Premier League Tipsheet: Brentford and Everton to come out on top

Relax, international football is over for a solid four months. The turkey’s have been pardoned across the pond, now it is time for a breathless December of domestic action culminating in a festive free-for-all. To help you get back into the swing of things we have a Premier League Tipsheet with five selections from across the weekend slate.

Burnley vs West Ham 

Kick-off: 15:00 Saturday 

West Ham beat sides worse than them and lose to sides better than them, as should be the case with any team but nobody quite does it like David Moyes’ men. Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Brentford and Everton are the sides to beat the Hammers domestically this season, which on the whole sums up my point. 

West Ham do not get beaten by the worse teams in the division though. Luton and Sheffield United were dispatched with relative ease and there is a case that their next opponents Burnley are the worst of the promoted sides. 

Vincent Kompany’s side have conceded 30 goals this season and have won fewer points then Everton who have had 1 deducted. 

Even in the potential absence of Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, West Ham should score a few at Turf Moor. 

Prediction: West Ham to score over 1.5 goals @ 1.97 

Newcastle vs Chelsea

Kick-off: 15:00 Saturday 

Eight goals were scored in Chelsea’s games with Manchester City and Tottenham before the international break and the four points won will see the Blues head to Tyneside brimming with confidence. 

In comparison, the Magpies went into the break with a whimper, shipping four and scoring none in their two games with Dortmund and Bournemouth. As Kieran Trippier contested with a fan on the south coast, injuries are a major factor in his side's recent poor form. 

As the odds suggest there is little to split these sides, so given a favourable referee appointment the card market is worth delving into at St James’ Park. 

Simon Hooper has the whistle, he has dished out more than five cards per game in the Prem this season and Conor Gallagher looks the most likely candidate. He may have only had his name taken once this season but hit domestic double figures in each of his last three in the top flight. 

Prediction: Conor Gallagher to be shown a card @ 2.6

Brentford vs Arsenal

Kick-off: 17:30 Saturday, TNT Sports 1 

Arsenal have already beaten Brentford in West London this campaign, the slender victory came in the League Cup. The Gunners were one of only two sides to beat the Bees on their own patch domestically last season and did so convincingly winning 3-0. 

Premier League home defeats were few a far between last campaign for Thomas Frank’s side though and this trend has continued this term. Only won of their four league defeats have come at home and whilst they ultimately fell short at Anfield, they were in the clash with Liverpool for the majority. 

Since the start of last campaign, Brentford have won seven of their 16 games with the ‘big six’ including the double over Manchester City, only losing five of those games. 

So, yes Arsenal may have had their number in the last few exchanges but I think the visitors are worth siding with here at a chunky price. 

Prediction: Brentford to beat Arsenal @ 5.0

Tottenham vs Aston Villa 

Kick-off: 14:00 Sunday, Sky Sports 

In a slate packed with intriguing fixtures, Sunday’s early kick off between Tottehnham and Aston Villa cannot be overlooked. 

It pits two of the more offensive minded managers against one another and with neither willing to defer from their approach, goals should be rife in North London. Over 3.5 goals is the bet here. 

Spurs’ 13 games have featured 41 goals, granted only meeting the threshold of four on four occasions. Villa have been more obliging, averaging 3.7 goals per game with this bet clicking in 58% of their fixtures in all competitions.  

Prediction: Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.28 

Everton vs Manchester United

Kick-off: 16:30 Sunday, Sky Sports

Super Sunday’s featured game promises to be a humdinger. 

Fuelled by off the field antics, Goodison will be a caldron of fury.

As Neal Maupay’s admissions about his time in Merseyside suggest, fury from the terraces is usually channelled internally. Following the points deduction though, it will be different this weekend. 

Us against the world will be the mantra and if there was ever a manager to use this siege mentality to his advantage it is Sean Dyche. 

The Toffee’s have only lost one of their last six games, winning four, and even though the points deduction is a punishment, you get the sense it will only galvanise the group ahead of their televised meeting with Manchester United.   

Prediction: Everton to beat Man Utd @ 2.8

Recommended Bets 

Back West Ham to score over 1.5 goals @ 1.97
Back Conor Gallagher to be shown a card @ 2.6
Back Brentford to beat Arsenal @ 5.0
Back Over 3.5 Goals in Tottenham v Aston Villa @ 2.28
Back Everton to beat Man Utd @ 2.8