Following on from a busy FA Cup weekend and the now regular winter break, the Premier League returns with Manchester City once again the side to catch. The blues did drop points at Southampton last time out but have a 9 point gap to the chasing pack and they will be keen to get back to their best quickly here. Liverpool and Chelsea are the two sides who are in hot pursuit of City, whilst the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham are embroiled in a top 4 battle. At the bottom, Burnley, Watford, and Newcastle are all fighting for their lives and this round of fixtures presents a chance for sides to pull away from trouble.

Here are our picks for the next round of fixtures in the Premier League:

Premier League Week 24 Picks

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Newcastle United vs Everton – St James’s Park

Newcastle United ($2.52)

Everton ($3.1)

Draw ($3.4)

Two sides that have invested heavily in the January transfer window face off as Everton travel to fellow strugglers Newcastle. Toon spent big last month, with 5 new faces in the door including the likes of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier. They need to start winning games quickly and pull away from relegation trouble sooner rather than later. Everton meanwhile are now managed by Frank Lampard and have Dele Alli, and Donny van de Beek in their ranks. The fresh start at Goodison Park has been well received and this could be a tough opening encounter, with the draw the most likely result.

Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.4)

1-1 Draw

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West Ham United vs Watford – London Olympic Stadium

West Ham United ($1.58)

Watford ($6.8)

Draw ($4.3)

West Ham survived a real scare on the road at Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup and they will be eager to kick on against Watford. The Hammers have enjoyed a great season but were almost on the end of one of the all-time FA Cup shocks and a return to the bread and butter should suit them here. Watford meanwhile have Roy Hodgson at the helm and unsurprisingly kept a clean sheet in his first game in charge against Burnley. Defensive stability will be the order of the day for the Hornets, but West Ham are a good side, and they should pick up a win here.

Betting tip: West Ham United to win the match ($3.6)

West Ham United to win 2-0

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Burnley vs Manchester United – Turf Moor

Burnley ($6.5)

Manchester United ($1.62)

Draw ($4.25)

A Lancashire derby of sorts is on the cards as Burnley host Manchester United at Turf Moor. Survival is at the top of the agenda of Sean Dyche and his Burnley side have alarmingly only won one Premier League game so far this season. They welcome a Manchester United side that were dumped out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough last time out and who look to be really struggling for confidence. This could be a much tighter game than people anticipate but United should just about pinch the win.

Betting tip: Manchester United to win the match ($1.62)

Manchester United to win 2-1

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Manchester City vs Brentford – Etihad Stadium

Manchester City ($1.13)

Brentford ($29)

Draw ($11)

Champions Manchester City will be eager to get back to winning ways in the Premier League as they host Brentford. Dropping points isn’t generally what City do but their draw with Southampton last time out has given the chasing pack just the slightest glimmer of hope in the title race. For Brentford, this is a real chance to test themselves against the big boys and they will be out to make life as difficult as possible for the blues at the Etihad. The Bees will put up a good fight, but City should ultimately reign supreme.

Betting tip: Manchester City to win the match ($1.13)

Manchester City to win 3-1

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Norwich City vs Crystal Palace – Carrow Road

Norwich City ($3.8)

Crystal Palace ($2.2)

Draw ($3.4)

Resurgent Norwich City will be doing all they can to battle against the drop as they host Crystal Palace. The Canaries have won their last 2 Premier League games and are starting to dream of being able to stay up this season under the stewardship of Dean Smith. They welcome a Palace side that have been in superb nick under Patrick Vieira, and they have aspirations of at least a top half finish come the end of the season. This should be a really good game in East Anglia, with Crystal Palace most likely to come out on top.

Betting tip: Crystal Palace to win the match ($2.2)

Crystal Palace to win 2-1

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Tottenham vs Southampton – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham ($1.63)

Southampton ($5.9)

Draw ($4.2)

Tottenham will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Chelsea last time out in the league as they take on Southampton. Antonio Conte is still working some magic at Tottenham, who are slowly rebuilding their season and have a top 4 finish in their sights. They welcome a Southampton side who took a point from Manchester City last time out and have proven very difficult to beat for every opposition side this season. This should be an attritional one, but Tottenham should ultimately prevail and pick up three points.

Betting tip: Tottenham to win the match ($1.63)

Tottenham to win 1-0

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Aston Villa vs Leeds United – Villa Park

Aston Villa ($1.85)

Leeds United ($4.4)

Draw ($4)

Two of the most entertaining sides in the division face off as Aston Villa take on Leeds United. The Villains have been a side reborn under Steven Gerrard and they look to have a top 8 finish very much in their sights come the end of the campaign. They welcome Leeds who haven’t hit the heights of last season, but they have season results marginally improve in recent weeks and look to be eying up at least a run to pull away from the Premier League drop zone. This should be an entertaining game with Aston Villa, most likely to come out on top.

Betting tip: Aston Villa to win the match ($1.85)

Aston Villa to win 3-2

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Liverpool vs Leicester City – Anfield

Liverpool ($1.27)

Leicester City ($12)

Draw ($7)

Liverpool will be looking to keep pace with Manchester City as they host Leicester City and their former manager Brendan Rodgers. The reds have been imperious in recent weeks and look to be finding form once again, with key players Sadio Mane and Mo Salah due back from the African Cup of Nations. Leicester meanwhile are in a real funk and their loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last weekend was particularly chastening. They need points and performances quickly and whilst they won’t roll over here, Liverpool should pick up a comfortable enough win.

Betting tip: Liverpool to win the match ($1.27)

Liverpool to win 3-1

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Wolves vs Arsenal – Molineux

Wolves ($3.7)

Arsenal ($2.26)

Draw ($3.3)

Two sides that are battling it out on the periphery of a top 6 finish face off as Arsenal travel to Wolves. For Bruno Lage’s Wolves, it has been a superb season and they have gone from strength to strength as the campaign has developed, making them candidates to wind up comfortably in the top half come May. Arsenal meanwhile are in a similar position, on the edge of the top 4 and playing some good football under Mikel Arteta. This is a big game for both sides in their respective seasons and a draw looks a plausible outcome.

Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.3)

1-1 Draw

EPL Week 24 multi bet:

We’re backing four results this week in our multi bet with a stake of $50:

Liverpool vs Leicester City – Liverpool to win
Manchester City vs Brentford – Manchester City to win
Tottenham vs Southampton – Tottenham to win
Burnley vs Manchester United – Manchester United to win

A $50 wager would pay out $413.00 if successful at the current odds.