Premier League underdog picks: Newcastle hope, Wolves opening, Forest value | OneFootball

As the festive fixtures arrive, three underdogs have credible cases: Newcastle at home to Chelsea, Wolves against Brentford, and Nottingham Forest at Fulham.

Newcastle United v Chelsea, 20th December, 12:30pm GMT. Chelsea enjoy an extra day after both edged Carabao Cup ties. A restless mood lingers after Enzo Maresca’s “worst 48 hours”, and The Athletic reports he is high on Manchester City’s list of possible Pep Guardiola successors.

Only Crystal Palace have fared better away, yet four straight Chelsea defeats at St James’ since 2021, aggregate 9-1. Newcastle are short at the back, but remain formidable at home despite late slips to Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs.

Wolves v Brentford, 20th December, 3pm GMT. If a revival is to start anywhere, this could be it. Brentford are poor travellers, one win, seven defeats, six away goals, and have stalled since November. Dango Ouattara’s AFCON absence removes their leading creator.

There were green shoots for Rob Edwards’s side at Arsenal, where they restricted the leaders for long spells and were seconds from a point before an own goal. It is fragile, but a platform for the league’s biggest underdogs.

Fulham v Nottingham Forest, 22nd December, 8pm GMT. Forest arrive buoyant after a 3-0 win over Spurs and a first European away victory since 1995 in Utrecht. Sangare departs for AFCON, yet Dyche has midfield options, and Igor Jesus plus Callum Hudson-Odoi are in form.

Fulham have wobbled at home with two straight league defeats, then a stoppage-time Carabao Cup exit to a Lewis Miley header. Marco Silva also loses Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey to AFCON, while Forest’s last five away are two wins, three losses.

Source: NY Times