This second Sunday Preview sees another two excellent matches take place.

The first fixture sees Southampton take on Middlesbrough at St.Mary's with the Saints in desperate need of a win after a disappointing week.

Southampton lost their last game in the Premier League against Crystal Palace and followed that up with a disappointing 1-1 draw in the Europa League to end their campaign this season.

Middlesbrough meanwhile have enjoyed a decent few results, with a 1-0 win against Hull in their last match, meaning they have been beaten just once in their last six matches.

Southampton vs Middlesbrough – Sunday 11th December 2016 – 14:15

Southampton

Southampton welcome Middlesbrough to St.Mary's, with Southampton looking to get back to winning ways after a miserable week.

Southampton come into this match on the back of a 3-0 defeat away against Crystal Palace, a disappointing result for Puel's men.

Christian Benteke scored a double for the Eagles (33, 85), with James Tomkins scoring his second goal in as many matches (36).

That was Southampton's fifth defeat this season, with four defeats coming on the road for the Saints.

Southampton Need Consistency

The Saints have now ended a run of back to back wins, beating Everton in the Premier League and Arsenal in the EFL Cup.

Claude Puel's side have also been dumped out of the Europa League, with a 1-1 draw against Hapoel Beer Sheva consigning them to third in the group.

As disappointing as that defeat will be, they are now able to fully concentrate on their stuttering league campaign.

The Saints find themselves in 12th position in the Premier League on 17 points, they will be motivated to qualify for Europe again.

Southampton Underdogs

Southampton come into this match as favourites, with their excellent home form this season taken into account.

This will be a tough fixture for the Claude Puel's side, with Middlesbrough enjoying their best period of the season.

The Saints will be looking to continue their overall record against Middlesbrough, in 32 meetings they have won 14, drawn 9 and lost 9 times.

Southampton are 4/6 with Charlie Austin at 7/2 to score first.

Southampton

Boro In Good Form

Boro come into this match in good form, with a 1-0 win against Hull on the Monday Night Football.

Gaston Ramirez (60) scored the only goal of the game, on what was a very dreary Monday night game at the Riverside.

It means that Aitor Karanka's side come into this match with just one defeat in their last six matches.

More Wins Needed

That result will have delighted manager Aitor Karanka, with Middlesbrough securing their third win of the season.

Middlesbrough will be looking to register more wins over the winter period, they are well placed as it stands though.

They are in the bottom six for wins this season, with the six draws and five defeats completing their results.

Aitor Karanka's side have won twice in their last six, they have been a solid side with the joint highest draws in the division.

Boro Underdogs

Middlesbrough come into this match as underdogs, with their away record this season informing those odds.

Boro have conceded just four 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 continue their recent record against Southampton, they won the last meeting between the two sides in the Championship.

Middlesbrough are 19/4 with Alvaro Negredo at 7/1 to open the scoring.

 

The Second and final match of the weekend sees Liverpool take on West Ham at Anfield.

The Reds endured only their second defeat of the new season last weekend against Bournemouth, with the Reds defensive woes completely exposed.

They lead 3-1 against the Cherries but somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as they lost a seven goal thriller.

West Ham had an appalling day at the office against Arsenal, the latest in a string of disappointments for the Hammers this season, as they struggle to adapt to their new home.

Liverpool vs West Ham – Sunday 11th December 2016 – 16:30 - Sky Sports 1

Liverpool

Liverpool welcome West Ham to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with the Red's looking to recover from their South Coast meltdown.

Jurgen Klopp's men come into this match on the back of a 4-3 defeat against Bournemouth last weekend.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring for the visitors (20), with Divock Origi doubling the lead just two minutes later for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Callum Wilson halved the advantage from the penalty spot (56), before Emre Can put the Red's 3-1 ahead (64).

Ryan Fraser completed a memorable debut with a second for Bournemouth (76), with Steve Cook equalising just two minutes later (78).N Ake (90+3)

On loan Nathan Ake proved to be the hero again for the Cherries (90+3), however it was more than questionable keeping from Loris Karius.

Reds In Excellent Form

Their recent form will have delighted manager Jurgen Klopp overall, despite the circumstances of the loss at Bournemouth.

That was only their second defeat of the season though, they are still well in the title race but this month will be crucial.

Liverpool are still the top goal scorers in the league, they trail leaders Chelsea by four points after that defeat though.

Red Hot Favourites

Liverpool head into this fixture as the heavy favourites, with their excellent league form taken into account.

They will be looking to register their tenth win of the season, they will also be looking to keep their title ambitions alive.

Jurgen Klopp's men will also be looking to continue their excellent overall record against West Ham, in 111 matches they have won 59, drawn 28 and lost 24.

Liverpool are 2/7 with Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino at 7/2 to score first.

Liverpool

West Ham Struggling

The visitors come into this match on the back of a 5-1 thumping at home, with Arsenal giving them a pasting.

Mesut Ozil opened the scoring in the 24th minute (24), with Alexis Sanchez coming to the fore with an incredible hat-trick inside 14 minutes (72, 80, 86).

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored in between the second and third goals for Sanchez (84), with the Hammers defensive frailties ruthlessly exposed.

Andy Carroll scored a consolation goal in amongst the madness (83), meaning there were an incredible four goals scored in six minutes at the Hammers new home.

Hammers Struggling

The result takes West Ham's conceded tally to nine goals in two matches, having conceded four in the EFL Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

Slaven Bilic's side have lost four of their last six matches, with the pressure really mounting on the Croatian.

West Ham will be looking to make it a first win in six Premier League matches, they are currently in another rough patch of form.

Hammers Underdogs

The Hammers head into this fixture as the underdogs, with Liverpool's excellent record this season informing those odds.

West Ham will be looking to register their fourth win of the season, they will also be looking to gain some much-needed momentum.

Slaven Bilic's men will be looking to continue their excellent recent record against Liverpool, they won both of the Premier League encounters last season.

West Ham are 17/2 with Andy Carroll at 10/1 to open the scoring.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 –Stuani to score first @ 9/1 and Southampton to win 2-1 @ 15/2

Tip 2 – Mane to score first @ 4/1 and Liverpool to win 3-1 @ 9/1

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *