Manchester United have the chance to move level with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table if they overcome Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.
The Red Devils have slowly made their way up the table in recent weeks and with Liverpool not playing until Monday, they have a great chance of laying down a marker.
United are as short as 10/13 to grab all three points on Friday, even though Aston Villa have been in good form of late.
Dean Smith’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches, and that run of results has seen them move up to fifth in the Premier League table.
Villa have already proved they can get the job done against the bigger teams in the top flight, with their 7-2 success over Liverpool the shock result of the season so far. They have also beaten Arsenal, and secured a draw against Chelsea.
Villa have scored 13 in their last seven away games, and there is every chance they improve that record against United. However, the home side have lost just one of their previous 43 Premier League games against Villa, and their improving performances should give them the confidence they need to grab all three points.
A United win and both teams to score is 33/20.
Punters fancying a goalscorer bet should consider playmaker Bruno Fernandes for Friday’s battle at Old Trafford.
Since making his debut in February, Fernandes has been directly involved in 32 goals in 29 games, scoring 18 times during that spell.
He continues to catch the eye, and he is 11/10 to score anytime on Friday night.
Everton Ready to Prove Their Worth
Despite sitting fourth in the league table, several of Everton’s camp have been forced to play down talks of a title charge in the last few days.
The Toffees are just four points behind leaders Liverpool, and like United, they can close the gap before Jurgen Klopp’s men take to the field on Monday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won four games in a row in the league, keeping a clean sheet in three of those.
Even without some of their first-team stars, Everton seem to be grinding out results, and that is a great sign at such a busy period of the campaign.
The same cannot be said of David Moyes’ West Ham, who have not won any of their last four.
Since their 2-1 win over Leeds on December 11, West Ham have drawn games against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, while also losing 3-0 to Chelsea.
With confidence levels low, Friday’s game against high-flying Everton could not come at a worse time, and there is the possibility West Ham fail to score.
They have failed to find the back of the net in their last two away games, and Everton’s record against the Hammers is formidable.
West Ham have lost six of their last eight league games at Goodison Park and Everton to win to nil is appealing at 13/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing