Team News

Pacos de Ferreira

• Mateus Silva is back from suspension and could return to the centre of midfield for this one.
• However, the home side have lost Luiz Phellype to a ban after his red card last weekend. Mabil and Welthon will remain up top.

Boavista

• Mateus will return to the starting XI as Vitor Bruno drops back to the bench.
• Sparagna is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning Robson will step in for this one.

Match Facts

Pacos de Ferreira have seen under 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches against Boavista in all competitions.

Prediction

• Paços de Ferreira ended a three-game losing streak with a point in their last outing. Their not playing well but have scored in four of their five matches under new manager Petit and have only lost once at home this season.
• Boavista are four points above their opponents but have only won one of their last five. Under Jorge Simao, they have got five points from a possible 12 away from home.

Prediction:

Pacos de Ferreira

0

0

Boavista

 NaijaBet

Team News

Sheffield Wednesday

• Carlos Carvalhal needs to shuffle his pack here, with a clear lack of intent and passion shown against Norwich. Kieran Lee and Adthe Nuhiu are both pushing for starts.
• Daniel Pudil was an unused substitute last weekend and is clearly fit to feature, although its unlikely he’ll start here.
• Star striker Fernando Forestieri remains sidelined, while George Boyd and Sam Hutchinson are also out.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Saturday’s home draw with Sunderland will be seen as nothing more than a blip, with Nuno Espirito Santo preparing to name an unchanged starting XI once again.
• The former Porto manager has a clean bill of health heading into this fixture, but has to make a decision whether to start Romain Saiss over Alfred N’Diaye in the centre of the park.

Match Facts

Wolves are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 away matches against Sheff Wed in all competitions.

Prediction

• With just two wins in their last eight games, Sheffield Wednesday fans are starting to become disillusioned with Carlos Carvalhal’s football. ‘Carlos’ dream’ seems to be falling apart.
• A robust defensive performance from Chris Coleman’s Sunderland last weekend saw Wolves’ six-game winning streak come to an end, but the visitors remain unbeaten in seven and full of confidence.
• Winless in five, the hosts look devoid of creativity and passion and will struggle against a rampant Wolves side. A heavy away victory seems on the cards.

Prediction:

Sheffield Wednesday

0

3

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Team News

Ajax

• Marcel Keizer is expected to make one change from the side he deployed against PSV with midfielder Lasse Schöne suspended, though Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is pushing for a recall.

Excelsior

• Alessandro Damenis is joined on the sidelines by Desevio Payne and Shane O’Neill.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Ajax‘s last 13 home games (Eredivisie).

Ajaxhavewon 13 of their last 15 home matches (Eredivisie).

Ajaxhavescored at least 3 goals in 8 of their last 10 home matches (Eredivisie).

Excelsiorhavelost their last 4 matches (Eredivisie).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Excelsior‘s last 8 away games (Eredivisie).

Excelsiorhaveconceded at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches (Eredivisie).

Ajaxareundefeated in 11 of their last 12 matches against Excelsior in all competitions.

Prediction

• Ajax returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 victory over title rivals PSV at home.
• Excelsior meanwhile visit Amsterdam on the back of a four-game losing streak.

Prediction:

Ajax

3

0

Excelsior

Team News

Heracles

• Bart van Hintum, Jeff Hardeveld, Robin Pröpper, Gor Agbaljan and Zeki Erkilinc will all miss Heracles’ match with Sparta Rotterdam.

Sparta Rotterdam

• Bart Vriends and Janne Saksela remain in the injury room.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Heracles‘s last 7 games (Eredivisie).

Heracles have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 home matches (Eredivisie).

Heracles have won their last 3 home matches (Eredivisie).

Heracles have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Sparta Rotterdam in all competitions.

Sparta Rotterdamhavefailed to win their last 7 away matches (Eredivisie).

Sparta Rotterdamhavescored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Heracles in all competitions.

Prediction

• Heracles are looking to return to winning ways after losing their last two league outings.
• Sparta Rotterdam, who have also lost their last two Eredivisie matches, had a free weekend after seeing their home match with Vitesse postponed due to bad weather.

Prediction:

Heracles

1

1

Sparta Rotterdam

Newcastle United look to be sliding down in Premier League at an alarming rate and they will be hoping they can arrest their current slump this Wednesday when they host Everton in mid-week’s fixture.

Nonetheless, bouncing back against Everton will be quite a task for Rafael Benitez and his men given the Toffees will come into the clash high on confidence after raising the level of their game significantly over the last couple of weeks.

Newcastle United

The Magpies extended their poor run of results on Saturday when they could not hold on to the early lead against Leicester City losing the home outing 2-3 at the end.

It was their seventh loss in last eight league outings which caused the drop to the brink of the relegation zone.

The lack of meticulousness at the back is the main reason for such poor form as the Magpies allowed three or more goals in four of their last five league matches.

Everton

The Toffees have really had a rollercoaster campaign so far in the Premier League.

Nonetheless, their defensive line has been rock-solid lately under the new manager Sam Allardyce.

The Toffees kept a clean sheet in three straight games in all competitions and they held the red-hot Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby at the weekend.

Newcastle United vs Everton: Head to head

Everton lead the head to head tie by only three wins, but they’ve been dominant over the last couple of years.

The Toffees won six and lost one of last seven meetings with Newcastle United and they’ve kept their net untouched in each of last three meetings with the Magpies.

Newcastle United vs Everton: Prediction

This is a fantastic opportunity for Sam Allardyce to continue his Everton rise and we just have to back the Toffees to take advantage of the momentum and clinch the spoils from St. James’ Park.

Alternatively, backing Everton to keep a clean sheet does seem to be a wise option at the odds of 3.50.

Newcastle United vs Everton: Bet Tips

The main pick is Everton to win at 3.25.

You can also try with Everton to keep a clean sheet at 3.50.

The Spurs ended the streak of four straight games without a win in the Premier League on Saturday when they bagged as many as five goals in the thumping of Stoke City at Wembley.

They’ll have another opportunity for a similar confidence-boosting performance in mid-week as they host the recently-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.

Tottenham Hotspur

The mentioned win over the Potters did raise the spirits in Pochettino’s dressing room.

The Spurs are, however, still as low as sixth in the table ladder and they are desperate for points here against the relegation-threatened outfit.

The good news for the Argentine manager is Harry Kane’s brace. The English striker has thus taken his league tally to 12 goals in 15 appearances for the Spurs and he’ll obviously have a nice chance to add to this on Wednesday against the Seagulls.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton’s form has encountered a major stumbling block in the recent weeks.

The team led by Chris Hughton lost back-to-back clashes to Liverpool and Huddersfield Town conceding as many as seven goals along the way.

Finding the back of the net has been the major issue for Brighton as they’ve bagged no more than a single goal in last four league outings.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Head to head

It’s been 34 years since the two sides have last locked horns in a league clash. They are to play their 12th head to head encounter this Wednesday.

Tottenham have been much more successful as they’ve won eight and lost just two. The Spurs came on top in the early stages of the League Cup three years ago when they clinched a 2-0 victory at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Prediction

Brighton’s defensive line has been anything but solid in the recent weeks and we can hardly expect anything else but a commanding display from Mauricio Pochettino’s men here.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Bet Tips

The main bet is Tottenham -1.5 handicap at the odds of 1.65.

Alternatively, we’ll back HT/FT Tottenham/Tottenham at the odds of 1.72.

Liverpool’s splendid run of form came to an end at the weekend when they failed to beat arch-rivals Everton in the Merseyside Derby.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will have a nice chance to bounce back only three days later when they are to meet the relegation-threatened and out-of-form West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah continued his brilliant season when he broke the deadlock with a beautiful goal past the Toffees.

Sadly for Klopp, the heavily-criticized center-back Dejan Lovren made a mistake which allowed Wayne Rooney to score an equalizer from the penalty spot in the second half.

Prior to the draw in the Merseyside Derby, the Reds notched an impressive tally of 15 goals in three straight wins in all competitions.

They sit fourth in the Premier League standings at the moment and a win here is a must if they want to avoid dropping out of top four given Arsenal and Tottenham are just behind in fifth and sixth.

West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies made a promising start to the campaign, but they’ll head into this winless in last 15 matches in all competitions.

Such poor run dropped them down in the brink of the danger area and it’s really hard to expect them bounce back in mid-week against such a string opposition.

The newly-appointed manager Alan Pardew is yet to shift the team’s fortunes around. The Baggies were entirely harmless in the final third at the weekend when they fell to fellow strugglers Swansea City 1-0 at Liberty Stadium.

Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion: Head to head

The Reds did earn the domestic double over WBA last term, but both wins came by a single goal margin.

Prior to these two victories, the two sides have shared spoils is five consecutive encounters.

Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion: Prediction

This should really be a one-way street from the very first whistle and we can expect the hosts to produce yet another goal fest in front of the home crowd at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino to score anytime is the value-bet as it is set at the odds of 2.00.

Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion: Bet Tips

The top pick is Liverpool Over 2.5 Team Goals at the odds of 1.83.

You can also try with Roberto Firmino to score anytime at 2.00.

Team News

Manchester United

• Marcos Rojo was forced off at half-time in Sunday’s Manchester derby and may not recover in time to feature here.
• Phil Jones, who returned to the bench at the weekend, and Victor Lindelof will battle for Rojo’s starting spot if he can’t feature.
• Paul Pogba serves the second of his three-game ban here, while Marouane Fellaini is still a doubt. The Belgian will start if he overcomes a knee injury in time.
• Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s exile continued at the weekend and he will surely have a chance of playing given the quick turnaround between matches.
• Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young might be given rests, with Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind pushing for starts.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also push for his first start since April after being eased back into first-team action.

Bournemouth

• Eddie Howe has already said he will shuffle his pack throughout the Christmas period. Adam Smith returns from suspension and will likely slot back into the team at right-back.
• Callum Wilson will push for a start but it will be hard to deny Jermain Defoe after his brace at the weekend.
• Jordon Ibe, Marc Pugh and Harry Arter are also in line for recalls for Wednesday’s trip to Old Trafford.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man Utd‘s last 3 games (Premier League).

Prediction

• Manchester United will look to bounce back from Sunday’s 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby when they host Bournemouth on Wednesday night. Jose Mourinho’s side are 11 points adrift of Manchester City at the top of the table and must now try and consolidate second place.
• Bournemouth have only lost one of their last six in the Premier League and are unbeaten in their last four away from home. Eddie Howe’s side can take confidence from the fact they held United to a 1-1 draw on their last visit to Old Trafford, but it will be difficult to match that result here.

Prediction:

Manchester United

2

1

Bournemouth

Team News

Bayern Munich

• Sven Ulreich could return from a muscular problem to replace Tom Starke in goal.
• Mats Hummels suffered from illness at the weekend and could be forced to sit out a further game, with Jérôme Boateng and Niklas Süle starting at centre-back again.
• Rafinha could get a chance at right-back if manager Jupp Heynckes decides to give Joshua Kimmich a break.
• After Javi Martínez and Arturo Vidal started last time out, Sebastian Rudy and Corentin Tolisso could rotate back in this time, with Robert Lewandowski also expected to return up front.

FC Cologne

• Interim manager Stefan Ruthenbeck continues to with serious injury concerns and does not have many options for changes.
• Christian Clemens provides a further option on the flanks.
• Yuya Osaka returns from a one-match ban to start up front.

Match Facts

Bayernhavescored at least 2 goals in their last 8 home matches (Bundesliga).

FC Colognehavefailed to win their last 15 away matches (Bundesliga).

Bayernhavewon 7 of their last 8 matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.

Bayernhave been winning at both half time and full time in 6 of their last 7 matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Bayern‘s last 8 home games (Bundesliga).

FC Colognehaveconceded at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (Bundesliga).

Prediction

• Bayern won 1-0 in a difficult game at Frankfurt on Saturday and hope to have more chances on the attack again at home. They have only dropped two league points at the Allianz Arena all season and will rotate again to field a fresh side here.
• Köln managed to bottle a 3-0 lead in interim manager Stefan Ruthenbeck’s debut on Sunday to lose a must-win home game against Freiburg 4-3. They sit 12 points off the relegation play-off spot now and need a miracle to still avoid going down.
• Expect Bayern to dominate this game from the outset.

Prediction:

Bayern Munich

3

0

FC Cologne

Team News

PEC Zwolle

• Dico Koppers and Philippe Sandler are the only absent players for PEC Zwolle when AZ visit.

AZ Alkmaar

• John van den Brom is missing at least three players, but should largely keep things unchanged from last time out.

Match Facts

AZ Alkmaar have been drawing at half time and winning at full time in their last 5 matches (Eredivisie).

AZ Alkmaar have won their last 7 matches (Eredivisie).

AZ Alkmaar have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 matches (Eredivisie).

AZ Alkmaar have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches (Eredivisie).

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in PEC Zwolle‘s last 3 home games (Eredivisie).

PEC Zwolle are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches (Eredivisie).

AZ Alkmaar are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 matches against PEC Zwolle in all competitions.