The first match of this Premier League preview sees Sunderland take on Stoke at the Stadium of Light, with both sides in desperate need of a win.
Sunderland vs Stoke – Saturday 14th January 2017 – 15:00
Sunderland welcome Stoke to the Stadium of Light in another round of league fixtures, with both sides looking to move on from the FA Cup results.
The Black Cats come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw against Burnley, with Moyes men keeping a clean sheet at home.
It was an evenly matched contest, with the Black Cats looking the more likely in the first half, with the Clarets the better in the second.
In truth it is a draw that both sides could have done without, Sunderland in particular will want to concentrate on the league.
Sunderland Looking For Revenge
David Moyes will be targeting a much-needed win in this fixture, with Sunderland in desperate need of momentum.
The Black Cats will be looking to avenge the recent 2-0 defeat at the Bet365, with Moyes men looking to make amends.
Given their injury list Sunderland will be grateful for the weeks break before this match, home wins will be vital in their bid for survival.
Black Cats Underdogs
Sunderland come into this match as underdogs, with Sunderland's poor form informing those odds.
This will be a tough fixture for the Black Cats, with Stoke in similar need of a win following their recent form.
David Moyes' side will be looking to continue their excellent overall form against Stoke, with 38 wins, 27 draws and 31 defeats in 96 matches.
Sunderland are 2/1 with Jermain Defoe at 9/2 to score first.
FA Cup Embarrassment
The Potters come into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Wolves, with the Potters really struggling of late.
Helder Costa (29) gave the visitors the surprise lead in the first half, despite Stoke playing a strong side.
Matt Doherty doubled the visitors advantage late in the second half (80), to give Stoke a defeat that will worry Mark Hughes.
This defeat will have hit the Potters boss hard, with Hughes sending out a really strong side in this competition.
The manner of this defeat will alarm the manager, they now have only the league to concentrate on, a huge disappointment for the club.
Potters Mixed Form
Stoke have been in mixed recent form, with three defeats in their last six matches, with two tough away games.
Their last win came against Watford at the Bet365, they will be looking for a morale-boosting win in this fixture though.
Draws against Leicester and Southampton will have given them hope, they will need to raise their game though.
They go into this match 9 points and 7 places above the hosts Sunderland, this will be another tough fixture for Hughes and his side.
Potters Favourites
Stoke come into this match as favourites, with Sunderland's poor form informing those odds.
This will be a tough fixture for Mark Hughes's side, with Sunderland in desperate need of the points.
Stoke's recent record against Sunderland is excellent, they are unbeaten in the last two matches.
Stoke are 11/8 with Peter Crouch at 11/2 to open the scoring.
The second match sees Watford take on Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road, with Walter Mazzarri under increasing pressure.
Watford vs Middlesbrough – Saturday 14th January 2017 – 15:00
Watford welcome Middlesbrough to Vicarage Road in another round of league fixtures, with both sides enjoying excellent FA Cup results.
Walter Mazzarri's men come into the match on the back of a 2-0 win at home against Burton Albion.
Christian Kabasele (21) opened the scoring for the hosts, getting Watford off to a great start in the cup tie.
The Hornets went into half time with the narrow advantage, the Championship side holding their own admirably.
Jerome Sinclair (77) put the tie beyond all doubt thirteen minutes from time, with the youngster doubling their advantage.
It was Watford's first win since December 10th, it eases the pressure slightly on manager Walter Mazzarri.
Hornets Looking To Move On
The Hornets now find themselves in 14th place on 22 points, level with West Ham United who have been in excellent recent form.
Defeats against Sunderland, Manchester City, Stoke and now Tottenham have been damaging in recent weeks.
Watford have conceded 10 goals in their last six matches, they will be delighted with the clean sheet against Burton.
Hornets Favourites
Watford come into this match as the favourites, with the visitors Middlesbrough struggling below them in the table.
This will be a tough fixture for the Walter Mazzarri's side, with his side struggling for form and Middlesbrough a solid outfit.
The Hornets will be looking to continue their recent record against Boro, they are unbeaten in their last nine meetings.
Watford are 7/5 with Troy Deeney at 11/2 to score first.
FA Cup Relief
Boro come into this match in mixed form, despite winning against Sheffield Wednesday by a comfortable 3-0 margin in the FA Cup.
Despite their inconsistent run of form in the Premier League they will be delighted to progress to the 4th round.
Grant Leadbitter (58) ensured Middlesbrough took the lead, albeit in the second half with another goal.
Daniel Ayala then saw red in the 59th minute, just a minute after Boro went ahead, luckily it didn't effect the result.
Alvaro Negredo (67) doubled the advantage just nine minutes later, the Spaniard seemingly winning the tie for the hosts.
Martin De Roon (90+1) scored in injury time to give Middlesbrough an excellent win, against a solid Championship outfit.
More Wins Needed
Despite that result this fixture against Watford takes on extra importance, with Karanka's side hovering above the relegation zone.
Aitor Karanka's side come into this match in 16th place, having registered 19 points from their opening 20 matches.
Boro will be looking to take advantage of their home matches, but away fixtures like this represent a great opportunity as well.
Boro Underdogs
Middlesbrough come into this match as underdogs, with home advantage and their mixed form informing those odds.
Boro have conceded just six goals in their last six matches, they will have to discover the art of scoring more goals to win matches.
Middlesbrough will be looking to improve on their overall record against Watford, they have won 6, drawn 6 and lost 9 of their 21 meetings.
Middlesbrough are 21/10 with Alvaro Negredo at 6/1 to open the scoring.
The final fixture sees West Ham take on Crystal Palace at the London Stadium, in a crucial match for both sides.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace – Saturday 14th January 2017 – 15:00
West Ham welcome Crystal Palace to the London Stadium in another round of league fixtures, with both sides looking to move on from cup disappointments.
Slaven Bilic's side come into this match on the back of an absolute stuffing at the hands of Manchester City at the London Stadium.
The 5-0 defeat raises serious question marks about West Ham's position, with many papers claiming Bilic has just two games to save his job.
Yaya Toure (33) opened the scoring for City from the penalty spot, in what proved to be a questionable but match-turning decision.
From there West Ham completely crumbled, with Nordtveit turning the goal into his own net in the 41st minute, with David Silva making it 3-0 before the break (43).
Sergio Aguero got in on the act in the second half, with a 50th-minute goal, before John Stones made it 5-0 in the 84th minute.
Hammers Need Solidity
West Ham have had a poor season so far, the last three straight defeats have been humbling for them though.
It consigns Slaven Bilic's side to three successive defeats, although they have been dreadfully unlucky with some decisions.
West Ham will need to improve defensively, they have conceded 8 goals in their last three matches, they desperately need a win.
Hammers Favourites
The Hammers head into this fixture as the favourites, despite their poor home form since moving to the London Stadium.
West Ham will be looking to extend Sam Allardyce's winless run since taking over Crystal Palace.
Slaven Bilic's men will be looking to continue their recent run against the Eagles, they are unbeaten in their last three matches.
West Ham are 23/20 with Andy Carroll at 9/2 to score first.
Allardyce Under The Cosh?
Palace come into this fixture on the back of a 0-0 draw against Bolton in the FA Cup last weekend.
It was another frustrating match for the new Palace manager Allardyce, who is yet to win a fixture since replacing Alan Pardew.
His former side Bolton created the majority of chances and did most of the running, a stat that will disappoint the former England manager.
Palace Look To Allardyce
Crystal Palace remain in dismal form, having won none of their last six games, with four defeats and two draws.
Sam Allardyce is the man the Eagles have appointed to take them forward, he is yet to get off the mark as the Palace manager.
He has lost two of his opening four matches, against Swansea and Arsenal, drawing against Watford and Bolton.
Palace have taken just 27 points from 40 Premier League games since the start of 2016, a worrying stat for such a gifted squad.
Eagles Underdogs
Crystal Palace come into this match as underdogs, with the Eagles in a poor run of form.
This will be a tough fixture for Allardyce's men, with West Ham under immense pressure to banish their stadium blues.
They will be looking to improve their overall record against the Hammers, with Palace winning 7, drawing 8 and losing 11 of their 26 meetings.
Crystal Palace are 23/10 with Christian Benteke at 11/2 to open the scoring.
Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Defoe to score first @ 9/2 and Stoke to win 2-1 @ 8/1
Tip 2 – Okaka to score first @ 13/2 and Watford to win 2-1 @ 9/1
Tip 3 – Benteke to score first @ 11/2 and West Ham to win 2-1 @ 15/2