Bruce's Picks (1 Live)
Well, it looks like if Leeds is to get relegated this season, Daniel Farke is going to make sure the All-Whites go down swinging. Leeds has been playing on the front foot for more than a month now as it has moved out of the drop zone and banged home eight goals across the last three games, including a dramatic three deep into the second half last Saturday to draw level with stunned Liverpool. Taking full advantage seems to be frontliner Dominic Calvert-Lewin, once a goalscorer of some repute at Everton and finding the net in each of the last three matches. Keith Andrews' Brentford set-piece specialists are two straight without a goal, but Leeds' high line ought to provide some chances. Play Brentford-Leeds Over
Aston Villa's superb recent form includes five wins on the spin in the Prem and 9 of 10, and results in 11 of 12 since exiting what was a desultory August. Last Sunday's dramatic 2-1 win over Arsenal thanks to Emiliano BuendÃa's strike after a scramble deep in stoppage time has pushed the Villans all of the way up to third place, with both Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins having rediscovered the goal touch in recent games. Yet this looks a tricky spot as West Ham has put the bit between its teeth for Nuno as it fights to escape the drop zone, getting results in five of six, and Jarrod Bowen back on the scoresheet at Brighton. Play West Ham on Spread
Tyneside will be rocking as the local Sunderland-Newcastle derby revives at the Stadium of Light. It sticks in the craw of all Magpie backers that the Black Cats are actually ahead of Newcastle in the table, as Regis Le Bris has stewarded a stunning display for a promoted side that has stayed in the mix for a European spot. Sunderland likely has some staying power thanks to offseason reinforcements that include Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, who can still effectively run a show, especially at home, where the Black Cats are unbeaten in seven. Meanwhile, road form has mostly been an issue for Eddie Howe's bunch, though Newcastle does have a recent win at Everton (its first on the EPL trail). Play Sunderland on Spread
The Mo Salah saga drags on at Liverpool, and though the midweek Champs League success at the San Siro vs Inter Milan came at the right time for Arne Slot, it's been poor form at home in the EPL that continues to rag the Reds. Salah is to be available on Saturday but his drop in form this season has been hard to ignore, and just two wins from ten in the Prem underlines Liverpool's plight. Meanwhile, scrappy Brighton continues to hang in the top half of the table for Fabian Hurzeler, who team showed some bottle by salvaging a point vs. improving West Ham at the Amex last Saturday on Georgino Rutter's equalizer in stoppage time. Play Brighton on Spread
Recent form suggests West Ham can soon exit the relegation fight and get a result Sunday on the south coast. Nuno's men have picked up points in four straight games,. including Wednesday at Old Trafford when a late Soungoutou Magassa strike leveled matters vs. Man United. Though a bit limp last Sunday vs. Liverpool, West Has looked incisive in its other recent matches and has importantly found some scorers to step forward and relieve Jarrod Bowen of single-handedly carrying the troops. Meanwhile, wondering how Brighton might respond after galling midweek setback vs. Aston Villa when surrendering an early 2-goal lead. Play West Ham on Spread
Nothing about the last six weeks suggests this will be anything but a struggle for Liverpool. Not the least of which is host Leeds bursting into the win column at midweek in a resounding 3-1 win over Chelsea to pull the All-Whites out of the drop zone in another impressive effort for Daniel Farke, whose team pushed Man City to the limit last weekend. Leeds is displaying some real pop with Dominic Calvert-Lewin finding the range vs. Chelsea and Lucas Nmecha recently scoring in three straight. Of course, Arne Slot's plight at Liverpool is well-known by now, and he is desperate to begin pushing the right buttons, even if it means leaving Mo Salah on the bench again at the start. Play Leeds on Spread
Interesting sidebar story here as Sean Dyche returns to Everton (though at the new Hill Dickinson) after being dismissed by the Toffees eleven months ago. The move worked well for Everton as David Moyes steered the team to comfortable safety and now his side in the op half of the table after wins in three of four. Moyes is a bit thin at center-back at the moment with Michael Keane doubtful, but resilience has been an Everton trait all season. As for Dyche, he's piloted Forest onto firmer ground, with five wins int wo draws in all competitions since replacing Ange Postecoglu. Yet Everton seem to have found a resolve, which along with match-winners like Jack Grealish could prove the difference. Play Everton on ML
West Ham has had Man U's number, winning three of the last four matches, though the odds are stacked against the Hammers tonight Old Trafford. Should they be? Nuno's side was on a heater, unbeaten in three with two wins included, before running into desperate Liverpool last weekend and hanging in the match until Cody Gakpo finally secured the win for the Reds in stoppage time. As issue for Nuno might be the suspension of orchestrator Lucas Paqueta, sent off last weekend with two yellows, and thru whom most West Ham attacks flow, but the Hammers have found other ways in the past month and still have Jarrod Bowen to score goals. Can erratic Man U extend a margin? Play West Ham.
Surprising to get such a fat price on Aston Villa. We know Brighton hasn't lost in six EPL matches at the Amex and was unbeaten in four November outings, but Villa has been on a straight ascent, losing only one of ten to race into the top four after a winless start in August. EPL observers are still struck that the Villans could be on such a roll without much scoring help from target-man Ollie Watkins, still on just one goal, but a breakthrough is imminent as it was last week for marauding frontliner Morgan Rogers, also sitting on just one goal into the November 23 match at Leeds before his brace proved the winning margin in a 2-1 triumph. Play Aston Villa on ML
Spurs have problems that all can see and Thomas Frank is starting to feel some real heat (the only win since October 26 was vs FC Copenhagen in the Champions League). Supporters claim tactics and lineups remain too much in flux, but there's no doubt Spurs are playing better on the road, the latest example last week, pushing PSG hard in a 5-3 loss at Parc des Princes. Frank does have some sharp edges in attack (especially Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus, the latter scoring the lone goal vs Fulham on the weekend), and it's unlikely Gugliemo Vicario makes another mistake in goal as he did vs. Fulham. Remember, until a week ago, Eddie Howe was feeling real heat at Newcastle, too. Play Spurs on Spread
They're lurching toward a crisis at Liverpool, losing nine of twelve overall and six of seven in the Prem. In the last three losses, the Reds have been outscored 10-1...with drop zone Nottingham Forest and Champions League underdog PSV running roughshod in the last two. Bottom line? We don't see a quick fix for Arne Slot as everything seems to have gone wrong, especially the new signings (save Hugo Ekitike). A chance GK Alisson returns, but nothing looks like it will be easy now for Liverpool, even a London trip to face a West Ham side that is suddenly rallying for Nuno and getting results (two wins and a draw) in three straight to pull clear from the drop zone. Play West Ham on Spread
Wolves are in desperate trouble as they hit the end of November still without a win and with a mere 2 points thru 12 matches. Rob Edwards' first game in charge last week vs. Palace ended like so many had for Vitor Pereira, another loss, and now Wolves get the hottest non-Arsenal side in the Prem with a short ride to Villa Park. Unai Emery's troops continued their surge into the top four with last week's win at Leeds in which Morgan Rogers awakened from his scoring slumber with a brace; now perhaps it's Ollie Watkins' turn to do the same as he's scored just once thru 12 EPL matches. Play Aston Villa on Spread (-1.5)
Newcastle's road form has left something to be desired and not sure that changes in the Magpies' first visit to the new Hill Dickinson. In fact Eddie Howe's side is winless in six tries on the EPL trail with recent losses at Brighton, West Ham, and Brentford. Now Howe's troops catch an Everton side on back-to-back wins for David Moyes after the 1-0 success on Monday vs. Man U complete with one of its own (Idrissa Gueye) dismissed after taking a swing at teammate Michael Keane! Moyes needs better conversions from Beto and other frontliners who usually get good service from the wings (Jack Grealish in particular). Sometimes one goal is enough, however, with Jordan Pickford in front of the gate. Play Everton on ML
This price really intrigues on Villa, which enters Elland Road just as hot as host Leeds is cold. For Villa, its only one loss in the last nine EPL matches as Unai Emery has quickly forged a turnaround with his troops after their very slow start in August. A variety of goalscorers have stepped forward though we suspect it's only a matter of time before Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers begin to find the range. As for Leeds, just one win in six, and waking up Sunday morning inside of the relegation zone, with pressure starting to mount on Daniel Farke. Play Aston Villa on Money Line