The Premier League sees off 2024 with 10 action packed mid-week fixtures.
Game Week 19 kicks off with Man City taking on fellow strugglers Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Elsewhere, Liverpool look to finish the year on top with a win over the Hammers, Man U host the Toon and Arsenal meet Brentford in a London derby.
The Offside Oracle has previewed every Premier League fixture and provided his best betting plays below.
Only three sides have endured a worse run of form over the past 10 league fixtures than the Sky Blues (3W,1D,6L), and one of those clubs is Leicester (2W,2D,6L).
The Citizens have won five straight league fixtures against the Foxes, outscoring them 13-4 across the trip, while Haaland scored two in the pair’s last meeting.
Leicester’s defence has been a their biggest pain point this season, conceding the 2nd most goals in the league (37GA), allowing 19 goals across their last seven starts.
Same can be said or Man City’s defensive efforts of late, with the 4x Champs keeping just one clean sheet in their last 12 games across all competitions.
I’m going to back against either defensive lines clicking, taking over 3.5 total goals combined with Haaland finding the back of the net.
(As of 23rd Dec)
Speaking of bad defence, Tottenham host the Wolves in what promises to be a goal-fest.
As of GW17, Wolverhampton lead the league in goals conceded, with 40 strikes against, while the Spurs have conceded 3+ goals in three of their last five games across all comps, including 6 against the Reds.
Will we see less goals here? I don’t think so!
I’m taking both sides to score, combined with over 3.5 total goals.
(As of 23rd Dec)
Two of this season’s surprise packages go toe-to-toe at Craven Cottage as Fulham plays host to Bournemouth.
The Cherries are 2nd in form across the last five league fixtures (4W,1D), and have won their last three away fixtures, including a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Fulham are unbeaten across the same trip, but have drawn four of their last five games (1W), including impressive stalemates against both Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Cherries have won two of the last three fixtures against the Cottagers (1L), and I’m backing them to stay in touch with the top four with another victory here.
(As of 23rd Dec)
The Saints enjoyed a new manager bump in GW17, holding Fulham to a 0-0 draw, securing just their 2nd clean sheet of the season.
That being said, the Saints are still comfortably the worst team in the comp, sitting eight points adrift of safety, having scored a measly 11 goals in 17 games.
I’m taking the Eagles to claim a win at home, combined with 2+ Shots on Target by Mateta.
(As of 23rd Dec)
Notts Forest are sitting inside the top 4 as of GW17, after claiming three wins on the trot, with victories over Man U, Villa and Brentford.
Their victory against the Bees, was Brentford’s first defeat at home this season!
Meanwhile, the Toffees are unbeaten across their last three games, but are struggling to find the back of the net, kept scoreless in four of their last five league fixtures.
I’m backing the Trees to continue their incredible run, winning as away underdogs.
(As of 23rd Dec)
The Reds look to put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack with a convincing display against the Hammers on the road.
Liverpool bettered the Irons 5-1 in the EFL Cup in late September, with both Jota and Gakpo scoring a brace.
The Reds are unbeaten in seven games against West Ham (6W,1D), with both teams scoring in each of the pair’s last five meetings.
I’m taking the Reds to win in London, combined with Shots on Target by Salah, Dias and Gakpo.
(As of 23rd Dec)
Aston Villa host Brighton on Tuesday morning in what promises to be an intriguing fixture.
It’s been a lean month for the Seagulls, who are winless in their last five starts (3D,2L) and sliding towards the bottom half of the table (10th).
They’ll take on a Villa side who have won four of their last five games across all comps, most recently seeing off Man City at home.
The Home side has won the last three league fixtures between this pair (Villa 2W, Brighton 1W), while the Villans won the three games prior.
All the form points towards Villa, and I’m happy to take the home side at just under evens.
(As of 23rd Dec)
Chelsea look to finish 2024 in 2nd place with a victory over bottom three side Ipswich.
The Blues remain unbeaten in all comps since late October, winning 9 of their 12 games across the trip (3D).
Meanwhile, Ipswich have won two games across all comps this season (6D,10L), and look to have a survival fight on their hands.
I’m backing the Blues to win this one comfortably.
(As of 23rd Dec)
The Red Devils continue to struggle to find rhythm under new manager Ruben Amorim, conceding 3+ goals in back-to-back defeats across all comps.
Alternatively, the Toon are finally beginning to find their feet, winning three straight games across all comps, scoring 11 goals across the trip, four off the boot of Isak.
Newcastle have won three of their last four meetings with Man U, including a 3-0 cup win at Old Trafford.
$2.95 is outstanding value for the Magpies.
(As of 23rd Dec)
Game Week 19 comes to a close on Thursday morning (AEST), when the Bees host the Gunners in a London Derby.
Brentford have endured a not-so-festive period of late, losing four of their last five games in all comps, including their first league defeat at home in GW17.
Alternatively, the Gunners are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive fixtures (7W,3D), and seem to have found their mojo with eight goals across their last two games, five of which belong to Jesus.
Arsenal has won five of the last six competitive outings against Brentford (1D).
I’m taking the visitors to win here, combined with a shot on target by Jesus.
(As of 23rd Dec)