Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
The Reds will travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday, December 19th at 11:30pm (All times AEST).
Liverpool have reclaimed top place in the Premier League after an enthralling 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield midweek, with Bobby Firmino the difference once again.
While their fans will be celebrating their return to their spot above the mantle, their players will have to quickly turn their attention to Saturday’s fixture against Crystal Palace in London.
The Eagles have been in strong form after going undefeated in their past three matches, collecting points against West Ham away, Tottenham and by putting five past West Brom.
One man that seems to have found his spark is Palace forward and former Red, Christian Benteke, who has scored three goals in his past three matches.
Unfortunately the Belgium striker also collected a red card midweek and is set to miss the clash against his old side in what will be some weight off the shoulders of Liverpool’s back-line.
The Eagles have had some famous wins over the Reds dating back the past decade, but the Merseyside giants have been victorious in the past seven meetings between the two sides.
With the reigning champions now placed atop the perch of the top flight table, Jurgen Klopp will be looking to hold onto the prized positioning and will have to start his defense with a trip south to the country’s capital.
Will the Reds continue their run on top of the table? Or will the Eagles have their revenge?
Our Tip: Liverpool Win @ $1.50
Southampton vs Manchester City
The Saints will welcome Manchester City on Sunday, December 20 at 2:00am.
Despite going undefeated in their past four matches, frustrations are at a breaking point for Manchester City following consecutive stalemates against cross-town rivals Man. United and West Brom.
Pep Guardiola’s side were able to register 26 shots at goal in their midweek tie with the Baggies and only managed to find the net on one occasion, while the Midlands club managed just one shot on target and equalised through a Ruben Dias own goal.
The Sky Blues sit in eighth place on the table and four points away from Southampton, who have managed to remain in the bracket of the league after a 1-1 draw with the struggling Gunners.
Theo Walcott was one the scoresheet against his former side and will hope for more of the same fortune when he lines up against City, who are struggling to keep the ball out of their own net despite having one of the most expensive defensive lines in the world.
The Saints collected all three points against the Mancunians in their most previous fixture, with Che Adams the difference in their 1-0 victory at home in July.
The seven previous fixtures between the two clubs were in favour of City. who will enter this weekend as clear favourites to end on top after 90 minutes.
If City are to be victorious and want to return to title contention, they will need players around Kevin De Bruyne to lift, with Pep currently running a one-man marching band.
Will City’s woes continue? Or will they move into the league’s top five this weekend?
Our Tip: Manchester City Win @ $1.44
Manchester United vs Leeds United
United will welcome Leeds United to Old Trafford on Monday, December 21 at 3:30am.
The most anticipated fixture of the season. Manchester United vs Leeds, at Old Trafford.
After 16 of the longest years for Whites fans, they finally made their return to the top flight and would have been dreaming of the day they could make the away trip to the Theatre of Dreams.
Unfortunately 2020 had other plans and with fans not permitted into stadiums, the Leeds faithful will have to wait a little longer.
While the atmosphere won’t be as tantalising, the battle on the pitch is sure to be heated and heavy hearted.
It has been 6,114 days since these two English giants played off in the Premier League, with a 1-1 transpiring in front of 67,744 fans at Old Trafford. Both clubs have earnt bragging rights since in domestic fixtures, but nothing will be as important and enthralling as what comes to fruition this weekend.
Leeds will be coming off a dominant display against Newcastle, with five players writing their name into the scorer’s sheet in the vital win, while the Red Devils will have a shorter turn-around after their Friday fixture against Sheffield United.
The Whites can close the gap on their arch-rivals this weekend with a second straight victory, while United will be looking to earn their stripes as a top four contender.
Will United get the chocolates over their rivals? Or will Leeds get their first win at Old Trafford since 2010?
Our Tip: Manchester United win @ $1.66
