Premier League weekend tips

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool: Reds to march on 

Sunday 19 December, 4.30pm

After a quiet summer in the transfer market, many opined that Liverpool would struggle to compete for the Premier League title this term. The Reds are confounding those predictions and proving that there's plenty of life left in this team yet.

Tottenham's preparations for Sunday's game have been less than ideal. A Covid-19 outbreak has significantly disrupted their December, denying Antonio Conte the chance to build momentum for a top-four push.

Spurs will give it a good go this weekend and we could see them find the net, but Liverpool will probably prove too strong for their hosts.

Tip: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 3.2

Leeds United v Arsenal: Expect goals galore at Elland Road

Saturday 18 December, 5.30pm

Leeds were on the wrong end of a 7-0 shellacking in midweek, as Manchester City ran riot at the Etihad Stadium. Marcelo Bielsa needs to pick his players up for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday.

The Gunners are the Premier League's equivalent of Jekyll and Hyde. No team in the division has a better home record than Mikel Arteta's men, but their results on the road have been mediocre at best - just two wins in eight matches.

Arsenal struggle to control matches at opposition stadiums and Saturday's contest therefore looks set to be open and entertaining. The neutrals will enjoy it, but Arteta might not.

Tip: Over 3.5 goals at 2.76

Can Alexandre Lacazette help Arsenal pick up a rare three points on the road at Leeds?

Newcastle United v Manchester City: Champions should ease to victory

Sunday 19 December, 2.15pm

Newcastle must be desperate for the January transfer window to open, for it's hard to see their current squad avoiding relegation to the Championship.

The Magpies are far too open defensively, with Eddie Howe still struggling to tighten things up at the back. The visit of Manchester City on Sunday means Newcastle are likely to ship several goals again.

Pep Guardiola's side were imperious in that 7-0 demolition of Leeds. Confidence is high and we should see them ease to another comfortable win at St James' Park.

Tip: Manchester City to win both halves at 2.26

Wolves v Chelsea: Low-scoring encounter probable

Sunday 19 December, 2pm

Wolves' results since the November international break read like binary code: 1-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1, 0-1, 1-0. Fans of high-scoring encounters would be advised to look for alternatives to Bruno Lage's side.

Chelsea have been a little less secure defensively of late, but Thomas Tuchel's tenure has still been characterised by their solidity at the back. A clean sheet at Molineux wouldn't go amiss as the Blues aim to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool.

Goals could be at a premium on Sunday, as Chelsea seek to grind out a win and Wolves continue to give little away.

Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 1.86

West Ham United v Norwich City: Canaries need points quickly

Saturday 18 December, 3pm

There are signs that West Ham's top-four push is beginning to run out of steam. A 2-0 loss to Arsenal on Wednesday means the Hammers have won only one of their last five league games.

Norwich desperately need to get some points on the board to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom. After a bright start under Dean Smith, they've now lost their last three.

West Ham have struggled for clean sheets recently, with only one in their last eight outings. Norwich might have the worst attacking record in the division, but back them to score at the London Stadium.

Tip: Both teams to score at 2.1