December begins with a round of midweek fixtures in the Premier League, with all 20 teams in action between Tuesday and Thursday.
My recommended acca focuses on five of the matches taking place this week, including Arsenal vs Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
A £10 wager on our three-leg acca would pay out £67.10, while the same stake on our five-leg version offers a potential return of £328.81.
Arsenal vs Manchester United: Arsenal to win (12/25)
Arsenal have won three games on the bounce in all competitions since the November international break. The pause seems to have done Mikel Arteta’s men the world of good.
Martin Odegaard is fit and firing again, while Bukayo Saka is continuing to show why he is one of the best forwards in world football.
With Manchester City in a dismal run of form, Arsenal have emerged as the likeliest challengers to Liverpool in the title race.
But with nine points separating them from top spot already, the Gunners cannot afford too many more slip-ups for the remainder of the campaign.
Manchester United are still adapting to Ruben Amorim’s philosophy. Despite a 4-0 victory over Everton on Sunday, there is still work for the new manager to do.
This is a big early test for Amorim and his coaching staff. Avoiding defeat at the Emirates Stadium will not be easy.
⚽ **Back Arsenal to win at 12/25 with bet365**⚽
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Under 2.5 goals (11/8)
Having established a nine-point lead at the summit of the standings, Liverpool now have a target on their backs.
Despite Manchester City’s ongoing status of defending champions, Arne Slot’s side have become the team to beat in the Premier League. Liverpool must handle that pressure if they are to remain in top spot.
They are arguably facing Newcastle at a good time, although a trip to St James’ Park always has the potential to be a banana skin.
Still, Eddie Howe’s team were poor in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday. Newcastle did not manage a single shot on target in that match.
The Magpies are struggling for goals and will be without the injured Alexander Isak. Meanwhile Liverpool will look to deliver a controlled, measured performance in the northeast. This could be a low-scoring affair.
⚽ Go for under 2.5 goals at 11/8 with bet365 ⚽
Southampton vs Chelsea: Chelsea to score in both halves (10/11)
Chelsea turned in one of their most impressive showings of the season on Sunday, beating Aston Villa 3-0.
Nine points behind Liverpool and boasting the exact same record as Arsenal, the Blues are being talked about as potential title outsiders.
A top-four finish remains the more realistic objective, but Chelsea have a winnable run of fixtures on the horizon, with the possible exception of an upcoming trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
Southampton battled to a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in their last match, but they are still struggling to pick up wins.
Chelsea are reliable against teams in the bottom half of the table. Given Southampton’s defensive frailties, Enzo Maresca’s men can find the back of the net either side of the interval.
⚽ Tip Chelsea to score in both halves at 10/11 with bet365 ⚽
Back the 3-fold acca ⚽
Everton vs Wolves: Matheus Cunha to score any time (5/2)
Everton and Wolves are both at the wrong end of the table. They share another thing in common: conceding four goals in defeats at the weekend.
Everton were thumped 4-0 by Manchester United last time out, while Wolves went down 4-2 at home to Bournemouth.
Wolves have shown they are capable of scoring goals at this level. They have made the net bulge 22 times, the same number as Manchester City. But they have by far the worst defensive record in the division.
Everton have the opposite problem. They have scored only 10 goals so far, the joint-lowest alongside Southampton.
Only Mohamed Salah has scored more away goals than Matheus Cunha this term. The Brazilian can make his mark at Goodison Park.
⚽ Select Matheus Cunha to score any time at 5/2 with bet365 ⚽
Ipswich Town vs Crystal Palace: Crystal Palace or draw (2/5)
Ipswich Town would have expected to be involved in a Premier League relegation battle this season. Crystal Palace had loftier ambitions, yet they are level on points with Ipswich a third of the way through 2024/25.
This is a massive match for both teams. Ipswich have been competitive in their recent matches, even the ones they have lost such as a 1-0 reverse against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
As for Palace, their performances have been better than the table suggests. Indeed, the expected goals data ranks them as the 14th-best performers, just below Brighton and Manchester United.
Palace’s injury crisis is easing and they were much the better team in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at the weekend.
With all that in mind, Oliver Glasner’s charges have what it takes to pick up at least a point at Portman Road, a stadium they have not visited since 2013.
⚽ Finish things off with a Crystal Palace win or a draw at 2/5 with bet365 ⚽
Back the 5-fold acca ⚽
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X:@GregLeaFootball
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