PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS – DECEMBER 10-11

Watford v Everton – Saturday 1230

Positions: Watford 11^th, Everton 8^th

Form (league matches only – earliest matches first):

Watford DWLWLL (7pts)

Everton LWLDLD (5pts)

• Neither side is in great form at the moment, but Everton may just have the stronger squad and could take three points if they play to their full potential. Watford’s Roberto Peyreyra misses this match with suspension, however his ban has been reduced to one match following his sending off and he will be back for the midweek programme. Everton forward Yannick Bolasie will be out for 12 months with a knee ligament injury.

Arsenal v Stoke City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Arsenal 2^nd, Stoke 9^th

Form:

Arsenal DWDDWW (12pts)

Stoke WWDLWW (13pts)

• Stoke are undoubtedly in good form, but may just find Arsenal, who have produced some truly magnificent displays in recent weeks, just too hot to handle. Stoke also have defensive injury problems, with Bruno Martins Indi feared to have fractured his cheekbone last week, and Phil Bardsley not expected to return until the New Year after his knee injury. Ryan Shawcross also missed last week’s match with a calf injury.

Burnley v Bournemouth – Saturday 1500

Positions: Burnley 15^th, Bournemouth 10^th

Form:

Burnley WDWLLL (7pts)

Bournemouth DLLWLW (7pts)

• Burnley have won half of their home matches so far, but have now lost three on the bounce when you look at both home and away fixtures. Buoyed by their amazing comeback against Liverpool last week, the Cherries might fancy another three points here.

Hull City v Crystal Palace – Saturday 1500

Positions: Hull 19^th, Crystal Palace 14^th

Form:

Hull LLWLDL (4pts)

Crystal Palace LLLLLW (3pts)

• Crystal Palace’s players responded superbly last week to comfortably beat Southampton and end a six-match losing run. With Hull continuing to struggle – they suffered a potentially damaging defeat to Middlesbrough on Monday – Palace have an excellent opportunity to record back-to-back wins.

Swansea City v Sunderland – Saturday 1500

Positions: Swansea 20^th, Sunderland 18^th

Form:

Swansea DLLDWL (5pts)

Sunderland LLWWLW (9pts)

• After finally bagging a win two weeks ago, Swansea came rapidly back down to earth at Tottenham last week. Spurs not only won 5-0 but also had 28 attempts to Swansea’s one. Sunderland remain in the bottom three, but with only Liverpool having prevented them winning in the last four matches, they will fancy their chances. Jermain Defoe continues to score goals for Sunderland, and more may be required from him now that Duncan Watmore has suffered a season-ending injury.

Leicester City v Manchester City – Saturday 1730

Positions: Leicester 16^th, Man City 4^th

Form:

Leicester WDLLDL (5pts)

Man City DWDWWL (11pts)

• Leicester’s away form has been poor all season, but now they cannot rely on their home form either. The Foxes may try and excuse their 5-0 defeat to Porto in the Champions League in midweek by saying they made 10 changes to the team, but the truth remains that the English champions are in exceptionally poor form. Manchester City may not be playing quite like potential champions at the moment, but they must start as favourites.

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion – Sunday 1200

Positions: Chelsea 1^st, West Brom 7^th

Form:

Chelsea WWWWWW (18pts)

West Brom LLWWDW (10pts)

• West Brom are riding high in seventh place, but Chelsea made it eight wins in a row at Manchester City last week, and the leaders must start as favourites to make it nine in a row.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – Sunday 1415

Positions: Man Utd 6^th, Tottenham 5^th

Form:

Man Utd LDWDDD (7pts)

Tottenham DDDWLW (9pts)

• United still have only one win in nine in the league, and with them having endured a Europa League trip to Ukraine on Thursday, it’s difficult to be totally confident they will win this one. Spurs could have the edge, or this could continue United’s run of draws, unless United’s star players can come to the party and deliver the points for Jose Mourinho.

Southampton v Middlesbrough – Sunday 1415

Positions: Southampton 12^th, Middlesbrough 13^th

Form:

Southampton DLLDWL (5pts)

Middlesbrough DWDLDW (9pts)

• Middlesbrough have drawn five of their seven away matches to date, while Southampton have drawn three home matches, so will this be another draw? Middlesbrough’s recent form is slightly better than that of the Saints.

Liverpool v West Ham United – Sunday 1630

Positions: Liverpool 3^rd, West Ham 17th

Form:

Liverpool WWWDWL (13pts)

West Ham WLDLDL (5pts)

• Liverpool were rocked by last week’s capitulation in the last 15 minutes in losing to Bournemouth. They have conceded more goals than 13^th placed Middlesbrough, so there are defensive frailties in Jurgen Klopp’s side that any team could exploit. However, Liverpool must be fancied given West Ham’s poor form.

Tipster Street.

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