The return of mid-week fixtures always puts a smile on the face of EPL fans and punters.
On Wednesday, Watford will attempt to cause a boilover against ladder-leading Man City, before Everton and Newcastle do battle on Thursday morning in an important fixture for both sides.
The game of the round sees Arsenal travel up to Manchester to face the Red Devils, where they will look to extend their incredible undefeated streak.
Watford v Manchester City
EPL Odds: Watford $10 / Draw $5.50 / Man City $1.28
The highlight of Wednesday morning's fixtures sees the all-conquering Citizens play for their seventh straight EPL win.
They come up against the Hornets, who after a strong start to the season are now on the slippery dip.
The simple fact is that Man City just don't look like losing.
Last weekend they hosted Bournemouth, where they triumphed by three goals to one.
This was despite starting with what was largely their second-string line up.
Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Kyle Walker were all rested by Pep Guardiola, while Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy missed because of injury.
These two will be sidelined again, while Aguero, Silva and Walker are expected to make a return to the starting eleven.
But if Man City are to slip up, it will come on the road.
While they've been dominant in the EPL, it has been a different story in the Champions League where they only picked up one point from their two fixtures against Ligue 1 side Lyon.
In both of these games, Man City's defence was caught out by the dynamic front men of Lyon on the counter.
This will be the recipe that Watford will try to replicate in this clash.
The Hornets are in the middle of a poor run of form, suffering three defeats and scrapping one draw from their previous four EPL games.
But with a talented crop of players, they are more than capable of springing an upset in front of their home fans.
Ex-Juventus attacking midfielder Roberto Pereyra will be a key man if this is to be the case.
But in their current form, it's hard to see the Hornets getting a result against Pep's Manchester City.
Key EPL Stat
In all competitions, David Silva has been the first goal scorer in 3 of his past 4 starting appearances: David Silva to score the first goal @ $8.50
EPL Betting Tip: Man City to win to nil @ $2.20
Reasoning: A Man City victory looks the only outcome.
Given Watford have failed to find the back of the net in their previous two EPL fixtures, this bet looks the best way to get some value.
This fixture between two of the EPL's popular Northern clubs is expected to be a gritty and hard-fought affair, on a cold and wet night in Liverpool.
Newcastle United have just been doing enough to stay clear of the relegation zone under Rafael Benitez.
A club whose supporters have long been unhappy with owner Mike Ashley and his unadventurous spending during transfer windows, Benitez has been forced to make do with the talent at his disposal.
This has often meant a dour, defence-first style that fans are becoming frustrated by. You can't blame them, with the Geordies only averaging 0.8 goals per game this season.
However, this style has started to pay off for Benitez in recent weeks.
The Magpies won three EPL games in-a-row, before this hot streak was ended by a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to West Ham last round.
Benitez will want to bounce back immediately and put a gap between the Magpies and the relegation zone.
Another team desperate to bounce back are the Toffees, who are coming off a 96th-minute defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Everton will feel gutted not only by the result but the manner they conceded in, with a mistake by England goalie Jordan Pickford leading to the freak-winner by substitute Divock Origi.
"(Mane's) ORIGI'S scoring, all around us, Kopites singing, having fun, it's the season, love and understanding, Merry Christmas, Everton." pic.twitter.com/qZ6htDJA3V
The Toffees are another team whose good defending has been at the heart of their relative success in recent weeks.
Before their loss to the Reds, Everton had won five of their previous seven EPL games, not to mention a 0-0 draw away to Chelsea.
They only conceded 4 goals in this seven game period, demonstrating their newfound solidity at the back.
Much of this has coincided with big-money recruit Yerry Mina, who has bolstered Everton's back-line since breaking into the staring eleven.
Don't expect many goals here in a game where both defences are looking strong.
Key EPL Stat
The Toffees have won all of their previous 7 night matches against the Magpies: Everton to win @ $1.53
EPL Betting Tip: Total match goals under 2.5 @ $1.85
Reasoning: On a cold and wet night, goals will be at a premium in this clash
Manchester United v Arsenal
EPL Odds: Man Utd $2.40 / Draw $3.40 / Arsenal $2.88
The midweek round concludes in Manchester, with Mourinho's men attempting to end Arsenal's 19-game undefeated streak.
The Gunners will be full of confidence after a superb second-half saw them smash local rivals Tottenham in the North London derby.
New coach Unai Emery has worked wonders since joining in the off-season.
Arsenal look a constant threat in attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in particular creating headaches for opposition defences.
His brace against Spurs saw him become the first player to reach double figures in the race for the 2018/19 EPL golden boot.
Young Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira is tearing it up in the centre of the park and is looking like the buy of the transfer window.
With left back Saed Kolasinac and right back Hector Bellerin also in a fine vein of form, the Gunners have quality all over the park.
They will look to not only make it 20 undefeated, but for back-to-back wins against "Big Six" teams here.
The Red Devils had their defence to blame once again in their last match, where they drew 2-2 to the struggling Saints.
Remarkably in a team with one of the world's best goalkeepers and arguably the greatest ever defensive manager, Man U have only kept two clean sheets this season.
This is the equal worst number in the league, alongside West Ham, Cardiff, and interestingly, Arsenal.
However, the difference with the Gunners is that they have been scoring enough goals to account for their leaky defence.
This hasn't been the case with United who are struggling in front of goal, often relying on set-pieces and long balls to their tall timber Marouane Fellaini.
Based on form, Arsenal look to be specials at the generous price.
But Mourinho has been known to pull out a huge result in these big fixtures in the past.
Key EPL Stat
The Gunners haven't won in their last four games against Man U at Old Trafford: Man U to win or draw @ $1.40
EPL Betting Tip: Match to end in a draw @ $3.40
Reasoning: As good as Arsenal have been, expect a slight slump after the high of the North London derby win.
You know that Mourinho's men will be up for it in such a big clash.
Dec 04, 2018 07:01 PM
AAP
Key EPL Stat
EPL Betting Tip: Man City to win to nil @ $2.20
