Sport

GUIDE TO THE NEXT £1,000,000 1X2 PICK15

West Ham vs Liverpool

Head-to-Head: WHU 26-34-70- LIV

West Ham will be hoping that they can repeat their brilliant away success over Liverpool in August again this weekend. The Hammers returned to winning ways against Southampton on Monday, following five consecutive Premier League draws, with a 2-1 victory at Upton Park. Liverpool also enjoyed a confidence-boosting success over high-flyers Leicester this past week which was the Reds’ first win in four games – in all competitions. Each side will arrive at Saturday’s game with plenty of confidence which could make for an exciting encounter between two teams eager to secure a further three points in their bids for European football next season.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Leicester vs Bournemouth

Head-to-Head: LEI 6-1-3 BOU

Joint-leaders in the Premier League Leicester City have enjoyed an incredible first half to the season. The arrival of Claudio Ranieri has transformed the side into a lethal counter-attacking force and legitimate contenders for a European spot come May. They fought out a tight draw with Manchester City on Tuesday which helped them return to the top of the table alongside Arsenal on 39 points. They have lost just once at the King Power Stadium this season and will fancy their chances against a Bournemouth side who have enjoyed a fantastic December. The Premier League new-boys recently lost to Arsenal following superb wins against Chelsea, Manchester United and West Brom earlier in the month. A return to such form should make them very competitive this Saturday though I see the Foxes proving too strong.

Selection: HOME

Norwich vs Southampton

Head-to-Head: NOR 39-37-48 SOT

Norwich’s form over the last couple of weeks has been rock solid. Victory against Aston Villa on Monday followed a memorable win at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. Alex Neil’s men distanced themselves from the Premier League relegation zone with Monday’s win and will be hoping to continue that form against the Saints here. Southampton have won just one of their last five away games in the league which includes their most recent defeat to West Ham where the Hammers came from behind to win 2-1. They will have to improve upon that performance if they want to leave Carrow Road with something to cheer about on Saturday though I expect them to do just that.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Head-to-Head: SUN 54-46-81 AVL

Sunderland have not beaten Aston Villa in any of their last nine league encounters, dating back to 2011. The Black Cats, however, will fancy their chances this time around as Villa are in the midst of one of their worst periods of form in recent club history. Sunderland have endured a poor December which has seen them lose four consecutive Premier League games. Aston Villa, likewise, have not won a single game in December and sit rock-bottom of the table with just eight points from 19 games. They are 11 points from safety and now heavy odds-on favourites to be relegation next May. It’s difficult to see Aston Villa winning at the Stadium Of Light this weekend as their recent performances have shown no evidence in a return to form. Back the home side to kickstart 2016 with three points.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

West Brom vs Stoke

Head-to-Head: WBA 44-35-60 STO

West Brom are a tough team to beat at home. Their defeats at The Hawthorns this season have been by the smallest of margins against teams arriving in good form. Tony Pulis will welcome one of his former sides on Saturday after his Albion team defeated Newcastle 1-0 this week. They were arguably unlucky not to score more after creating a number of clear-cut chances. Stoke will travel to West Brom on the back of consecutive Premier League victories against Manchester Untied and Everton, respectively. Their win against United, and Manchester City earlier this month, showcased their fresh attacking style which has been nurtured to near-perfection by manager Mark Hughes. New signing Xherdan Shaqiri netted one of the goals of the season against Everton recently and is playing with supreme confidence. If in similar form, Stoke will take all of the beating.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Burnley vs Ipswich

Head-to-Head: BUR 13-10-19 IPS

Burnley’s last two home games has seen Sean Dyche’s men produce consecutive 4-0 victories in fine style. The Clarets are one point ahead of Saturday’s opposition but will have their sights set on making inroads towards an automatic promotion place. Ipswich are also in good form after back-to-back league wins against QPR and Brighton, respectively. Mick McCarthy’s side have won their last five games away from home and look a strong bet to leave Turf Moor with at least a point.

Selection: DRAW

Fulham vs Sheffield Wednesday

Head-to-Head: FUL 25-15-29 SHW

Fulham made a return to winning form against Rotherham recently and will hope to build on that success against Sheffield Wednesday here with new manager Slavisa Jokanovic at the helm. However, Sheffield Wednesday will be a tough nut to crack after enjoying a solid first few months of the season. They sit in seventh place in the Championship, just four points outside of the play-offs, and have won two of their last three games. Their away form is not the strongest though. One victory away from home in their last seven road trips does not read well and Fulham should fancy themselves on Saturday afternoon.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Middlesbrough vs Derby

Head-to-Head: MID 62-31-48 DER

A clash between the top two in the Championship will likely produce an exciting encounter. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in six league games and are one point ahead of Saturday’s opposition. They have not conceded a goal in all those six outings and have been very tough to break down in the final third. Derby are in similar, if not better, form than Middlesbrough with only one defeat in their last 19 Championship games – dating back to August. Paul Clement’s men looked on the brink of defeat against Leeds recently before Tom Ince netted his eighth goal of the season to salvage a draw. This is a game that is very difficult to predict though Middlesbrough must hold the upper hand on home turf.

Selection: HOME

Watford vs Manchester City

Head-to-Head: WAT 6-5-10 MCI

Watford’s return to the Premier League has been a great success this season. The Londoners are ninth in the table and have enjoyed a recent victory against Liverpool before holding Chelsea to a 2-2 draw. Striker Odion Ighalo has been fantastic in front of goal throughout 2015 and is now the top scorer in English league football this year with 30 goals. Such form will make him a real threat against Manchester City this Saturday where Watford will fancy their chances of worsening the Blues’ recent away form. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are without an away victory in their last five trips in all competitions. However, their recent victory against Sunderland showcased their immense attacking talent and I struggle to see them leaving Watford without at least a point.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Rayo Vallecano vs Sociedad

Rayo Vallecano have lost their last five games in all competitions, including a 10-2 thumping at the hands of Real Madrid. Their home form is not the most consistent either; four victories in nine games on their own turf has seen the side drop to 19th in La Liga. Real Sociedad, likewise, have won just one of their last seven outings and are only a handful of places above this weekend’s opponents in 15th. There’s no doubt that this is the potential banana-skin in this weeks pool and backing the draw looks the most sensible option.

Selection: DRAW

St Johnstone vs Aberdeen

St Johnstone will be somewhat disappointed with their form in December where the side have secured just one win in four games. Aberdeen, on the other hand, are unbeaten their last eight games in all competitions which has helped them up to second in the Scottish Premier League and level on points with Celtic. With the away side in such good form, it is difficult to see them being defeated this weekend. Aberdeen are playing with a brilliant confidence at present and should be strong enough to seal all three points here.

Selection: AWAY

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Head-to-Head: CPA 10-15-22 CHE

Crystal Palace are undefeated in the Premier League throughout December and have lost only one of their last nine league games. Their 1-2 victory at Stamford Bridge earlier this season will give the Eagles great confidence in doing the double against the Blues this weekend. Chelsea, on the other hand, have only one victory in six league outings and are still in 14th place in the table after 19 games. It continues to be worrying times for Guus Hiddink’s men who looked laboured against Manchester United recently. The Blues were fortunate to leave Old Trafford with a point as the Red Devils missed a number of brilliant chances. With the Eagles is such flying form, I see them prevailing with a well fought win.

Selection: HOME

Everton vs Tottenham

Head-to-Head: EVE 55-52-63 TOT

Everton have not beaten Tottenham in any of their last six meetings, dating back to December 2012. The Toffees endured another home defeat to Stoke on Monday which saw them squander a 3-2 lead inside the final 10 minutes. Roberto Martinez’s men will need to improve their defensive set-up if they want to overcome the challenge of Tottenham on Sunday afternoon who are enjoying life in the Premier League at present. The North Londoners are only four points behind league leaders Arsenal and have lost just one of their last 18 games in the division. Harry Kane is continuing his superb form from last season with 13 goals this campaign and Erik Lamela is also finally finding his feet in England with eight goals of his own. Expect another lively encounter with plenty of action.

Selection: AWAY

Deportivo vs Villarreal

Deportivo are three points behind Villarreal but have gone unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions. It is a sequence that has helped the side excel in confidence which will make them a force against Villarreal here. The away side are in the midst of three consecutive victories which includes a memorable 1-0 win against Real Madrid. Their form on the road, however, can be improved upon as they have just one win in their last five away games, and it is this that make Deportivo the favourites heading in to the meeting.

Selection: HOME

Valencia vs Real Madrid

Gary Neville’s Valencia side are without a La Liga victory in their last five outings. It is a sequence that has seen the side drop to tenth in the table and nine points outside of the top four. Real Madrid, on other hand, have netted 28 goals in six games throughout December and will be looking to secure another victory this weekend to maintain their pressure on league leaders Barcelona. Rafa Benitez’s men are known for producing a mediocre display from time to time but should dispatch of Valencia with the home side in the midst of a poor run of form.

Selection: AWAY