It’s a tough week of football punting this week. Part of me wanted to put up Real Madrid to beat Villarral in La Liga, and Macarthur to beat Melbourne City in the A-League, but they felt fanciful after a poor midweek run. I’ve settled on two Premier League games on Sunday that I have a fair amount of confidence in, and hope we can bounce back with a couple of nice winners.
All odds for the weekend tips from Stake.com
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Premier League, Selhurst Park, London, UK, 3pm CET, Sunday 25th January
Chelsea look well‑placed to take all three points against Crystal Palace this weekend, and the gap between the two sides feels wider than the league table suggests. Palace are drifting into real trouble, and unless something changes quickly, I genuinely fancy them to be dragged into a relegation fight. Their form has collapsed, the confidence has drained away, and it’s hard to see where the goals are supposed to come from.
Jean‑Philippe Mateta has been the only consistent threat in recent weeks, and when he doesn’t play, Palace look toothless. With Eddie Nketiah injured and no reliable alternative, the Eagles are relying on scraps rather than any coherent attacking plan. Add to that the growing sense that Oliver Glasner has lost faith in the boardm, frustrated by recruitment, squad planning, and the lack of backing for his ideas, and you’ve got a club that feels directionless at the worst possible moment.
Chelsea, by contrast, suddenly look energised. Liam Rosenior has given them a genuine new‑manager bounce: the press is sharper, the movement is cleaner, and goals are coming from all over the pitch. Players who looked lost a month ago now look liberated, and there’s a sense of momentum building at exactly the right time.
Even money on a Chelsea win feels generous given the direction of travel for both clubs. Palace are sliding, Chelsea are rising, and unless something dramatic shifts, this looks like another difficult afternoon for the Eagles, and another step forward for Rosenior’s revitalised side.
Tip: Chelsea to win @ 2.06. 1 unit.
Arsenal v Manchester United
Premier League, Emirates Stadium, London, UK, 5.30pm CET, Sunday 25th January
Arsenal’s meeting with Manchester United this weekend has all the ingredients of a tight, low‑scoring contest, and the case for under 2.5 goals is stronger than the market seems to suggest. United arrive off the back of an outstanding performance against Manchester City, attacking with real pace and conviction. If they bring that same intent to the Emirates, it will be fascinating to see how Arsenal cope with it. But if there’s one side equipped to absorb that kind of threat, it’s the Gunners.
Arsenal still boast the meanest defence in the Premier League, and their structure, athleticism and discipline make them incredibly difficult to break down. Even when they’ve looked a little nervy in recent weeks, their defensive fundamentals haven’t slipped. The issue has been at the other end: two straight 0‑0 draws in the league underline how their attacking rhythm has stalled. The movement isn’t quite as sharp, the combinations aren’t quite as fluid, and Mikel Arteta has some decisions to make about how he sets his side up here.
The recent history between these two clubs also leans towards a cagey affair. Arsenal edged the reverse fixture 1‑0 on the opening day, last season’s league meetings finished 2‑0 and 1‑1, and they also played out a 1‑1 draw in the FA Cup. Tight margins, controlled games, and very few clear‑cut chances have been the pattern.
With all that in mind, anything above evens on under 2.5 goals feels like genuine value. This has all the hallmarks of a tactical, low‑tempo battle rather than a shootout.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.11. 1 unit.
Check out the For Foot Sake tipping record here.