Dimitri Payet. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
WEST HAM HAVE drawn six of their last eight games and although their talisman, Dimitri Payet, could make a return to action from an ankle injury this weekend, he is unlikely to play a prominent role.
Liverpool have been incredibly inconsistent under Jurgen Klopp in the league, claiming away wins at Chelsea and Manchester City only to be brought back down to Earth by losses at Newcastle and Watford.
Daniel Sturridge was fit to return for the Reds after his latest injury scare but Klopp has confirmed he won’t risk the 26-year-old in this fixture. His fellow striker Christian Benteke is on a scoring streak, so the Belgian looks set to lead the line once more.
Liverpool will also be without Divock Origi (hamstring), Martin Skrtel (hamstring), James Milner (calf) and Jordan Henderson (heel), so it’s hard to be confident of a result for Klopp’s side here.
Rooney to score first v Swansea (9/2)
Wayne Rooney. PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
After an improved showing at Old Trafford against Chelsea last time out, there has been a minor lift in confidence around the Theatre of Dreams.
The main reason behind that is the improving form of Wayne Rooney. He put in a man-of-the-match display in the 0-0 stalemate against their languishing rivals. And that came on the back of a busy second-half performance against Stoke on St Stephen’s Day after being introduced at the interval.
Advertisement
He has only scored two league goals this season, the last against Everton on 17 October, but a player of his quality is bound to get back on track sooner or later.
Louis van Gaal desperately needs a win with United seven games without a victory in all competitions. Rooney looks the most likely to step up against a Swansea side that are unbeaten in their last three league games but are still without a permanent boss.
Sunderland v Aston Villa to finish 0-0 (7/1)
Jordan Ayew. David Davies
David Davies
The league’s two bottom sides face off this weekend and neither have been showing signs that their lowly positions are going to change any time soon.
Sunderland have failed to score in their last two home games while Villa are without their star man of the season so far, although let’s face it he has little competition for that honour, in Jordan Ayew (suspension).
Villa have looked poor at the back under Remi Garde since a 0-0 result against Manchester City in his opening game. But Sunderland’s attack has been so blunt of late it’s hard to back Sam Allardyce’s side to take advantage.
A draw looks the sensible option here, even though both sides desperately need the three points.
Watford and Manchester City to finish in a score draw (41/10)
Odion Ighalo. Nick Potts
Nick Potts
This selection sums up the bizarre patterns of this Premier League season so far.
Watford have had a tough run of home games but still managed an impressive win against Liverpool before going down 2-1 to a solid Spurs outfit on Monday at Vicarage Road.
They have won four of their last six league games and have scored in their last 10, with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo excelling in attack. And you would expect them to continue their scoring streak against Manchester City, who have recorded just one clean sheet in their last seven league games.
City have been struggling on their travels and they find themselves without a win on the road in their last six attempts — their last away victory in the league was on 12 September.
But with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and David Silva in their squad, they look likely to get on the scoresheet too.
Two of the league’s best strikers — Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane — go head to head this weekend.
Kane has found the net 11 times after a slow start to the season while Lukaku has been phenomenal throughout and sits alongside Leicester’s Jamie Vardy at the top of the pile on 15 goals.
The Belgian has netted 10 times in his last nine league games while Kane has bagged 10 in his past 10 league outings.
You would think the Toffees will keep things a bit tighter after Monday’s remarkable 4-3 home loss to Stoke but with the amount of attacking talent in these two sides, this fixture has goals written all over it.
This looks like the game of the weekend. And it’s hard to separate the two sides.
5 Premier League bets to consider this weekend
West Ham and Liverpool to draw 1-1 (13/2)
WEST HAM HAVE drawn six of their last eight games and although their talisman, Dimitri Payet, could make a return to action from an ankle injury this weekend, he is unlikely to play a prominent role.
Liverpool have been incredibly inconsistent under Jurgen Klopp in the league, claiming away wins at Chelsea and Manchester City only to be brought back down to Earth by losses at Newcastle and Watford.
Daniel Sturridge was fit to return for the Reds after his latest injury scare but Klopp has confirmed he won’t risk the 26-year-old in this fixture. His fellow striker Christian Benteke is on a scoring streak, so the Belgian looks set to lead the line once more.
Liverpool will also be without Divock Origi (hamstring), Martin Skrtel (hamstring), James Milner (calf) and Jordan Henderson (heel), so it’s hard to be confident of a result for Klopp’s side here.
Rooney to score first v Swansea (9/2)
After an improved showing at Old Trafford against Chelsea last time out, there has been a minor lift in confidence around the Theatre of Dreams.
The main reason behind that is the improving form of Wayne Rooney. He put in a man-of-the-match display in the 0-0 stalemate against their languishing rivals. And that came on the back of a busy second-half performance against Stoke on St Stephen’s Day after being introduced at the interval.
He has only scored two league goals this season, the last against Everton on 17 October, but a player of his quality is bound to get back on track sooner or later.
Louis van Gaal desperately needs a win with United seven games without a victory in all competitions. Rooney looks the most likely to step up against a Swansea side that are unbeaten in their last three league games but are still without a permanent boss.
Sunderland v Aston Villa to finish 0-0 (7/1)
The league’s two bottom sides face off this weekend and neither have been showing signs that their lowly positions are going to change any time soon.
Sunderland have failed to score in their last two home games while Villa are without their star man of the season so far, although let’s face it he has little competition for that honour, in Jordan Ayew (suspension).
Villa have looked poor at the back under Remi Garde since a 0-0 result against Manchester City in his opening game. But Sunderland’s attack has been so blunt of late it’s hard to back Sam Allardyce’s side to take advantage.
A draw looks the sensible option here, even though both sides desperately need the three points.
Watford and Manchester City to finish in a score draw (41/10)
This selection sums up the bizarre patterns of this Premier League season so far.
Watford have had a tough run of home games but still managed an impressive win against Liverpool before going down 2-1 to a solid Spurs outfit on Monday at Vicarage Road.
They have won four of their last six league games and have scored in their last 10, with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo excelling in attack. And you would expect them to continue their scoring streak against Manchester City, who have recorded just one clean sheet in their last seven league games.
City have been struggling on their travels and they find themselves without a win on the road in their last six attempts — their last away victory in the league was on 12 September.
But with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and David Silva in their squad, they look likely to get on the scoresheet too.
Everton v Tottenham to finish 2-2 (13/1)
Two of the league’s best strikers — Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane — go head to head this weekend.
Kane has found the net 11 times after a slow start to the season while Lukaku has been phenomenal throughout and sits alongside Leicester’s Jamie Vardy at the top of the pile on 15 goals.
The Belgian has netted 10 times in his last nine league games while Kane has bagged 10 in his past 10 league outings.
You would think the Toffees will keep things a bit tighter after Monday’s remarkable 4-3 home loss to Stoke but with the amount of attacking talent in these two sides, this fixture has goals written all over it.
This looks like the game of the weekend. And it’s hard to separate the two sides.
Can you name the Premier League season based on the New Year’s Day table?
5 talking points ahead of the first Premier League games of 2016
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Dimitri Payet English Premier League Jordan Ayew premier league bets Romelu Lukaku Soccer Wayne Rooney