Champions League Predictions & Betting Tips

Everton have conceded at least three goals in three of their seven away league games this season. The club have conceded 21 goals overall this season in the Premier League, an average of 1.5 per game. Arsenal have scored more than three goals four times so far this season in the league, finding the net 29 times in total, a shade under two goals a game.

Sam Morsy is undoubtedly the standout choice in the player cards market for the visiting side, but for those looking for better value, Omari Hutchinson presents a far more intriguing option at double the price. Hutchinson is currently leading the way for yellow cards, having picked up four already this season for Ipswich Town. What stands out is that three of those bookings have come in away games, meaning Hutchinson has been shown yellow in three of his five Premier League away appearances so far. With odds of 24/5 this implies a modest 17.2% chance of him picking up another card at The City Ground. However, given the recent uptick in bookings across the Premier League, I personally feel those odds are too big, and Hutchinson should be priced much shorter in the market.

This is a huge game for both teams and a defeat for the hosts could potentially be the final nail in the coffin for Gary O’Neil. I think the Wolves boss will get a tune out of his side on Saturday and I’m backing striker Jorgen Strand Larsen to get his name on the scoresheet. The Norwegian has scored six league goals in total this term, with five of those coming at Molineux. Strand Larsen has bagged against Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Chelsea in the Black Country this season. Bet MGM go 43/20 that he scores against Ipswich which looks a juicy price for a player with five goals in seven home appearances.

Leicester’s first goal was scored by a certain Jamie Vardy who continues to impress at the ripe old age of 37. The Leicester frontman has six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, and could become just the fifth player aged 37+ to have a hand in 10 goals in a single campaign, after Teddy Sheringham in 2003-04 (9 goals, 4 assists), Gary Speed in 2006-07 (8 goals, 2 assists), Ryan Giggs in 2011-12 (2 goals, 8 assists) and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021-22 (10 goals). Vardy has been involved in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (4 goals, 3 assists), including at least one in his last three. He could become the oldest player to score or assist in four consecutive Premier League appearances if he does so against the Magpies and at 5/2 I think he’s a shade too big in the to score or assist market.

Newcastle have won just one of their last seven Premier League home games against the Foxes, and the main bet I’m touting on Saturday is Leicester +2 on the match handicap. This means that even if Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side lose the game by one goal, this selection will still be a winner. At 3/10 to win the game, I feel Newcastle are too short, and the value lies with Leicester. In his two matches in charge so far, van Nistelrooy has managed a 3-1 win over West Ham, and a 2-2 draw with Brighton, after his side came back from two goals down with just five minutes remaining. Newcastle have shipped three goals in their last two matches, and I can’t see the visitors being beaten heavily here.

This game has certainly produced goals in recent times, with an average of 3.4 goals over the last five meetings in all competitions. Eight of Liverpool's games this season have beaten the 2.5 goal line, including three of their last five, whilst seven of Fulham's games have seen more than 2.5 goals. Lukic has been booked six times in all competitions this season and has already served a one game suspension. Gravenberch has been booked four times in the league and is one booking away from a suspension of his own.

Liverpool have won four of their past six games against Fulham, including the past three at Anfield. But Fulham have scored in five of those six matches. On their last league visit to Anfield, Fulham scored three in a 4-3 defeat. Mohamed Salah has both scored and assisted in each of his past three home league games for Liverpool. Curtis Jones has averaged a shot per game in the Premier League this season.

Everton have failed to score in each of their past four Premier League games. They've also failed to score in seven of their 13 league games overall this season. Arsenal have found the net 12 times over their last five games. Saka has found the net five times over his last six games in all competitions, whilst Odegaard has averaged 1.25 shots per game in the Premier League this season. Ashley Young has been booked four times in all competitions this season and received one red card.

Chris Wood is one of only four players in the Premier League to have scored 10 or more goals this season. The Nottingham Forest striker hit double digits after his goal at Old Trafford last weekend that gave Forest a memorable 3-2 win over Manchester United. In doing so, he also became the first player for the club to score 10 Premier League goals before Christmas, and will have his sights set on bagging against a Villa side who have conceded 11 goals in their last five matches across all competitions. Wood’s numbers this season cannot be argued with. The New Zealand international has 10 league goals from just 14 starts. He has hit the net in three of his last four at the City Ground, and all things considered I’m surprised to see Sky Bet boost him to 2/1 for another against Emery’s men.

I’ve also had a few quid on both Chris Wood and Jhon Duran to score at a juicy looking 11/1 with bet365. Unai Emery confirmed after Aston Villa’s win over Leipzig that Ollie Watkins had been withdrawn at half time due to a small injury he had picked up. This should mean that Jhon Duran should be given a start at the City Ground. Duran will turn 21 the day before this match, and is just one of three players to score 10+ goals for Villa before turning 21, along with Luke Moore (11) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (13). Across all competitions this season, Duran has scored 10 goals in just 805 minutes of football. He has netted the winner in four of their seven league winners this term, and with this same bet paying just 13/2 with Paddy Power, I feel we are getting a generous offering at 11/1 with bet365.

Manchester City have won five of their last six Premier League games against Manchester United, but I’m swerving the result of this game, after their recent blip, has become somewhat of a crisis. Pep Guardiola’s side have won just one of their last ten matches across all competitions (W1 D2 L7). Instead, I’ve taken a lean towards Over 3.5 goals in the match at 6/5 with William Hill. Astonishingly, City have conceded at least two goals in nine of their last ten, with their most recent defeat coming at Juventus, when they were deservedly beaten 2-0 on Wednesday. City remain an attacking force at home and have won three of their last four league matches at the Etihad. This, combined with United’s defensive frailties, which were ever-present against Nottingham Forest last week, should lead to an entertaining and high-scoring Manchester derby.

Anthony Taylor is tasked with keeping order on Sunday, and I’m hoping the man from Wythenshawe decides to spread some festive cheer and give out a few early Christmas cards. Bernardo Silva tends to collect his cards in matches against the bigger sides. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are the three teams he has been booked against most in his career. After collecting more than any other City player this season, with six in total, he looks a nice proposition. It’s also worth noting he was even booked in the Community Shield when the pair met back in August at Wembley. Lisandro Martinez is the other player I’m targeting to find his way into the book. He also leads the way for his club, picking up the most yellow cards this season. The Argentine has five yellows in 12 league outings in 2024/25, and pairing him with Bernardo Silva pays 14/1 with Sky Bet.

Dejan Kulusevski is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance on Sunday, with his first also coming against Southampton back in 2022. The Swedish international has been one of the shining lights at Spurs this season, and he came off the bench on Thursday to find the net against Rangers at Ibrox. BetMGM go 10/13 that he registers at least one shot on target which looks too big considering Southampton are the opponent. This bet has won in four of his last five, and looking back a little further in 9 of his last 13.

I’ve already mentioned how much of a threat in front of goal I expect Kulusevski to be on Sunday, and for this 14/1 longshot, I’m going one better and backing him to make it three goals in three games. The tactical nature of both teams should lead to a high-scoring affair and if Kulusevski carries on his excellent form, I can see him being amongst the goals again. Pape Sarr to be carded is the second half of this double. The 22-year-old is averaging 2.01 fouls committed per 90 minutes in the league this season, and his totals from his last four league starts read 3,1,3,3. He has been booked in two of his last four and is partial to a clumsy foul that can often land him in trouble.