It may be a little late for presents, but by my reckoning, having a punt on home wins for Arsenal against Newcastle United, Manchester United against West Brom and Stoke City against Southampton could be the perfect gift to help you see in the new year.
And while it may only be coincidence, I think it’s rather fitting that each of my three picks play in red – the colour adopted by jolly old St Nicholas.
However, more important than any kit colours is the form book, with the trio of Arsenal, United and Stoke heading into their respective encounters on the back of some fine results.
This particular treble is available at odds of 23/10, which translates to winnings of £65.98 for anyone keen to utilise bwin’s free £20 for registering.
So without further ado, let’s get to the stats.
Arsenal to beat Newcastle United @ 9/20
Newcastle may have been unlucky to lose to Manchester United last time out, but the result continued an alarming slump for the once-mighty Toon Army.
The Magpies have lost four of their last five Premier League games, with that single victory coming courtesy of a narrow 1-0 success over bottom-of-the-table QPR.
Boss Alan Pardew will be particularly concerned with his team’s away form, which has seen them lose four on the trot heading into this match.
In fact, Newcastle have failed to win any of their last ten away games in the Premier League and are yet to keep a clean sheet on the road this season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, head into this one after enjoying some additional rest, following the cancellation of their Boxing Day clash with West Ham United.
The Gunners seem to be back to firing on all cylinders and have put together three straight wins in the league and suffered just one defeat in their last eight.
Arsene Wenger will fancy his chances against a Newcastle team the Gunners have not lost to in three meetings.
Their form against the men from Tyneside has been particularly good at home, with four wins from their last five meetings in north London, so the Gunners can be backed here with plenty of confidence.
(Read a full Arsenal v Newcastle betting preview here)
Manchester United to beat West Bromwich Albion @ 3/10
The Red Devils appear to have signed some sort of Faustian pact this season after snatching victory from the jaws of defeat yet again against Newcastle United last time out.
It’s the kind of form that Premier League winners are built on and despite a minor hiccup in their draw with Swansea, Manchester United remain the form team in the division, with 19 points claimed from the 21 on offer in the last seven league matches.
And if the history books are anything to go by, they should have little trouble against West Bromwich Albion, who have lost eight and drawn two of their last ten against United.
United have won their last three clashes with the Baggies on the bounce, plus four of the last five at Old Trafford.
The Reds have been in scintillating form at the Theatre of Dreams and head into this one on the back of six straight home wins.
By contrast, Steve Clarke’s side have lost two of their last three on the road and have failed to keep a clean sheet in ten away matches in all competitions.
Expect a home win at 3/10.
(Read a full Manchester United v West Brom betting preview here)
Stoke City to beat Southampton @ 3/4
As their 3-1 Boxing Day win over Liverpool at the Britannia showed, Stoke City are flying at the moment, with manager Tony Pulis winning plaudits from fans and pundits alike.
The Potters’ direct style has seen them go nine games unbeaten in the Premier League, with much of their fine form coming at home.
Stoke have not lost in their last eight outings at the Britannia, with the victory over Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool making it four wins and a draw from their last five in the Potteries.
And they should have little to fear against a Southampton side who are still struggling for consistency in the Premier League.
The Saints have won just once in their last five games, with away form proving particularly difficult to come by.
Nigel Adkins’ team have managed just one win in eight on the road and that is unlikely to improve against a Stoke team who are well worth a go at 3/4 for the win.
(Read a full Stoke City v Southampton betting preview here)
