Have you caught your breath? The holiday season provides non-stop football action. It really is a dream for the hardened fan who can burn off the Christmas calories\u2026 by sitting on the couch for hours on end, right?\u00a0Ok, don\u2019t judge my appearance, I\u2019ll be back on the health bandwagon shortly, just not now, there\u2019s simply too much to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not to mention, there is so much to consider. The New Year is upon us, and what a year 2026 will be!\u00a0 Finally, the World Cup arrives and boy, will it be worth the wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, for this final Sharman 5 of the year, allow me to look a little further beyond just this weekend, and to the year to come, both domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-> Join NorthStar Bets & bet on soccer today<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Join NorthStar Bets & bet on soccer today<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Premier League really has been the aroma that feeds my Christmas spirit, always has.\u00a0It is not often that we have a title decider over the break, and it is even less often that Aston Villa feature in it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am clearly overstating the importance of Tuesday\u2019s Arsenal vs Aston Villa encounter, but it was huge \u2026 and the statement Arsenal put forth in the 4-1 win was equally huge!\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n What a way to silence the critics who, despite seeing the Gunners consistently win, had been querying the current form after some results had to be ground out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The win gave Arsenal a six-point lead over the surprising Villa, with Manchester City still in the rear-view mirror in second place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n -> See all EPL futures at NorthStar Bets<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -> See all EPL futures at NorthStar Bets<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The odds change following the win really said it all.\u00a0 Pre-match, Mikel Arteta\u2019s side were at -139 to hang on and win the league, with Villa at +1600. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the win, Arsenal was down to -162 and Villa up to +2000.\u00a0 Amazing what one win can do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, Arsenal have a history of faltering down the stretch, and with Man City still at plus money to reel them in, it is certainly very tempting.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t hate me Arsenal fans, but City provides the value.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bet<\/strong>: Man City to win the Prem (+165<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A relegation tussle,\u00a0nothing like it!\u00a0The reality is, West Ham are still very much in the race to survive this season, sitting in the final relegation spot, four points from safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Wolves?\u00a0They are going down, sorry.\u00a0Three points on the season to date, zero wins, Wolves have been appalling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturday is a huge match for West Ham, who are being linked with Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen as a means to solve their goal-scoring woes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Bet on Wolves vs. West Ham at NorthStar Bets<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Bet on Wolves vs. West Ham at NorthStar Bets<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is very much on the hot seat despite his team coming off a 2-2 draw with Brighton on Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wolves drew Manchester United, showing that at least there may be some fight in the team despite its dastardly season to date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All that said, despite being on the road, any team at plus money in an encounter versus Wolves is too good to dismiss.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bet<\/strong>: West Ham to win (+205<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n End of the year, let\u2019s look ahead and throw down some money on the goal scorers markets, specifically the Golden Boot in the top leagues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trouble is, given the dominance of the top strikers in Europe, there really isn\u2019t any value in the individual lines, but create a parlay and suddenly there is plus money.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at the leading scorers and what their current odds are of leading the way all season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Bet on soccer futures at NorthStar Bets<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Bet on soccer futures at NorthStar Bets<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Barring injury, Haaland, Mbappe and Kane will run away with their scoring championships, and the lines reflect that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Martinez is one league leader who poses the most threat.\u00a0The Serie A has been low scoring this season, and Martinez only leads AC Milan\u2019s Christian Pulisic by one goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The American has scored his 8 goals in only 11 matches, though, so it is highly unlikely Pulisic continues that pace, and with Martinez having already won a Golden Boot two years ago, we are confident his value is worth it to the overall wager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bet<\/strong>: Haaland, Mbappe, Martinez and Kane all to lead their domestic goal scoring charts (+168<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been many bright spots from a Canadian angle this year, but as the year turns the one player with the biggest upside could well be Promise David.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The twenty four year old broke through into the Canadian mainstream last season following his commitment to Canada and an outstanding domestic season after switching to Belgium\u2019s Union Saint-Gilloise and winning a league title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This season, David has continued his fine form, as has his team which continues to set the standard at the top.\u00a0David is tied at the top of the scorers chart, despite missing several matches through injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, he still needs to convince his international manager.\u00a0David only has eight appearances for Canada, and although Jesse Marsch has high hopes for the striker, he has been outspoken regarding the areas that David must improve; namely his fitness, as \u2018Marsch-ball\u2019 is an all-action high press system that demands extremely high levels of fitness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Canada is still looking for the right partner for Jonathan David in attack, and David does seem to have the attributes that can work, namely his finishing.\u00a0It is a fascinating area to watch in the build-up to the World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bet<\/strong>: Promise David to lead all goal scorers in Belgium this season, including playoffs (+300<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Get in on the action \u2014 bet on Promise David props<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -> Get in on the action \u2014 bet on Promise David props<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a fun one to let percolate over the New Year.\u00a0World Cup squad selection, specifically England!<\/p>\n\n\n\n After Harry Kane, there really is a swath of options up front that can hardly be described as prolific in the goal-scoring department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, perusing the goal scoring charts, you might be surprised to see that Leeds Utd veteran No. 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads all English strikers with eight goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting off the year slowly, the 28-year-old has found his form with six in his last seven.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The former Everton man has eleven caps for England, but much of his career has been curtailed through injury.\u00a0Stay healthy, and with his aerial prowess, he could be a great option off the bench for Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side at the World Cup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, this pick is a little off centre,\u00a0but it is New Year’s, let\u2019s take a risk or two, and when you see the odds, it is definitely worth a sprinkle.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best bet<\/strong>: Calvert-Lewin to make England\u2019s World Cup squad (+700<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\nGunning down Villa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wolves under the Hammer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Golden Boot Parlay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Top soccer predictions: The Promise of something special<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Striking it rich<\/h3>\n\n\n\n