Boxing Day Premier League Predictions Week 19 – Gurgler v Boxing Day

The below is for the 18-19 season – click here to go to this season’s Boxing Day Premier League Predictions and Preview….

As if Christmas wasn’t enough, there is a whole bunch of Boxing Day Premier League fixtures waiting, and as ever so are our Boxing Day Premier League predictions.

Every week we offer up our Premier League predictions, along with a mini preview of each match, with a few best bets in an alternative Premier League preview.

We also put our tips up against a competitor, usually not human though and based on some football stat or general life. This week our tipping opponent is based on each teams form on the five previous Boxing days.

It’s a lot like the BBC’s Lawros tips, but better. Arguably.

Boxing Day Premier League Predictions – Gurgler v Boxing Day

TIPS BACKGROUND: We’ve had some elaborate tipping opposition this season so far, time for something nice and simple.

We have the record for each club on Boxing Day from the past five seasons (covering EFL as well) and the team with the best performance over the five previous Boxing Days gets the tip. The full record is at the end of this preview.

Are our tips good enough to beat those based on Boxing Day? Keep reading and find out.

GURGLER BOXING DAY PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS WEEK 19

DRAW – Fulham v Wolves (1-1)
MANCHESTER CITY to beat Leicester (2-1)
CRYSTAL PALACE To beat Cardiff (1-0)
LIVERPOOL to beat Newcastle (3-0)
MANCHESTER UNITED to beat Huddersfield (5-0)
EVERTON to beat Burnley (2-1)
SPURS to beat Bournemouth (3-0)
DRAW – Brighton v Arsenal (1-1)
DRAW – Watford v Chelsea (2-2)
SOUTHAMPTON to beat West Ham (3-1)

BOXING DAY PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS WEEK 19 – BOXING DAY FORM

Avg points from last 5 Boxing Days in brackets.

WOLVES (2.6) to beat Fulham (2.4)

CRYSTAL PALACE (1.0) to beat Cardiff (0.6)

MAN CITY (3.0) to beat Leicester (0.6)

LIVERPOOL (2.4) to beat Newcastle (0.6)

MAN UTD (2.0) to beat Huddersfield (0.8)

DRAW – Burnley (1.4) v Everton (1.4)

SPURS (2.6) to beat Bournemouth (1.6)

ARSENAL (2.4) to beat Brighton (1.6)

CHELSEA (2.6) to beat Watford (1.6)

SOUTHAMPTON (1.8) to beat West Ham (1.0)

BOXING DAY PREMIER LEAGUE MINI PREVIEW

Here is the quickest of rundowns of each match for this round of the Premier League, with a barely interesting stat and a best bet.

FULHAM v WOLVES

A first match up this season between two of the sides promoted from the Championship with high hopes and big promise. Sadly, only Wolves have lived up to the hype thus far in the Premier League. The hiring of Claudio Ranieri hasn’t really turned things around yet for Fulham, but a clean sheet in Newcastle is progress. Wolves’ 2-0 loss to leaders Liverpool on Friday night is no shame, they remain in the six team midfield pack separated by three points in 10th.

Barely Interesting Fact: The last EPL clash between the two sides ended in a 5-0 win to Fulham. Honours were even last year in the Championship with 2-0 wins to the home side on both occasions.

“Best” Bet: Double Chance – Wolves or Draw @ $1.35

LEICESTER v MANCHESTER CITY

Leicester City have managed to do something that Manchester City have been unable to do this year – beat Chelsea. Coincidentally the other surprise results from the weekend was Manchester City’s loss to Crystal Palace. This is a replay of the League Cup quarter final played less than a week ago, which ended in a 1-1 draw. City won on penalties, and will probably take less time to achieve the result for Boxing Day. However, Claude Puel, who seems inevitably to be the next manager sacked may have bought some time with the unexpected win against Chelsea. At least until 2019 that is.

Barely Interesting Fact: The last two matches between these two sides in Leicester were League Cup fixtures that ended in 1-1. Prior the Leicester’s title winning season, Leicester last beat City in 1987.

“Best” Bet: Manchester City to win @ $1.35

CRYSTAL PALACE v CARDIFF CITY

Two teams meet that were on opposite results of matches against Manchester sides on the weekend. Cardiff were unlucky to be the first team to play United the game after Jose Mourinho was given the arse, and the very predictable sensational performance was in evidence. Crystal Palace caused the upset of the season so far by coming from behind and winning 3-2 against Manchester City. Perhaps helping Liverpool to the title a few years after costing them one.

Barely Interesting Fact: In their only meeting in the top flight, 2013-14 saw Crystal Palace win 3-0 and 2-0.

“Best” Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ $1.89

LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE UNITED

Happy days for Liverpool as they top the table at Christmas, helped to a four point gap by Manchester City’s loss to Crystal Palace. Current Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez can only look at his former club with envy as he tries to steer his lesser equipped side away from relegation. A draw at home to last placed Fulham is not the worst result in the world, but you can’t see them getting three points at Liverpool despite being competitive against the top six sides this season.

Barely Interesting Fact: Liverpool are unbeaten at home to Newcastle since 1994 – 17 wins and 4 draws. And they have scored 2+ goals in all but two of those home fixtures.

“Best” Bet: Only Liverpool to score @ $1.76

MANCHESTER UNITED v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

What a performance against Cardiff for Manchester United, proving beyond doubt that everything was Jose’s fault. OK, not quite, but there is a certain amount of coincidence about it. What luck for United’s new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer too, to take over with United’s current run of fixtures. Next up is Huddersfield, who have just the one win away from home this year, and who are without a win in five matches.

Barely Interesting Fact: Huddersfield surprised Manchester United with a 2-1 win at home last season in the first season in the top flight for decades. You have to go even further back for the next win against United – 1952.

“Best” Bet: Manchester United -1.5 Handicap @ $1.69

BURNLEY v EVERTON

An interesting battle lies ahead at Turf Moor, Burnley are stuck in the relegation zone, and with the teams above them finding some form, it is becoming a bit of a worry for last season’s surprise team. Everton are on the shorter turnaround after playing Sunday, but luckily Burnley is not too far away.

Barely Interesting Fact: Burnley have actually won three of the past four matches in this fixture.

“Best” Bet: Burnley to score the first goal @ $2.76

SPURS v BOURNEMOUTH

Interesting to see if the hanging threat of losing their manager to Manchester United will affect Spurs in the second half of the season, irony too if it does and the Red Devils are the ones to take advantage. That looks unlikely given that Spurs have so many great attacking weapons. Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Brighton arrested a three game losing streak, but a win at Wembley looks as unlikely as Spurs slip from the top four.

Barely Interesting Fact: Bournemouth’s 0-0 draw with Spurs in 2016 is the only time they’ve avoided defeat. Spurs have scored 3+ goals all in but one of those victories.

“Best” Bet: Spurs 1.5 Handicap @ $1.95

BRIGHTON v ARSENAL

Arsenal’s win over Burnley on the weekend stopped a two game losing streak in League and League Cup, previously they had gone undefeated since the second weekend of the year. Visiting Brighton though is no easy gig, and they both have the same record – Brighton at home and Arsenal away this season – (4W 2D 2L).

Barely Interesting Fact: Brighton have won their last three home matches against Arsenal – last season, then a gap to 1982 and 1983.

“Best” Bet: Both teams to score – Yes @ $1.74

WATFORD v CHELSEA

A second consecutive London match for Watford, and after Chelsea’s recent woes on the road (they have lost every second game away recently) they are due another loss based on that stat. After a winless run of five games, Watford are back in business with two straight wins, and have knocked off some good opposition at home this season.

Barely Interesting Fact: Watford have only beaten Chelsea once this century. Last year’s fixtures saw a 4-1 win for Chelsea.

“Best” Bet: Watford or Draw @ $2.10

SOUTHAMPTON v WEST HAM

Southampton are the now the free scoring winners that they could never have been under the grumpy Mark Hughes, everyone is loving their new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl at the moment for the breath of fresh air he brings. That will run out as the fixtures get tougher, but why not enjoy the current ride. West Ham’s great winning streak was abruptly halted at home to Watford on the weekend, and they return to the Premier League’s most unpredictable side.

Barely Interesting Fact: 60% of Southampton’s goals have come in the last two games.

“Best” Bet: Southampton to win @ $2.20