It’s another busy day of Premier League action this Sunday, with no fewer than four top-flight matches, including Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge of Manchester United.
There are also other key games at the top and bottom ends of the table, as we build up to the hectic festive fixture schedule.
Palace Out to Make Ralf’s Life Difficult
Crystal Palace are the first opponents for the Ralf Rangnick regime at Manchester United, with the two teams set to clash at Old Trafford (2pm).
The German coach watched on from the stands as United saw off Arsenal in midweek, but gets his first proper taste of Premier League football against a Palace team that are looking to end a three-game run without a win.
Thursday’s victory was United’s first in the league since the end of October and Rangnick will need a bit of time to get them back on track and establish the right way to get the best out of key players.
Patrick Vieira’s men have already secured an away win at Manchester City and picked up draws at Arsenal and West Ham this season, so they will make life difficult for the hosts. Palace double-chance (win or draw) can be backed at 6/4.
The Eagles are unbeaten on their last three trips to Old Trafford (two wins and a draw), which includes a 1-3 success last season when former United man Wilfried Zaha bagged twice. Zaha is available at 14/5 to score at anytime on Sunday.
Returning Players Can Help Leeds Progress
Marcelo Bielsa has said that Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling will return to the Leeds squad for their home clash with Brentford.
The duo have been sorely missed in recent weeks and will undoubtedly boost the Whites’ attempts to move away from the bottom end of the table.
Leeds are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games at Elland Road and are 20/23 to collect a win against a Brentford team who have won just one of their last seven games.
The Bees managed just one shot on target in their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham on Thursday and have not won at Leeds since 2015 (five matches).
Gerrard Can Put Pressure on Former Boss Rodgers
It’s West Midlands vs East Midlands at Villa Park (4:30) with more than a little Merseyside link between the two managers.
Steven Gerrard has already collected six points from a possible nine since taking charge of Aston Villa and is preparing to do battle with his former Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers.
In contrast to Villa’s upturn, Leicester’s recent form has been disappointing with just one league win in five and the Foxes have won just two of their seven Premier League away games so far this season.
Rodgers’ men won this fixture 1-2 last season, but Villa look a different beast under Gerrard and are certainly a tempting prospect, at 7/5, to gain revenge on Sunday.
Goals Look Likely at Tottenham
Tottenham have won back-to-back home games going into another fixture on home soil, as they prepare to take on Norwich (2pm)
The Antonio Conte impact saw Spurs move into the top six in midweek and although they are not firing on all cylinders, they look a much more organised outfit.
They come up against a Norwich team who are unbeaten in their last four and have scored in four of their last five matches, with Dean Smith also having a positive impact.
Both teams have scored in the last three meetings between Tottenham and Norwich and BTTS on Sunday is available to back at 11/10.
*All odds correct at time of writing
