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There’s one certainty this December - over the course of the festive period, you’re guaranteed tons of football excitement with BetKing starting with this weekend. Europe’s biggest leagues are back in action after mid-week UEFA commitments and as usual, we have that unique combination of high odds, generous bonuses, and frequent freebies you love.  

With several exciting fixtures billed for the weekend, including a blockbuster clash between struggling Manchester United and table-toppers Liverpool, the next couple of days will be exciting ones. 

**Chelsea vs Sheffield United**

After a mini renaissance of sorts, Chelsea fans are now back in panic mode after a torrid run of one win in five games and the loss of Reece James to another injury until March.  

Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Everton proved to be a sobering experience, leaving manager Mauricio Pochettino’s men 12th in the table, and facing criticism from large sections of the media and anxious fans. Their defensive struggles at Stamford Bridge, where they’ve conceded at least two goals in each of the last four games and have just one clean sheet in their last 12 home PL games is a far cry from the defensive record held by the 04/05 Chelsea side. 

Despite propping up the table, Sheffield United snapped a three-game losing streak with a morale-boosting win over Brentford last weekend and now face a challenging trip to west London, aiming to secure their first away win of the season.  

Verdict: Chelsea are bad, but surely not bad enough to lose at home to the worst team in the league. Sheffield has already conceded the most goals this season (41) and our bet of the day is for the Blues to win and over 2.5 goals to be scored. 

● Bet on Chelsea to win and over 2.5 goals to be scored 

● Bet on over 9.5 total corners

**Manchester City vs Crystal Palace** 

Manchester City, having successfully rotated their squad for the midweek Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade, now face an out-of-form Crystal Palace at the Etihad on Saturday. 

A four-game winless streak was ended last weekend in a come-from-behind win against Luton Town. And after rotating his squad for the UCL midweek games, Pep Guardiola’s men will be fresh for the weekend and looking to improve on their current standing of third this weekend. Their opponents, Crystal Palace find themselves in a precarious situation this season, with manager Roy Hodgson already featuring quite prominently in the sack rumors. His Palace side looked on course for an unlikely win against Liverpool last weekend and led 1-0 going into the final 15 minutes. Unfortunately, a questionable red card, a deflected equaliser and an injury to their goalkeeper saw them succumb to a late 2-1 defeat.  

Palace have now managed just one  point from their last five games. The injury crisis further compounds their woes, with key players like Odsonne Edouard, Eberechi Eze and Jefferson Lerma all expected to be sidelined for this one. 

Verdict: This should be a straightforward victory for Manchester City with Haaland, who scored a hat-trick when these sides met at the Etihad last season,  back among the goals.  

Take advantage of weekend betting tips and back City to run riot against a struggling Crystal Palace. 

● Bet on Manchester City to win and over 2.5 

● Bet on Erling Haaland to score anytime 

**Newcastle vs Fulham**

Things are pretty gloomy for Newcastle fans at the moment. The Magpies have now endured three straight defeats, including a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to AC Milan that condemned them to a bottom-place finish in their UEFA Champions League group. 

For Eddie Howe, the situation is mitigated somewhat due to the fact that he has had to make do without several key players, severely testing the squad's depth. Despite these setbacks, we are backing Newcastle to turn fortunes around in a home game against Fulham. Why? Because they are incredible at home. They have secured 81% of their league points at home and are on a remarkable six-game winning streak at St James’ Park, the best since the 2002/03 season. They have also lost to Fulham just once in their last 9 meetings and beat the London side 1-0 in January. They are 7th in the league standings (W8, D2, L6) and while their European exit will leave a bitter taste, they no longer have to negotiate a game every three days.  

Fulham will be no pushovers though, as they are in fine form after back-to-back 5-0 victories. While a third consecutive 5-0 win may be ambitious, especially away at Newcastle, the Cottagers will back themselves to push Howe’s men all the way. 

After struggling to find the net with any regularity, (5 in their first 7 games) Marco Silva’s men have now scored three or more goals in four successive top-flight games for the first time since October 1961. 

Despite their away struggles, with no league win since mid-August (D3, L4), this newfound form and ruthlessness in front of goal could make for a compelling clash at St James’s park.

Fulham are scoring for fun at the moment, but Newcastle will be tough to beat at home. Take advantage of our professional betting tips by backing Newcastle to win and both teams to score. 

● Bet on Bukayo Saka to score anytime 

● Bet on Arsenal to win and over 2.5 

**Real Madrid vs Villarreal**

Real Madrid are back in domestic action after their mid-week victory over Union Berlin in the UEFA Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti’s men finished top of their group (6 wins out of 6) and will be aiming to return to winning ways after last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis. Those dropped points, coupled with Girona’s stunning win over Barcelona have knocked Real into second place and they can’t afford to drop more points, with Atleti closing in. 

Jude Bellingham continued his sparkling form with a goal against Betis, and an assist against Union Berlin, taking his contribution this season to 16 goals and 5 assists in 19 appearances. However, Madrid will be coming up against LaLiga’s in-form striker this season, Gerard Moreno, who has scored 9 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.  

Despite his fine form, Villarreal are having a torrid season, languishing in 13th place, with one win in their last 5 games but have fared incredibly well in the Europa League, finishing top of their group with 13 points from 6 games. 

The last 5 meetings between these sides have ended with 2 wins to Villarreal, 2 draws and 1 victory to Real Madrid. In fact, the Yellow Submarines defeated Real at the Bernabeu in April — a thrilling 3-2 victory, masterminded by the now-departed Samuel Chukwueze. 

Verdict: Ancelotti’s men are on a 15-game unbeaten run at home and with Bellingham in excellent form, our bet of the day is a Los Blancos win powered by Bellingham. 

● Bet on Real Madrid to win and over 1.5 

● Bet on Jude Bellingham to score anytime 

● Bet on over 2.5 second half yellow cards

**Liverpool vs Manchester United**

High-flying Liverpool welcome bitter rivals Manchester United to Anfield for an eagerly anticipated Premier League showdown. Travelling to Anfield hasn’t been a happy experience for Red Devils recently. The last time both teams met at Anfield, it was a bloodbath with Jurgen Klopp’s team romping to a historic 7-0 victory.  

The Reds are currently top of the Premier League with 37 points from their first 16 games, and just one defeat in the league all season. The Anfield side have the joint-best defence in the league (15 conceded) and the second-best attack (36). Anfield is one of the toughest stadiums in the world to go to; Liverpool have not lost at home in the league since a 2-1 loss to Leeds United last November. They are also on a 12-game winning run at home and have not lost at home to Manchester United since 2016. Our point? Manchester United might be in BIG trouble. 

For the Red Devils, things have gone from bad to worse, almost on a weekly basis. Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure following a recent 3-0 thrashing at Bournemouth and elimination from the Champions League after a defeat to Bayern Munich. A heavy loss on Sunday could further worsen United’s already disappointing season and permanently damage the relationship between Manchester United and ten Hag.  

United have now lost 1 of their last 5 games, failing to score in the last 2, conceding 6 in that period. Big money signing Rasmus Hojlund has failed to score a single goal in the league this season (13 played), and Marcus Rashford continues to struggle (2 goals in 12 appearances). The misfiring attack also includes Brazilian flop Antony, who has failed to score in his last 20 appearances for the Red Devils. 

United’s last two visits to Anfield ended in a combined 11-0 defeat (0-7, 0-4). Ten Hag’s men are currently 6th, 6 points off the top 4, but a visit to Anfield is not the place for this dysfunctional side to kick-start their season. If Liverpool fly out of the blocks early, this could get ugly.   

Verdict: Mohamed Salah is the key man here, with 12 goals and 4 assists in 12 games against the Red Devils, so enjoy BetKing’s high odds by backing the Egyptian to score again. 

● Bet on Liverpool to win and over 3.5 

● Bet on Mohamed Salah to score anytime 

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Liverpool welcomes Manchester United this weekend, along with several other exciting games. Click to read our expert betting tips and bet now!

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Betting Tips for Liverpool vs Manchester United & 5 Other Games to Help You Win Big This Weekend