Premier League Betting Tips: Will it be a happy New Year in the Premier League

Out with this year and in with the next, this Premier League gameweek stretches across the change of the calendar and we have a tipsheet for it capping off the end of the hectic festive period. 

Luton vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 12:30 Saturday, TNT Sports 1

Luton will be looking to make it three wins in as many games as they host Chelsea in the lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday. Their most recent victory at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day put real daylight between them and Sheffield United at the foot of the division, hoisting them to within one point of safety. 

Kenilworth Road has proved a tough place to visit for the big guns this campaign. The Hatters may have only won two of their games on their own patch but it isn’t a bad haul considering they have played five of the top eight. Luton are yet to lose by larger than a one goal margin in any of those fixtures, taking the +1 asian handicap would have paid out in the other two and that is the bet here. 

Prediction: Luton Asian Handicap (+1) @ 1.98

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

Kick-off: 15:00 Saturday

Sheffield United head to the Etihad rock bottom of the Premier League, two points adrift of the side above them and seven from safety. Oh yeah and three of their finest performers are unavailable so it is no wonder they are at astronomical odds. Since the return of Chris Wilder though, his beloved has improved drastically. 

James McAtee cannot play against his parent club, this could see Jayden Bogle pushed into a higher position. The defender missed the last game with suspension but scored in the reverse fixture from the bench in S2. Bogle's pace is utilised in advanced positions, especially when playing in a side playing in a low block and though it is not reflected by shooting statistics, he often finds himself in goal scoring positions. 

Prediction: Jayden Bogle to score anytime @ 25.0

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United

Kick-off: 17;30 Saturday, Sky Sports

Both sides came from behind to win in their Boxing Day clashes. 

Coy tactics outfoxed his opposite number at St James’ Park to earn Nuno Espírito Santo the first win of his Nottingham Forest tenure. The Tricky Tree’s boss identified the lack of pace down Newcastle’s left side which Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood duly exploited, the former setting up two goals and the latter taking home the matchball. 

Perhaps a less obvious switch in personnel saw Morgan Gibbs-White move centrally to his favoured position and the attacker has sparkled in the two games under his new manager. 

Although he was bought in for his offensive exploits, his defensive output cannot be overlooked. Playing as a number 10, Gibbs-White has notched up nine tackles and committed six fouls, somehow avoiding a card. I am hoping he won’t be so lucky this Saturday. 

Prediction: Morgan Gibbs-White to be shown a card @ 4.9

Fulham vs Arsenal

Kick-off: 14:00 Sunday, Sky Sports

Fulham came back from the last international break of 2023 in scintillating form. The Cottagers scored thrice at Anfield then five in back-to-back games against Forest and West Ham without reply. 

That glut of goals has ended. Marco Silva’s side have failed to score in any of their three league games since, shipping eight goals in that period will have only compounded the misery. 

Siding with a lack of goals appeals at Craven Cottage, a bet that has clicked in all five of Arsenal’s most recent games. 

Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.76

Liverpool vs Newcastle

Kick-off: 20:00 Monday, Sky Sports

It is a narrative play here as Newcaslte head to Anfield where I fancy former Evertonion Anthony Gordon to be shown a card. 

Gordon scored in his last appearances against the Reds and was booked in his last trip to Anfield so it is clearly an emotional fixture for the Liverpudlian. 

While a return to enemy territory enhances this selection, it is not a bet based purely on the storyline. Gordon is well acquainted with top flight officials, notching up seven already this campaign, only Nicolas Jackson (8) and João Palhinha (8) have picked up more. 

Anthony Taylor is the referee, a man averaging over five cards per game this season. 

Prediction: Anthony Gordon to be shown a card @ 3.55

Recommended Bets

Back Luton Asian Handicap (+1) against Chelsea @ 1.98
Back Jayden Bogle to score anytime against Man City @ 25.0
Back Morgan Gibbs-White to be shown a card against Man U @ 4.9
Back Under 2.5 Goals in Fulham v Arsenal @ 1.75
Back Anthony Gordon to be shown a card @ 3.55