Key storylines for the Premier League on New Year’s Day
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There’s plenty to consider as 2018 begins
It’s a New Year and that means it’s a bumper day of Premier League football.
It’s no ordinary Monday with five top-tier fixtures to get stuck into.
There is plenty to play for up and down the table.
The Coral News Team have browsed today’s matches and run the rule over each…
Clash of styles on the South Coast
The first Premier League match of 2018 sees Brighton & Hove Albion host Bournemouth.
Brighton have kept things tight and compact this season, while the visitors have seen plenty of goals for and against.
The Cherries picked up their first win in nine last time out against Everton, but their Seagulls hosts have lost just one of their last nine at home.
Chris Hughton’s organised Brighton should cancel out Eddie Howe’s marauding men, so a draw looks the way to go at 21/10.
Liverpool’s fab four head to Turf Moor
A mean run of fixtures might just be starting to take its toll on Burnley, who are winless in four.
Liverpool had to work hard to get past Leicester, but Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are now unbeaten in their last 15 across all competitions.
The Anfield outfit have scored three or more in each of their last five away league games, but Sean Dyche’s organised Clarets are a tough nut to break down.
Liverpool are reasonable value at 1/2, while man of the moment Mohamed Salah is 23/20 to net anytime.
Vardy should help Foxes east past Terriers
Leicester City couldn’t quite stop Liverpool overturning an early Jamie Vardy goal on Saturday, and they’re now four games without a win.
But the Foxes will fancy their chances of striking back against Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers may be unbeaten in four, but they’ve won just two of their last ten.
Claude Puel’s hosts are 8/13 for victory, while the in-form Vardy is 3/1 to open the scoring once again.
Potters hoping to find much-needed win v Magpies
This clash sees two under-fire managers meet as Mark Hughes’ Stoke City host Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United.
Injuries haven’t helped, but the Potters were dire in Saturday’s 5-0 loss at Chelsea.
As for the Toon Army, they still aren’t collecting enough points despite a significant improvement of late.
Stoke have made a habit of picking up crucial home wins when they need to against lacklustre opposition.
This could be another one of those days and a home win offers decent value at 5/4. Don’t expect a classic though, under 2.5 goals is 8/11.
Allardyce versus Lukaku-less Mourinho at Goodison
The first evening game of 2018 will be an intriguing affair as Everton host Manchester United.
Both teams are winless in three, with Jose Mourinho unable to call upon Romelu Lukaku or Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the trip to Goodison Park.
And an away record of five wins from 10 games indicates a continued struggle for the Red Devils on the road.
Sam Allardyce will fancy his Toffees to make amends for defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, while Wayne Rooney will want to impress versus his old club.
A draw, which will likely disappoint both sides, looks good at 12/5, while Coral are 14/5 on Rooney to net anytime.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
