Premier League Preview: Gameweek 19

It is Wenger v Klopp in one of the most anticipated games of every season. I’ve taken a look at this weekend’s matchups and picked some bets for this weekend’s games.

Arsenal v Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are the first team in top-flight English football to have won four successive away league games by three or more goals and I think Arsenal will find the Reds potent attacking threat too hot to handle on Friday.

Arsenal have won 13 of their last 14 home games in the Premier League and will be desperate for revenge having been thrashed 4-0 in the reverse fixture at Anfield.

The Gunners may score in the first game of the Festive period – I just think Liverpool will score more in what promises to be a real Christmas cracker.

Congratulations to Mo Salah who became the first PL player to reach 20 goals in all competitions so far this season. He has been quite magnificent for the Reds so far this term.

Tip: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at

Everton v Chelsea

Everton have lost their last three PL games against Chelsea by an aggregate of 10-0 and this will be a real examination of the Blues’ recent improvement under Sam Allardyce.

The Toffees have had their fair share of luck in recent games but 13 points out of their last five league games shows just how far this young Everton side have come in the last month or so.

That said Chelsea have already beaten Everton three times in 2017 and scored ten times in their last three visits to Goodison.

Antonio Conte’s side can take the points back to the capital.

Michael’s recommendation: Chelsea to win at

Brighton v Watford

Brighton have only scored once in their last five games and that was a disputed penalty in their 5-1 home beating at the hands of Liverpool. Watford have had a player sent off in their last three PL games and no side has ever received a red card in four consecutive league games.

The Seagulls have only lost one of their last eight home league games – that 5-1 home defeat to Liverpool – and this is a game I am sure Chris Hughton will expect rather than hope to get a positive result from.

The Hornets’ form has cooled in recent weeks after a terrific run, but I expect them to pick up a point at the Amex in a score draw.

Tip: Game to finish in a draw at 11/5 

Manchester City v Bournemouth

Record-breaking City were sensational against Spurs in a high-quality game last weekend and it is hard to see Bournemouth ending City’s run of sixteen successive PL wins.

The last English manager to win at the Etihad was Harry Redknapp back in May 2010 and I don’t think Eddie Howe will buck that trend at the weekend. A win over the Cherries and City will be just three wins short of the longest ever winning run in one of Europe’s big five leagues which currently stands at 19 by Pep Guardiola’s Bayern side between October 2013 and March 2014.

Kevin De Bruyne was outstanding against Spurs last weekend and arguably, The Player of the Year in the first half of the season looks overpriced to find the back of the Bournemouth net.

Tip: Kevin De Bruyne to score at anytime at   

Southampton v Huddersfield

After seven successive defeats on the road Huddersfield bounced back with an emphatic success at Watford last weekend, but I think they will struggle against a Southampton side who are certainly due a win having only picked up a couple of points from their last 15 on offer.

Saints struggle to keep clean sheets, but I will be surprised if they aren’t too good for the Terriers on this occasion.

Tip: Southampton -1 on the handicap at

Stoke City v West Brom

Stoke have lost their last three and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways in this local derby. Given the visitors are without a win in their last sixteen PL games this looks a gilt-edged opportunity for the Potters but I’m not so sure.

The Baggies are unbeaten in their last six against Stoke in the PL and this is likely to be a tight, close, nervous affair between two sides low in confidence.

One goal might be enough.

Tip: Under 1.5 goals at 

Swansea City v Crystal Palace

The corresponding fixture finished 5-4 last season but Swansea have only scored ten times in their 18 PL games so far this term and they may be meeting this improving Palace side at just the wrong time.

The Eagles are unbeaten in their last seven, won 3-0 at the King Power last weekend and have the excellent Wilfried Zaha at the top of his game.

Tip: Palace to win at

West Ham v Newcastle

1-0 v Chelsea ⛔️
0-0 v Arsenal ⛔️
3-0 v Stoke ⛔️

West Ham have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League under David Moyes. pic.twitter.com/7xduWMPNY2

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 16, 2017

West Ham have kept clean sheets in their last three PL games and I think they can make it a miserable Christmas for the Toon Army given the Magpies go in to the game having lost their last four.

There wasn’t much love lost between Rafa Benitez and David Moyes when they were managing Liverpool and Everton respectively and the former Reds boss is unbeaten in his last nine PL encounters against Moyes.

I think the Hammers will edge what promises to be a tight low-scoring affair although the hosts will miss their influential suspended midfielder Manuel Lanzini.

Tip: West Ham to win at

Burnley v Tottenham

Few would have thought at the start of the season that Burnley would be ahead of Spurs in the table going in to the busy Festive period. The Clarets have been a revelation so far this term and have kept six clean sheets in their last eight home PL games, but I think Spurs can end a run of five games on their PL travels without a win.

Burnley are likely to be without defender James Tarkowski, who has been charged retrospectively with violent conduct following a clash with Brighton’s Glenn Murray at the weekend, and that will be a big blow to the Clarets.

Tip: Spurs to win to nil at 

Leicester City v Manchester United

United have won their last three away from home in the league but have actually conceded in their last five and I think there will be goals in the King Power.

The Foxes weren’t able to stop the City juggernaut in the League Cup midweek and they will do well to get something from the visit of United who have their talisman Paul Pogba available following his recent three-match ban. It promises to be an open entertaining contest – United might shade it but I will be surprised if both sides don’t find the back of the net.

Tip: Both Teams to Score at

Michael’s weekend wager: Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham at