talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Saturday 20 December

The Premier League Christmas fixtures start on Saturday with eight mouthwatering contests for punters to feast upon.

There is only one match scheduled for Sunday, so a top-heavy weekend is in store.

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Saturday’s football betting tips

Bet of the day – Chelsea to beat Newcastle @ 29/20

A Wednesday night EFL Cup victory over Fulham provided a small fillip for Newcastle fans, but the Premier League defeat to Sunderland is fresh in the memory and Eddie Howe is feeling the wrath of Magpies supporters for the first time.

With tension in the air at St James’ Park and Newcastle languishing 12th in the table, the arrival of Chelsea is unwelcome. Newcastle have gone nine games in all competitions without a clean sheet, so the Chelsea attack will be licking their lips.

Dan Burn is on the treatment table for Newcastle, while Tino Livramento limped off in the Fulham match with an apparent knee issue, further weakening this leaky defence.

The Blues have had an extra 24 hours to prepare for this mission, having won their EFL Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night, and Enzo Maresca has an embarrassment of riches to choose from.

Maresca will be thrilled with how his defence has tightened up. Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five Premier League away games and can approach this trip north with confidence.

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool: Bet Builder – Draw and Alexander Isak to score @ 197/25

Tottenham suffered a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last Sunday to dent morale, but Spurs have won their last two home matches without conceding a goal and should be able to match Liverpool in the Saturday tea-time fixture.

Liverpool have gone five games unbeaten, restoring some order after a torrid start to the season, but Arne Slot would probably be satisfied with a point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Liverpool’s last away game in the Premier League was a 3-3 thriller at Leeds – and something similar may be coming on Saturday. The match to end in a draw and Alexander Isak to score at any time looks the best bet build.

Mo Salah has gone to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Cody Gakpo is also missing and Dominik Szoboszlai is a major doubt, so Isak, who has settled at Anfield after his big-money move from Newcastle, should have a major role to play in the Liverpool attack.

Acca – Manchester City to beat West Ham, Bournemouth to beat Burnley, Arsenal to beat Everton @ 33/20

Manchester City should pile pressure on league leaders Arsenal by beating West Ham on Saturday afternoon to go top of the table. The Hammers are stuck in the relegation zone.

Bournemouth, who fired four goals past Manchester United’s defence at Old Trafford on Monday night, can outgun Burnley on the south coast, before Arsenal get the chance to regain top spot when they travel to Everton.

A trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium comes at a good time for Arsenal. Fresh from a week off, the Gunners can outclass their hosts on Merseyside.

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