Premier League Gameweek 16 Tips: Goals on Wearside?
December is a time of much havoc in most lives and Premier League footballers aren't exempt, with six games from the start of the month through until New Year's Day.
The third round of December games comes this weekend, starting in the traditional 3pm Saturday slot as Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge and Liverpool take on Brighton at Anfield.
There are five games on Sunday, including the Wear-Tyne derby as Newcastle make the trip to Sunderland, while Manchester United and Bournemouth bring down the curtain with some Monday Night Football at Old Trafford.
We've put together four tips for a busy weekend of Premier League action.
Tip 1 – Liverpool to beat Brighton & both teams to score @ 13/8
Brighton have only managed a single shutout on the road in the Premier League and, as Leeds showed last weekend, Liverpool are simply not comfortable defending, especially on set pieces.
The Seagulls scored twice from set plays in last month's 4-2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Some of the pressure was relieved on Arne Slot with the Champions League win over Inter Milan in the San Siro, but the Reds have managed only three clean sheets in 12 games in front of the Kop this season and they are likely to need multiple goals to see off Fabian Hurzeler's side.
Tip 2 – Fulham to beat Burnley & Under 3.5 goals @ 5/4
Six straight defeats have got Burnley supporters fearing the worst. The Clarets are spared the bottom spot only by a hapless Wolves side that has two points from 15 games.
Scott Parker's side have lost 11 of their 15 games back amongst the elite, including the last three at Turf Moor without scoring. All in all, the Burnley boss has now lost 22 of his 29 games as a manager in the Premier League.
Marco Silva, meanwhile, has steadied the ship at Fulham to some degree after a slow start. Home and away wins over Sunderland and Tottenham hoisted the Cottagers up the table before a bizarre 5-4 defeat to Manchester City at Craven Cottage.
They lost to Crystal Palace last weekend but were unfortunate to see Emile Smith-Rowe's goal ruled out for offside just after half-time, which would have put them in front.
Injuries and suspensions for Burnley are piling up, with Lucas Pires and Kyle Walker sitting this game out, and while Fulham have a poor record at Turf Moor, Parker may find his old side are good enough to add to his woes in a game of few goals.
Tip 3 – Manchester City to beat Crystal Palace @ 5/6
Victory over Real Madrid in midweek was another pleasing evening for Pep Guardiola as his side came from behind to win in the Bernabeu.
It was their fourth victory on the trot and they head for Selhurst Park on Sunday having scored 11 goals in three Premier League games of late.
City haven't lost to Palace in south London since 2015, winning eight of their 11 visits here since.
Oliver Glasner's side have one of the meanest defences in the top flight, conceding just 12 times so far, but that hasn't helped manifest a reliable home record – with only two wins in seven so far.
The Citizens' recent scoring power suggests they can overpower Palace.
Tip 4 – Sunderland vs Newcastle – Both Teams to Score @ 7/10
No doubting where tensions will run highest during this round of games as the Magpies of Newcastle make the short trip to face Sunderland's Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.
These bitter north-east rivals last met on league duty in March 2016. Newcastle ran out 3-0 winners in the FA Cup here last season, but Sunderland have made a super start back in the big time and go into this game one point above their foes.
Regis Le Bris' side are unbeaten after seven home games in the Premier League, while Eddie Howe's team have just one win in seven on the road.
It's a tough game to call, but both teams have scored in every one of Newcastle's last eight Premier League games and taking the same outcome here looks like a solid play for the North East's major derby.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
