Premier League
Everton host Premier League high flyers Leicester is what is sure to be an entertaining encounter. A Leicester win would mean they are guaranteed to be top of the league on Christmas Day, something that was priced up at odds of 1,000/1 at the start of the season. Even a draw could achieve that if the game between Arsenal and Man City on Monday night ends the same way.
Leicester are in the middle of a tough run of games and though they haven't been inconvenienced by too many midweek games so far, the Christmas period will really stretch them as a squad with several games in short space of time. Coupled with that their next three games are away to Everton and Liverpool and then they host Man City.
Everton have been playing nicely of late but have recorded a lot of draws, however I think they will prove too strong the Leicester today. Attacking options of Barkley, Deulofeu and Lukaku is a handful for anyone and I have a feeling they may score a few and win comfortably. They are nicely priced at 11/4 with Paddy Power to win on the handicap minus one and it is a selection I am very interested in.
Sunday sees Liverpool travel to another promoted team in Watford who are currently sitting nicely in seventh place in the table one point ahead of the visitors. This will be the first time since Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool that he's had the whole week with the entire squad to prepare for a match, and I think it will make all the difference. During the international break he had a lot of time but with just half of the squad and they were able to destroy Man City, therefore I think they will be primed for the test that Watford will offer and expect them to win comfortably. Being at home and in form, Watford will take the game to Liverpool when they can and this will suit the away teams style and allow them to be dangerous then they win the ball back.
Liverpool are best priced evens to win the match, which I think is a good value bet. However, I like the handicap bet of minus one again and we can obtain a best price of 14/5 with Betwin.
15:00 Ascot
This is a wide open listed handicap chase over nearly three miles but there is one that stands out for me. Fingal Bay has had two runs so far this season finishing second and fourth, with both times the race being won by the super impressive Smad Place. Fingal Bay ran out of steam in the Hennessy Gold Cup like most of the field did as the pace set by Smad Place was electric.
He has now dropped to a mark that is eleven pounds lower than his best and six pounds lower than his last victory, the Pertemps Network Final at Cheltenham. From this rating I think he has a fantastic chance and at best price 7/1 he is a cracking bit of value.
Today's Selections
Everton v Leicester - Everton minus one - 1 point @ 11/4
Watford v Liverpool - Liverpool minus one - 1 point @ 14/5
Double of the above - 1 point @ 14.06 (Paddy Power)
Ascot 15:00 - Fingal Bay - 1 point @ 15/2 (Most firms)