As Manchester United prepares to face Newcastle on Boxing Day at 20:00 GMT, the absence of key attacking players has raised concerns about the team’s offensive capabilities. In this challenging context, the spotlight is on Matheus Cunha, who is expected to provide both creativity and a shooting threat. Notably, Cunha has excelled in hitting the target from outside the penalty area, with 31 shots on target since the beginning of last season—making him the most prolific player in this regard.
Cunha’s recent performance reinforces his importance, as he has recorded four shots on target from outside the box in his last two matches. This trend aligns well with Newcastle’s defensive weaknesses, as they concede an average of 1.21 shots from outside the box per game over their last 30 league matches. For those interested in betting, Sky Bet offers even odds for Cunha to register one or more shots on target from outside the area, a bet that only requires him to connect cleanly with the ball.
Manchester City Aims for Eighth Consecutive Win
Manchester City, set to play Nottingham Forest on Saturday at 12:30 GMT, is on a seven-match winning streak and has become a favorite among bettors. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, City has streamlined its player rotation, using only 12 players in the starting XI over the last eight gameweeks—less than any other Premier League manager. This change has highlighted the foul-drawing prowess of Matheus Nunes, who has averaged nine fouls drawn in his last five starts. Sky Bet lists odds of 6/4 for Nunes to draw two or more fouls again in this match.
Brighton’s Surprising Offensive Output
Brighton faces Arsenal on Saturday at 15:00 GMT, and their statistics suggest a unique betting opportunity. Under manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton has averaged an impressive 15.8 shots per game against top-tier teams such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, yielding an average of 1.78 expected goals. This trend suggests that Brighton’s attacking capabilities may not align with their current market odds, making a bet on them to register ten or more shots at even odds with Sky Bet a compelling option.
Brentford and Bournemouth’s High-Scoring Potential
Brentford’s upcoming match against Bournemouth on Saturday at 15:00 GMT promises to be high-scoring, with recent data indicating an average of 3.9 goals per match from Brentford’s last eleven league games at home. Bournemouth’s away matches are even more volatile, averaging 4.5 goals per game. The aggressive playing style of Bournemouth under manager Andoni Iraola creates chances while leaving them vulnerable in defense. A bet combining both teams to score and over 2.5 goals offers attractive odds of 4/5 with Sky Bet.
Experienced Managers Take Center Stage
As the busy festive season approaches, experience will likely play a crucial role in match outcomes. Notably, David Moyes has demonstrated effective game management, boasting a 45 percent win ratio in 58 matches during the demanding December-January period. This experience may give Everton an edge as they face Burnley on Saturday, with odds of even money available for an away win.
In another match, Liverpool will host Wolves, a team that has struggled to retain possession under manager Rob Edwards. Wolves have averaged 16.8 fouls per 90 minutes, the highest in the Premier League. Given Liverpool’s attacking style, a bet on Wolves to commit the most fouls in each half at odds of 13/8 could be worth consideration.
Match Insights for the Weekend
West Ham faces Fulham on Saturday at 15:00 GMT, where goals are expected to flow freely. Under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, West Ham’s matches have averaged exactly three goals per game. This trend, combined with the teams’ attacking styles, makes a bet on over 2.5 goals and both teams to score appealing at even odds.
Chelsea will take on Aston Villa later that day at 17:30 GMT. Despite some inconsistency in performance, Villa’s Morgan Rogers has been instrumental, scoring in three of his last seven starts. A Villa victory with Rogers finding the net offers promising odds of 8/1.
Finally, Sunderland hosts Leeds on Sunday at 14:00 GMT in a match that could hinge on the atmosphere of the Stadium of Light. Sunderland has remained unbeaten in their last eight home games, while Leeds has struggled away from home. A draw no bet on Sunderland at odds of 10/11 appears to be a solid option in this fixture.
As the Premier League fixtures unfold over the weekend, bettors will be keen to capitalize on trends and insights provided by experts, including Jones Knows, who predicts a mix of outcomes across these highly anticipated matches.
