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Why underdogs can prevail in Sunday's Premier League derby showdowns

Derby showdowns in the Premier League are usually hotly contested, but there is reason to think that the visitors - Fulham, Spurs and Everton - can all win this weekend.

Derby showdowns - especially in the Premier League - are usually fiercely contested by two teams who are eager not to let their fanbase down on one of their biggest occasions of the season. It usually leads to tackles and goals aplenty with tensions sometimes boiling over on the pitch and in the stands, but it often leads to more of a level playing field when the neighbours come to town. Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all play host to their respective rivals from just down the road on Sunday afternoon but the underdogs - Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton - will all have genuine belief that they can pull off a memorable triumph

Just like you can benefit from online betting promotions this weekend, Fulham can take full advantage of a Chelsea side who are coming off the back of a comprehensive defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and whose preparations will only last a couple of days due to the Europa League clash with PAOK. Maurizio Sarri is likely to take the opportunity to rest at least half-a-dozen of his usual starting XI, but the meeting with the Greek side is an unwanted distraction with Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers also to come in the space of a week.

Fulham are already travelling to Stamford Bridge having ended their lengthy winning streak and Claudio Ranieri will feel that his new squad can get at a Blues outfit who can be troubled down either flank. Over 3.5 goals is only priced at 10/11 but there is value in this bet. Chelsea could have easily conceded more than the three strikes that they did at Wembley Stadium and Fulham have not kept a clean sheet all season. The Cottagers are also available at 9/1 based on 'draw no bet', and that is a no-brainer given Chelsea's recent setbacks.

Claudio Ranieri in charge of Fulham on November 24, 2018© Reuters

The North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs follows the West London version, and it promises to be a lively affair with both clubs having recorded much-needed victories last week. It has left Spurs three points ahead of the Gunners, but Unai Emery's side will go ahead of their biggest foes on goal difference with a victory.

However, Emery could find himself caught in the middle with regards his team selection because a change of formation worked at Bournemouth last week, even though it did not feature Mesut Ozil or Alexandre Lacazette. It seems unlikely that either man will remain on the bench for a home clash against Mauricio Pochettino's men, but that is the decision which awaits Emery. Pochettino will have no such concerns - especially with the attacking element of his team - and the only tough call to make revolves around whether to keep youngster Juan Foyth in the centre of defence now that Jan Vertonghen has recovery from injury.

There is value in selecting Arsenal at 7/5 due to their strong record at the Emirates Stadium, but we would be angling towards football bets involving Spurs. Arsenal are yet to hold a half-time lead in the top flight this season so Spurs to have the advantage at the break looks good at 2/1, and Dele Alli to score during the 90 minutes has been priced at 13/5. The 22-year-old has not enjoyed his best scoring season, but the England international looked back to his best against Chelsea and you would not bet against him finding the back of the net on Sunday.

Dele Alli celebrates after giving Tottenham Hotspur the lead against Chelsea on November 24, 2018© Reuters

The Merseyside derby concludes the weekend's action and everything seems to be in favour of a Liverpool win. Jurgen Klopp's side have not lost at Anfield in the Premier League for over 18 months and it has been eight years - a period of 17 matches - since Everton last tasted success against their nearest rivals. That said, Liverpool's Champions League encounter at Paris Saint-Germain has the potential to take something out of them both mentally and physically, and Everton have not conceded more than two goals in a game since the middle of September and back-to-back clean sheets have been kept with Yerry Mina at the centre of the defence.

The Toffees can be selected at a massive 5/1 for a 'draw no bet' and Gylfi Sigurdsson is available at 11/4 to score during the 90 minutes, which is extremely good value considering his threat from set pieces. Marco Silva's men are justifiably regarded as huge underdogs for this match, but Liverpool have been far from perfect this season and the pressure could be on to prevent Manchester City holding a five-point advantage at the top of the table by the end of the week.

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Raheem Sterling celebrates his goal for Manchester City against West Ham United on November 24, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
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3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
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12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


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