EPL Matchday 15 Odds & Picks: Leeds Utd vs Burnley, West Ham Utd vs Brighton & Liverpool vs WBA
- Ten traditional “Boxing Day” holiday fixtures spread over Saturday and Sunday
- In-form Burnley can hurt stuttering Leeds while West Ham takes on Brighton
- See all odds and best bets for English Premier League Matchday 15
The English Premier League hits its traditional busy holiday spell with the “Boxing Day” fixtures now taking place across the festive weekend.
These matches are usually hugely popular, and the absence of crowds at most venues will be keenly felt.
EPL Matchday 15 Odds
| Matchup | Home | Draw | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester City vs Manchester Utd | +200 | +255 | +132 |
| Fulham vs Southampton | +225 | +230 | +128 |
| Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace | -108 | +285 | +275 |
| Arsenal vs Chelsea | +300 | +255 | -108 |
| Manchester City vs Newcastle Utd | -910 | +850 | +2200 |
| Sheffield Utd vs Everton | +320 | +260 | -113 |
| Leeds Utd vs Burnley | -137 | +295 | +360 |
| West Ham Utd vs Brighton & HA | +135 | +235 | +205 |
| Liverpool vs WBA | -835 | +800 | +2200 |
| Wolves vs Tottenham Hotspur | +275 | +225 | +112 |
Odds taken December 24th at DraftKings
Pick 1: Leeds Utd vs Burnley
Burnley have enjoyed a significant improvement in form after struggling for much of the season. They travel to meet Leeds United on Sunday.
Leeds are still coming to terms with a 6-2 thrashing by Manchester United last Sunday.
One of the least wealthy clubs in the competition, Burnley are unbeaten in their last four matches.
Leeds have lost three of their last four games.
It makes Draftkings’ offer of +360 for a win by Burnley at 7:00 AM EST a high-value proposition.
The draw at +295 is also attractive with Leeds surprisingly made favorites for a home victory at -137.
A 5-0 hammering by Manchester City on November 28 seems to have woken up Burnley.
The up-turn in Burnley’s performances was underlined with a 2-1 defeat of Wolves last Monday.
A 5-0 hammering by Manchester City on November 28 seems to have woken up Burnley.
PRESS | Dyche on Vydra's niggly injury. 🤕
"He's tweaked his back, we'll know over the next 48 hours on how he is.#LEEBUR | #UTC pic.twitter.com/EmZU4ZdrwI
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) December 23, 2020
Since then, they have drawn 1-1 at home to high-flying Everton, won 1-0 at Arsenal, and followed up with a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa – before the success against Wolves.
The direct and physical approach of Burnley will be a major test for a Leeds United side whose commitment to attack under coach Marcelo Bielsa sometimes makes them vulnerable.
"Win the next two games, and people forget we lose against Man United"
Leeds United goalkeeper Ilan Meslier is focused on the future and taking six points from Burnley and West Brom
Listen here: https://t.co/7uPnqVpO8R#lufc #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/YUrb4jKyIr
— BBC West Yorkshire Sport (@BBCWYS) December 23, 2020
Set-pieces are one of Burnley’s big strengths and one of Leeds’ major weaknesses.
Bielsa’s team has been struggling lately in the wake of a 1-0 win at Everton on November 28.
That was followed by a 3-1 setback at Chelsea and a 2-1 home defeat by West Ham United.
A 5-2 win against an out-of-form Newcastle United side offered some respite before the hammering last weekend by Manchester United.
Leeds were 3-2 away winners when these clubs last met in the EFL Cup in September 2017.
Pick: Burnley + 360
Pick 2: West Ham Utd vs Brighton & Hove Albion
West Ham United are in a buoyant mood despite last Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.
The Hammers have turned around a disappointing season and currently sit 10th in the table – seven places above Sunday’s opponents Bright and Hover Albion.
At Draftkings, West Ham are nicely priced at +135 for a win at the London Stadium at 9:15 AM EST.
Brighton are rated at +205 with the draw a very decent +235.
West Ham have won four of their last seven games with one draw and two defeats – both of those against elite clubs Manchester United and Chelsea.
David Moyes ‘West Ham are likely on Sunday to welcome back talismanic forward Michail Antonio after a prolonged injury break.
They drew their last home fixture 1-1 against Crystal Palace. But they have the seventh best record in the division at their own HQ with three wins, two draws, and two defeats.
David Moyes’ West Ham team also likely on Sunday to welcome back talismanic forward Michail Antonio after a prolonged injury break.
His muscular and direct running style usually makes the east London club team a more potent attacking force.
👇 On the importance of Sunday's game.
"It seems we go from week-to-week of important games. Every match is important and we are fighting for every single point.
"We want to approach the game against West Ham in that manner."#BHAFC 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/RkfV6aIWlV
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 23, 2020
Brighton have not won in five games. However, that run has included three draws.
In their most recent two outings, they drew 0-0 at Fulham and 1-1 at home against struggling Sheffield United.
There was a 3-3 draw when West Ham last met Brighton at the London Stadium last February.
Pick: West Ham Utd +135
Pick 3: Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion
Leaders Liverpool against 19th-placed West Bromwich Albion could be viewed as a mismatch.
But the Sam Allardyce factor makes it worthwhile to add some spice to the holiday season with an extravagant outside bet.
Allardyce is known as the EPL’s “fireman” as he is often called in to take charge of struggling teams.
He lost his opening game in charge of WBA 3-0 at home last Saturday on the same day Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team were winning 7-0 at Crystal Palace.
Having had a further week to instill his renowned levels of defensive organization into the WBA team, they may prove to be surprisingly stubborn at Anfield on Sunday at 11:30 AM EST.
Jurgen Klopp on winning #TheBest FIFA Men's Coach of the Year award: "I'm not but I won the award so that's good enough." #liverpoolfc💖 pic.twitter.com/p1EghVCact
— Sa'id Ali Mohmed (@saidalimohmed2) December 17, 2020
DraftKings price the draw at +800, and holiday fixtures often turn up surprising results in England.
A Liverpool win – with 2,000 fans present – is rated at – 835 with a WBA victory at +2200. Champions Liverpool have, however, hit their best form lately.
The triumph at Crystal Palace followed a 2-1 home win against Spurs which seized top spot from the London club.
The home record at Anfield is extra-ordinary. Liverpool have now enjoyed 66 home matches in the EPL without defeat.
It was a 2-2 draw when these teams last met in April 2018.
Pick: Draw +800
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
