Due to time constraints (mini vacation) there will be no analysis today

Take Genoa to cover the spread

Due to time constraints (on a mini vacation) there is no analysis today

Take Nigeria to cover the spread

Due to time constraints (on a mini vacation) there is no analysis today

Take over 2.75 goals

Due to time constraints (on a mini vacation) there is no analysis today

Take Juventus to cover the spread

Due to time constraints (on a mini vacation) there is no analysis today

Take Bayern Munich to cover the spread

Due to time constraints (on a mini vacation) there is no analysis today

Take over 2.75 goals

Due to time constraints, there is no analysis today.

Take over 3.25 goals

Due to time constraints, there is no analysis today.

Take Alaves to cover the spread

Due to time constraints, there is no analysis today.

Take over 2 goals

Due to time constraints, there is no analysis today.

Take Eintracht Frankfurt to cover the spread

Due to time constraints, there is no analysis today.

Take over 2.75 goals

Six of Almere City's eight home league games this season have seen at least three goals, and in nine of their last ten competitive games, both home and away, there were also at least three goals.

Fortuna Sittard boasts a similar record on the road, with six of their eight away games and ten of their last 15 competitive matches, both home and away, featuring at least three goals.

Considering that both teams are very close to the relegation zone and in desperate need of points, we have all the ingredients for a goal fest.

These are two teams that regularly concede goals but also can score themselves.

This game screams goals, and that is what I am backing. I'm taking over 2.5 goals.

I analyzed a few games today, but only one bet stood out for me, and that is over 2.5 goals in the Championship game between Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Make no mistake, this is a critical game for both sides. Leicester would go ten points clear at the top, and while it would be too early to say they would be guaranteed to finish in one of the two automatic promotion spots for the Premier League, it would be an excellent position for them to be in.

Ipswich was flying alongside Leicester for most of the season, but they now find themselves third and in a serious battle with Southampton (2nd) and Leeds United (4th) for that second automatic place. They would go back to second with a win or draw and remain third with a loss.

So, you can see the importance of the game for both sides. While I expect it to be cagey and cautious in the first 10-15 minutes, as soon as a goal is scored, this game should open up.

Now let's look at the stats. The last four home games for Leicester have all finished with at least three goals in them, and they won all four. So they are clearly in form and scoring freely. Ipswich, in their last seven away games, have seen at least three goals in four of them.

Considering what is at stake and the form of both sides, over 2.5 goals is a solid bet.

I really cannot see anything other than a win for Girona today against a poor Sevilla side.

Girona currently sit top of La Liga after 20 games, which is a massive achievement considering this is a league with teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in it, they have exceeded expectations significantly and show no signs of slowing down.

Sevilla has had an awful season, they are 17th, just one spot above the relegation spots, and they are in danger of going down, something that would have been unthinkable at the start of the season.

Girona have won their last three home games including defeating Atletico Madrid in their last home game and this season they have lost just once at home in the league and that was against Real Madrid.

Sevilla have just one away win in the league all season and that was against Granada who are one of just three teams below them in the league and have lost three of their last four away games.

Everything points to a home win and that is why I am backing Girona to maintain their position as league leaders and collect all three points today.

I am backing Juventus to get the win and go top of Serie A today.

Juve has been in excellent form this season losing just once in all competitions, they have lost just once on the road and have won five of their last six away games, they are in brilliant form and it will take a massive effort from Lecce for them to get anything from this game and there is very little that points to them doing that.

For starters, Lecce is 13th, a whopping 18 points behind Juve, they have won just once in their last seven home games and overall have just one win in their last 15 games in all competitions, they really are not a good side.

Considering the form of Juventus and the incentive of going top and Lecce's appalling form I am very confident that Juventus will leave with all three points.

Take Juve to cover the spread.

I am surprised that the overs have been set so low in this particular game between Salernitana and Genoa.

Both these sides tend to be involved in games with goals, for example, six of Salernitana's last seven games have had at least three goals in them and while Genoa is not involved in games with so many goals, three of their last six away games have had at least three goals in them.

But then there is also context, Salernitana are at home and rock bottom of Serie A, this is exactly the type of game they will have targetted to get a win, they certainly need points and being at home against a fairly mediocre team is perfect for them.

However, the same applies to Genoa who are currently 12th and only five points above the relegation zone, they would have also targeted this game as one in which they could claim all three points.

I see both teams going for the win and that tends to mean goals.

Take over 2 goals

I am backing Sheffield United to secure a positive result in this game.

A month ago, I would have confidently supported West Ham for the win, but recent developments have changed my perspective. Chris Wilder, Sheffield's new manager, has a proven track record, and his impact is already noticeable. Under his management, Sheffield is expected to be more competitive than in recent months.

West Ham, on the other hand, is facing challenges with the absence of their entire front three. Injuries to Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta, along with Mohammed Kudus being away on international duty, have left a noticeable gap in the team. The recent FA Cup performance highlighted the impact of these absences.

Considering Sheffield's home advantage, the influence of their new manager, and West Ham's key player absences, I am predicting Sheffield to secure a positive outcome in this game and cover the spread.

I was pleasantly surprised that the overs has been set so low in this one, as I fully expect to see a minimum of three goals in this Serie A clash between Udinese and AC Milan.

Udinese is the home side, and when they have played at home in Serie A this season, goals have been abundant in recent weeks, with their last four home appearances all having three or more goals.

AC Milan away is even better, with eight of their last ten road games featuring at least three goals, including their last five away games.

As you can see, these two teams, over the last four to five games, have been involved in matches that flow with goals. However, it's not just their recent home and away form that caught my eye.

There are also conflicting styles that will be evident in this game. AC Milan will look to dominate possession, while Udinese will be deploying counterattacks throughout the game. When this dynamic plays out, we tend to see goals, and that is the bet I am making.

Take over 2.5 goals

This match, for me, is all about current circumstances, and due to what has happened over the last week, I am backing Roma to secure a comfortable win.

Roma recently sacked their manager, Jose Mourinho, and replaced him with former Roma star Daniele de Rossi. There are good reasons to believe that we will witness a new manager bounce.

Being at home, Roma will have a packed and very vocal stadium as they welcome de Rossi to his new role.

Verona is not a strong side, positioned near the bottom for a reason, and they are likely to struggle against a pumped-up Roma team.

Considering the current situation, I am backing Roma to cover the spread.

This game stood out to me mainly because of the respective home and away records for Heidenheim and Wolfsburg.

The home side, Heidenheim, has seen at least three goals in five of their eight home games this season, including their two most recent home games.

Wolfsburg, on the other hand, has had at least three goals in six of their nine away games this season. Additionally, Wolfsburg has scored in seven of their nine away games, and Heidenheim has scored in eight of their nine home matches. This highlights that both teams regularly score and concede.

With just one point and two places separating these two in the standings, I am expecting a close and competitive game with goals. The statistics certainly back up that analysis.

Take over 2.5 goals

I knew I was going to make this bet over a week ago; all that mattered was what the over would be set at, and I am happy to see it has been set at a competitive level.

My initial thoughts on this game were that Arsenal would win but would not keep a clean sheet. Therefore, I knew in advance that I would be betting on the over, as long as it was set below 3.

Arsenal has just one win in seven games in all competitions, but that is a little misleading as a headline figure. They are certainly a much better team than they have shown in recent weeks, and it is just a matter of time before their frontline clicks and starts converting the chances they are presented with.

Crystal Palace is mediocre, but they do seem to raise their game against the bigger sides, and I am confident they will give Arsenal some anxious moments.

All things considered, I am betting that there will be at least three goals in this game.

This Dutch Eredivisie game promises to be full of goals and I will be backing over 2,75 goals today.

Seven of Excelsior's last nine Eredivisie games have had at least three goals and five of their eight home league games this season have also had at least three goals in them.

Heerenveen's last nine Eredivisie games have had three goals in eight of them and their nine away games have seen six of those games have at least three goals in them.

So, you can see that whether these two are home or away the vast majority of their games have at least three goals in them and their head-to-heads, over the last ten meetings, have seen 60% of their clashes also have at least three goals.

Both sides are poor defensively, Excelsior has the fourth-worst defensive record in the league and Heerenveen has the seventh-worst, however, both are in the top ten when it comes to goals scored.

All things considered, I am backing over 2.75 goals in this match.

Juventus have been good for me recently and I am backing them again today while they are in such good form.

Juve must win, they are five points behind Inter Milan and cannot afford for the gap to be maintained, a win will continue to heap the pressure on Inter and would put Juventus just two points behind the league leaders.

Juventus are unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions, they won 13 of those 16 games and are a team in excellent form, with a very strong morale and they will be looking to rack up another win and convincingly so.

Sassuolo did beat Fiorentina in their last game ten days ago but prior to that they were winless in seven games, they have just two wins from their nine away league games and currently sit just two points above the relegation zone.

The question for me was how many Juve would win by and I believe it will by at least two goals.

Take Juventus to cover the spread.

I am going with the Cowboys to win and cover the spread at the same time.

The Cowboys deserve their place in the playoffs whereas the Packers can consider themselves fortunate.

Home advantage is very important to the Cowboys, they are 8-0 and all their best wins have come in from of their fans.

Even if this game was in the Packers backyard I would still have gone with the Cowboys to win by at least a TD.

Take the Cowboys -7

Massive game in the Premier League between two of the traditional top six clubs in England and I am backing this to be one of those elite-level games that has an abundance of games.

I had a look at Tottenham's five matches against the top six this season so far and 4 of them have had at least 3 goals and 3 had at least 4 goals, only the first game against United ended under 3 goals when Tottenham beat them 2-0 in London.

United's 5 games against their top six rivals so far this season have seen 3 of them finish with at least 3 goals.

So, more often than not, when these two clubs play against their big rivals, we tend to see goals but that is not the only reason why I think there will be goals in this game.

Five of United's last 6 home games have finished with at least 3 goals and 4 of Tottenham's last 6 away games have had at least 3 goals.

In other words, both these sides tend to be involved in games with goals, the stats certainly back it up.

Then there is the eye test and anyone watching how Tottenham can attack, how Man Utd can counter attack and how both defences are more than capable of making errors will soon agree that when these two sides play, there are usually goals.

Take over 3.25 goals

This German Bundesliga game has goals written all over it and that is exactly the bet I will be taking in this match, over 2.75 goals.

My confidence is high because of the recent records of both clubs.

For starters, Bochum, the home side, have had at least three goals in 4 of their last 5 Bundesliga home games and 3 of those have seen at least 4 goals.

Werder Bremen, in their last 6 away games in the Bundesliga have seen 4 of those feature at least 4 goals.

Then for both sides, home and away in all competitions, 70% of Bochum games have had at least 3 goals and 60% of Werder Bremen games have had at least 3 goals.

So, as you can see, all the ingredients are there for a goal fest and that is exactly what I am expecting in this game.

Take over 2.75 goals

It is hard to see anything other than a Lazio victory in this early Sunday kick-off in Serie A in Italy.

Lazio is fairly formidable at home, this season, in all competitions, they have lost just twice in 14 home matches and have won 9 of their last 11 home games.

Lecce on the other hand is awful on the road, they have not won a single game away from home this season and collected just five points from a possible 27 in the league.

Then add in the incentive for Lazio of going joint fourth and you soon see that everything is in Lazio's favour in this game.

I am confidently backing Lazio to win and cover the spread.

It is hard for me to call a winner in this one simply because they have both been unreliable on multiple occasions this season, even when they have won and I cannot back either side on the spread.

I fancy the Chiefs to win but it would be guesswork on my part whether they won it by 4 points or more and I cannot say hand on heart that the Dolphins will not fold in what will be freezing conditions.

It tends to be the case that when the weather is atrocious we get a low-scoring game but because this is the playoffs and it is a winner-take-all situation I do expect that both teams will not only give their very best but to get on the scoreboard on a regular basis.

The advantage is certainly with the Chiefs, they are at home, Miami has a poor record in freezing conditions and the Dolphins have a poor record this season against playoff rivals but it would be wrong to underestimate the Dolphins, they are capable of racking the points up.

All things considered, I am confident we will see at least 44 points in this game.

I will be very surprised if we do not see at least three goals in this game between Newcastle United and Man City.

City are starting to purr once again, their form has returned and they are starting to look frightening and a fourth Premier League title is still on for Pep Guardiola's men.

Newcastle has hit a really bad run of form, injuries have decimated them and are falling fast but at home, they still pose a threat and City has to respect them.

I do believe that City will most likely win, they are in great form right now but I do not see them keeping a clean sheet.

If Newcastle are to win, I cannot see them doing that without conceding, so whoever wins, this game, in my opinion, is nailed on for over 2.75 goals.

Take over 2,75 goals

I am backing second-placed Ipswich to get back to winning ways against sixth-placed Sunderland today in the English Championship.

Ipswich has not won in their last five Championship games, drawing four of those, so their form is not abysmal but it isn't great either. They are at home today, a place they have lost just once all season and this is the perfect time for them to collect three points and solidify their automatic promotion spot.

Sunderland took a 3-0 thrashing at home to bitter local rivals Newcastle in the FA Cup last week and that must have had an effect on their mental and emotional state, they could, of course, be looking to bounce back immediately but I just do not see this Sunderland side having that mindset.

All things considered, I am backing Ipswich to get the home win.

Take Ipswich to win.

Napoli have had an awful season by their standards and currently sit in lowly ninth, that is not sustainable and I fully expect them to put a good run together at some point and a home fixture against bottom club Salernitana is a fantastic opportunity for them to register a comprehensive win and kick start their quest to gain a top four spot.

Salernitana are rock bottom for a reason and that is because they are poor, they did run Juventus close last time out but that followed a 6-1 stuffing away at Juve in the cup.

Napoli have been beaten by some lower teams this season and in their own back yard but after their 3-0 away loss to Torino last week, I fully expect a reaction today.

The bottom line for me is that Napoli has an opportunity here and I fully expect them to take it.

Take Napoli to win by at least two goals.

This Dutch Eredivisie match stood out for me as one to back on the totals market, which I expected would be set at 3, so getting over 2.75 at good odds is a bet I could not pass up.

Six of RKC Waalwijk's eight home games have had at least three goals in them and six of Heracle's eight road games have also had at least three games in them.

In other words, when Waalwijk is at home and Heracles is away 75% of the games have a minimum of three goals.

Looking at the results both score often enough but it is their respective defences that have been leaking goals regularly that tends to rack up the score.

I see both sides scoring because their defences are weak and based on the stats it is highly likely that one, if not both, will score at least twice.

Take over 2.75 goals.

It is very difficult to look at this game and not see Juventus as the winner, the only question for me is, will Juventus cover the spread?

My answer is yes, they will. For starters, Juve have won eight and drawn two of their ten home games in all competitions this season and in their last home match, which was also in the Coppa Italia, they beat Salernitana 6-1.

Juventus are also taking this competition very seriously, they have no European football and only the two domestic competitions open to them are available for them to pick up silverware.

Frosinone have lost their last three games and while they also take this competition seriously, it is far more important to them to maintain their Serie A status and so their minds may not be as focussed on this competition as it is for Juve.

I fully expect Juventus to win and for them to win by at least two goals.

This is a huge game for both sides with the winner clinching the divisional title.

The Dolphins have already qualified for a playoff place but that is not the case with the Bills who may have no choice but to beat the Dolphins to progress, so it is clear that there is a lot on the line here with both teams having something to play for.

This game could go either way, these are two good sides on their day and if both of them turn up today then we can expect a points festival.

And that is what I expect to happen.

I expect Miami to be on form in front of their own fans and to be very keen to finish as Divisional champions and the Bills, in my opinion, will also be on their game and will put on a good show as they target a playoff berth.

I am expecting a lot of points and will be taking over 48 points.

The Packers can secure a spot in the wild-card round by defeating the Bears at Lambeau Field, although the Bears are already eliminated. That said the Bears have hit top form in recent weeks.

They have won four of their last five games, however, the Packers, too, have seen improved performance in the latter part of the season, winning five of their last seven games.

The Packers have the edge historically having won the last nine games and remember, the Packers beat the Bears 38-20 in week one.

I get that the Bears are in good form but the Packers, at home, also in good form should be too much for the Bears and while I do not expect another 18 winning margin, I do expect it to be three or more.

Take the Packers to cover the spread

I am expecting a high score in this game and will happily take the over 47.5 points.

My confidence is based on the fact that the Cardinals have finally found a bit of their mojo recently and their 35-31 win on the road at the Eagles will have boosted their confidence and made them believe they are capable of anything.

The Seahawks are still chasing a playoff spot and simply must win, they have to be on the offense throughout otherwise they could miss out.

Everything points to a points fest here, with two teams more than capable of getting into the mid-20s and higher.

Take over 47.5 points. 

Securing a victory against the already-eliminated Titans will hand the Jaguars the divisional title. so they clearly have a lot to play for and one of the reasons I feel they will win and win by a decent score.

The Jaguars know a defeat would render them dependent on other outcomes, possibly resulting in them missing the playoffs altogether and they will give everything to avoid that happening today.

That said, The availability of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is uncertain due to a shoulder injury but I suspect he will start.

The Titans will, of course, want to spoil the Jaguar's party but I just do not see that happening, I am convinced the Jaguars will be up for this and will come through the other side victorious.

Take the Jaguars -4

This could be considered a nostalgic pick considering this may be the last time we see Bill Belichick in charge of the Patriots but I have no interest in that other than the crowd and probably players will be fully invested in this game being a winning one for the coach.

Basically, the Patriots have been improving, even in defeat in recent weeks, they have kept scores much closer and have registered a number of decent wins while the Jets have hardly been setting the world alight with just two wins in their last nine games.

With the context of this game and the fact that the Patriots are playing better than the Jets, I am going for a New England win and by at least three points.

Take the Patriots to cover the spread.

This is a mismatch and the spread should be a fair bit more.

The Panthers are the worst team in the league, their dismal record of 2-14 is a testament to that and even though, on occasions, they have been a little bit competitive, they are not a good team and are there for the taking.

The Bucs will want to win to clinch the AFC South title and playing such a poor side like the Panthers is simply a gift, it will take some doing by Tampa Bay not to secure an easy win today.

Take the Bucs to cover the spread.

It is unlikely that we will see seven goals in this Serie A fixture as we did when these two teams met midweek in the Coppa Italia but I still feel we will see goals.

For starters, this game is at Salernitana and not Juventus so I do expect an improved performance from the home side today and remember, they still scored against Juventus despite losing by a huge margin.

Juve should win again, they have that mental edge now and they will be confident that they will return to Turin with the three points in the bag.

There is no value backing Juventus on the spread and certainly none backing them outright but with the strong possibility that Salernitana will score and Juventus likely to win then over 2,5 goals is the value bet in this game.

Take over 2.5 goals

Huge game for both sides. Arsenal will look to end their run of two consecutive defeats and Liverpool will be keen to maintain their momentum, especially against a title rival.

This is, of course, a FA Cup match but that just adds to the intrigue because whoever loses is out of the competition for this season.

This game will be more mental than anything else, both sides will be very aware of what the other can do, there will be fear, anticipation, expectation and whatever other meaningless word you can throw in there to explain the importance and effects of this game on both teams.

Because I believe this game will be decided by the strongest team mentally, I am backing Liverpool to take the win. They are also in better form and simply the better side right now and I feel that will show today against an Arsenal side whose confidence has been dented.

Take Liverpool to cover the spread.

I like the look of over 2.25 goals in this Serie A clash between Napoli and Torino.

Napoli is not the team they were last season, they have struggled to defend their title and are not scoring as freely as they once did, however, they are still creating an abundance of chances and once they click they will be back to their free-scoring best.

Torino are at home and they will feel that they can get something from this game, they will believe and rightfully so, that the Napoli defence is vulnerable and can be breached.

I expect both teams to score and at least one of the sides to score twice or more.

All this points to goals for me and I am taking the over 2,25 on offer.

Well, this one is fairly simple to sort out, you lose and you are out, you win and you are through to a wild-card spot and if Jacksonville loses tomorrow then whichever team wins would take the AFC South title. 

So, this is an everything to play for game and it is the Texans I am backing to emerge as the winners and cover the spread.

At the start of the season I had zero, below zero, hopes of the Texans making the playoffs but they have proven a lot of people wrong, they just keep coming no matter what happens, they bounce back as much as a tennis ball, they are a resilient, if inconsistent team.

The Colts are also inconsistent but I feel they lack the same resilience and determination as the Texans and that may well be crucial in this game.

There are good reasons to back the Colts, they are at home and a number of their offensive players have returned but the same can be said of the Texans, there are good reasons why they are worth backing, their young QB for example who must be a contender for the offensive rookie of the year.

I am backing the Texans based on the eye test, I have seen both these teams regularly this season and it is Houston that has impressed me more and shown me more when the chips are down.

All things considered, I am backing the Texans by at least three points.

The points total on this game has been set at just 34 points and I get why that is but for me, it is a mistake and a must-bet at over 34.

The reason why the total has been set so low is because the Ravens have nothing to play for after securing their top spot and will rest several players including Lamar Jackson but to assume that will result in fewer points is too simplistic.

Remember, when the Ravens rested players previously in such a position they still ramped up over 20 points.

The Steelers, unlike the Ravens, do have something to play for and will do everything in their power to grab the win and that means they must outscore their opponents and be tight in defence, that is a tall order considering they are playing in the Ravens back yard.

Because of the expected changes to the Ravens line up this game could go either way but regardless of the outcome, I do expect to see over 34 points.

Take over 34 points.

When I first looked at this game I pencilled it down for overs and once I did my analysis it backed up my belief that this game would see at least three goals.

For starters, in three of Lecce's last six home games there have been at least three goals, so a 50% return, however, Cagliari have conceded at least two goals in seven of their last eight away games.

Then add in the fact that four of the last six meetings between the teams have also produced at least three goals and you have the probability balance of at least three goals being scored in your favour.

Now let's add in context, both sides are near the bottom of the standings, Cagliari are just two points off the bottom while Lecce are just six points above the relegation spots and you soon understand why both teams will see this as a game they can and must win.

Neither team will want to drop points, Lecce will go for the win at home, and Cagliari will believe they can beat the hosts and that sets up a match that will see goals.

Take over 2.25 goals.

The North East derby, one of the biggest in English football is here after a seven-year wait and an entertaining spectacle is expected.

Newcastle plays in the Premier League while Sunderland plays one division lower in the Championship so these two rarely meet and we can thank the FA Cup for bringing them together.

It will be a very passionate and volatile game and as with most derbies, there is so much on the line, especially for the fans and local bragging rights.

Sunderland has home advantage and is in better form, however, Newcastle are a Premier League team and the gap between the Championship and Premier League is significant, we have seen that this season with how the promoted teams have struggled.

Once Newcastke quieten the crowd down and I am positive they will do just that, they will then start to dominate the game, better teams do and Newcastle are a better team than Sunderland.

Yes, Newcastle have a load of injuries and Sunderland is in decent form and Newcastle are not, Sunderland has home advantage and inferior teams tend to do better than expected in derbies so Sunderland has a very good opportunity here for sure.

However, I just feel that the better class of Newcastle will prevail and they will take the win today.

Take Newcastle to cover the spread.

Tottenham needs a good cup run they need to win the competition and I expect them to take the FA Cup seriously this season, something they have not done previously and not something they did in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season and they paid the price.

When Tottenham click they are almost unstoppable and a team like Burnely presents them with the opportunity to put goals on the board, however, Burnley will be set up to play counter-attacking football and Tottenham must be careful not to be subjected to a sucker punch.

The only chance Burnley has is if Tottenham are wasteful in front of the goal and with Heung Min Son unavailable, that is of course a possibility, however, I do see them taking their chances in front of their fans and I do expect them to win by at least a couple of goals, the gulf in class is just too big.

Take Tottenham to cover the spread.

This game could go either way, both sides are more than capable of putting in exceptional performances and are both also capable of taking a beating, predicting this one in terms of a winner is too fraught with risk for my liking, however, there is still a solid bet to be had and that is on the overs market.

As I already stated, both these teams can win in style or take a thumping, such is their inconsistency but they are quality sides with potent attacks and if this game goes how I expect, Brighton being on the front foot with West Ham countering then I expect we will see goals and a good number of them.

I cannot see West Ham keeping Brighton out and the same certainly applies the other way, therefore, I am confident both sides will score at least once and it is more likely that we will see one side score at least twice than not and so over 3 goals screams value to me.

Take over 3 goals

Liverpool really should win this but as we have seen all season long, nothing is guaranteed, the best have dropped points against the worst teams in this division and while Liverpool is a solid pick to beat Newcastle, will they cover the spread? I am unsure about that.

What I am sure about, is that there will be goals and a lot of them.

This game could easily be a 3-1 win to Liverpool, a 2-2 draw or even a surprise 3-2 Newcastle win, the point being that I believe that both teams will score at least once and that it is far more likely that we will see over 3.5 goals than under.

The reason is simple, even in low-scoring games these two sides always have opportunities and more often than not, they are involved in high-scoring games, for example. five of Newcastles last eight away games in the league have had at least four goals and in six of Liverpool's home games this season have seen them score at least three times.

This game has all the ingredients for a high-scoring affair and that is what I am backing today.

I am expecting a convincing Leeds United win today.

Leeds has hit a bumpy patch recently but they currently sit fourth while Birmingham is well down in the twentieth spot.

There is a reason for that, Leeds is a good side with several players who played in the Premier League last season still present in the squad and that experience makes a difference when it matters and right now, it matters for Leeds, they simply must get back to winning ways and they have no better opportunity than today.

Leeds have home advantage and are playing a poor side, they have motivation and will look to kick the new year off in style in from of their own fans.

Take Leeds to win by at least two goals.

The Dallas Cowboys, after a promising five-game winning streak, find themselves at a crossroads following back-to-back losses to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.

For Dallas, this game represents another significant test of their mettle and resilience. The recent setbacks have raised questions about their ability to perform under pressure, especially against formidable opponents. As they face the Lions, a team with a mix of motivations and a head coach with a competitive mindset, the Cowboys must rise to the occasion to prove their championship credentials.

The stakes are high for both teams. The Cowboys seek redemption after consecutive losses, while the Lions aim to solidify their playoff position. 

Of course, the Lions are a very strong opponent and could easily take the win this evening but I just cannot see the Cowboys falling for the third consecutive game against a top opponent, I believe they have it within them not to only beat the Lions but to do it by at least a TD.

Take the Cowboys to cover the spread.

This match-up in Serie A between Juventus and Roma could be either a classic or a bore fest, either way, I am confident it will be Juventus that emerges victorious.

For starters, Juventus is already 12 points ahead of Roma and has home advantage, they are in better recent form and know they must win to maintain the pressure on Inter Milan at the top of the standings.

Roma will not be an easy team to overcome, you know they will be well organised by their manager Jose Mourinho but they are a limited team and do lack creativity at times, which has been their Achilles heel all season long.

It will be a tight game but it is Juventus I am backing to pick up the win.

Take Juventus to win.

This game could go either way. You have two sides that, for different reasons, are starting to play better than they have done for most of the season.

Everton has been particularly unlucky in recent games, they have given some top performances against the elite teams with results going against them that on another day could have gone in their favor. They are certainly full of confidence.

Wolves have hit form at the right time, they have won three of their last five league games and a win today will see them win three on the bounce.

Everton now has goals in them and Wolves showed in their last game that they can also score and with that in mind, I am backing over 2.5 goals.

Take over 2.5 goals

On paper, you would have to say Chelsea all day long but for some time now Chelsea have not been representative of the talents within their squad, they have been woeful on many occasions this season and are going up against a Luton side that has given all the big teams a run for their money in this campaign.

If Chelsea plays to their ability they should win this one but they are far too unreliable to be supported and the value lies in backing Luton to get something from this game.

I am taking Luton on the spreads.

Take Luton +1

This is one of those games where it is the spread that makes all the difference. I fully expect that the Browns will win this but I do not see them being more than a TD ahead of the Jets.

The Jets are capable of being beaten heavily and the Browns can inflict a big defeat but more often than not, the Jets are closer to superior teams in their losses and the Browns are not always convincing in their wins.

All things considered, I am backing the Jets to be more competitive than what some may expect.

Take the Jets +7.5

Man Utd are a team in crisis at the moment by their lofty standards, they are currently eighth and a cool eleven points behind their opponents, however, they do have one thing to their advantage and it could be the difference between losing and winning and that is home advantage.

Villa are not consistent on the road, they have won just four from nine away games and going on their travels has been their Achilles Heel this season.

United at home is not as frightening as it used to be with five wins and fours losses at Old Trafford but they do at least show some fight when in front of their own fans.

Considering Villa's away form and United's desperate to impress at home I am backing United on the spread.

This has all the ingredients for a classic with two teams that have recently been in good form and at various times scoring freely.

Bournemouth have won five of their last six games, drawing the other one, that is as impressive as it gets. Fulham have lost their last two Premier League games but won the two before that by 5-0 goal margins both times.

These teams appear evenly matched and with Fulham looking to get back to winning ways and Bournemouth determined to maintain their winning run goals should be flowing from both sides.

Both teams play open attacking football and with the context added, I am backing over 2.75 goals.

This match-up has the potential to be a classic and that is exactly what I am backing here today, a high-scoring entertaining match between two good sides.

I fancy the 49ers to prevail but the spread feels like it has been set perfectly and that makes it difficult to pick one side over the other so I am leaving that bet alone but not the totals, that is where I am very confident.

The bottom line for me was how many points I believe each team will score and I am of the view that both sides will go beyond 20 points and in combination I am convinced we will see more than a total of 46 points.

This pick is based on the eye test and what I have seen in recent weeks and that is the ability of both sides to score TDs regularly.

Take over 46 points.

The Giants are not a very good team but they are capable of putting in the odd good performance they have won three of their last four matches and you know they will be motivated to do something against the Eagles.

The wheels have come off slightly for the Eagles, racking up three consecutive losses and they look like a team running out of steam, it was no shame losing to the 49ers and Cowboys but they looked like a tired team last time out against the Seahawks.

I do expect the Eagles to win but not by the huge spread that has been set, a month or so ago I would have gladly taken that spread but not today, I cannot see them being two TDs better than the Giants.

Take the Giants +14

The Raiders are finally going on the road after three consecutive home games and they face a tricky fixture against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Las Vegas destroyed the Chargers in their last game 63-21 in what can only be described as a freak result, remember, the week before they lost 3-0 to the Vikings, in better words, Vegas are almost an impossible team to predict.

The same applies to the Chiefs to be fair, you never know what Kansas will turn up, they are just as liable to play a bad game as they are to blow the opposition away.

Basically, I am expecting points in this match-up, I feel the 63 points scored last week by Vegas will have boosted their morale significantly and they will look to build on that momentum and the Chiefs surely must put on a good display in front of their own fans.

Take over 40 points

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

It would be easy to pick the Bills after the Chargers suffered a mauling at the hands of the Raiders but I just do not see a repeat from Los Angeles and do expect them to give a better account of themselves today.

I doubt The Chargers will win but I also doubt they will be thrashed and I take them to cover the spread.

Take The Chargers to cover the spread

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

I am going with the Bengals to get the win and cover the spread. This pick is based on the eye test and what I have seen in recent weeks and it is the Bengals who I believe is in the better place.

The Bills have lost three on the bounce since their last win, which was over the Bengals but it is different circumstances today.

In contrast, the Bengals have won three on the bounce since that Steelers loss and I am very confident they will make it four wins in a row and avenge the loss to the Steelers.

Take the Bengals to cover the spread.

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

First plays second in the Premier League today and it is Liverpool I expect to come out on top.

Arsenal may be at the top of the standings but I am still not convinced by them and they have a terrible record at Liverpool.

With the Anfield crowd behind them, I see Liverpool winning the game and going top for Christmas.

Take Liverpool to win outright

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

I cannot see anything other than an Inter Milan win today and for me, it is just a question of what the winning margin will be and based on the way Inter are playing and the fact they have home form, I am taking the Serie A league leaders to win convincingly by at least two goals.

Take Inter to cover the spread.

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

Both Tottenham and Everton are playing well after some recent turmoil and this game promises to be an exciting one, however, I am going with Tottenham to get the win. They have home advantage and that may well be the difference today.

Take Tottenham to cover the spread

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

Both teams have something to play for and that is why I am expecting this game to go over 40.5 points.

Both teams are more than capable of putting up points and this is the sort of game that brings the points and while it could be a defensive game, I am not seeing that scenario here.

Take over 40.5 points

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

I have been hugely impressed by the Cowboys this season and they seem to step up a gear in big games and this is a big game for sure.

The Bills have something to play for and will be on it, especially at home but I just feel Dallas will have too much for them.

Take Dallas to cover the spread

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

I cannot see anything other than a comprehensive win for San Francisco and I fully expect the 49ers to put the Cardinals to the sword and expect them to win by double digits.

Take San Francisco to cover the spread.

Inter Milan are the best team in Serie A and with Juventus only drawing on Friday night, Inter have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the standings to four points with a win at Lazio today.

Lazio is a strong team at home, there is no denying that but they are not unbeatable they have won four of their seven home games, drawing two and losing just once but they are now playing against the league leaders who have a stellar away record.

Inter is unbeaten on the road this season and the only game they dropped points is when they drew at second-placed Juventus.

This will be a tight game but I do expect Inter to emerge as the winners.

Take Inter to cover the spread

Second plays fourth in the Bundesliga today and a goal fest is on the cards.

Bayern has not been as formidable this season and only recently they lost 5-1 away at Frankfurt but at home they are formidable, seven of their last eight home games have all had at least four goals in them and they have been registering some huge wins.

Stuttgart are having a great season and they are just one point behind Bayern in the standings, their away games always have goals in them, for example, they have scored in nine of their last ten road games.

All things considered, I am going for goals in this game and expect at least four goals to be scored.

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

I am taking the Browns to get the win and cover the spread today. The Bears have improved but the Browns have home-field advantage and more to play for.

Take Cleveland to cover the spread.

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

I am backing the Saints to win this and beat the Giants by more than a TD. I have not been impressed by either team this season but the Giants have looked poorer more often and with home advantage I am backing the Saints to get the win in front of their own fans.

Take New Orleans to cover the spread

Due to time constraints, there is minimal analysis today

The totals on this have been set quite low for me and I am going for over 37.5 points.

The Texans still have a chance of the playoffs and a win will increase that possibility significantly so they have something to play for and that will drive them on. The Titans will not allow the Texans to have a free run and will do what they must to be competitive.

Take over 37.5 points

This is probably one of the most one-sided Liverpool Man Utd matches we have had in recent years and the general consensus is that Liverpool will hand out a significant beating to Man Utd today.

Some pundits and fans have been predicting a Liverpool win by four of five goals, I do not see that happening but I would be surprised if the Reds did not win by a couple of goals today.

United have been in a mess and in the last week they have been stuffed 3-0 at home by Bournemouth and finished bottom of a weakish Champions League group, whereas Liverpool sits atop of the Premier League.

With home advantage and the motivation to stay top of the Premier League, I am taking Liverpool to win by at least a two-goal margin.

Take Liverpool to cover the spread.

The last four meetings between these two sides have seen at least three goals in each game and there is little reason to think that today will be any different.

Arsenal always can score freely and Brighton has proven to be a bogey team for the Gunners so there is a good chance they will find the back of the net today as well.

All things considered, over 2.75 goals looks a solid bet.

Take over 2.75 goals

Aston Villa have been flying this season and sit in third position in the league, however, that is mainly down to their home form where they have beaten the likes of Man City and Arsenal but their away form has been very sketchy as two wins in their last six road games shows.

Brentford have been very inconsistent this season, they miss their main striker Ivan Toney who is serving a ban, however, they have only lost at home twice this season and tend to perform much better on their turf.

I am taking Brentford to get something from this game and a win is certainly not out of the question.

This is a safety first pick and I am backing Brebtford on the spread.

This game is being dubbed the Sean Dyche derby because he now manages Everton after a long-term stint as the manager of Burnley.

Everton is in great form at the moment, having been deducted ten points this season but already climbing out of the relegation spots. They have won four of their last five matches, including victories over Chelsea and Newcastle, entering this game with confidence and momentum.

On the other hand, Burnley is struggling, currently second from the bottom and facing relegation unless they turn things around quickly. Although they lost their first seven home games of the season, they secured a win in their last home match by defeating Sheffield United 5-0.

While Everton is the favorite for the win, it is never easy to travel away in the Premier League, giving Burnley a chance to get something from this game. However, it's tricky to predict a winner, especially with the emotional aspect of Dyche returning to his former club.

Expecting both Burnley and Everton to score, considering Burnley's attack-minded approach at home and Everton's recent scoring form, I am backing goals in this game.

Take over 2.5 goals

Napoli is struggling to retain their Serie A title, and recent losses to Inter Milan and Juventus have not helped their cause. However, they remain a top team, and a win today would propel them back inside the top four.

It must be noted that Napoli has been poor at home in recent weeks, but they bounced back to form in the Champions League midweek, and I fully expect them to build on that momentum.

Cagliari, currently in 13th place, is just one point above the relegation places and 11 points below Napoli. They are facing a season of struggle, having won their last match at home but showing poor performance on the road with no wins and just two draws from their seven away games.

Considering Cagliari's poor form on the road and Napoli showing signs of getting back to form, I am backing the Naples side to win today, and I expect them to win by at least two goals.

Take Napoli to cover the spread.

Third-placed Leeds United's quest to secure an automatic promotion spot back to the Premier League took a hit last week when they lost to Sunderland; however, they had been in great form before that setback, and I fully expect them to bounce back to winning ways today.

They are back at home for this game, where they have won their last seven matches and remain unbeaten on their turf all season.

Coventry has been inconsistent this season, but in all fairness, they have been improving, having lost just once in their last six Championship games—against high-flying Ipswich. However, they currently sit in 14th place for a reason, and their away form has been abysmal, with just two wins on the road all season and four losses in their last five away games.

I am backing Leeds to win this one; they have the better overall form and are formidable at home.

Take Leeds United to cover the spread

This game is a bit tricky. Earlier in the season, it would have been easy to predict a Newcastle win, but the wheels have come off recently, and the past week has been a depressing one for the Geordies.

They were eliminated from the Champions League and suffered a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham last weekend. However, much of their recent form can be attributed to injuries and tiredness, providing valid excuses. This makes it challenging to support them, even at home in front of their passionate fans.

Fulham, on the other hand, has hit a rich vein of form. They won their last two Premier League games 5-0, and have secured three victories in their last four matches, with the only loss in that sequence being a narrow 4-3 defeat away at Liverpool. Over their last four games, they have scored no less than 16 goals, averaging four goals per game.

With Newcastle back at home, desperate for a win and welcoming a couple of injured players back, I expect them to find the scoresheet. Of course, I also anticipate the same from free-scoring Fulham. Therefore, I am backing overs in this game.

Take over 2.5 goals.

Tottenham returned to form in their last game with a thumping 4-1 win against Newcastle United, and they are expected to pose more challenges for Nottingham Forest in this match. While Spurs have recovered from a shocking slump in form, Forest continues to struggle, and every game feels like the last one for Steve Cooper.

Spurs' victory over Newcastle was a significant resurgence, sending a message to their title rivals that they are still very much in the competition. Ange Postecoglou's side scored four times in that game, indicating they may have addressed their goal-scoring problem.

However, Forest has continued to struggle, despite earning a draw in their last match against Wolves. With just one win in their last ten Premier League games, it's evident that this Forest team is finding it difficult to compete. Spurs should easily dispatch them by the end of this fixture, as they have done in four of the last five meetings between the two clubs.

Take Tottenham to win

Genoa will aim to halt Juventus' ascent to the top of the Serie A table this weekend before Inter Milan plays, with both clubs meeting in the league this evening. Juventus has had a commendable season, positioning themselves as one of the top contenders for the Italian championship.

The Bianconeri prove challenging to overcome, displaying a relentless attitude in every match, which is reflected in their impressive record of not losing any of their last ten matches, winning all but two.

Genoa enters this fixture in poor form, making it seemingly easier for Juventus to secure a victory. With four consecutive winless games and losses in all but one of those fixtures, Genoa doesn't appear to be in the form necessary to defeat Juve. The Bianconeri have won three out of the last five meetings between the two teams, and they will be eager to avenge their loss in Genoa during their last visit.

Take Juventus to win

Borussia Monchengladbach will be eager to return to winning ways after their 3-1 loss to struggling Union Berlin in their last outing. Despite Union's challenging season, Gladbach unexpectedly fell to defeat, and they will be seeking a recovery as they host Bremen in this fixture.

Bremen secured a victory in their last match against Augsburg, breaking a streak of three consecutive losses where they conceded at least two goals in each game. Gladbach, with their goal-scoring prowess evident in scoring in all their last five matches in various competitions, will see this as an opportunity to exploit Bremen's defensive vulnerabilities.

Matches between these teams have historically seen a flurry of goals, with at least four goals scored in all their last three meetings. Given Gladbach's defensive record (conceding 31 times in the league) and Bremen's 27 goals conceded, this fixture is expected to be an open game between two evenly-matched clubs. Anticipate an exciting encounter with a high likelihood of goals.

Take over 3 goals

On the face of it, this game screams under but I am not in that camp, I expect both teams to put points on the board this evening.

Vegas scored a stunning zero points against the Vikings last week but such a low-scoring game is rare in the NFL and one that is almost certainly not going to be repeated, Vegas will score this evening, it is just a question of how many.

They racked up 17 against a far superior Kansas before the Viking game and have generally scored in the mid-teens in the weeks previously, not high scoring but they do have the capabilities to get into the high teens and possibly low 20s.

The Chargers have made a habit of low scoring recently, 7. 6 and 10 in their last three games, woeful, however, prior to this poor run they had been scoring for fun, 20, 38, 27 and 30 points in the four games before their recent low scoring efforts.

The point is, that if the Chargers get their scoring boots working they are more than capable of going beyond 20 points.

I expect both teams to get back to scoring and combined they will surpass 25 points.

This game is a tale of two teams without their starting quarterbacks, with the Chargers having lost Justin Herbert just last week.

At least Vegas has had time with their backup QB, but he has hardly set the world alight in recent weeks, as the Raiders have gone on a three-game losing streak, culminating in last week's dreadful 3-0 loss to the Vikings.

The Chargers' backup QB, Easton Stick, was thrown in at the deep end last week, and he can be forgiven for not impressing; he will be better prepared for tonight.

This game will come down to which offense performs better, and I give the Chargers the advantage here despite their QB situation.

Simply put, the Chargers' offense looks stronger overall, and while the Vegas defense may have been more solid in recent weeks, I believe the Chargers' offense will breach the Vegas defense more often than the Raiders will break through the Chargers' defense.

I was very tempted to back the Chargers with the spread, but the odds of an outright win are too enticing to ignore.

Take the Chargers to win outright.

Newcastle United must win this game if they are to have any chance of making the next stage of the Champions League and I take them to do just that.

Newcastle have been underwhelming recently and have looked tired, they have also been beset with injuries but a couple of their players have returned after spells on the sidelines and the importance of this game will see the players respond, of that I am sure.

AC Milan has been a little hit-and-miss this season, they are already falling behind domestically and have hardly set this Champions League group alight, they are beatable.

With home advantage, I am confident that Newcastle will do what they have to tonight, pick up all three points, and hope that results go their way in the other game in the group.

Take Newcastle to cover the spread.

Whoever wins this game will secure their position in the next stage of the Champions League and therefore both teams have everything to play for.

The advantage is clearly with Porto, they require just a draw to be certain of qualification and they also have home advantage, however, Shakhtar knows this and will do everything in their power to get the win.

This will be one of those games where if one team scores the other simply has to as well and when you have one team that has to win then it is set up for goals.

I do see both teams scoring and a winner emerging therefore over 2.5 goals is the best bet to be had.

Take over 2.5 goals.

This is a massive game for both clubs and one in which both teams need to win if they are to be certain of progressing to the next stages of the Champions League.

If this game ends in a draw and Man Utd fail to beat Bayern Munich then Copenhagen would qualify.

The only way Galatasaray can qualify is if they beat Copenhagen.

If this game ends in a draw and Man Utd win then both these teams are out.

So, you can get an idea of what is at stake and what this means is that whoever scores first will no doubt sit back and defend for their lives but the team losing will go all out to get back into the game.

With a draw possibly not serving either team then both need to go for the win.

This all leads me to believe we will see goals in this game.

All things considered, I am backing over 2.75 goals in this one.

This game screams goals.

In the first game between these two, there were seven goals and neither defence can claim to be stellar at this moment in time.

At the weekend Bayern lost 5-1 away at Frankfurt and even though they have already qualified for the next stage, they will not want to lose this game ahead of a major game against Stuttgart at the weekend.

United are a mess, they got stuffed 3-0 at home to minnows Bournemouth at the weekend, their manager is under huge pressure and a loss tonight will not go down with their fans at all.

Also, United must win to have any hope of progressing in this competition, if they do not win they are out and even if they do win, they need a draw in the Copenhagen Galatasaray match.

The bottom line is both teams want and some extent the win and with the pressure on both teams I do expect both to go all out for victory and that will mean goals, I certainly do not trust either team to keep a clean sheet.

Take over 3.5 goals.

Lens must win this match if they are to have any chance of making the next phase of this season's Champions League.

It is still a long shot even if they get the win as they will have to hope that Arsenal also beats PSV and in the process see a four-goal deficit in terms of goal difference overturned.

Sevilla has an outside chance of making the Europa League stage but they have been poor all season, both domestically and in Europe and Lens has home advantage, I cannot see anything other than a Lens win.

Take Lens to win

In the first game between these two sides, Arsenal smashed PSV 4-0 but the situation is very much different today.

PSV cannot lose, if they do avoid defeat they will qualify for the next stage and Arsenal are expected to field a weakened team, especially considering that they have already qualified as group winners and have a massive game against Brighton on Sunday in the Premier League.

PSV has home advantage and they have some of the most vocal and passionate fans and that will make a difference.

Considering the context of this game and what is at stake, especially for PSV, I am taking the Dutch league leaders not to lose.

Take PSV with the spread.

I have to admit I was a little slow with the spread on this one but even though it has got longer on the Cowboys, I still take them to cover it and beat the Eagles by at least four points.

The Cowboys have been smashing it in recent weeks and they seem to be getting stronger and even when a team matches them for points, as the Seahawks did last week, they still managed to show their determination and class to ground out the win.

The Eagles have had a great season but last week they were run over by the 49ers and I am getting the impression that they may be running out of steam, of course, one bad result does not define them but I have to say that their performance looked a very tired one and that is a concern.

I feel the Cowboys are in better shape and that will show tonight.

Take the Cowboys to cover the spread.

The Chiefs really need to get their act together or they could find themselves out of the playoffs, it is not out of the question.

The Bills have been a great disappointment this season, they were on my shortlist for the Superbowl prior to the season commencing but they have been awful far too often.

This game really came down to which team I feel wants it more and that is the Chiefs, they know they simply must win tonight and unlike the Bills, they do at least have something to play for.

Considering the context of this game I am going for the Chiefs to get the win and cover the spread.

Take Kansas -1

The Vikings are coming across as a team that has given up on their season, they were woeful against the Bears last week and if they play like that again this evening they will lose.

The Raiders have hardly set the world alight this season and overall have been poor but honestly, I expected nothing less from them.

Both sides have lost their last two games but the caliber of the opponent was a lot different with the Raiders having lost to much stronger opposition, not something you could say about the teams that the Vikings lost to.

The bottom line here is we have two poor teams with nothing much to play for but based on what I have seen over the last three weeks it is the Riders I strongly fancy to get a win today, or at the very least, cover the spread.

Take Vegas +3 

These two teams met about three weeks ago with the Lions emerging as 31-26 winners, however, that was in Detroit and, understandably, some feel this could be a closer game today in Chicago but I do not.

The Lions should never have allowed the Bears to run them so close in that game and I do not see them repeating that today.

Of course, the Bears will feel they can get the win in front of their fans after the game in Detroit but the truth is, in my opinion, that result was a false one and the Lions are the superior side.

I am taking the Lions to get a more convincing win today and to cover the spread.

I am going for the overs in this matchup between the Rams and Ravens.

The Rams have put big points in the last two weeks beating the Browns 36-19 and the Cardinals 37-14 and they will feel confident coming into this game, though they will also be very aware they are facing a much tougher opponent in the Ravens.

The Ravens have also won their last two games and are looking good for the playoffs and while they have not been as prolific as the Rams over the last two games, they have still mustered 20 and 34 points in those games.

Both sides have not been shy when it comes to scoring in recent weeks and I expect that to continue to some degree today, although not to the same prolificacy but even so, getting 40 points between these two is more than doable.

Take over 39.5 points.

In this matchup, both teams find themselves grappling with a string of injuries, a factor that has notably impacted their recent performances, particularly in the case of Tottenham.

Newcastle's recent 3-0 defeat away to Everton highlighted their struggle, whereas Tottenham has faced narrow losses, often dominating games but faltering in finishing. Despite their recent results, Tottenham continues to showcase strong football, and if they can capitalize on their scoring opportunities, they are poised to secure convincing victories.

The wear and tear on Newcastle's squad is evident; with injuries depleting their ranks, they are now faced with a congested schedule, playing at least twice a week. In contrast, Tottenham, although having played midweek, usually has a more spaced-out fixture list, competing just once a week.

Backing Tottenham for the win seems justified. Their recent form might not accurately reflect their overall performance, and they still maintain a home advantage, notwithstanding their recent three consecutive home losses. Meanwhile, Newcastle has suffered defeats in their last two away games and appears to be in a more precarious state compared to Tottenham.

Considering the conditions of the two squads, Tottenham seems better positioned to emerge victorious in this encounter.

Take Tottenham to win

The Bundesliga is exceptionally competitive this season, and this upcoming clash between third-placed Stuttgart and league leaders Bayer Leverkusen carries significant implications for the unfolding season.

The usual Bundesliga powerhouse, Bayern Munich, holders of the last ten league titles, is experiencing a less formidable campaign. Their surprising 5-1 away defeat to Frankfurt yesterday presents Bayer Leverkusen with a golden opportunity to establish a five-point lead at the top. Conversely, a victory for Stuttgart would propel them above Bayern Munich and within two points of Leverkusen.

The magnitude of a win in this fixture is evident, and the potential consequences of a loss make this clash even more intriguing. The stage is set for an exciting encounter, with all the elements suggesting a goal-filled spectacle.

Anticipating a goalless draw seems unlikely, and as soon as one team takes the lead, the game is poised to open up significantly. Furthermore, Stuttgart, as the home team, carries the added motivation to secure all three points, recognizing the inherent difficulty in earning points away against the current league leaders.

In essence, this fixture is shaping up to be a captivating battle, loaded with the potential for goals and fierce competition for crucial points in the unpredictable landscape of the Bundesliga this season.

I am backing over 3 goals in this one.

There comes a point where one must reassess Chelsea's status as an elite Champions League team; they no longer hold that distinction, and their journey back to that echelon seems more distant than ever.

Conversely, the narrative has shifted for Everton, who, for the past few seasons, were perceived as a team flirting with relegation. In the current campaign, they have finally begun to showcase a commitment to their manager's vision, translating it into on-field success.

When looking at the table, Chelsea appears to be nine points ahead of Everton. However, this figure is deceptive, considering Everton's deduction of ten points. In reality, the Toffees would be a point better off than Chelsea.

In their recent performances, Everton convincingly defeated Newcastle 3-0 at home, highlighting their positive momentum. In contrast, Chelsea experienced a setback with a loss to Manchester United, where the scoreline didn't accurately reflect the match dynamics; Chelsea was outplayed and could have faced a more significant defeat.

At present, Everton is on an upward trajectory, while Chelsea seems to be moving in the opposite direction. The contrasting trajectories of these two teams suggest a shifting landscape in their respective statuses within the league.

I take Everton to cover the spread

Predicting a winner in this game proves to be quite challenging. It genuinely could swing either way, but one aspect I am highly confident in is the expectation of goals.

In West Ham's last seven away games in the league, all of them have featured at least three goals. Similarly, four of Fulham's seven home games have seen a minimum of three goals, and notably, three out of Fulham's last four home games have also surpassed the three-goal mark.

In other words, both teams exhibit proficiency in scoring but are not immune to conceding. Examining their recent home and away performances, goals have been abundant.

Both teams come into this fixture with confidence, as Fulham secured a convincing 5-0 home win against Nottingham Forest, and West Ham clinched a 2-1 away victory against Tottenham.

Considering all factors, I am expecting over 2.5 goals in this clash between the two London rivals. The attacking prowess and recent goal-laden performances of both teams suggest an entertaining and high-scoring encounter.

Take over 2.5 goals