Our soccer expert shares betting tips and previews some huge games in matchday 18 as Liverpool and Arsenal battle for top spot over the Christmas period, with Aston Villa hot on their heels facing a relegation-threatened Sheffield United.

 

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Aston Villa vs Sheffield United (Friday 20:00 UTC)

Who would have thought Aston Villa having the best run of form over the last five Premier League games? Unai Emery for sure and certainly the home faithful could feel they’re dreaming at the moment. They're also through to the knockout stages in the Europa Conference League as well, just an amazing time to be a fan. The last league game at Brentford wasn’t their best performance. In a game lacking in quality, Villa got an ugly win, a massive three points and reaffirmed their top-four status. The pantomime which followed Villa’s winner will cost them (oh yes it will) and Unai Emery will deal with the main culprits in his own way. 

If you'd told me Aston Villa could be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day after Newcastle thrashed them 5-1 on the opening day of the season, I probably would have laughed.

But if they beat Sheffield United - which you'd expect them to - with their superb record at Villa Park and Liverpool draw with Arsenal on Saturday, then Unai Emery's side will be at the summit when everyone tucks into their turkey.

Chris Wilder has come in to drag Sheffield United to the end of the season. He commented on his team's naivety after Saturday's defeat at Stamford Bridge but he will take heart from his team's dogged first-half performance in West London.

They limited Chelsea to very few opportunities and could have taken the lead themselves, but again lacked a killer touch. They can be buoyed by the fact they limited Chelsea in the first half but class and stamina shone through in the second half. Fans commenting on the side's poor performance with even calls of an 'amateur side' from sections of their own fanbase will be food for thought for Wilder in his second spell as manager.

Can't see this going any other way than a Villa win and neither can our odds with Villa at 1.23 and Sheffield Utd at a far-out 11.39. There's even a nice price on Wilder's men not scoring at all in this match at 1.86 which is worth a go.

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton (Saturday 15:00 UTC)

Spurs have been stuttering in recent games but are back to winning ways in their last two which has helped them stay four points ahead of Newcastle in the league table. It’s very entertaining and stressful being a Spurs fan this season. They are playing some great football, but seem to tend to make it a lot harder than it needs to be.

A good victory against Forest that was only made harder by the fully deserved sending off of Bissouma, who is now missing for four games at the busiest time of the season. Having only just returned after his previous ban, he should have known better. Dejan Kulusevski was brilliant and his goal was a reward for his performance. Ben Davies was also excellent as was Udogie.

Are we finally seeing the form of Richarlison to the peak it should be? He has scored in back-to-back Premier League appearances for the first time since May 2022, when he played for Everton. He has three goals in his last two league games for Spurs, more than in his first 39 games for the club.

Sean Dyche’s team are climbing out of trouble with four wins out of the last five games. If Everton didn’t have their points deduction, with their recent form, they would be in 9th place in the table, highlighting how much this purple patch has ignited their season. This recent form is not only hugely impressive, but it’s allowing everyone associated with the club to look forward and not back.

The win at Burnley was another example of how controlled and effective this Everton side are. They know the importance of December’s fixtures in moulding our season. Early defeats combined with a points deduction created added pressure in the early part of the month, to pick up points.

Four wins from four games has provided a much-needed cushion from the threat of relegation but has also allowed us to fully focus on a League Cup quarter-final.

Hard one to call for me with Spurs at 1.80 and Everton at 4.03, my tip is for the draw, with two inform teams and the odds being at 4.29, it's hard to turn that down.

 

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Liverpool vs Arsenal (Saturday 17:30 UTC)

Now this is a festive cracker you don’t want to miss. First against second, one point separating both teams and a similar goal difference. This is going to be a close one!

One player who is excelling at the moment is Kai Havertz. He went away with Germany last month and scored in a friendly defeat against Turkey. Since returning from international duty he has notched four goals in seven games in all competitions.

He looks like a player transformed. Sunday’s ice-cool finish to finally fend off a snarling Brighton was a sign his confidence is at its peak – and what an elegant footballer he is when on song.

Mikel Arteta uses him differently but has always said how much he trusts his £65m signing to make game-defining impacts. That is borne out by the increase in chances he has had in recent weeks - 10 shots in his past three games. While the Gunners have been less of an attacking threat this season, they have notably tightened up their defence.

His side are joint top in the league for the fewest goals conceded along with Liverpool, for expected goals conceded, for fewest shots on target faced and for the most clean sheets. They have also faced the fewest shots – tight at the back!

Last Sunday, Liverpool fans and seemingly every pundit waited for an Anfield cricket score against Manchester United - a lofty expectation built from an aggregate score of 17-2 across the last four meetings between the rivals.

When a raucous opening 10 minutes had passed and it became clear the battering would not materialise, a tense vibe fluttered around Anfield. Those big hopes don't half come back to bite. They maybe bite that bit harder when 34 shots have been wasted.

The edgy feel in the stands seemed evident in the Reds’ finishing. Chances, minor openings and positions of promise prompted snatched strikes, final balls and crosses.

Who will end up on top of the tree this Christmas - Arsenal or Liverpool maybe Aston Villa can storm the party. Priced so closely with Klopp’s men edging it at 2.48 and The Gunners at 2.83 with maybe a draw on the cards quite handily priced at 3.62 may be the way to go.

 

Full list of Premier League fixtures - Matchday 18

Thursday 21st December

Crystal Palace vs Brighton

 

Friday 22nd December

Aston Villa vs Sheffield United

 

Saturday 23rd December

West Ham United vs Manchester United

Fulham vs Burnley

Luton Town vs Newcastle United

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

Liverpool vs Arsenal

 

Sunday 24th December

Wolves vs Chelsea

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Friday 22nd December**

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