The battle of the claret and blues and one where, at this venue at least, the hosts normally come out on top.<\/p>\n
How Remi Garde would love to have three points as a slightly belated Christmas gift to Villa\u2019s long-suffering fans.<\/p>\n
Only the most fervent Villain will believe that the Midlands have any hope of staying in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
At start of play, they are already 10 points from safety and with only one win in 17, are not in any kind of form to dig themselves out of a hole.<\/p>\n
Slaven Bilic\u2019s side are slowly, but surely sliding down the table and all of their good early season work is beginning to unravel.<\/p>\n
Almost as if the West Ham of old is in fine fettle.<\/p>\n
Such a shame for Bilic and his team who were surely dreaming of their highest finish in the top flight since 1986 after their spectacular opening.<\/p>\n
Unlikely to be a Christmas cracker at Villa Park so I\u2019ll plump for a dour 0-0<\/strong> or 1-1<\/strong> draw. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings\u2026!<\/p>\n Liverpool v Leicester<\/strong><\/p>\n Amazing how quickly fortunes can change in football.<\/p>\n Seven months ago Leicester were saving their Premier League bacon and now, here they are proudly, and deservedly, top of the table.<\/p>\n Jurgen Klopp\u2019s eight wins in nine made him the toast of Merseyside but he too has seen a swift turnaround, albeit in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n No wins in four and goalless in three of those has really set the cat amongst the pigeons.<\/p>\n The way the Reds capitulated at Watford follows hot on the heels of a dismal showing at Sion and an uncharacteristically poor showing against West Brom.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not what the Anfield faithful want to see.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one team that Klopp and his team could do without playing at this point, it\u2019s a free-flowing and high-scoring Leicester side who will absolutely play without fear.<\/p>\n A wanton abandon to their play that is intoxicating to watch and which has seen Claudio Ranieri\u2019s side out-play, out think and out-fight almost every side they\u2019ve played so far this season.<\/p>\n Klopp will definitely be walking alone after this, their second 0-3<\/strong> thrashing in two games. Take a 1-3<\/strong> if you think Liverpool have a consolation in them.<\/p>\n Newcastle v Everton<\/strong><\/p>\n Wins over Bournemouth, Liverpool and Tottenham in their last six matches has given Steve McClaren hope that he can turn Newcastle\u2019s season around.<\/p>\n Just a couple of wins and results elsewhere going their way, would see the Magpies sitting pretty in mid-table.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a wholly more acceptable scenario than just a few short weeks ago.<\/p>\n What a pity then that Everton are their next visitors.<\/p>\n A team full of international class personnel who are content to play a fast, attacking style that often overwhelms their opposition.<\/p>\n With Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku striking up a sensational partnership, goals are guaranteed at the moment when the Toffees are in town.<\/p>\n Indeed, Everton have only failed to find the net on three occasions going back to the end of August.<\/p>\n One loss in the last nine hints at the job that Newcastle have to do to be in with any chance of an upset.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t believe they\u2019re capable of stemming the blue tide so I\u2019m plumping for a swashbuckling performance and a 0-2<\/strong> away win for Roberto Martinez\u2019s cavaliers.<\/p>\n At the halfway stage consider making use of our Partial Cash-Out service. If you\u2019ve still got a 100% record but don\u2019t want to risk it all, then bank some of your ticket now for some money to use in the January sales and play on with the rest.<\/p>\n
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