GET ready for a frantic December as the Premier League enters a festive fixture pile-up this month.
Once again there’s a packed schedule this weekend and if you fancy a flutter, we’ve got you covered with betting tips from three top-flight matches.
Tottenham vs Arsenal, Sunday 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
It’s never dull in the North London derby.
Form usually goes out of the window in this emotional, charged-up fixture in the capital.
And that’s probably a good thing for Arsenal, because they’re in an absolutely shocking state.
Roy Keane was buoyant last weekend that they’d have enough to avoid relegation – and although he might have been tongue-in-cheek, the Gunners recent results are that of a bottom half team.
They’ve lost five of their first ten Premier League games this season, winning just four and have a single top-flight victory since September.
Under-fire Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs a win – and fastCredit: Getty – Pool
Spurs meanwhile are starting to look like a vintage Jose Mourinho side.
Solid with a sprinkle of the spectacular, everyone in a Tottenham shirt knows their job and the results are starting to flow.
At the time of writing they top the Premier League table and deserve to do so, with just one defeat all season and four wins in their last five.
As a result, Spurs are odds-on to win this and we wouldn’t put anyone off backing them at a decent 19/20.
Arsenal have one of the worst shooting records in Europe this season
Mourinho’s men have an excellent recent record in the derby, winning three of the last five home meetings and losing none.
But we’re after value and reckon this Arsenal side in shambles can provide us some.
Four of the last five NLD’s have featured both teams to score, but we’re expecting Mourinho to try shut-out this currently inefficient Gunners frontline.
Arsenal are averaging a goal every game, but that wins you nothing in this league – especially against statistically the best defence in the division.
Chelsea and Man City drew a blank against this Spurs rearguard and we’re going to trust them again – back Tottenham to win to nil on Sunday afternoon at a chunky 12/5.
We reckon Spurs start fast and in their last five home games across all competitions they’ve netted first within the first 20 minutes.
You can get a whopping 27/20 on them scoring first in the opening half – get on.
Harry Kane loves this fixture and has ten career derby day goals.
The England forward is carrying a knock and is a doubt for this one, but Mourinho expects him to play – just make sure you wait for confirmation.
He’s on a relative dry-spell of four without a goal at the moment, which has inflated his price to 6/5. Don’t miss out.
SunSport’s best bets
Brighton vs Southampton, Monday 8pm (Sky Sports)
There’s nothing better than a derby on a cold, miserable December Monday night.
Southampton head along the south coast to meet Brighton at the Amex, with the Saints still riding high in the table despite snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Man Utd.
Let’s hope that late defeat doesn’t begin a decline for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men, because they have been superb so far this season.
Brighton meanwhile are just about keeping their heads above water, scrapping out three draws in their last five matches.
The Seagulls home form though is a real cause for concern and along with Sheffield United, they’re the only two sides yet to win at home in the league.
Graham Potter will be fully aware that they need to break that duck – and soon.
This looks like the perfect opportunity, especially as Brighton will have 2,000 fans back in to generate some support from the terraces.
But as much as the home side need those three points to keep them clear of the bottom three, we’re surprised to see Southampton aren’t favourites here.
Since Brighton were promoted back to the Premier League in 2016/17, the Saints are unbeaten on this ground with a draw and three wins (one in the cup).
And since losing to Palace in their opening road match, they’re unbeaten on the road despite some tough fixtures.
You can get 17/10 on a Southampton win and we’re all over that for a Monday night winter warmer.
James Ward-Prowse is our pick to continue his goalscoring formCredit: EPA
Even without Danny Ings they have a real goal threat throughout the side with Che Adams really stepping up in recent weeks.
Back the Saints to march home with all three points, while over 2.5 goals appears to be the safer play if you want to avoid the results market.
Matches involving the Seagulls this season have featured an average of 3 goals, while for Southampton it’s a whopping 3.5 per match.
Get on that at a very generous price of 10/11.
James Ward-Prowse is in the form of his life at the moment and has four goals in his last five games, prompting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to claim he ‘can’t be stopped’.
He only needs one more to equal his tally of five for the entire of the 2019/20 campaign – and he’s the value pick in the field.
You can get a massive 7/2 on him scoring anytime, which is huge considering his set-piece threat and recent hot-streak. Get on.
SunSport’s best bets
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
