The Christmas season is upon us in the Premier League and that means that matches take place almost every day. Matchday 15 of the season takes place from Saturday to Monday and with the title race looking more and more like a three-horse race every result is crucial.
West Ham VS Chelsea – London Stadium, London
Chelsea just put in one of their worst performances of the season against an admittedly much improved Watford side. The Blues will be without the influential N’Golo Kante, but if Reece James is back from his ankle injury and Jorginho returns in midfield they will be at almost full strength. The depth of the Chelsea squad is incredible. West Ham’s form has dipped a touch after their amazing start to the season and boss David Moyes knows that they need a win soon after not picking one up in their last three games. They very much need star striker Michail Antonio to recover from his knee problem as they aren’t the same attacking threat without his ability to hold the ball up top. This isn’t the day for that, but I like them to defend well and sneak a draw at 26/10 with BetXchange.
Newcastle United VS Burnley – St. James Park, Newcastle
Just a massive game at the foot of the table as Newcastle do everything they can to get to the transfer window – where they can use the windfall of now being the richest club in the world – still in touch with the rest of the Premier League. This should make for a fascinating watch as a Magpies squad that is low on quality and confidence faces a Burnley team also desperate for a win. I think Burnley come here looking for a point and relying on their home form to carry them later in the season. They have already drawn games away at Chelsea, Leicester, and Wolves among others. Take the draw here in a low-scoring encounter.
Wolves VS Liverpool – Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
It is interesting how Diogo Jota has provided an extra element o Liverpool’s already potent attack. Without the injured Roberto Firmino (hamstring) Jota has continued to be excellent in front of goal and he gives the Reds a different option thanks to his ability to score the ugly goals that sometimes passed the team by. He will be bang up for this one as he returns back to Molineux to face his old club. Wolves are ticking along, but they have as bad an injury list as anyone in the Premier League with a number of players missing from their matchday squad including Jonny and Pedro Neto. Liverpool wins this by a couple of goals.
Aston Villa VS Leicester City – Villa Park, Birmingham
Leicester came from behind to draw 2-2 with Southampton midweek in a game they should have won by the end of it. Aston Villa went down 2-1 to Manchester City – there is no shame in that – but an injury to attacker Leon Bailey means that boss Steven Gerrard has at least one less forward option up his sleeve. Leicester has been up and down this season under Brendan Rogers, but I wonder if the Manchester United situation hasn’t played some role in that. That is in the rearview mirror now and I like the Foxes to take all three points on the road here.
