Premier League Matchday 16 Preview
There are some fantastic festive fixtures to look forward to on Matchday 16 of the Premier League season and the Manchester derby is top of the bill.
Manchester City go into Sunday’s game on the back of winning only one of their last 10 matches and the Citizens are the biggest price they have been for a home derby since 2018.
However, Manchester United are hardly in flying form and the Red Devils need to recover from back-to-back top-flight defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Tip 1: Under 2.5 goals in Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa @ 10/11
Nottingham Forest are enjoying an excellent season and few would have predicted that the Tricky Trees would be sitting above Aston Villa in the Premier League table 15 games into the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have scored only eight goals in seven home league games this season, but they have allowed just six at the other end and backing unders looks a play when Villa come to town.
Tip 2: Crystal Palace draw, no bet v Brighton @ 2/1
Crystal Palace head to the south coast to face rivals Brighton on Sunday and the Eagles look a bet to leave with at least a point.
Oliver Glasner has got his side playing excellent football and the south Londoners were might unfortunate not to beat Man City at Selhurst Park last weekend.
The Eagles still picked up a point in that 2-2 draw with the champions and it’s now only one defeat in eight matches for Palace.
Brighton are a good side, but the Seagulls threw away a two-goal lead at Leicester last time out and prior to that Fabian Hurzeler’s side were beaten 3-1 at Fulham.
The Seagulls have also failed to beat struggling trio Southampton, Wolves and Ipswich this season and it’s clear that the south coast side can struggle to break down stubborn and defensively robust teams.
Palace have conceded only 14 goals in their last 12 games and they look a good draw no bet proposition at the Amex.
Tip 3: Manchester United to beat Manchester City @ 21/5
Man City’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Juventus on Wednesday night made it only one win in 10 matches for Pep Guardiola’s men and rarely have the Citizens approached a Manchester derby in such disarray.
City’s midfield balance has looked all wrong in recent weeks and Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernado Silva do not have the running power or physicality to compensate for the absence of key man Rodri.
United do not arrive in flying form either, but Ruben Amorim will surely be able to get more out of this Red Devils squad and the Old Trafford side were not disgraced when losing 2-0 at Arsenal last month.
A chance can be taken on the Red Devils putting more heat on an under-fire City side.