PREMIER LEAGUE - WEEK 20
Spurs vs Newcastle
Normal service resumes in the Premier League after a hectic Christmas schedule. Spurs will be hoping for a better start to 2025 than how 2024 ended, collecting just 1 point from their last 3 games and slipping back to 11th in the table. Their defensive issues look to be their biggest problem and are without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies as well as first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Newcastle on the other hand have enjoyed recent success winning their last 4 games, keeping a clean sheet in each game while scoring a combined 13 goals. On paper, this could be a great opportunity for the Magpies to continue their winning streak and they are great value to do so. Check our Spurs vs Newcastle markets here.
Prediction – Newcastle 1x2 @2.24
Brighton vs Arsenal
The late kick-off on Saturday sees Brighton entertain the Gunners at the Amex stadium. It has been a frustrating time for the hosts who have drawn their last 3 games and are without a win in their last 7. They have now dropped to 10th in the league and are in danger of dropping out of the top half of the table should they lose here.
Arsenal are in good form, having won their last 4 in all competitions. Despite the loss of Saka, they have still shown they can find the net, scoring 3 against Brentford last time out. A win is essential for the Gunners if they are to keep on the tail of league leaders Liverpool
Despite Saka’s injury this Arsenal side just looks too strong for the Seagulls. Gabriel Jesus has slotted into the team and has found his scoring boots. I expect an away win in what should be a high-scoring affair. Check our Brighton vs Arsenal markets here.
Prediction – Arsenal 1x2 & Over 2.5 goals @2.60
Fulham vs Ipswich
Unbeaten in seven successive Premier League matches since the start of December, Fulham welcome relegation battlers Ipswich Town to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. The Cottagers’ most recent outing, last Sunday, ended in a 2-2 stalemate with Bournemouth despite Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson giving the West Londoners the lead on two separate occasions. Marco Silva’s side find themselves in eighth place in the English top-flight table heading into the weekend’s action, just six points shy of the top four.
Their opponents at the weekend, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone in 18th place despite recording a monumental 2-0 win over high-flying Chelsea at Portman Road in their last league fixture. Goals from Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson inspired the Tractor Boys to their first home league victory of the campaign, lifting them above relegation rivals Leicester City and moving them within a point of safety. Check our Fulham vs Ipswich markets here.
Prediction – Draw @ 4.20
Liverpool vs Manchester Utd
After the departure of Jürgen Klopp, 2024 was due to be a testing year for Liverpool, but Arne Slot has come in and expertly built on the German’s foundations, leading the Reds to a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League.
Confidence in the away camp appears to be at an all-time low for multiple reasons, one being that their last nine trips to Anfield have seen United score just once and go without victory (D4, L5). Their recent form only points to a continuation of this dire streak, seeing as they’ve lost each of their last three Premier League games ‘to nil’ to leave the Red Devils languishing in the bottom half of the table.
With Mo Salah playing Playstation-inspired football, Man U look to be in for a torrid afternoon. Check our Liverpool vs Manchester Utd markets here.
Prediction – Liverpool -1.75 @ 2.07
Wolves vs Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ decision to replace Gary O’Neil with Vítor Pereira before Christmas has reaped dividends as they’re unbeaten since (W2, D1), ending 2024 by drawing 2-2 at Tottenham. However, Pereira now faces another challenge with key forward Matheus Cunha suspended for this fixture for misconduct after last month’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich.
With Cunha absent, they might be hard-pressed to extend their record of scoring in each of their last 11 home league games (W3, D1, L7), including their 2-0 win over Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Nottingham Forest starts 2025 in the top four, bringing back memories of the late 1970s/early 1980s when they battled Liverpool for domestic supremacy! Nuno Espirito Santo returns to his first English club he managed with his team full of confidence and aiming to make it 4 away wins on the bounce. Check our Wolves vs Nottingham Forest markets here.
Prediction – Draw @ 3.25
