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December is the busiest month of the EPL season with games coming thick and fast. Each team is scheduled to play five games between now and the end of 2020. With 15 points available, a productive December can make or break a season. The first Manchester derby of the season is the standout fixture with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future as United’s manager still hotly debated following the Red Devils’ early exit from the Champions League. It adds another twist to a fixture that is one of the most compelling in the league. Here are some soccer bets that stand out to me on DraftKings Sportsbook for this weekend’s slate of games.
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Manchester United vs. Manchester City
City to win the first half (+120)
After an early exit from the Champions League, the pressure is back on Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to keep his job. A defeat to neighbors City could bring an end to the Norwegian’s spell in charge of the team one week short of his second anniversary as United boss. However, when their backs have been against the wall, which it has been several times in Solskjaer’s reign, United has managed to pull off big results. That includes both league meetings last season and another victory this weekend could keep Solskjaer’s job for another week.
This will be the 47th Manchester derby in the EPL and incredibly City has yet to score a penalty in the previous 46 encounters. City are (+350) to score a penalty while United are (+450) to convert from the penalty spot. City has a tendency to score in the first half with nine of their last 12 goals coming before half-time while United has scored 14 of their 19 goals in the second half. United has been outscored 5-11 in the first half but outscored their opponents 14-6 in the second half.
Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham
Under 2.5 goals (-106)
One goal has been enough for Tottenham to win five of the last seven meetings between these two sides and Spurs will happily take a 1-0 win (+650) this weekend at Selhurst Park. Palace go into this game on a high following their 5-1 win at West Brom last Sunday. In that game, West Brom had a player sent off 10 minutes before half-time. Scoring five goals against Jose Mourinho’s Spurs might be too much to ask for especially as Tottenham has given up just five goals in the last eight EPL fixtures. Mourinho will be looking for his defense to keep a fifth successive shutout against the Eagles who have not won any of their last five home meetings with this weekend’s opponents.
Fulham vs. Liverpool
Liverpool HT/FT double (-127)
It’s been a tough fortnight for Scott Parker’s Fulham facing the last two EPL champions in back-to-back weeks. After losing 2-0 at Manchester City last Saturday, the Cottagers will be hoping for a better result against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, who are unbeaten in their last seven league games since losing 7-2 at Aston Villa in the shocker. Any win for the Londoners will be an even bigger shock, but it is difficult to see how Parker’s players will upstage their visitors on home soil. Liverpool has won in their last three visits to Craven Cottage but the winning margin on each occasion was a single goal (+310). Liverpool’s winning goal on their last two visits have come from the penalty spot and the champions will be confident of converting another penalty (+250) if the opportunity arises. Liverpool should take control of this game early and see it through for a win.
Arsenal vs. Burnley
Tie at HT (+132)
Neither Arsenal or Burnley enter this contest in the greatest of form. Arsenal has made their worst start to a league season since 1981 with 13 points from the opening 11 games and while Burnley has lost just one of their last four games, they still find themselves in the bottom three. This fixture has been good for a striker on each roster. Burnley’s Ashley Barnes has scored on his last two visits to the Emirates and he is well priced (+325) to be an anytime scorer. But this fixture has been kinder to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has scored seven goals in his last five games against the Clarets.
In the last four meetings, Aubameyang (+310) has scored the first goal and he will be keen to end his five-goal league drought this weekend. The last eight meetings in north London have seen over 2.5 total goals scored, but recent form suggests this will be a low-scoring contest. Both clubs have managed just two goals in their last seven EPL games.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is CharliePMullan) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
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