ARSENAL v WEST BROM: THEO WALCOTT
Congratulations if you backed him to bag the first against Manchester City last week. Great stuff, unless you’re an Arsenal fan, of course. He bagged his 11th of the season after four minutes at The Etihad in his 11th season at the club. Alexis Sanchez began to look a little worn out – or sick of it – last weekend, and although he is as worthy of selection as anyone, I’m going with Theo here to give The Gunners a Christmas gift.
BURNLEY v MIDDLESBROUGH: SAM VOKES
I managed to completely balls up the Middlesbrough result last week – calling them boring in the process – but Burnely’s home form is decent. Of nine games played at Turf Moor, they have won five and drawn one. Vokes is currently Burnley’s top goalscorer, with four in total and missed a chance against West Ham in their midweek fixture. Hopefully he will fancy a bit of redemption for that against ‘Boro.
CHELSEA v BOURNEMOUTH: EDEN HAZARD
Everyone’s favourite bastard got himself a sneaky Christmas break after being booked against Crystal Palace last week. Both he and Hazard have been in fine form under Antonio Conte, and with Costa out of the picture, Hazard can step up and bag us one on our way to £250k here.
LEICESTER v EVERTON: ROMELU LUKAKU
It may not have come for him against Liverpool on Monday, but with nine goals already this season including two as recently as the Watford game a couple of weeks ago, Lukaku should be able to find the net against Leicester. The Foxes are also without Jamie Vardy, who like Costa also opted for an extended Christmas break. They beat City at home a couple of weeks ago but are generally struggling with just 17 points in 15th place.
MANCHESTER UNITED v SUNDERLAND: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Only Ruud van Nistlerooy has scored more goals in his first 16 appearances for Manchester United than Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The man’s on fire, with two last week against West Brom. Sunderland should be easy pickings for him, as December is his most prolific month of the year. He boasts a 0.75 league goals per league game tally in the Christmas month. David Moyes’ side have conceded a whopping 28 goals and Ibra can be the latest to add to that.
SWANSEA v WEST HAM: MICHAIL ANTONIO
Bob Bradley’s nightmare resumes. The poor bloke is even getting stick for how he speaks now. West Ham will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce with a festive win in Wales, Antonio recently bagged against Liverpool and is The Hammers’ top scorer with seven goals this campaign. I’m backing him to take advantage of a lowly Swans side.
HULL v MANCHESTER CITY: RAHEEM STERLING
With Sergio Aguero still out for being a naughty boy, it was Sterling & Leroy Sane’s chance to step up against top four rivals Arsenal last week. Sterling’s 71st-minute winner thanks to a lovely Kevin de Bruyne pass make either of them top picks for this game, with Hull currently at rock bottom of the league table.
LIVERPOOL v STOKE: SADIO MANE
This bloke secured the love of thousands of Liverpool fans on Monday, scoring an injury time winner in the Merseyside derby. He now has eight goals in 18 appearances since arriving from Southampton in the summer and has become a crucial part of The Reds squad. I think he can continue that fine form against Stoke before heading to the African Cup of Nations in January. Merry Christmas, indeed.