In normal times, New Year’s Day marks the start of the second half of the season. All 20 teams in the Premier League have usually completed 19 of 38 fixtures. However, in these unprecedented days, sides have played up to four more matches than other teams in the league.
It’s debatable whether points in the bag are better than games in hand. The integrity of the league could be affected if squads compete in several matches over a few days. However, the season progresses with fixtures on New Year’s Day, and here are free EPL picks.
EPL Parlay Picks For Gameweek 21
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Premier League Pick – Arsenal vs Manchester City draw at (+340)
| Bet | Odds |
| Arsenal to win | +475 |
| Draw | +340 |
| Man City to win | -200 |
This fixture brings together the two teams that have won the most points in their respective last five matches. Arsenal were very average when losing at Everton at the start of December. However, this match was the last time they dropped points and they have since won four times in four league fixtures. The Gunners have scored 14 goals and conceded just one on that run.
In virtually any other fixture, Arsenal would be big favorites to record a home win. However, when Manchester City are in town current form is not so important. City are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, with a huge goal difference of 39. However, they could be playing Arsenal at the wrong time so our pick for this meeting is the draw.
Watford vs Tottenham
Premier League Pick – Tottenham to beat Watford at (-159)
| Bet | Odds |
| Watford to win | +425 |
| Draw | +300 |
| Tottenham to win | -167 |
Watford are getting dragged into the relegation dog fight with defeats in their last five Premier League matches. Only the bottom club, Norwich City, don’t have a better return and they are destined for a fall into the Championship. Burnley have the experience of fighting the drop while Newcastle should escape after playing so well in the draw with Manchester United. Watford are desperate for points but will struggle to increase their tally when hosting Tottenham on Saturday.
The visitors are a different team since Antonio Conte was appointed as the new manager. His record in winning titles is outstanding but his objectives with Tottenham this season are more modest. Spurs are one of the four genuine contenders for the fourth Champions League qualifying place. They are unbeaten in six outings and that run can continue with a win on the road on New Year’s Day when Harry Kane is expected to continue to get his scoring back on track.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
Premier League Pick – Crystal Palace vs West Ham draw at (+235)
| Bet | Odds |
| Palace to win | +205 |
| Draw | +235 |
| West Ham to win | +130 |
Crystal Palace are a steady mid-table outfit with the ability to avoid any problems with relegation. However, the squad does not have enough quality to compete for a place in the Europa League or a top-eight finish. They have won just five of 19 fixtures but only lost six. At the time of writing, they are the only team with a goal difference of zero, having scored and conceded 27 times. So, they are the epitome of average but host the overachievers in West Ham.
However, the visitors may be gravitating to their true level which is also about mid-table safety. West ham are one of the teams that have completed exactly half their fixtures in a disjointed season, as have Palace. The home team have lost just one fixture at Selhurst Park this season so they are tough to beat on their own patch. This meeting brings together two potentially evenly matched sides over the course of the full season so the pick is another draw.
