GOLDEN GOALS MD15: TOTTENHAM-CHELSEA GOALFEST
The Premier League returns after a packed few days of midweek action, with a London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea arguably the standout fixture.
Elsewhere, Newcastle make the trip to Brentford, while bottom-of-the-table Southampton head Aston Villa without an away win all season.
Crystal Palace will be hoping to follow up Tuesday’s win with a positive result at home to Manchester City, whose city rivals United are at home to Nottingham Forest. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester welcome Brighton with the Foxes looking for back-to-back home wins.
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This is how we see it going on Golden Goals Matchday 15…
Brentford vs Newcastle
Brentford are one of the league’s premium entertainers this season.
There have been 53 goals in games involving the Bees, only Wolves (58) have seen more goals scored when they take to the field. With 27 goals scored, they have bagged more than the likes of Manchester City (25), Brighton (22), and Aston Villa (22) this season.
Much of that sharpness in front of goal has been down to the form of Bryan Mbuemo and Yoanne Wissa, who have both scored eight each. You can get 43/20 on Mbuemo to score anytime in the match and 29/10 on Wissa to find the net with BetMGM.
However, they come into this clash after a confidence-denting 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, a game in which they were 3-0 down at half-time. Boss Thomas Frank will be looking for an immediate response.
If it’s goals you’re after, you wouldn’t have been disappointed by the 3-3 draw between Newcastle and Liverpool on Wednesday night - a game many are calling the game of the season.
Alexander Isak was in sensational form, booming a shot from outside the area that registered at 70 miles per hour to put the Magpies in front. It was past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before he had time to blink.
It felt like an important result for Eddie Howe, who was starting to feel the pressure from fans after falling to a home defeat against West Ham and posting a disappointing performance against Crystal Palace in his previous two matches.
This could be another goal bonanza. We’re going with a score draw.
Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Newcastle
Aston Villa vs Southampton
This is a tricky period for Aston Villa and Unai Emery.
A winless November saw the Villans pick up just one point, as the impact of Champions League football took its toll on the squad. This time last season Villa were in the midst of an unbeaten run that saw them win five in seven, with the contrast there for all to see.
When it comes to sides that have struggled so far this season, the visitors here do take some beating.
Southampton arrive at Villa Park bottom of the table having picked up one point on the road so far – scoring just four goals in the process. Russell Martin’s side have failed to adjust to life back in the top flight and, sooner or later, they will need to turn around their away form to stand any chance of retaining their Premier League status.
As far as this one goes on the pitch it is hard to look past the home side, despite their poor recent run.
Southampton were unfortunate not to get their first away win against Brighton last weekend and they will have to wait a bit longer for it yet.
Villa have won the last three meetings without conceding, with Ollie Watkins clinching the 1-0 win last time around. He is 12/5 to score in this one with Villa leading at half-time and full-time.
Another tough day on the road for Saints fans.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Southampton
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Crystal Palace are finally harbouring some momentum. Tuesday’s win over Ipswich at Portman Road means one defeat in the last seven for the Eagles and extends their unbeaten run to three.
Eberechi Eze was once again at the heart of Palace’s offensive output, providing his second assist in his last three league outings. The English midfielder produces over five shot-creating actions per 90 minutes which ranks above Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah.
Oliver Glasner’s number 10 is 21/4 to provide an assist at Selhurst Park on Saturday with his team-mate Jean-Phillipe Mateta at 33/10 to score any time after his game-winner in the Midlands on Tuesday.
Manchester City will be glad to see the backend of a miserable November period which saw the Citizens muster a measly one point from six competitive matches – including a four-game losing stretch in the Premier League.
During this stretch, the usually insatiable Erling Haaland only found the net once in the Premier League compared to scoring 10 in his first five games of the campaign.
However, the Norwegian usually finds his form against Palace. He’s scored five goals in three matches against the London side and he’s 49/50 to be back on the scoresheet this Saturday. Also, keep an eye on Rico Lewis at 17/2 to score any time, the City youth product has scored in two of his last three games against the Eagles.
Manchester City can’t afford to drop points to remain in the Premier League title race and, with their backs against the wall, the Citizens will stand up and be counted.
The away side should come out on top and extend their undefeated stretch against Palace to six games.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Ruben Amorim’s first port of call? Sorting out his team’s ability to deal with set piece routines.
The Red Devils suffered their first defeat under his stewardship on Wednesday against an Arsenal team which exposed a glaring weakness in defending corners. While the deliveries from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were first class, Andre Onana never looked comfortable in dealing with them and every time there was a corner the Gunners looked like scoring.
It was the first time United had conceded two goals from a corner in a Premier League match in almost 11 years.
The good news for Amorim and his players ahead of this weekend is that United have a stellar record at home against Nottingham Forest. They have won every game at home to them since 1994; in the six games in all competitions since then, they have scored 20 goals and conceded just three.
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The form of Amad Diallo also offers some hope. The Ivory Coast international is the surprise success story as a wing-back and has assisted three of the five league goals United have scored under their new manager.
He was direct when coming on as a substitute against the Gunners and looks a threat every time he goes forward – 22/5 for him to register an assist here could be great value.
After an impressive run of results, Forest are just starting to fall away in recent weeks. They have lost three of their previous four games, conceding nine goals and scoring just twice.
They missed plenty of gilt-edged chances against a creaking Manchester City but couldn’t capitalise. In the end, it was a comfortable 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s embattled side.
However, Chris Wood remains prolific. With nine goals, he is joint third on the scoring charts and this could be a tight affair as a result – albeit one which the history books suggest will end in a home win.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Leicester vs Brighton
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester tenure began with aplomb on Tuesday evening with a 3-1 victory over West Ham. The scoreline doesn’t quite tell the whole story, however.
After taking the lead in the second minute, the Foxes were put under a barrage of pressure from the Hammers. Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen faced 31 shots which amounted to a 3.09 xG for the visitors.
Van Nistelrooy’s new-look Leicester looked much-improved at the top end of the pitch, displaying a youthfulness rarely seen under Steve Cooper.
Jamie Vardy propelled his side to three goals in a game for only the second time this season in the league and they’re now outperforming their xG by over four goals – more than Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
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Fabian Hurzeler is quietly producing another impressive season for Brighton with the south coast club in touching distance of both Chelsea and Arsenal.
A core reason for the Seagulls’ success has been their form away from the Amex. They have accumulated a top-five away record this season, with wins over Bournemouth, Brighton and Newcastle.
Brazilian Joao Pedro has been in a rich vein of form for Brighton since returning from injury last month. During their pair of 2-1 victories over Manchester City and Bournemouth in mid-November, Pedro scored and assisted, he is 21/20 to get on the scoresheet and provide a goal for his teammates against Leicester.
Leicester against Brighton usually produces goals. Five of the last six games have had over 2.5 goals and both teams have scored, you can add that to your Bet Builder at 7/10.
Expect a similar result this time round. High-scoring draw.
Prediction: Leicester 2-2 Brighton
Tottenham vs Chelsea
There aren’t many Premier League fixtures that tantalise the footballing tastebuds like Tottenham vs Chelsea.
Whether it was the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ or Ange Postecoglou’s infamous nine-men high line, this London derby never fails to disappoint and it seems primed to be another classic.
Chelsea are flying under Enzo Maresca. They are unbeaten in the Europa Conference League, scoring 18 goals across four matches, as well as rubbing shoulders with former title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City in the league.
However, the former Leicester boss insists that his club “are not in a title race” despite acknowledging that they could “dominate football for five to 10 years” with the talent that the Blues possess.
It’s hard to argue with the Italian boss. Nicolas Jackson has developed into one of the league’s most prolific strikers who has netted over half of his total from last season (14) in over 20 fewer games.
Chelsea lead the way with three players in our latest 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙈𝙂𝙈 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 🎯
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The Senegalese frontman scored four of his league goals last season against Spurs, including a hat-trick in their November meeting. Can he grab at least two at 21/2?
Tottenham’s foundations for the 2024 season are being laid at home. They have won four of seven on their home patch – including a pair of 4-1 victories over Aston Villa and West Ham United before their 1-1 draw with Fulham last time out.
Brennan Johnson has found the net in back-to-back home games for Spurs, with the Welshman surpassing his tally from last season in 19 fewer games as well as netting three times in five Europa League matches.
This will be a battle of two high-powered attacks. Both sides rank within the top five for goals scored this campaign and they both concede at least a goal a game.
Chelsea are the team in slightly better form so they’ll narrowly beat out their London rivals here.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-3 Chelsea
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