
Chelsea have lost just twice across the opening 11 games of the season (5W,4D), with both defeats coming against title challengers Man City and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Leicester have just two wins across the same trip (4D,5L), and sit three points above the drop zone.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last six games against the Foxes in all comps (5W,1D), with an aggregate of 15 goals to 6.
I’m taking Chelsea to claim all three points on the road, combined with over 2.5 total goals.
Fulham look to make it three league wins in a row when they welcome Wolverhampton to the Cottage.
Wolves picked up their first league win 11 weeks into the season, a victory which came against cellar dwellers Southampton.
Another win for Fulham here would see them climb into the top four, be it momentarily.
I’m backing the Cottagers to win at home combined with over 1.5 total goals scored.
The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Gunners, who were on a four game winless streak in the league, dropping nine points behind competition leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal have won their last two fixtures against the Trees, with both sides scoring in each fixture.
Nottingham’s success this season has gone hand-in-hand with the form of Chris Wood, who is equal second in the golden boot race with 8 goals!
Forest’s now manager Nuno Espirito has enjoyed coaching against the Gunners in the past, losing just one of his previous four games at the Emirates (1W,2D).
While seven of his last eight games against Arsenal have seen both teams score.
I’m backing the home side to prevail, but not without conceding.
Everton host Brentford in a game worth missing from a neutral’s perspective.
The Toffees have only lost once in their last seven league starts (2W,4D), with their defensive performances largely attributing to the results, with just two goals conceded in their previous five games.
Meanwhile, the Bees have won five and lost five games this season (1D), with all five of their defeats coming on the road, their 0 away points is equal worst with Southampton.
Despite all the evidence pointing towards a Toffee’s victory here, I can’t bring myself to back them in the head-to-head market, instead I’ll be taking the Unders to salute.
Bournemouth vs Brighton is one of the more exciting fixtures on the GW12 slate, which both sides capable of playing eye-catching football.
Both sides enter this fixture off the back of recent league wins against reigning champions Manchester City, while the Cherries also knocked off the Gunners at home in GW8.
Brighton are currently sitting sixth on the league table, but are equal on points with Chelsea in third place, with their only two league defeats against league leaders Liverpool and the Blues.
Alternatively, Bournemouth have been far more volatile, losing just as many games as they have won (4).
Although the Cherries home form has been solid this season, I fancy the Seagulls to get the win here at what looks to be overs ($2.80) in the H2H market.
Tottenham travels to Manchester for what has been billed as match of the round.
The pressure is beginning to mount on Aussie Ange, whose Spurs side has lost three of their last five games across all comps, including handing Ipswich their first league win.
Although, Pep’s job may not be under threat, he too is feeling the pinch following an unheralded four straight defeats across all competitions, including a league Cup loss to the Spurs.
The last time this pair met at the Etihad Stadium the points were split in a thrilling 6-goal contest, with Son Heung-Min scoring for both teams!
Defence has been a pain point for both City and Tottenham, especially on the break.
I can see plenty of chances being created at both ends of the park here, as such I’m going to dabble in a Player Shots Multi.
SGM: $3.03
Over 2.5 Total Goals
Haaland 2+ Shots on Target
Solanke 1+ Shot(s)
Jonhson 1+ Shot(s)
The Reds have been dealt a favourable fixture to resume their 2024/25 title tilt following the international break.
They’ll take on the 20th placed Saints who have lost 9 of their 11 league fixtures (1W,1D), and have scored a league-low 7 goals.
Alternatively, the Reds have won all but two games (1D,1L), and have conceded a league-low 6 goals.
This bet really does pick itself, I’m taking Liverpool to Win to Nil.
Ruben Filipe Marques Amorim takes charge of his first EPL fixture as the head coach of Manchester United.
Will Amorim succeed where multiple world class managers have failed? Only time will tell.
His first challenged is to get past frisky PL newcomers, the Tractor Boys, who enter this home fixture off the back of their first win of the season.
I’m backing the Red Devils to enjoy the “new manager bump” in form and secure a win on the road, combined with a shot on target from club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Gameweek 12 comes to a close on Tuesday morning (AEST), when the Toon host the Hammers.
After a rough start both the season, the Magpies have righted the ship, winning their last three games in all comps, with victories against Notts Forest, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the Irons continue to hugely underperform this season, winning just three of their 11 league games, with their only away victory coming against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace.
Each of the last three meetings between this pair have seen over 3.5 goals scored, with Newcastle going undefeated (2W,1D).
I like Newcastle to win here combined with Alexander Isak finding the back of the net in a fourth straight league fixture.