Matchweek 22
Brighton ($2) vs Crystal Palace ($3) – Saturday 15th January @7:00am AEDT
Brighton host bitter rivals Crystal Palace in the A23 derby on Saturday morning at the AMEX stadium.
The Seagulls have recaptured their early season form of late, unbeaten in their last three league games and progressing into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Graham Potter’s side are sitting pretty in 9th and have the chance to leapfrog eighth-placed Wolves with victory here.
Crystal Palace are having a fine season of their own and have the opportunity to jump into the top half of the Premier League table with victory away at their most bitter of rivals.
Palace manager Patrick Viera faces a difficult decision over young sensation Michael Olise, with the attacker putting in a sublime display against Millwall last weekend.
Team News
Brighton centre-half Lewis Dunk could be back in contention after recent injury, though they’ll miss their midfield maestro Yves Bissouma, who is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Palace will be missing Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha through Africa Cup of Nations commitments, though Conor Gallagher is available for selection once again.
Best Bets
Match Result: Brighton ($2)
Manchester City ($1.66) vs Chelsea ($5) – Saturday 15th January @11:30pm AEDT
Manchester City will be looking to knock Chelsea out of the title race at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
City will be looking to do a league double over their fellow title contenders, after they comprehensively beat Chelsea 1-0 away at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Following a mid-season wobble, Chelsea have responded well, coming from 2-0 behind to secure a draw with Liverpool, before defeating bitter rivals Spurs in the Carabao Cup semi-final and booking their ticket to Wembley.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has warmly welcomed back a host of team players in recent weeks, including midfield lynchpins N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.
The west London side can close the gap at the top to seven points with victory in Manchester.
Team News
City’s Covid issues have been well documented by manager Pep Guardiola, who is expected to give another update at his pre-match press conference.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are still without full-backs Ben Chilwell and Rhys James, who are sidelined with long-term injuries.
Best Bets
Match Result: Manchester City ($1.66)
Tottenham Hotspur ($2.60) vs Arsenal ($2.62) – Monday 17th January @3:30am AEDT
Tottenham are out for north London derby revenge as they face Arsenal on Monday morning.
Spurs, who currently sit sixth, remain undefeated in the league at home under Antonio Conte and can leapfrog their rivals with victory.
Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from an embarrassing early FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Nottingham Forest, and there is no better fixture to do it than against Spurs.
The Gunners are enjoying their best Premier League season post the Arsene Wenger era and can firm their credentials as top four contenders with a win against their old enemy.
Not that this fixture needs any extra spice, but both sides look evenly matched for the first time in years, with so much at stake as they both push for Champions League qualification.
Team News
Cristian Romero is still recovering from a long-term hamstring injury and could remain unavailable for Spurs, while Tanguy N’Dombele could be absent for selection following his infamous substitution against Morecambe in the FA Cup.
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Thomas Partey are unavailable due to their African Cup of Nations duties.
Best Bets
First Goalscorer: Harry Kane ($4.50)
