Last weekend saw one of the two unbeaten records in the Premier League come to a halt, a new team taking over at the top of the table, as well as some huge results for teams battling for points at the foot of the table. With a crucial few weeks of the season ahead, the Festive fixture list is already delivering in terms of drama and excitement. Last week we brought you a preview of the key dates over the Christmas and New Year period in the Premier League, but this week we are heading back to more familiar territory with our selection of tips for the games coming up on Matchday 17, as well as a recap of how things turned out on Matchday 16. As always, if you fancy a flutter on these games this coming weekend, then bet365 is the place to head. All genuine new customers on the site are eligible for the current bet365 Starter Promotion, which can see you earn up to £100 in bet credits once you are signed up and betting on site. Last weekend saw Manchester City’s unbeaten run come to an end after they were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. City dominated the first half, but conceded a goal to N’Golo Kante close to half time. The second half though saw Chelsea put in a fine display, with David Luiz’s looping header giving them a welcome victory. That meant that Liverpool remained at the top of the table after their 4-0 victory over Bournemouth earlier in the day had taken them top. Mo Salah returned to form with a superb hat-trick against the Cherries, his second and third goals in particular drawing plenty of praise for the accuracy and clinically calm nature of his finishing. Manchester United returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Fulham, while Arsenal were pushed hard before defeating Huddersfield 1-0 thanks to a late strike from Lucas Torreira. Spurs were solid 2-0 winners over Leicester in the evening game, while at the foot of the table, Burnley and Cardiff landed crucial 1-0 home wins over Brighton and Southampton respectively. Shown below are the results from Matchday 16, the current League Table and the goalscorers chart for the Premier League. As usual, our tips for this weekend’s games will follow on underneath.

Premier League Results

Matchday 16

• Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
• Burnley 1-0 Brighton
• Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
• Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
• Cardiff City 1-0 Southampton
• West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace
• Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City
• Leicester 0-2 Tottenham
• Newcastle 1-2 Wolves
• Everton 2-2 Watford

League Table

Pos	Team	Ply	F	A	Pts	Gd
1	Liverpool	16	34	6	42	28
2	Manchester City	16	45	9	41	36
3	Tottenham	16	30	16	36	14
4	Chelsea	16	33	13	34	20
5	Arsenal	16	35	20	34	15
6	Manchester United	16	28	26	26	2
7	Everton	16	23	19	24	4
8	Bournemouth	16	25	26	23	-1
9	Leicester City	16	21	20	22	1
10	Wolves	16	17	19	22	-2
11	West Ham	16	23	25	21	-2
12	Watford	16	20	23	21	-3
13	Brighton	16	19	22	21	-3
14	Cardiff City	16	15	30	14	-15
15	Newcastle United	16	13	22	13	-9
16	Crystal Palace	16	13	23	12	-10
17	Burnley	16	15	32	12	-17
18	Huddersfield Town	16	10	27	10	-17
19	Southampton	16	13	30	9	-17
20	Fulham	16	16	40	9	-24

Leading Goalscorers

• 10 Goals – Salah (Liverpool), Aubameyang (Arsenal)
• 9 Goals – Kane (Tottenham)
• 8 Goals – Wilson (Bournemouth), Murray (Brighton), Sterling (Man City), Aguero (Man City), Richarlison (Everton)

The first game this weekend gets underway at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester with Manchester City having a chance to go back top of the table as they take on Everton in what should be an intriguing encounter. Everton were one of the few sides to take a point from their trip to the Etihad last season and Marco Silva’s team have given a very good account of themselves against City over the years. The big game of the weekend though comes on Sunday afternoon as Liverpool face Manchester United in Anfield in what is always one of the biggest games of the season, regardless of how the two teams are performing. *Odds shown were correct as of 12pm on Wednesday 12^th December 2018

• Manchester City v Everton

Last season, Everton came away with a point from this fixture and Marco Silva would undeniably accept that result here on Saturday lunchtime. City need to bounce back from their defeat at Chelsea last weekend and a win or draw here would put them top ahead of the Liverpool game tomorrow. I expect Everton to make it difficult but for City’s dominance of possession, to eventually see them claim a comfortable win. Full Time Result – Manchester City to win – 1/5 Correct Score – Manchester City 2-0 Everton – 7/1 Anytime Goalscorer – Raheem Sterling (Man City) – Evens

• Crystal Palace v Leicester City

Palace did a brilliant double over Leicester last season, winning 3-0 at the King Power Stadium in December and then 5-0 at home in April. However, the two teams form heading into this game does paint a different picture, with Leicester’s first loss in several games coming against Spurs last week, while Palace are struggling to pick up points. I think the home side may struggle again here as I am backing Leicester to just about pinch the win. Full Time Result – Leicester to win – 19/10 Correct Score – Crystal Palace 1-2 Leicester City – 11/1 Anytime Goalscorer – James Maddison (Leicester City) – 3/1

• Huddersfield Town v Newcastle United

This is a crucial match for both teams, a win for Newcastle would move them well away from the drop zone, but a win for Huddersfield would keep them in contention with the teams above them. Defensively both sides are strong and I almost went for a 0-0 draw here, which is a staple Newcastle result away from home, however I think both sides do have the capacity to find the net once, hence I have still gone for the draw, but for both teams to score once. Full Time Result – Draw – 21/10 Correct Score – Huddersfield Town 1-1 Newcastle United – 11/2 Anytime Goalscorer – Matt Ritchie (Newcastle) – 4/1

• Tottenham v Burnley

After qualifying for the Champions League knockout round in midweek, Tottenham will be buoyant ahead of the visit of struggling Burnley and in truth, I am expecting Spurs to win the game comfortably. There’s a real air of worry at Burnley at the moment and if Spurs hit the form they showed in the Nou Camp, they should win this with little trouble at all. Full Time Result – Tottenham to win – 1/6 Correct Score – Tottenham 3-0 Burnley – 13/2 Anytime Goalscorer – Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) – 6/4

• Watford v Cardiff City

Watford were very unlucky not to hang on to win at Everton on Monday night and they will feel they were robbed by the Toffee’s late equaliser. Cardiff are in form at home but struggling a little on the road but something tells me that they are going to get something here. I think it is Watford’s inconsistency that worries me and as such, I am backing the visitors to come away with an unexpected point. Full Time Result – Draw – 11/4 Correct Score – Watford 1-1 Cardiff City – 13/2 Anytime Goalscorer – Josh Murphy (Cardiff) – 5/1

• Wolverhampton v Bournemouth

After their stunning win over Chelsea, followed by a great win at Newcastle, Wolves are flying high again and with Bournemouth in the middle of a losing streak of games, Eddie Howe must not be relishing this trip. Wolves have come unstuck against some teams of late, but the confidence from those two wins means that I feel they have enough to get a narrow win here, but it will be close. Ruben Neves is long overdue a Premier League goal too. Full Time Result – Wolves to win – Evens Correct Score – Wolves 2-1 Bournemouth – 17/2 Anytime Goalscorer – Ruben Neves (Wolves) – 9/2

• Fulham v West Ham United

A London derby sees bottom placed Fulham take on an improving West Ham. Originally, I was going to back the. Hammers, but having looked at their away record in general, and the way Fulham have played at home under Ranieri, plus the derby factor, I feel that this is a game which has a potential to be a draw as neither side are the best defensively. I am also expecting a few goals here too in what should be an entertaining game. Full Time Result – Draw – 12/5 Correct Score – Fulham 2-2 West Ham – 11/1 Anytime Goalscorer – Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) – 11/8

• Brighton v Chelsea

After losing to Wolves, I didn’t give Chelsea much of a chance against City last weekend but after a shaky first half they produced a fine second half display to cap off a 2-0 win. Now they face a tricky trip to Brighton who have been tough to beat at home this season. I am not expecting an easy time for Chelsea here, but that City win must have boosted their confidence greatly so I am backing them to claim a narrow victory. Full Time Result – Chelsea to win – 4/9 Correct Score – Brighton 1-2 Chelsea – 17/2 Anytime Goalscorer – Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) – 11/10

• Southampton v Arsenal

I really think Southampton, even with a new manager, are in serious trouble and Arsenal, on a run of 21 games unbeaten, are a team that you would hate to face to try and start to pick up points. For me, the Gunners are by far the better team in all areas and as such, I can see little hope for Southampton here and I expect the visitors to wrap up a very straightforward win. Full Time Result – Arsenal to win – 10/11 Correct Score – Southampton 1-3 Arsenal 14/1 Anytime Goalscorer – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) – 4/6

• Liverpool v Manchester United

The big game at Anfield will likely see Manchester United adopt an ultra-cautious approach as they have at Anfield in recent times. Liverpool though are really finding their form now and this will be played in a cauldron. Having beaten Napoli 1-0 to secure a Champions League knockout berth, the home side will be desperate to put one over their bitterest rivals here and I think they will do precisely that, but expect this one to be a close, nervy affair. Full Time Result – Liverpool to win – 4/7 Correct Score – Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United – 8/1 Anytime Goalscorer – Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – 7/5