Premier League Predictions: Fight for Europe restarts as Chelsea and United return

You can never have enough football, can you? The World Cup has only just finished, but we’re already straight back into Premier League action – and there’s a battle to recommence.

Chelsea v Bournemouth

Kick-off: 5.30pm Tuesday

Chelsea were having a pretty grim time of things before the World Cup break, and they will be desperate to put that bleak streak behind them when they go up against a Bournemouth side that has lost four of their last five league games.

The Blues have lost their last three - including a 4-1 hammering to Graham Potter’s former side, Brighton & Hove Albion - while the Cherries' comfortable win over Everton on November 12 halted their freefall.

The sheer gulf in quality between these two sides is one reason why the odds are so heavily in the home team’s favour, but the fact that Chelsea have conceded 17 goals in 14 games (coupled with Bournemouth only failing to score in three of their last 10) could mean both teams to score (2.16) is worth a second look.

If you want to back the hosts and expect them to concede, the best option is to punt them at 1.9 to win with over 2.5 goals in the match.

Prediction: Chelsea win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.9 

Manchester United v Nottingham Forest

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Neither Manchester United or Nottingham will enter this match short of competitive football. A strong United starting squad put Burnley to the sword with a 2-0 Carabao Cup win in midweek, while Forest stuck four past Blackburn Rovers to win 4-1.

Bruno Fernandes: will hope Manchester United can return in winning ways

At one point in time this was a regular fixture in the top-flight, but this encounter will mark their first meeting in any competition since February 1999.

Those games will have no bearing on the outcome here given the lengthy time gap, but Forest fans won’t thank us for pointing out that they have conceded 26 in their last seven games against the Red Devils and have lost all of them. 

Manchester City and Aston Villa results aside, United seem to be finding a bit of a groove again and have only failed to score in one Premier League game since mid-August. And, with the visitors possessing the second-worst defensive record in the division, you would think there are goals in this one.

Although I was tempted by Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer at 2.24, the better option might be to back Man United to win and over 3.5 goals at 3. 

Prediction: Man United win and over 3.5 goals @ 3

December 27 Premier League Predictions

Chelsea v Bournemouth: Chelsea to win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.9
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest: Man United to win and over 3.5 goals @ 3