EAGLES SOAR AGAINST THE BLADES
Apologies to any Sheffield United fans who are reading this and thinking “not again?”. With that said, this apology can only go so far and when you consider that the Blades are still yet to win a league game this season, then backing against them is one of the easiest bets you'll make.
Of course, there is always the fear that the run of misery will finally come to an end and the continual betting against Sheffield United will fail to pay dividends. Then again, if you calculate how much money has already been won against Chris Wilder's men, things have been rather good to date.
Which means, we all hope that the good times to continue to roll for us punters and for the team that play host to the Blades this weekend, it is almost the perfect opposition to ease them into the New Year.
That's because, Crystal Palace have not won any of their last five league outings and although they have drawn three of them, the continual lack of spark is a continual concern for manager Roy Hodgson.
The elder statesman of the Premier League is not known for his outbursts, but when they are released, they are surprisingly effective and one of those, was arguably responsible for Palace earning a draw against Leicester in their last outing.
With Palace hovering in the lower reaches of mid-table, the last thing they will want is to be sucked into a 2021 relegation battle and if they can get the better of Sheffield United, breathing space will be afforded to them. While if they win, odds of 2.00 will be afforded to you.
Summary: Back Palace to come out on top
ARSENAL'S RESURGENCE CONTINUES
Whisper it quietly, but it seems as if Arsenal are going to ruin everyone else's New Year party. A party that planned their agonising decline and one that eventually would see the North London outfit relegated.
However, that no longer looks the case after back-to-back league wins and with Arsenal's tails collectively lifting, you get the feeling that Mikel Arteta is now starting to turn this shipwreck in the right direction.
Of course, there is a lot of work still to be done at the Emirates, none more so than clearing the decks of deadwood and although that task will be carried out over the course of the next month, there is another chore that needs attending to first.
That's a trip to The Hawthorns, as West Brom wait in store and although it is not quite a “six-pointer", there is some level of drop zone jeopardy attached to it. Then again, with Arsenal picking up maximum points from their last two games, their own personal tension has at least been eased.
Which is bad news, not only for West Brom but neutrals who were hoping for an Arsenal demise. Something that when you consider how bad the Baggies were in midweek, is not a downfall that will be accelerated on Saturday.
Summary: Back Arsenal at 1.62
MANCHESTER UNITED FOR THE TITLE?
Are Manchester United going to be the little red engine that could? Because whisper it quietly, they might just end up having a say at where this season's Premier League title will go and not just a small say at that.
With the Red Devils snatching a late winner against Wolves on, they have not only closed the gap on Liverpool but also extended their unbeaten league run to nine league games and if there is one thing you cannot put a price now, it is consistency.
Something that everyone seems to be lacking at present and if you can get such an impressive run together, it gets you out of the volatile chasing pack and right at the top field when it comes to the title chase.
United will not only look to make it a perfect ten but also get the better of Aston Villa, who are something of a dark horse themselves and with two games in hand, they may act as the disruptor in all of this.
However, disruption at Old Trafford looks unlikely, as United are really in the groove at present and when you consider the mood within their current mood within the camp, it will take something special to seen them outdone this weekend.
Summary: Back United to win at 1.75
