Weds 15.00: Man Utd are just 1/4 (Hills) to beat Newcastle on Boxing Day in the Premier League and rivals Man City should also prevail.
Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to four points after Sir Alex Ferguson’s men could only draw at Swansea on Sunday but the table toppers are expected to get back to winning ways as they entertain Newcastle.
William Hill rate the hosts at 1/4 to provide the bulk of the Old Trafford crowd with some festive cheer by picking up all three points at the expense of a Magpies side, Stan James’ 12/1 outsiders, who have yet to win on the road this term.
Alan Pardew’s team did arrest their recent slump in form at the weekend as they got the better of QPR but the Red Devils will provide a much sterner test than struggling Rangers and it’s easy to see Newcastle having their noses bloodied on Boxing Day.
United have already beaten Newcastle once this season, notching three times without reply at St James’ Park, and on their own patch they’re 6/5 via Ladbrokes to again prevail ‘to nil’. More specifically BetVictor post 13/2 against Manchester United carding a 2-0 triumph and they can take control in the early stages so Stan James 4/5 for them to lead at the end of each half isn’t without appeal.
Ferguson’s troops were 2-0 up inside a quarter of an hour on Tyneside and another swift start isn’t out of the question as they have been making a habit of flying out of the blocks. Bet365 offer 5/6 about Manchester United finding the net inside 29 minutes and it’s just 3/1 at the same firm for Robin van Persie to break the deadlock.
Manchester City can keep up their pursuit of their neighbours by securing a maximum haul at Sunderland. Roberto Mancini’s charges were at their fluid best against Reading but they should improve on Wearside and they’re a banker at 4/7 (Stan James). Nevertheless, the home side have looked a touch more solid of late so it’s worth considering Skybet’s 5/2 marked against a City success by a one-goal margin.
Norwich’s excellent run came to an end at West Brom and on the back of their impressive 8-0 mauling of Aston Villa, Chelsea should ensure it’s back-to-back defeats for the Canaries. William Hill quote the Blues at 3/4 to emerge victorious at Carrow Road, where Fernando Torres’ form makes him decent value at 9/2 courtesy of BetVictor, to open the scoring.
Everton ground out a 2-1 victory at West Ham on Saturday to move into fourth and BetVictor price them at 8/15 to maintain their push for a Champions League place by seeing off Wigan at Goodison Park while Fulham, BetVictor’s 17/20 favourites, can bounce back from their 4-0 Anfield beating by overcoming Southampton.
Finally, at the bottom, BetVictor make QPR 12/5 to share the spoils with West Brom and Swansea have to be fancied at 6/4 courtesy of bet365 to conquer struggling Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Recommended Bets:
Man City to beat Sunderland by one – 5/2 (Skybet)
Man Utd to beat Newcastle 2-0 – 13/2 (BetVictor)
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