Sports betting on back-to-back cold December nights. What’s not to like here as a full midweek programme of football games await us?
But for your football betting, will you back the big boys, a goals galore or some seasonal joy for the strugglers?
WEEK 17 WEDNESDAY:
Burnley vs Stoke City
The achievements of Sean Dyche at Burnley are probably not as appreciated outside of Lancashire as they should be.
He has guided them to seventh spot, ahead of some big hitters with much greater resources.
How Mark Hughes must wish he could have done the same with Stoke.
After a promising first few seasons, he and the club look like a relationship which has gone as far as it can.
Crystal Palace vs Watford
A meeting of two managers at the opposite end of the age spectrum.
Septuagenarian Roy Hodgson is making a difference at Palace and I believe will guide them to safety. Marco Silva is 40 and clearly has a genuine talent.
Who knows, perhaps we are seeing a young Ferguson or Mourinho in the making. And that’s not a statement made glibly?
Huddersfield Town vs Chelsea
By admission of their own manager, Antonio Conte knows Chelsea’s chances of retaining the title are over.
So it will be interesting to see how they approach games like this one, knowing their hunger has been somewhat lacking at times this season.
The extra commitment of playing midweek in Europe has certainly proved a more acid test for the Italian than during his debut campaign.
Huddersfield have no such worries and have reserved many of their best performances for the visits to Yorkshire of leading clubs (a 4-0 rout by Spurs aside).
WEEK 17 THURSDAY:
Newcastle United vs Everton
These two teams are proofs that managers can revitalise clubs.
Sam Allardyce has already done that at Everton as their latest result, a 1-1 draw at Anfield, attested.
On the other hand, Rafa Benitez remains hugely popular for his 18 months on Tyneside, despite being hampered by what some Geordies feel has been a lack of backing in the transfer market.
That may prove costly if they don’t pick up a few wins over the festive period.
Southampton vs Leicester City
This is a quick return to the south coast for Claude Puel as he brings his new employers to town, five points and three places clear of the club he was ruthlessly dismissed from last summer.
After guiding the Saints to the League Cup Final and an eighth place finish in the last campaign, it will be interesting to see what reception he receives.
Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion
Here’s a stat for you: West Brom are the first team since Oldham Athletic in the early 1920s to win their opening two top-flight games but none of their next 14.
There is a chance the record will become 15 unless Liverpool are as wasteful as they were in the Merseyside derby.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Romelu Lukaku was harshly criticised for his performance in the Manchester derby.
This game represents a perfect chance for the £75 million man to answer some of his critics.
The Cherries are three points clear of the drop zone ahead of their double header with United and Liverpool.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion
After surprising many pundits, Brighton are now facing the most challenging period of their campaign.
Spurs may not be as consistent as Mauricio Pochettino would like and the true time to judge the Lily Whites will be when they return to the newly-developed White Hart Lane.
But they will have too much at Wembley against a Brighton side for whom survival would be a fine achievement.
West Ham United vs Arsenal
After the thrilling victory over champions Chelsea, this is a different but no less challenging test for West Ham.
If they can replicate the weekend performance, it could certainly be an unsettling evening for Arsene Wenger and company.
After a rare victory for David Moyes against a top six side, what price a second such victory in five days.
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