Premier League tips for matchweek 18: Best Boxing Day bets and beyond

Draw/Middlesbrough at Burnley in half-time/full-time market

Half of the previous four battles between Burnley and Boro in all competitions have been level at the interval, only for the Riverside outfit to go on and record victory.

Sean Dyche’s Clarets experienced this very sensation of being in the game at half-time only to run out losers at the final whistle last time out at Tottenham.

These facts combine to make backing draw/Middlesbrough at 9/2 in the half-time/full-time market very attractive indeed.

Chelsea to win to nil in Cherries clash

Premier League leaders Chelsea have kept clean sheets in three of their last four victories. Antonio Conte can also boast an impressive nine shutouts during the Blues’ current rampant run of 11 consecutive league victories.

While Diego Costa’s suspension is a blow, this looks like a good game to miss for the Brazil-born Spain striker, as Bournemouth have been outscored in three of their previous five outings.

Given their superb current clean sheet record and victorious streak, Chelsea should simply be shorter than 11/8 to win to nil over Eddie Howe’s Cherries.

Over 3.5 goals in Leicester v Everton

All of the last four Premier League meetings between the Foxes and Toffees have contained at least four goals.

Reigning, but struggling, champions Leicester City have seen three of their previous games across all competitions contain more than that number of strikes.

Another glut of goals looks on the cards at the King Power, then, so back the latest clash between Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes and Everton to contain over 3.5 at awesome odds of 11/5.

Mata to score anytime for Man Utd against Sunderland

Silky Spain international Juan Mata looks splendid value to score if involved as Manchester United battle the Black Cats on Boxing Day.

The Spaniard has struck against Sunderland in two of his three previous career appearances when paired with this opposition.

David Moyes’ boys traditionally struggle to shackle Wayne Rooney, but the better value is on Mata at 13/8 in the anytime market.

Swans and Hammers to share spoils at Liberty

Each of the previous three Premier League games in south Wales between Swansea City and West Ham United have finished level, so there is every reason to suppose both teams will take a point.

Slaven Bilic’s boys drew when last seen on the road, so the Hammers should look to edge further clear of trouble with a share of the spoils at the Liberty Stadium at 23/10.

Bob Bradley is struggling as Swans boss, and a point won’t be enough to draw his team out of the relegation zone, but he’s picked up just three from a dozen on offer in December so far.

Man City to tame Tigers and over 3.5 goals in game

Don’t let the absence of Sergio Aguero fool you, Manchester City have a put four past Boxing Day hosts Hull City in two of their last three meetings.

Pep Guardiola’s team boasts an ensemble cast of attacking options like Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, David Silva and Raheem Sterling, who can easily outscore the Tigers.

The absence of clean sheets from Man City (one in 10 across all competitions) doesn’t detract from a nifty 9/5 bet for an away victory on Humberside with over 3.5 total goals in the game.

Origi wincast from Liverpool v Stoke odds

With the Potters at Anfield on Bank Holiday Tuesday, one player Mark Hughes and his travelling defence will dread facing is in-form Divock Origi.

The Belgium forward has five in his last six Reds outings, including netting in five consecutive games across all competitions.

A brace on his only career appearance against this opposition to date is also persuasive, so punters get behind a 23/20 Origi wincast among Liverpool v Stoke odds.

Spurs to slay Saints as Poch returns to old club

Tottenham boast a terrific recent record at Southampton, taking 10 points from a possible dozen at St Mary’s since the south coast club returned to the top-flight.

Another way of putting that is an unbeaten run of three wins and a draw against the Saints on their own patch, so former coach Mauricio Pochettino can continue to earn his Spurs via his attacking ensemble.

Christian Eriksen is finally relishing a wide berth, with Dele Alli providing box-to-box threat behind Harry Kane. Take Tottenham at an awesome 8/5 to slay Southampton.

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Tell us which Boxing Day bets and/or Premier League tips for matchweek 18 you’re backing, including the Origi wincast from Liverpool v Stoke odds, in the comments section below.