Premier League Matchday 17 Review, Matchday’s 18+19 Preview

We landed some nice winners last week in our Premier Leaguetips in what was an intriguing Matchday 17 that saw a number of interesting results, including a real shock for 21-game unbeaten Arsenal at the hands of Southampton, plus a defeat for Manchester United at Anfield that was the end of the road for their now former manager Jose Mourinho.

Before we look back on the past weekend and ahead to the next set of fixtures, we must let you know that this article is a double-header taking in the fixtures this weekend (starting on Friday night with Wolves facing Liverpool) and then the games that take place on Boxing Day and the 27^th December across Matchdays 18 and 19.

As such, I may have to shorten my information about each match to squeeze both sets of games in, so apologise for the shorter format, but I feel it is better to get both sets of games in and include more tips, especially over a period when punters really enjoy a flutter. If you are one them then bet365 is the place to head and if you are not yet a member, then you can sign up today with the latest bet365 Sport New Customer Promotion, which offers you the chance to earn up to £100 in bet credits once you are wagering on the site.

Last weekend saw both Liverpool and Manchester City win once again, recording 3-1 wins over Manchester United and Everton respectively. The first of those results saw Jose Mourinho sacked in the days following with, seemingly, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tasked with taking on the caretaker role at United for the remainder of the season.

There were big wins also for West Ham, who won 2-0 at Fulham and for Newcastle who notched an important 1-0 away win at Huddersfield Town. Southampton also clinched a vital and unexpected win as two goals from Danny Ings and a late strike from Charlie Austin was enough to give the Saints only their second win of the campaign and inflict a 3-2 defeat on Arsenal, their first defeat since August.

Here’s how the Premier League Matchday 17 turned out together with the latest table and goalscorers charts before we focus on the games taking place this coming weekend and Boxing Day and the 27^th December next week.

Premier League Matchday 17

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

League Table

Pos	Team	Ply	F	A	Pts	Gd
1	Liverpool	17	37	7	45	30
2	Manchester City	17	48	10	44	38
3	Tottenham	17	31	16	39	15
4	Chelsea	17	35	14	37	21
5	Arsenal	17	37	23	34	14
6	Manchester United	17	29	29	26	0
7	Wolves	17	19	19	25	0
8	Everton	17	24	22	24	2
9	West Ham	17	25	25	24	0
10	Watford	17	23	25	24	-2
11	Bournemouth	17	25	28	23	-3
12	Leicester City	17	21	21	22	0
13	Brighton	17	20	24	21	-4
14	Newcastle United	17	14	22	16	-8
15	Crystal Palace	17	14	23	15	-9
16	Cardiff City	17	17	33	14	-16
17	Southampton	17	16	32	12	-16
18	Burnley	17	15	33	12	-18
19	Huddersfield Town	17	10	28	10	-18
20	Fulham	17	16	42	9	-26

Leading Goalscorers

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

Matchday 18 Fixtures

• Wolves v Liverpool

The Premier League leaders head to Wolves for a tricky match up at Molineux. The Reds are in great form though at the moment, as are Wolves, but I do feel Liverpool’s extra quality, particularly in attack, will be the difference.

Full Time Result – Liverpool to win – 1/2

Correct Score –  Wolves 0-2 Liverpool – 13/2

• Arsenal v Burnley

After a rare defeat at Southampton last week, Arsenal will want to bounce back against relegation threatened Burnley and in truth that is exactly what I see them doing in what could be a one-sided clash.

Full Time Result – Arsenal to win – 2/9

Correct Score – Arsenal 3-0 Burnley – 15/2

• Bournemouth v Brighton

Another south coast clash could be a very enjoyable game between two sides who play the game the right way. Brighton are in the better form of the two and I think won’t lose this, but I think they are not quite good enough for the win, hence the draw is the wise option.

Full Time Result – Draw – 13/5

Correct Score – Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton – 13/2

• Chelsea v Leicester City

Leicester have a tough run of games with City on Tuesday, Chelsea today then Man City again on Boxing Day. As such, I can’t see the Foxes landing anything here against a Chelsea side who rarely drop points at home.

Full Time Result – Chelsea to win – 1/3

Correct Score – Chelsea 2-0 Leicester City – 6/1

• Huddersfield v Southampton

Huddersfield’s home form is deeply worrying, and they face another crucial six-pointer with Southampton. The saints win over Arsenal will really boost their confidence and I can see them picking up another three points here.

Full Time Result – Southampton to win – 6/4

Correct Score – Huddersfield 0-1 Southampton – 13/2

• Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Can I make a plausible case for Crystal Palace to cause a massive upset here? Not really, Palace do play some lovely football but waste too many chances and as such, I am expecting a comfortable home win here.

Full Time Result – Manchester City to win 1/8

Correct Score – Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace – 13/2

• Newcastle United v Fulham

This is a crucial six-pointer for both teams but I think Fulham’s leaky defence is their undoing. Newcastle may not score many, but their defence is solid and if they can keep Fulham down to nil or one goal, they should win this.

Full Time Result – Newcastle to win – 19/20

Correct Score – Newcastle United 2-1 Fulham – 17/2

• West Ham v Watford

West Ham are in good form of late but they have proven to be inconsistent in the past. Watford are inconsistent too but can be tough to beat and I think their physicality may see them earn a point from this game.

Full Time Result – Draw – 11/5

Correct Score – West Ham 1-1 Watford – 11/2

• Cardiff City v Manchester United

A crucial game for the incoming caretaker manager for Manchester United and I am expecting to see a response from United after the defeat at Anfield last week. I fear this could be a bad time for Cardiff to be playing the Red Devils.

Full Time Result – Manchester United to win – 4/7

Correct Score – Cardiff City 1-2 Manchester United – 8/1

• Everton v Tottenham

Tottenham have been one of the away day specialists in the Premier League, losing just two of those games all season, but Everton is a tough place to go. Despite that the Toffees do struggle against top five sides and Spurs attack should be strong enough to claim a big win here.

Full Time Result – Tottenham to win – 23/20

Correct Score – Everton 1-2 Tottenham – 9/1

Matchday 19 Fixtures

• Fulham v Wolves

This is a must-win game really for Fulham but in truth, I can’t see them doing that against a Wolves side who have come through their poor spell of late. The visitors are a much more rounded side and I expect them to claim a win at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.

Full Time Result – Wolves to win – 5/4

Correct Score –  Fulham 1-2 Wolves – 9/1

• Burnley v Everton

Sean Dyche knows his Burnley side are in deep trouble and this is a tough game against an Everton side who have been adept on the road against lower position teams in the Premier League. I’m backing the Toffee’s to land the win here.

Full Time Result – Everton to win – 5/6

Correct Score –  Burnley 1-2 Everton – 17/2

• Crystal Palace v Cardiff City

Cardiff will feel they have a chance against a Palace side who have been profligate in front of goal, but I just feel Roy Hodgson’s men a turning the corner and will pick up a narrow win.

Full Time Result – Crystal Palace to win – 4/6

Correct Score –  Crystal Palace 1-0 Cardiff City – 13/2

• Leicester City v Manchester City

These two teams met in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal recently, with Man City winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw. With the visitors at full strength for his one, I can’t see them slipping up here.

Full Time Result – Manchester City to win – 3/10

Correct Score –  Leicester City 1-2 Manchester City – 15/2

• Liverpool v Newcastle United

Rafa Benitez returns to Anfield but despite a warm welcome, I fear his Newcastle team will try and defend their way to a point. That doesn’t seem to work against Liverpool nowadays, hence I am going for a comfortable home win.

Full Time Result – Liverpool to win – 1/7

Correct Score –  Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United – 13/2

• Manchester United v Huddersfield

United’s new boss faces his first Premier League game at Old Trafford and this should be a routine win for them in front of their home fans against a team who have struggled for goals this season.

Full Time Result – Manchester United to win – 3/10

Correct Score – Manchester United 4-0 Huddersfield Town – 14/1

• Tottenham v Bournemouth

Bournemouth have started to fall away a little after a positive start and Wembley is a tough place to go and try and pick up a point against this talented and attack minded Spurs side. The home team should record a solid victory here.

Full Time Result – Tottenham to win – 1/3

Correct Score –  Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth – 11/1

• Brighton v Arsenal

Arsenal’s shock defeat to Southampton will be fresh in the memory here and Brighton will push the Gunners hard, but that Arsenal attack is explosive and I feel they match up well against a strong but lacking pace Seagulls back line.

Full Time Result – Arsenal to win – 3/5

Correct Score –  Brighton 1-3 Arsenal – 14/1

• Watford v Chelsea

Watford won this fixture 4-1 last season but I can’t see them repeating that this time around. Chelsea are looking sharp again and that win over Man City will really boost their confidence and I expect the visitors to land a win here.

Full Time Result – Chelsea to win – 8/13

Correct Score –  Watford 1-2 Chelsea – 8/1

• Southampton v West Ham

Last time out at home Southampton beat a London side on a good run of form. They’ll hope to do the same again against a West Ham side that are looking much more accomplished now. However, I feel both sides may need to settle for a point.

Full Time Result – Draw – 9/4

Correct Score –  Southampton 1-1 West Ham – 11/2