Matchweek 19
Manchester City ($1.16) vs Leicester ($15) – Monday 27th December @2:00am AEDT
League leaders Manchester City host Leicester in the opening Boxing Day fixture of the round.
City, even for their lofty standards, are in a white-hot vein of form, scoring 11 goals without conceding in their last two outings.
The blue half of Manchester sit three points ahead of Liverpool, following the Reds dropping points away at Spurs last weekend.
Meanwhile, for arguably the first time in Brendan Rodgers’ managerial career at Leicester, the Northern Irishman is starting to feel the pressure.
Leicester were embarrassingly knocked out of the Europa League group stage recently, to be condemned to the Europa Conference League, before they let a two-goal lead at Liverpool slip midweek to be dumped out of the Carabao Cup.
The Foxes are on their knees at the moment and need a huge response at the toughest away fixture in England.
Team News
Kyle Walker could be sidelined once again, having missed City’s last two matches against Leeds and Newcastle.
For Leicester, injuries to Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans, means that Brendan Rodgers might have to opt for midfielder Wilfred Ndidi in the back four again.
Best Bets
Over/Under: Over 3.5 ($1.99)
Tottenham ($1.72) vs Crystal Palace ($4.50) – Monday 27th December @2:00am AEDT
Tottenham take on London rivals Crystal Palace on Monday morning.
Spurs, who just booked a semi-final place in the Carabao Cup after beating West Ham midweek, will be out to avenge a 3-0 hammering they received from the Eagles in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
While Tottenham sit seventh in the table, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, they have three games in hand and are in a strong position to move towards the top four.
Palace have won just one of their past six matches, as the Eagles have struggled to maintain their early-season momentum.
Team News
Centre-half Cristian Romero remains a long-term injury for Spurs, while Ryan Sessegnon picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend.
For Palace, veteran James McArthur is still struggling with a hamstring injury, though Joachim Anderson looks set to return for the Eagles.
Best Bets
Match Result: Tottenham ($1.72)
Aston Villa ($4.80) vs Chelsea ($1.67) – Monday 27th December @4:30 am AEDT
Third-placed Chelsea travel to Villa Park in a desperate search for a win to keep their title chances alive.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have been unable to maintain their early-season promise and now sit six points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa have come to life after the appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager, securing 12 points from six matches since the former Rangers boss took charge.
Villa’s only defeats since the Liverpool legend’s appointment as manager have come at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool, who look to be running away with together with the title race.
Chelsea simply need to win here, or the faint murmurs doubting Tuchel’s position as Chelsea boss might start to turn into audible noise.
Team News
Chelsea will look to welcome back N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic to partner Jorginho.
Aston Villa will likely be without Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore through injury.
Best Bets
Match Result: Aston Villa ($4.80)
