We take a look at the first 2 English Premier League fixtures of the New Year, namely Liverpool v Newcastle United on New Year’s Day and West Ham v Brighton on the 2nd of January.
Manchester City have firmed to 4/6 favourites to win the English Premier League and you can click here for all the latest long-term markets.
MONDAY
Liverpool v Newcastle United – Click here to bet
Liverpool are currently top of the table, 2 points ahead of Arsenal half-way through the season. They are undefeated in their last 10 games with 6 victories and 4 draws and last time out got back to winning ways with a 2-0 away win over Burnley having come off home draws against Arsenal and Manchester United. Liverpool have yet to lose at home this season and they have taken 23 points from a possible 27 at Anfield.
Newcastle have slipped to 9th on the log after a horror run that has seen them lose 4 of their last 5 matches. They were 4/10 favourites when beaten 3-1 at home by Nottingham last time out and their last away game saw them lose 1-0 at Luton a match where they were priced at 13/20. Their away form has been their Achilles heel this season and they have only won once in 9 starts and have lost their last 4 away games in succession.
The Redsl beat Newcastle 2-1 on the road in the reverse fixture and last season Liverpool did the double over Newcastle and won this fixture 2-1.
Liverpool are the 40/85 favourites to win the match with Newcastle priced at 11/2 and the draw at 4/1.
It is hard to look past a comfortable Liverpool victory given how Newcastle are struggling especially on the road and I am backing Liverpool to win this game by more than a goal.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Liverpool -1.5 goals at 23/20
TUESDAY
West Ham v Brighton – Click here to bet
West Ham are up to 6th on the log after an impressive run that has seen them lose just once in their last 8 matches and they have won their last 3 in a row. Last time out they beat Arsenal 2-0 on the road and their last 2 home games were a 2-0 victory over Manchester United and a 3-0 win over Wolves. 5 of the 9 West Ham home games have delivered profits for over 2.5 goal backers.
Brighton are currently 8th on the log and having taken just 2 points from their previous 9 they have played for they had a good 4-2 home win over Tottenham last time out. Brighton haven’t won in their last 3 away matches and overall this season they have taken 11 points from a possible 27 on the road.
The Seagulls did the double over West Ham last season winning this fixture 2-0, but West Ham won the reverse fixture earlier this season, 3-1 at Brighton.
The bookies are expecting goals and over 2.5 goals is priced at 6/10 with both teams to score at 8/15. Personally, I think that West Ham are the value here given their recent run of form and the fact that Brighton are emerging from a wobbly patch.
Suggested Bet: West Ham win at 29/20
Click here for all of this week’s English Football betting
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
