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Welcome to December, and a hectic month in the Premier League. Matches from the top tier of English football come thick and fast as we race towards the festive period. It’s a rapid turnaround, with all 20 teams returning to action in midweek following a dramatic weekend. Round 14 boasts some exciting games, and we cover the best of them on this page.
Play begins on Tuesday, with a three-match programme. EPL gameweek 14 brings another six on Wednesday, with the spare at Old Trafford on Thursday evening. There’s a lot to play for across the board, as battle rages at both ends of the table. Which sides will capture three points and boost their chances of playing in Europe next term?
Flashscore’s football betting writer Frank Monkhouse arrives in fantastic form. He has led followers to some memorable winners and profits in recent weeks, beating the bookies in the international break, the Champions League, and round 13 of the Premier League. Looking for more bets? Keep reading for his six of the best in midweek.
Fulham v Man City, Tuesday, 19:30 GMT
Our first preview covers an interesting match in London as Fulham welcome Manchester City to Craven Cottage. The home team suffered a poor run of form, but managed to steady the ship in recent weeks. The Cottagers’ stats show they lost 2-0 at Everton last month, but did beat bottom club Wolves 3-0, then Sunderland, and Spurs by a single goal.
Critics predicted Manchester City would endure a tough season in the Premier League and Champions League. The cash-rich club did start poorly, but are now back in the mix and will surely play their part in an exciting title race this season. Man City aim to keep themselves within touching distance of the current leaders, Arsenal. Three points is the goal here.
Neither team brings consistency into this fixture, but both Fulham and Man City have claimed important wins recently. The big-name visitors did lose to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen late last month, but I’m picking them to edge out Fulham. City beat the Cottagers home and away last term, scoring five goals and conceding only two.
Tip: Man City win @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Man City out-score Fulham, you’ll secure a profit.
Newcastle v Tottenham, Tuesday, 20:15 GMT
Slightly later on Tuesday, we move to St James’ Park, where two Champions League teams collide before a huge audience. Newcastle fans have enjoyed some memorable wins of late, including a 2-1 when Man City came calling, and a 2-0 here against Spanish La Liga side Athletic Club. Another victory would fire them up the EPL table and clear of trouble.
Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa League last season under former manager Ange Postecoglou. Despite that success on the continent, poor results in the Premier League eventually cost the Australian his position. Unfortunately for fans, not too much has changed under Thomas Frank. Spurs are well off the pace and struggling for consistency.
Newcastle are no world beaters, that much is obvious from their patchy league form. But they are difficult to beat at home and enter this match with confidence. The Magpies impressed when shocking Man City at this venue, with Harvey Barnes scoring two goals less than seven minutes apart. Over 2.5 goals was a winning bet in nine of the last ten meetings.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want to see Newcastle and Spurs score at least three goals combined.
Arsenal v Brentford, Wednesday, 19:30 GMT
Switching to the first of three games on Wednesday, and we’re returning to the home of the league leaders, Arsenal. The Gunners reminded fans and doubters of their class when thumping Bayern Munich 3-1 in the Champions League when last playing at home. A tight defence kept Harry Kane quiet, while a ruthless attack turned chances into goals.
Brentford have the unenviable task of travelling across the city to visit Arsenal in north London. The Bees have blown hot and cold this season, scoring recent wins over Newcastle and Liverpool, but losing to Crystal Palace and Brighton. Brentford’s season won’t be defined by how they perform against the big names. Their job is to avoid relegation.
Looking at recent meetings of these neighbours, the head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore app make for interesting reading. Arsenal haven’t lost to Brentford in eight meetings, a run stretching back to August 2021 when the Bees won 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium. Keep it simple and back Arsenal to beat Brentford.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 3/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You’re betting on Arsenal to beat Brentford, regardless of the final score and who gets the goals.
Wolves v Nottingham Forest, Wednesday, 19:30 GMT
Most followers of the English Premier League feared the worst for Wolverhampton Wanderers this season. The team from Molineux finished down in 16th last season, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship. They might not get so lucky this season. It’s obvious Wolves didn’t learn the harsh lessons from last term, and are bottom of the pile.
Nottingham Forest are well aware of their hosts’ troubles, but the Tricky Trees can’t afford to take Wolves lightly. The visitors are worryingly close to the relegation zone, knowing they need to start putting a run of wins together to climb the ladder. Forest do appear to be moving in the right direction after beating Liverpool and Leeds, scoring three past each.
It’s fair to say that Nottingham Forest aren’t exactly a team you can rely on this term, and they won’t appear on bet slips too often. But Sean Dyche’s team are improving, and their squad is good enough to beat the worst team in the league. They’ll be made to work for the points by an opponent already fighting for their lives, but they should get the job done.
Tip: Nottingham Forest or draw @ 4/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Your bet wins if Nottingham Forest avoid defeat at Wolves.
Leeds v Chelsea, Wednesday, 20:15 GMT
The final match of three covered on Wednesday comes from Elland Road, where an under-pressure Leeds play a confident Chelsea. The home team aren’t performing anywhere near the levels expected of them following an important summer. A losing streak dragged them towards the danger zone, and the club knows they must fight back, and soon.
I am a big fan of Chelsea this season, and picked them to win the league. They’ve not shown their best yet, but we have seen glimpses of what the Blues are capable of when firing on all cylinders. Chelsea won the Club World Cup in the summer, beat Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League, and are pushing Arsenal hard for top spot.
Beating Leeds United at Elland Road is no mean feat, and I’m predicting a fiercely competitive 90 minutes in West Yorkshire. The locals will have the crowd behind them, willing the players to an upset win, but I’m sticking with Chelsea. The Londoners showed their class when bashing Barca, and won 3-2 when the clubs last crossed paths.
Tip: Chelsea or draw @ 2/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Anything but a home win will boost your betting balance.
Manchester United v West Ham, Thursday, 20:00 GMT
Our final match preview comes from Old Trafford on Thursday evening. You can follow every tackle, pass, and goal from the Theatre of Dreams on television or the best live streaming apps. But which side will win? The Red Devils take confidence from some fantastic recent victories, including a 4-2 when Brighton were in town and a memorable 2-1 win at Anfield.
West Ham started the season poorly, and you’ll find the Hammers at the wrong end of the division as a result. The team from East London suffered recent defeats to Leeds, Brentford, and Arsenal in October. They did beat Newcastle and Burnley in November, before battling to a useful four-goal draw at Dean Court. They’ve certainly had no problems scoring.
Looking at the head-to-head stats, we see the Hammers and Red Devils bagged a combined five goals in two matches last season. West Ham did the double over Man Utd, winning 2-1 at the London Stadium, before securing a stunning 2-0 win at this venue back in May. Interestingly, under 3.5 goals was a winning bet in each of the last five. We stick with that.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Man Utd v West Ham must produce fewer than four goals from both teams combined.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.