From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

The EPL matches are now following thick and fast. Teams’ resources are being tested to the limit and big moves on the table are likely to be made (up or down) during December as sides either forge or falter under the strain.

Arsenal are now just two points up on City with on-a-roll Villa remarkably just three points from the summit.

Let’s take a closer look at all ten of Match Week 16’s games.

LIVERPOOL 48 vs BRIGHTON 40: Liverpool’s underlying performance stats are fine, and they played really well in the Championship during the week. However, the drama with Salah is unhelpful and they have some injury concerns, too. Brighton, overall, has a good record against top teams and there is just an eight-point margin on the Goal Guru Index so they must be respected. We prefer Liverpool at home, yet factor in the draw. [1][2] on the big ticket.

CHELSEA 46 vs EVERTON 32: The home side may be 7/10 odds on but are on a relatively poor run by their high standards, with a defense prone to shakiness. They need to integrate Palmer back into formation as a matter of urgency. Everton continue to do well under Moyes – a solid defense and some mercurial talent up front make them tough opponents. The G.G.I. gives Chelsea quite an edge (14 points) so they are preferred yet the draw is included as a back-up. [1][2]

BURNLEY 2 vs FULHAM 30: In the low cost perm we follow the G.G.I. and take an away victory as Burnley can be dire, rating 28 points below their rivals. Problem is Fulham are not that inspiring and cannot be totally trusted, so on the bigger ticket we add the draw as a possibility. [2][3]

ARSENAL 58 vs WOLVES 16: Wolves are better than 20/1 to win this match – about as big of an outsider as you will get in soccer. Top of the table Arsenal are the obvious banker against a winless side that has made the worst start in Premier League history. All Wolves have to show by mid-December are two draws from 15 games. Expect a discouraged, Sam Johnstone to be fishing balls out of his net yet again. [1]

SUNDERLAND 34 vs NEWCASTLE 45: The Tyne-Wear Derby is a classic duel between two sides located just 12 miles apart and both North-East sides will give it a full go. Sunderland are ahead on the table, for the time being (9th), yet Newcastle in 12th spot has a higher G.G.I. rating and may ultimately go past them. This will be a great tussle but Newcstle would be the Goal Gurus gamble [1][2][3].

WEST HAM 27 vs ASTON VILLA 36: After a tardy start to the season, Villa enter London Stadium in incredible form which has propelled them to third on the table. The Hammers are improving, albeit off a low base, and have a good historic record vs Villa. They might trouble them on the counter and make this closer than their low table position of 18 suggests. Understand if some bettors side with high-flying Villa but we take a contrarian stance and put down [1][2][3]

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 35 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 29: Forest have progressed under Dyche and just edge this on the G.G.I. For their part, Spurs play direct, gritty football and whilst not flashy under Frank, are nevertheless picking up decent results. A difficult call. [1][2][3]

CRYSTAL PALACE 44 vs MANCHESTER CITY 45: There is nothing in it on the G.G.I. But looking beyond the numbers, we note a leggy, depleted Palace currently in a vulnerable state against a City team gathering serious momentum. With physically formidable, Haaland galloping past two tired centre-backs, chances are strong he adds to his 15-goal haul and gets a positive result for City. [3]

BRENTFORD 27 vs LEEDS UNITED 29: Priced up at around even money favourites, the likeable home side are gutsy and effective. That said, Calvert Lewin is hitting form for Leeds who have provided Farke with a “stay of execution” by miraculously defeating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool. Maybe Brentford just edges it, but this is going to be tight. [1][2][3]

MANCHESTER UNITED 41 vs BOURNEMOUTH 39: Fans can expect an open, high scoring game with both sides impressing with their skills going forward. Win, lose or draw, it should be a fun spectacle![1][2][3]

The first suggested ticket is an R108 perm which can be taken for just R10.80 at the ten cents minimum. This skinny combo comprises four bankers in the first four matches – Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham, Arsenal and then Manchester City in game 8.

1 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 2 3 x 2 3 x 1 2 3 x 3 x 1 2 3 x 1 2 3 = R108.00

Another ticket covers a wider range of outcomes which makes it correspondingly more expensive. Only Arsenal, Manchester City and in a bit of a gamble, Newcastle are key singles.

1 2 x 1 2 x 2 3 x 1 x 3 x 1 2 3 x 1 2 3 x 3 x 1 2 3 x 1 2 3 = R648.00

This can be taken at the ten cents minimum unit for R64.80

Good luck and enjoy the soccer!