DANIEL MCCULLOCH (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his favourite fancies from Saturday's 3pm Premier League coupon.
Brighton v Sheffield United | Saturday 21st December 2019, 15:00
Despite the fact that Sheffield United are six places – and five points – above this weekend’s opponents, the prices suggest that these are two evenly matched teams.
While I accept that Brighton’s performances may well have merited more than the 20 points they have mustered to date, I do feel like they are too short in this encounter.
Brighton’s home record this season reads won three, drawn three and lost two. Seagulls fans will no doubt say that one of those defeats came against Leicester and the other – against Southampton – saw them down to ten men for the majority of the match. However, I think they themselves were very fortunate to beat Everton and actually that record is a fair reflection of their performances.
Incredibly, their opponents Sheffield United are unbeaten on their travel this season. Chris Wilder’s side have beaten Everton and Norwich away from home and have credible draws with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Wolves. They have not been dominated in any of these matches and I fancy them getting something from the south coast.
Given the Blades have drawn six of their eight away matches, I wouldn’t put the more adventurous of you off from simply backing the draw but I will play it safe and also keep the away team onside. Sheffield United Draw No Bet is 6/4 with 888 and that gets my vote.
Newcastle v Crystal Palace | Saturday 21st December 2019, 15:00
Two sides who struggle for goals meet at St James Park on Saturday afternoon. Only Watford, on nine, have scored fewer goals than Newcastle (17) and Crystal Palace (15). It is therefore perhaps no surprise that I am opposing goals in this fixture.
Both Teams To Score – No is 4/5 with BetVictor and that is my angle in this encounter. It has obliged in nine of Newcastle’s 17 league games and the news that Allan Saint-Maximum is going to be out for a few weeks makes me believe that Steve Bruce’s side will be even more blunt than usual. Newcastle have been very reliant on goals from defenders this season, which is not sustainable and I struggle to see them creating many chances against a resolute Palace side.
The Eagles themselves have little attacking threat outwith Wilfried Zaha and have registered a blank on six occasions already this term. 11 of their 17 matches have also seen this bet come in, suggesting that 4/5 on Both Teams To Score – No is excellent value.
Best Bets
Brighton v Sheffield United – Sheffield United Draw No Bet (6/4 888)
Newcastle v Crystal Palace – Both Teams To Score ‘No’ (4/5 BetVictor)
