Things might slow down in most sports around the holidays, but that's simply not the case when it comes to the Premier League. And with a solid slate of matches on deck — sans three postponements due to more COVID-19 issues — that means there are prop plays to be targeted on Sunday's Boxing Day card.
Adding to our already extensive coverage of the event, we're continuing to deliver more betting angles at The Action Network via our new element that will feature our top prop plays. From player angles to team and game picks, you will find a little bit of everything to entertain your betting interests.
That said, handicapper Avery Zimmerman has found plenty of betting value on two highlighted wagers, which come from interesting games featuring Manchester City vs. Leicester City and Norwich City vs. Arsenal.
Boxing Day Prop Bets
Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace
| The Pick | Crystal Palace — More Cards (+105) |
| Day | Time | Sunday | 10 a.m. ET |
| How To Watch | NBCSN | fuboTV |
| Best odds via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute Soccer odds here. | |
There are a couple of reasons why this is a solid value opportunity for those struggling to find a traditional wager in this contest.
While the two teams have a similar booking rate — Crystal Palace at 1.83 cards per match; Spurs with 2.00 bookings/game, I feel as though the value lies with the Eagles in a situation that could see the more in-rhythm and quality side possess the ball much more frequently than their opposition.
Due to a two-week break for Tottenham that was caused by a COVID-19 outbreak that the squad and one opponent — Leicester City — dealt with this season, the visiting side has played just two games since Dec. 10.
In the second half of their fixture with Liverpool, manager Antonio Conte's men looked as fresh as could be and that carried over into a Carabao Cup win against West Ham United.
Though Palace hasn't played a game since Dec. 15, it could take some time for the London-based side to get acclimated to the speed of play that Spurs will operate with in this meeting.
Jonathon Moss, the referee who will be in charge, issues cards infrequently (approximately two per game), but that doesn't necessarily take the value away from Palace. In normal circumstances, the value on the card bet could be placed with Spurs, but considering the context of the fixture, I would opt for the Eagles at plus money.
Man City vs. Leicester City
| The Pick | Man City — Over 2.5 (-150) |
| Day | Time | Sunday | 10 a.m. ET |
| How To Watch | Peacock Premium |
| Best odds via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute Soccer odds here. | |
There isn't a better team to back to score goals in the English top flight than Manchester City and that's especially true when the powerhouse plays at Etihad Stadium.
Man City leads the league with 2.68 xG/game on home soil and manager Pep Guardiola's men have been firing on all cylinders of late, racking up 11 goals on 6.96 xG in their previous two games. As City has the fourth-best conversion rate in the league, there aren't many reasons to think it won't score multiple times in a certain game.
The Leicester defense won't inspire much confidence for the club's supporters either. The Foxes concede 1.72 xGA/game on the road, and an abysmal, midweek defensive showing against Liverpool offers little hope that the COVID-19 break they received gave any help to manager Brendan Rodgers' team.
Against a Liverpool lineup that featured right back Neco Williams in the winger position and no Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané or Diogo Jota in the starting lineup, Leicester went on to concede three goals and bow out of the Carabao Cup in the quarterfinal round.
Back the Cityzens and fade the Foxes.
Norwich City vs. Arsenal
| The Pick | Both Teams to Score — Yes (+100) |
| Day | Time | Sunday | 10 a.m. ET |
| How To Watch | Peacock Premium |
| Best odds via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute Soccer odds here. | |
A great chance to look for standard regression comes in this Norwich City vs. Arsenal contest.
The Canaries haven't scored in three games, but that's not likely to continue if they keep creating at the pace they have been. In the three-game goalless stretch, Norwich created 2.56 xG in those games. At home, the club is garnering 1.09 xG/game, so it's only a matter of time before it breaks the scoring duck.
Arsenal has been efficient defensively over its last four games, and if it wasn't for a penalty it would have conceded less than one xGA in each of its last three matches. Nevertheless, the Gunners are averaging 1.73 xGA/game away from Emirates Stadium, so there's a good chance each of these runs end.
On the other side of the pitch, Arsenal has amassed two-plus xG in each of its last three contests and has really seemed to find a groove. I really like the opportunity you can get on this wager at a near Pick'em. And if you want to get really aggressive, I don't mind Norwich City clearing 1.5 goals at +390 odds.
