🔵 Leg 1 – DRAW

Match: Crystal Palace v Fulham
Kick Off: Thursday 17:30
Odds: 1/2

Crystal Palace enter the New Year in worrying form. A five match winless run across all competitions, including three straight Premier League defeats, has exposed growing issues at Selhurst Park. Palace have now lost their last three home league games and historically struggle at this time of year, winning just four of their last 20 home league fixtures played in January.

Fulham arrive with momentum after beating West Ham 1 0, making it three consecutive league wins. However, this fixture has become notoriously tight. The home side has failed to win any of the last nine Premier League head to heads, while Palace have not scored against Fulham at Selhurst Park since February 2019. Fulham are also chasing a fourth straight away league win for the first time in their history, which adds pressure.

Key Stats That Stand Out
• The home side has failed to win the last nine Premier League H2Hs
• Palace have lost their last three home league matches
• Palace have won just 4 of their last 20 home league games in January
• Fulham have lost 4 of their last 6 league matches played on New Year’s Day

Verdict
With Palace struggling badly at home and Fulham historically cautious in this fixture, another low margin stalemate looks the most likely outcome.

🔴 Leg 2 – Liverpool to WIN

Match: Liverpool v Leeds
Kick Off: Thursday 17:30
Odds: 1/2

Liverpool appear to have fully shaken off their earlier slump, ending 2025 with four consecutive wins across all competitions and three straight Premier League victories. New Year’s Day has traditionally been kind to the Reds, who have won five of their last six league matches played on this date and are unbeaten in their last nine first-of-year fixtures at Anfield.

Leeds arrive unbeaten in five league matches, but away form against elite opposition remains a major concern. They have only beaten bottom side Wolves on the road this season and have won just one of their last six New Year’s Day league matches. Leeds have also won just one of their last 16 away top-flight games against reigning champions.

Key Stats That Stand Out
• Liverpool have won 5 of their last 6 Premier League games on New Year’s Day
• Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 9 first-of-year home league matches
• The first goal scorer won 16 of Liverpool’s 18 league matches this season
• Leeds have won just 1 of their last 16 away league games vs reigning champions

Verdict
Leeds’ resilience may keep this competitive early on, but Liverpool’s home dominance and strong New Year record should prove decisive.

🟣 Leg 3 – Both Teams to Score YES

Match: Brentford v Tottenham
Kick Off: Thursday 20:00
Odds: 7/10

Brentford have quietly built one of the strongest home records in the league, winning six of nine matches at the Gtech Community Stadium. Goals have become a trademark of their home games, with both teams scoring in eight of their last nine league fixtures here.

Tottenham remain unpredictable, but goals continue to follow them everywhere. Nine of their last 12 Premier League matches went over 2.5 goals, and Spurs have failed to score in just one away league game all season. This fixture also leans towards attacking football, with Tottenham winning the last four head to heads while rarely keeping things tight.

Key Stats That Stand Out
• Both teams scored in 8 of Brentford’s last 9 home league games
• 9 of Tottenham’s last 12 league matches produced over 2.5 goals
• Tottenham have scored in 8 of their 9 away league matches
• 9 of Brentford’s last 10 wins or losses were decided by 2 or more goals

Verdict
Two aggressive sides with strong attacking metrics and shaky defensive spells point clearly towards goals at both ends.

⚫ Leg 4 – Over 2.5 Goals

Match: Sunderland v Man City
Kick Off: Thursday 20:00
Odds: 3/5

Sunderland boast an impressive unbeaten home league record this season, but Manchester City represent an entirely different level of challenge. The Black Cats have drawn ten league matches level at half time this season, often growing into games late, which suits a goals based angle rather than a result market.

City are hitting peak rhythm, winning six straight league matches and conceding the majority of their away goals after the break. They have also scored freely against newly promoted sides, losing just one of their last 30 away league matches against such opposition.

Key Stats That Stand Out
• City have conceded 9 of their 11 away league goals after half time
• 10 Sunderland league games were level at half time this season
• City have won 18 of their last 19 opening league games of the calendar year
• City have won the last 7 Premier League H2Hs

Verdict
Sunderland’s resilience should keep this alive early, but City’s second half dominance makes goals highly likely as the match opens up.

🟢 Leg 5 – Preston to WIN

Match: Preston v Sheffield Wed
Kick Off: Thursday 15:00
Odds: 13/25

This Championship clash heavily favours Preston when digging into the numbers. Preston sit 7th, boasting one of the league’s strongest defensive records with just 25 goals conceded, while Sheffield Wednesday prop up the table with the worst defence and worst attack in the division.

Sheffield Wednesday have won just once all season and have failed to win 22 of their last 23 league matches. Preston, meanwhile, are unbeaten in eight of their last nine home league matches against Wednesday and have scored in six straight home league games this season.

Key Stats That Stand Out
• Sheffield Wed have won just 1 of 24 league matches this season
• Sheffield Wed have conceded 46 goals, worst in the league
• Preston are top 3 for fewest league defeats this season
• Preston are unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 home league H2Hs
• Preston have scored in their last 6 home league matches

Verdict
With superior defensive structure, stronger squad availability and a dominant home trend, Preston are well positioned to take full advantage of the league’s weakest side.