The period from this weekend to New Year’s Day can be crucial for most teams in the Premier League. The number of fixtures over the holiday period can stretch squads to the limit.
The rich clubs with the deepest squads can rotate but teams with less playing resources are more likely to select players who are not physically in the best shape. With this in mind, we are looking for the teams embarking on a busy schedule mainly to form to select for our Premier League picks.
EPL Best Bets Matchweek 16
Norwich vs Manchester United
| Bet | Odds |
| Norwich to win | +575 |
| Draw | +350 |
| Man Utd to win | -228 |
Since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as the interim manager, United have won their two Premier League fixtures. The mainly second-string won their Champions League group after drawing with Young Boys at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. This squad can maintain the momentum of the season with a win on the road at Norwich on Saturday.
The Canaries had an upturn in form after the arrival of Dean Smith as the new boss. However, two wins have been followed by two draws and a defeat. Losing at 3-0 Tottenham in their last outing was a major blow as this match was significant in the context of relegation. Norwich are now becalmed at the bottom of the Premier League table and are expected to stay there after losing to United.
Premier League Pick – Manchester United to beat Norwich
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur
| Bet | Odds |
| Brighton to win | +100 |
| Draw | +225 |
| Spurs to win | +290 |
This meeting brings together a home team who are on a poor run of form and visitors with three wins in their last three Premier League fixtures.
Brighton earned 16 points from their first 10 matches in the Premier League this season but have only added four points to the total over the last five outings. Meanwhile, Tottenham are now upwardly mobile after maximum points from those three games and can continue that run on the English south coast.
The home team have won more points on the road than when they have home-field advantage. Two wins from seven matches at the Community Stadium is only one more than three of the four teams at the foot of the table.
Also, Brighton have a negative goal difference of two at home and while Tottenham are not brilliant away from north London, they can improve that record with a win at Brighton on Sunday.
Premier League Pick – Tottenham to beat Brighton
Leicester City vs Newcastle United
| Bet | Odds |
| Leicester to win | -143 |
| Draw | +290 |
| Newcastle to win | +350 |
Leicester City are not in the best of form but we always like to include a home banker in our Premier League picks. They host Newcastle on Sunday and the visitors have earned the grand total of three points from seven road trips which is the lowest in the Premier League.
The home team are the epitome of average at their own ground. Three wins, three losses and a draw tell the story, with 11 goals scored and one more conceded. However, Newcastle are worse than average on their travels and can return to the northeast with no addition to their point’s tally.
Premier League Pick – Leicester to beat Newcastle
