This is shaping up to be an intriguing Premier League season as we approach the end of 2024, and we have an excellent set of fixtures to look forward to this weekend.
We have previewed five of the 10 games taking place in the upcoming round of games, including the Manchester derby on Sunday.
A £10 wager on our three-leg acca would pay out £71.70, while the same stake on our five-leg version offers a potential return of £107.80.
Manchester City vs Manchester United: Over 2.5 goals (4/9)
The first Manchester derby of the season is scheduled for Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, and both teams are at a low ebb.
Manchester City dropped two points in the Premier League last weekend, drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace. They then suffered a 2-0 defeat by Juventus on Wednesday, a result which has left Pep Guardiola’s team with plenty of work to do in the Champions League.
As for Manchester United, they have lost two in a row in the league, with Ruben Amorim’s honeymoon well and truly over.
Even so, this might not be a bad time to play City, who are much more vulnerable than usual. It still feels remarkable that the defending champions, usually so imperious, have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions.
Both teams are struggling defensively. City have shipped 23 goals in their last 10 outings, while United’s backline is still getting used to a new system. We expect goals at the Etihad.
⚽ Choose over 2.5 goals at 4/9 with bet365 ⚽
Liverpool vs Fulham: Liverpool to win and both teams to score (8/5)
Liverpool will return to Premier League action on Saturday after the Merseyside derby was postponed last weekend.
Fulham are the visitors to Anfield and Arne Slot will know that this will not be a straightforward game for his team.
The Cottagers are going well under the underrated Marco Silva. Tenth in the table, they are only four points shy of the Champions League spots.
Fulham have been defeated in only one of their last seven games, while they have drawn with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur of late.
We still expect Liverpool to get the job done as Slot’s side resume their title tilt, but Fulham are capable of breaching the home team’s backline.
⚽ Select Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 8/5 with bet365 ⚽
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace: Crystal Palace or draw (10/11)
It may be the strangest rivalry in the Premier League, but there is no love lost between these two teams.
Brighton & Hove Albion are enjoying another good season. They lost Roberto De Zerbi over the summer, but his replacement Fabian Hurzeler is thriving on the south coast.
Brighton are seventh in the standings at present, just three points adrift of the top four. They are right in the mix for European qualification as things stand.
That is where Crystal Palace hoped to be. Instead, they are currently part of the relegation conversation.
There are signs that Oliver Glasner’s side are starting to get their act together, though. Palace have become harder to beat, losing just one of their last eight matches.
Brighton have just been held to draws by Southampton and Leicester City. The Eagles can avoid defeat by their rivals.
⚽ Back Crystal Palace or draw at 10/11 with bet365 ⚽
Back the 3-fold acca ⚽
Chelsea vs Brentford: Chelsea to score in both halves (8/11)
Against the expectations of many people, Chelsea are flying high in the Premier League.
A thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend moved Enzo Maresca’s men within four points of Liverpool in top spot.
Despite what Maresca says publicly, Chelsea are definitely in the title race. Their defensive deficiencies and a relative lack of experience may ultimately work against them, but Chelsea possess fantastic depth and quality in attack.
With 35 goals to their name, Chelsea are comfortably the highest scorers in the division. They also rank top for expected goals and have scored in both halves in seven league games in 2024/25.
Against a Brentford team with a pitiful away record, Chelsea should have plenty of success in attacking areas on Sunday.
⚽ Tip Chelsea to score in both halves at 8/11 with bet365 ⚽
Arsenal vs Everton: Arsenal to win (1/4)
Arsenal are not out of the title picture yet, but they cannot afford many more slip-ups between now and the end of the season.
With a six-point gap to Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s men have very little margin for error going forward.
Matches like this one are must-win occasions for Arsenal - and we do not envisage Everton causing them too many problems.
The Toffees thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in their last game and they have had plenty of time to prepare for the trip to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have played twice since Sean Dyche’s side were last in action.
Everton tend to struggle in away games against the big boys and it is difficult to look past a comfortable Arsenal victory on Saturday.
⚽ Add an Arsenal win to your acca at 1/4 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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