Premiership Betting Tips – 22-23 December
Leaders Manchester United maintained their six point lead at the top of the table with a comfortable win over struggling Sunderland.
QPR picked up their first win of the season after 17 games, Norwich continued their fine run of form with a 2-1 victory over Wigan, whilst champions Manchester City came away with all three points at St James Park.
Elsewhere Aston Villa impressed in a 3-1 win at Anfield, whilst Arsenal were 5-2 winners against Reading on Monday night.
This weekend our Premier League predictions come from Wigan as Arsenal travel to the DW Stadium and Manchester as Premier League champions Manchester City welcome Reading to the Etihad Stadium.
Premiership Betting Tips
Wigan (4.75) v Arsenal (1.72); Draw (3.75)
Arsenal bounced back from their humiliating Capital One Cup defeat at Bradford with an emphatic 5-2 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Two of the summer signings that were behind Arsenal’s initial run of early form clicked on Monday night, as Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla demonstrated their dynamic goal threat up front. Theo Walcott showed his capabilities up front, although the England international is yet to sign a contract extension.
Abou Diaby and Andre Santos remain long-term absentees for the Gunners, in what is otherwise a fully fit squad for Arsenal who are chasing a third consecutive win in on the bounce.
Hosts Wigan are looking to reverse a run of four games without a win in the league and the Latics have had to deal with a succession of injuries in defence over the last couple of weeks.
Adrian Lopez is out for 10 weeks, but Gary Caldwell, Antolin Alcaraz and Ivan Ramis are all nearing a return. The injury to Ireland international James McCarthy is a blow as the midfielder has arguably been Roberto Martinez’s best player this season.
Goals remain a distinct possibility in Saturday’s early kick-off, as Wigan look to climb out of the relegation zone. Seven of Wigan’s last eight games at the DW Stadium in the league have all finished with over 2.5 goals, whilst 13 of 18 goals that Wigan have scored in the league have come at home.
Arsenal have only kept two clean sheets in their last eight games in the league and the tendency for goals in this fixture makes the overs market an attractive proposition, but a win for Arsenal would temporarily move the Gunners up to third in the league and Arsene Wenger’s side will be hoping for victory on Saturday.
Recommended Bets
Arsenal to win @1.72
Manchester City (1.12) v Reading (19.00); Draw (9.00)
Monday night’s defeat to Arsenal left Reading on a run of six defeats in a row, and the Royals look increasingly destined for the drop.
Seventeen goals have been shipped in that sequence for Reading, who now boast the unwanted title of having the worst defence in the Premier League.
Jason Roberts has been ruled out with a hip injury, but Jimmy Kebe, Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie should all return for the Premier League strugglers.
Hosts Manchester City picked up a good win last weekend at St James Park and the Premier League champions will be keen to reassert their dominance at the Etihad Stadium this season.
The Citizens have scored ten goals fewer than leaders Manchester United and the visit of Reading provides an ideal opportunity for Roberto Mancini to address that balance.
Samir Nasri, Mario Balotelli and Aleksander Kolarov are all out injured but James Milner, Gareth Barry and captain Vincent Kompany could return.
Manchester City are unbeaten in 22 of their last 23 matches in the Premier League and that dominance should continue against Reading on Saturday.
Recommended Bets
Manchester City to score over 2.5 goals @1.50
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