MATCH PREVIEWS

Man Utd vs. Newcastle Utd: A Post-Holiday Clash at Old Trafford

Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on December 30 for a Premier League showdown that could set the tone for both teams heading into the new year. With the Red Devils stuck in the lower half of the table and Newcastle grappling with inconsistency, both managers need the win.

Key Stats to Know:

Man Utd at Old Trafford: The Red Devils have been reliable at home, scoring 2.5 goals per game (xG: 1.82) while conceding 1.38 (xG: 1.2). Marcus Rashford has seven goals this season, but it looks increasingly likely he will never play for the red devils again. Injuries to Luke Shaw, Matthijs De Ligt, and Victor Lindelöf could leave gaps in defence. A 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth would have only further dented their confidence.

Newcastle on the Road: The Magpies have been steady but unspectacular away, scoring 1.83 goals per game (xG: 1.48) while conceding 1.33 (xG: 1.35). Alexander Isak has been their shining light, with 11 goals this season, including six in his last five outings. However, injuries to Callum Wilson, Nick Pope, and Jamaal Lascelles might test their resilience.

Betting Suggestions
This game has unpredictability written all over it, making it an intriguing one for bettors. With both teams lacking a clear structure and consistency, goals and set pieces could play a big role.

• At least 4 goals in the match (2.5): Both sides boast firepower in Diallo and Isak, so a high-scoring affair isn’t out of the question.

• Over 6.5 corners in the first half (2.8): Both teams tend to press early, and with defensive frailties on display, the number of corners could pile up fast.

If you’re feeling adventurous, these might be worth a shout!

You can back this bet at our partner Booms Bet.

West Ham vs Liverpool: Sunday Drama at the London Stadium

West Ham welcome league leaders Liverpool to the London Stadium for a Sunday showdown that promises plenty of drama. With the Hammers battling to climb out of the lower half and the Reds determined to solidify their spot at the top, this should be a fiercely competitive fixture.

Key Stats to Know:

West Ham’s Mixed Bag: The Hammers are averaging 1.57 goals per game (xG: 1.29) but have defensive issues, conceding 2.0 goals per game (xG: 1.4). Jarrod Bowen leads their attack with five goals this season, but Michail Antonio’s injury and Carlos Soler’s suspension could blunt their firepower.

Liverpool’s Ruthless Efficiency: The Reds are scoring 2.0 goals per game (xG: 1.88) and conceding just 1.25 (xG: 1.2). Mohamed Salah remains their talisman Andrew Robertson’s suspension could test their defensive depth, but Liverpool’s attacking firepower should more than compensate.

Betting Suggestions
Matches are coming thick and fast, and while Liverpool are our clear favourites, West Ham’s home advantage might make this more competitive than it seems. A draw at 4.8 feels like excellent value if the Hammers can rise to the occasion.

That said, Liverpool’s defence has shown moments of brilliance, and backing them to keep West Ham to nil at 2.95 is another tempting option. Whether it’s a tightly contested stalemate or a defensive masterclass, there’s plenty to consider in this matchup.

Like what you see? Head over to Booms Bet for a full range of betting markets for this weekend's fixtures.

WTF?

Kid Does More Keep-Ups Than Minutes in a Match

Just when you thought you'd seen everything at the Johan Cruyff Arena, a kid named Zinedine (yes, really) showed up and casually dropped 2,424 consecutive kick-ups before Ajax's Dutch Cup match. That's not a typo (we counted twice).

The flex breakdown:

• Young Zinedine Chaiat took centre stage pre-match

• Kept the ball up longer than most Netflix subscriptions last

• Nearly delayed kick-off (worth it, though)

• Even got Wout Weghorst to stop being Wout Weghorst for a minute to watch

The first team, who are actually having a solid season, paused their warm-up to witness the masterclass. Even former Premier League strikers Chuba Akpom and Weghorst were left scratching their heads, probably wondering if they could do half that many.

Big picture: When your pre-match entertainment has better ball control than most Eredivisie defenders, it might be time to check if the kid has an agent. Ajax went on to win 2-0, but let's be honest (we all know who the real MVP was).

DID YOU KNOW?

SPORTS HISTORY: Our Journey From White to Oranje 🇳🇱

Dutch football's most iconic feature wasn't always orange. Back in 1905, when we first squared up against Belgium, our national team looked more like a fashion experiment gone wrong than the Oranje we know today.

The fit check:

• White shirts (yes, really)

• A diagonal red-white-blue sash (giving beauty pageant vibes)

• Basic black shorts

• Exactly zero hints of orange

The glow-up came in the 1930s when someone had the brilliant idea to represent our royal family's House of Orange-Nassau. But here's where it gets spicy: WWII forced us to temporarily ditch the orange faster than a tourist dodging a Amsterdam bike bell - turns out being a walking symbol of resistance wasn't exactly trending.

Post-war, orange came roaring back and hasn't left since. From Cruijff's Total Football to Van Basten's Volleys, that distinctive hue has become more Dutch than complaining about the weather.

Big picture: Sometimes, the best rebrand isn't the first one. Now, excuse us while we go blind our opponents with what's basically a human highlighter collection. 🍊

MEME OF THE DAY

Dad, can I support some other team?

WHO WILL WIN?