Premier League Matchday 15 Preview
An eagerly anticipated set of Premier League matches take place this weekend, with an intriguing Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool getting the ball rolling at Saturday lunchtime.
Liverpool were stung by Newcastle's late equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park on Wednesday night, but the Reds remain seven points clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool's title rivals all won on Wednesday, with Arsenal defeating Manchester United 2-0, Manchester City thrashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 and Chelsea romping to a 5-1 success at Southampton.
We have picked out the best bets for the weekend’s Premier League action, focusing on the televised games.
Tip 1 - Over 3.5 goals in Everton v Liverpool @ 33/20
Everton finally got among the goals on Wednesday night while Liverpool's defence suffered its worst night of the season, so the ingredients may be in place for a highly entertaining derby at Goodison Park.
Everton fans were having a frustrating time, with their team failing to convert chances, but a 4-0 destruction of Wolves at Goodison has considerably raised morale on the blue half of Liverpool.
Newcastle put three goals past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher on Wednesday and the Reds have started leaking goals on the road. They have conceded a total of nine goals in their last four away games in all competitions.
Tip 2 - Manchester United half-time/full-time @ 11/8
It was asking a lot of Manchester United and their new manager Ruben Amorim to have a plan in place which would repel Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, but the Red Devils can get back on track at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
United managed to frustrate Arsenal for 54 minutes, before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat, but Nottingham Forest should prove much easier opposition for Amorim's side. Forest have lost three of their last four games, suffering two heavy away defeats at Arsenal and Manchester City.
The bubble appears to have burst at the City Ground after their bright start to the season, while Manchester United should get stronger as the weeks go on.
Their cocksure new coach has already presided over some magic moments at Old Trafford, with a 3-2 Europa League success followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Everton, and a hat-trick of home triumphs can be completed on Saturday. United can lead at half-time and full-time.
Tip 3 - Arsenal to beat Fulham and both teams to score @ 9/4
Fulham have lost consistency since the start of October and the Cottagers look vulnerable to Arsenal in their London derby on Sunday. A 3-2 defeat at Manchester City was followed by a 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa. A 4-1 home defeat to struggling Wolves last weekend was particularly damaging to Fulham morale.
That said, rarely do Fulham go 90 minutes without scoring a goal, so Arsenal to win and both teams to score looks a great value wager.
Tip 4 - Chelsea to beat Tottenham @ 7/5
Chelsea are looking so impressive at the moment and appear set to challenge in every competition in which they remain. Victory at Tottenham would further advertise the Blues' credentials as realistic title contenders.
Cole Palmer is not keen on the suggestion that Chelsea are in the title race, but the five-time champions are playing as well as any other side in the division.