The festive period is drawing to a close as we look forward to the New Year fixtures, which this year take place on the 2nd January, but does a new year mean a change of form for teams desperate of a succesful run in to the end of the season.
Acca – Cardiff/Leicester/Leeds/Preston – 1pt Win @ 18.13/1
WinDrawWin Acca – Arsenal/Man Utd/Man City/Chelsea – 1pt Win @ 6.59/1
First Goalscorer – Jamie Vardy – 1pt Win @ 4/1
West Ham v Liverpool
The new year kicks off with an intruiging clash as Slaven Bilic takes on a stuttering Liverpool team at Upton Park. West Ham are showing a steady form at the moment as they are unbeaten in six matches until their defeat at the hands of Southampton a few days ago, whereas Liverpool appear to be building up some steam with two consecutive 1-0 wins.
West Ham deservedly hammered their opponents in the reverse fixture at Anfield with an impressive and formidable display infront of the kop, a lot has changed since then though and Liverpool are now a more stubborn team to break down as well as creating far mor chances. It is not a game for big bets but if I was forced to make a selection I would go for a 1-0 or 2-1 win for Liverpool.
Leicester v Bournemouth
It should be a return to service as usual for Leicester on Saturday at home to an improving Bournemouth side, Leicester showed some great resiliance in the hard fought draw against Man City, which showed the defeat to Liverpool hasnt affected their confidence.
Bournmouth however have played two tough games in the space of just a few days that will have taken their toll on what is essentially a thin squad for the Premier League.
Leicester have the luxury of posessing two of the league’s most impressive players in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, whom i would expect to give Bournemouth’s defenders a torrid time. At even money they have to be part of my acca. Jamie Vardy also can’t go unbacked at 4/1 Coral.
Everton v Tottenham
Everton are somewhat of an enigma of late, depsite playing some impressive and entertaining football, their defeding leaves a lot to be desired as they are leaking goals at an alarming rate, having now dropped out of the top ten. Tottenham on the other hand are sitting comfrotably in fourth place and look a tough team to tackle.
The home side clearly need to solidify themselves at the back and fast if they are to compete against teams like Spurs, this fixture would be a great place to start if they are to build any momentum for the second half of the season.
Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane are the two men to watch and I suspect both will be amongst the action once again.