The title race took another turn as Manchester City jumped to the top of the Premier League table thanks to Chelsea’s loss to West Ham. Matchday 16 sees Steven Gerrard return to Anfield for the first time as manager, while Man City will be looking to hold their sopt atop the table when they host Wolves. It’s a huge weekend of Premier League action, and we’ve got you covered with tips and previews for Matchday 16!
EPL Matchday 16 Betting Tips
Manchester City vs Wolverhampton
Saturday December 11th, 11:30pm (AEDT), Etihad Stadium
The defending champions leapfrogged Chelsea into first place on the Premier League table, on the back of a 3-1 victory over Watford last weekend. The league leaders host a Wolverhampton side that conceded a 94th minute winner against Liverpool, after defending with plenty of heart for the majority of the game. It’s another tough challenge for Wolves, coming up against the third best attack in the league (32 goals scored), as well as the equal best defence, that has only conceded nine goals this season. City have been led by the red hot Bernado Silva, who has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances.
Although Wolves have been a competitive outfit this season, however their attacking game is simply not good enough to take it up to the best sides in the league. Wolves have scored the second fewest goals in the Premier League this season, with just twelve goals from fifteen games making for grim viewing for Wolverhampton fans. Not only do they struggle scoring, but they’ve struggled to create chances, with their average of 10.9 shots per game this season, the second fewest in the Premier League.
Manchester City are in outstanding form, in the midst of a five game win streak that has seen them rise to the top of the league. The same can’t be said for Wolverhampton, who have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League matches. City have a good record against Wolverhampton, with a 6-1-2 record in their last nine Premier League matches against Wolves. City have seven wins this season by margins of two or more goals, and with the form they’re in, they’ll produce a convincing win this weekend.
Manchester City (-2.0)
$2.50
Chelsea vs Leeds United
Sunday December 12th, 2:00am (AEDT), Stamford Bridge
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back at home, after surrendering top spot on the Premier League table after their 3-2 loss to West Ham. Leeds come into this clash languishing in 15th place, with just one win in their last five games. Leeds have struggled to back up their impressive ‘20/’21 campaign, with just three wins from fifteen games to be slumped in fifteenth place. The prospect of facing a Chelsea side coming off a rare defeat, will be a scary prospect for a Leeds side that ranks in the bottom half of the Premier League in both attack (15th, 15 goals scored) and defence (12th, 22 goals conceded).
Chelsea have the equal best defence in the Premier League having conceded just nine goals, and the second best attack with 35 goals this season. Chelsea bounced back from their first loss this season with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Southampton, and after conceding three goals in a game for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea will be out to send a statement against Leeds.
Chelsea have a 3-2-0 record in their last five Premier League matches against Leeds. Six of Chelsea’s eleven wins this season have come by three or more goal margins, and they will be far too good for Leeds at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Sunday December 12th, 2:00am (AEDT), Anfield
Steven Gerrard returns to Anfield on the back of an excellent start to his reign at Aston Villa, with three wins from his first four games in charge. Villa take on a red hot Liverpool outfit that have won four games on the bounce, and are sitting second on the Premier League table, just one point behind Manchester City. Liverpool have been dynamic in attack this season, possessing three of the Premier League’s top four goal scorers, in Mo Salah (13), Diogo Jota (8) and Sadio Mane (7).
The Reds have scored a league high 44 goals this season, with Aston Villa having conceded the sixth most goals in the league this season 24, they’re going to have a tough task containing Liverpool’s front three. Liverpool have won their last two Premier League games at Anfield 4-0, and have scored two or more goals in six of their seven games at home this season.
Villa haven’t enjoyed playing against Liverpool, with an 0-1-6 record in their last seven Premier League meetings against the Reds.Anfield hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Aston Villa, with their last win at the venue coming back in 2014. Liverpool have barely put a foot wrong this season, and they’ll continue to heap the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table.
Other Tips
Brentford vs Watford - Brentford H2H ($2.10 at Sportsbet)
Arsenal vs Southampton - Under 2.5 Goals ($1.96 at Sportsbet)
Norwich vs Manchester United - Manchester United -1.0 ($2.30 at Sportsbet)
Brighton vs Tottenham - Under 2.5 Goals ($1.63 at Sportsbet)
Burnley vs West Ham - West Ham H2H ($2 at Sportsbet)
Leicester vs Newcastle - Leicester H2H ($1.70 at Sportsbet)
Crystal Palace vs Everton - Everton H2H ($3.30 at Sportsbet)
