Saturday’s Premier League schedule is packed with seven fixtures, but we’re focusing on three clashes that could really shake things up.
The day kicks off in the North East as Newcastle take on Chelsea in what promises to be an open and competitive game. North London then heats up with Tottenham hosting Liverpool, a fixture that’s full of pressure and goal scoring potential. Finally, the spotlight moves to Merseyside, where Everton welcome league leaders Arsenal, a test for the Toffees and a chance for the Gunners to keep their title push on track. Here’s a closer look at each match, along with a suggested bet for every fixture.
Before diving in, here’s a quick look at the Premier League outright markets where Arsenal remain firm favourites at 67/100, with Manchester City close behind at 8/5. Liverpool follow at 25/1, while Aston Villa have pushed their way into the conversation at 28/1. Beyond that, the rest of the field is available at 33/1 or longer.
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NEWCASTLE UNITED v CHELSEA – Click here to bet
Saturday’s action gets underway in the North East as Newcastle United welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park in the early kick-off. Eddie Howe’s side come into the weekend on the back of a narrow 1–0 defeat to local rivals Sunderland, a result that once again underlined their recent struggles in this fixture and left the Magpies sitting 12th in the table with 22 points from 16 matches (W6 D4 L6).
While results have been mixed overall, Newcastle have generally looked far more assured at home. St James’ Park has once again proven a difficult place to visit, with the hosts collecting 16 points from a possible 24 in league action. Five wins from eight home matches highlight that strength, and despite conceding ten goals, Newcastle have usually done enough going forward, scoring 14 times on their own turf.
Chelsea make the trip north following a solid 2–0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge, a result that ended a short winless run and helped steady the ship. That victory kept the Blues fourth in the standings with 28 points from 16 matches (W8 D4 L4), and while performances have fluctuated this season, they remain firmly in the mix near the top end of the table.
Away from home, Chelsea’s numbers stack up well. They boast one of the stronger road records in the league, picking up 14 points from eight away games. That said, recent away performances have been less convincing. December has been a tricky month on their travels, with just one win from their last four away matches in all competitions. In the league, they’ve taken just one point from their last two road trips, drawing at Bournemouth before falling at Leeds.
Head-to-Head
These sides met three times last season, with home advantage proving decisive. Chelsea edged a 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge, while Newcastle responded with a 2–0 victory in this fixture. Newcastle also knocked the Blues out of the EFL Cup with another 2–0 win at St James’ Park.
Betting
Newcastle United 17/10
Draw 5/2
Chelsea 6/4
Verdict
This looks a tricky one to call in the outright market. Newcastle’s home form has generally been reliable, while Chelsea’s strong away record suggests they’ll arrive with confidence despite a recent dip on the road. Both sides have shown defensive fragility at times, and that points toward a more open contest than the league positions might imply.
Suggested Bet: Newcastle United to Win or Draw (Double Chance) & both Teams to score at 27/20
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v LIVERPOOL – Click here to bet
The evening then moves to North London, where Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool in a fixture that carries a bit more edge than usual given the pressure surrounding both sides. Spurs arrive off the back of a damaging 3–0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest, a result that has intensified scrutiny on Thomas Frank as Tottenham’s struggles continue.
That loss left Spurs 11th in the table with 22 points from 16 matches (W6 D4 L6), and it’s been a worrying run in recent weeks. They’ve managed just two wins from their last eight matches in all competitions, conceding 18 goals along the way, numbers that reflect just how fragile they’ve looked defensively during this stretch.
Home form has been a major issue. Tottenham have taken just eight points from eight league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, winning twice, drawing twice and losing four. There have been small signs of improvement, though. Spurs have won back-to-back home games in all competitions, beating Brentford 2–0 before following it up with a comfortable 3–0 win over Slavia Prague in Europe. Notably, every home win this season has come with a clean sheet, showing that when Spurs do get it right, defensive structure has played a big role.
Liverpool head to the capital with a bit of momentum after a much-needed 2–0 win over Brighton last weekend. That followed a hard-fought 1–0 victory away to Inter Milan in Europe, giving Arne Slot’s side back-to-back wins after a difficult spell. Despite those results, the defending champions remain outside the top six, sitting seventh with 26 points from 16 league matches (W8 D2 L6).
Away from home, Liverpool have been inconsistent. They’re unbeaten in their last three away matches in all competitions, but their overall league numbers on the road are underwhelming by their standards. Three wins from seven league away games, alongside four defeats, already exceed their total number of away losses from last season’s title-winning campaign. Defensive lapses have been a recurring theme, with 15 goals conceded away from home in the league so far.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool have enjoyed this fixture in recent seasons. Last term, they met four times across all competitions, with Liverpool winning three, including emphatic league victories of 6–3 in North London and 5–1 at Anfield. The Reds have lost just once in their last five meetings with Spurs in all competitions.
Betting
Tottenham Hotspur 12/5
Draw 11/4
Liverpool 21/20
Verdict
Given Tottenham’s recent struggles and Liverpool’s defensive issues on the road, this matchup has all the makings of an open and entertaining affair. Spurs have shown signs of improvement at home, particularly in keeping clean sheets, but Liverpool’s attacking quality should test that resolve. With both sides under pressure and neither defence entirely convincing, I’m expecting goals at both ends, with at least three goals a strong angle in what could be a lively encounter.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals at 19/20
EVERTON v ARSENAL – Click here to bet
Saturday evening takes us to Merseyside, where Everton host league leaders Arsenal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. While the Toffees come into this one off the back of a 2–0 defeat away to Chelsea, that result doesn’t tell the full story of the progress David Moyes has overseen this season. Everton have been far more competitive and, crucially, far tougher to beat.
Despite last weekend’s loss, the Toffees sit ninth in the table with 24 points from 16 matches (W7 D3 L6), having taken 13 points from their last seven league outings. That run highlights just how much more resilient this side has become, with Everton consistently staying in games and making life uncomfortable for opponents, particularly at home.
On their own patch, Everton have generally been reliable. They’ve picked up four league wins at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, drawing twice and losing only two, while conceding just nine goals in the process. Their most recent home performance summed that up perfectly, as they swept Nottingham Forest aside 3–0, meaning they’ve now won two of their last three league matches in Merseyside.
Arsenal head north after edging past Wolves 2–1 last weekend, needing a late own goal to get the job done. That win was important after their unbeaten run had been snapped away at Aston Villa, and it ensured Mikel Arteta’s side stayed top of the table. The Gunners remain in a strong position, sitting on 36 points from 16 matches (W11 D3 L2), two clear of Manchester City.
Away from home, however, Arsenal haven’t been quite as convincing of late. They’re winless in their last three league games on the road, drawing twice before losing at Villa Park, and while their overall away record remains solid, it’s fair to say they’ve looked a little less controlled than earlier in the campaign. Goals have also been harder to come by, with just 10 scored away from home in the league so far.
Head-to-Head
Last season’s league meetings ended level, with a goalless draw in North London followed by a 1–1 draw on Merseyside. Arsenal have had the upper hand more recently though, remaining unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Everton (W3 D2).
Betting
Everton 19/4
Draw 57/20
Arsenal 63/100
Verdict
Despite a slight dip in form, particularly on the road, Arsenal still look well-placed to come out on top here. Everton have been far more competitive under Moyes this season and often make life difficult for visiting teams at home, but a couple of average performances from Arsenal don’t suddenly make them a bad side. Ultimately, Arsenal’s quality and the motivation that comes with leading the table should see them over the line, although it won’t be as straightforward as the odds suggest.
Suggested Bet: Bet Builder – Arsenal To Win and Everton To Score Under 1.5 Goals at 3/4
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
