Well Christmas is nearly over for another year, and it’s
back to the beloved sports action, and Friday may be the day my TV explodes
through channel hopping, as we have a full Premier League fixture list, and 12
meetings across UK and Ireland for the racing enthusiasts, including the Grade
1 William Hill King George VI Chase………..These are the days I live for!
I’ll go through a few key stats, predictions and best tips
for both the racing and Barclays Premier League games. The horse racing stats
and tips will follow in a separate post.
The early kick-off on Boxing Day (12:45) comes from Stamford
Bridge as Chelsea host West Ham, and look to maintain their perfect record at
home, and make it 9 wins from 9 in the league this season. West Ham will be looking to make it 5 wins
from their last 6 in the league, and can head into the game full of confidence
after their impressive start to the season. It should be an entertaining and
attacking game, with plenty of action, but we’ll see.
Chelsea have only conceded 2 goals in their last 6 league
games, and just 3 in 8 at Stamford Bridge, where they’ve also scored 20 goals
(average 2.5 per game), but I can see Downing, Sakho and Carroll causing plenty
of problems.
PREDICTION
Both Teams To Score
& OVER 2.5 goals – 13/10
Correct Score –
Chelsea Win 2-1 – 15/2
Southampton travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal
Palace, in 1 of 8 15:00pm kick-offs, and the visitors will hope they’ve got
their season back on track after a 3-0 victory over Everton last week. The
Saints’ away form has been less superior than their home form, and have only
scored 7 goals away from home in the league, compared to 21 at home, although
that includes the 8 scored in one game, against Sunderland. Both teams have
similar form over the last 6 league games, with just the one win each in those
games, and it’s a difficult one to call. I can’t see Palace winning to be
honest, and I can see a low scoring game, either Southampton 1-0 or 1-1 draw.
PREDICTION
Correct Score – DRAW
1-1 – 11/2
Newcastle travel to Old Trafford after their derby loss to
Sunderland last time out, and will be looking to avoid defeat for the third
successive league game here. Louis Van Gaal was disappointed after United’s 1-1
draw with ten-man Villa, with the Red Devils failing to take advantage, and
will be hoping for a better end product and class of finishing at home to
Newcastle.
Manchester United’s home form has been good, with just 1
defeat in 9 (against Swansea on the opening weekend), scoring 19 and conceding
6. They’re looking to make it 5 consecutive home wins in the league. I can see
them winning this one and continuing their unbeaten run.
PREDICTION
