Premier League Matchday 16 odds and betting preview

An egregious penalty call, a late goal by 10-man Crystal Palace, and a Norwich comeback that fell just short left us wondering what could have been on Matchday 15.

We took a very small hit as a result, pushing our record on the year to 23-33-1 for a net profit of $1,185. Here are our picks for Matchday 16.

Chelsea (-106) at Everton (+250), Draw (+290)

Everton's sacking of Marco Silva was long overdue. The club slid all the way into the relegation zone before finally making the decision to relieve the manager of his duties. It could have been done a month ago, but more realistically, ending Silva's tenure should have happened following the defeat to Norwich on Nov. 23.

Nonetheless, the club can finally look ahead, and I'd expect a significant reaction from the players on Saturday. The mood around Goodison Park will be refreshing and it should boost the team, which will benefit from a fresh voice.

It was tempting to go with an Everton upset, but Chelsea are in good form at the moment, so a draw feels appropriate. The Toffees get something from this match too though.

Pick: Draw (+250)

Crystal Palace (+200) at Watford (+137), Draw (+230)

Watford are looking for their third manager already this season after sacking Quique Sanchez Flores, with Hayden Mullins assuming the role of caretaker. The search for Flores' replacement is coming to a head, and these players will want to perform well for whoever might be watching.

Palace's away form in the league has been impressive. Unlike they did against Burnley, the Hornets should play this one closer to the vest, which certainly suits them. They're still capable of frustrating teams at Vicarage Road, as they did against Sheffield United and Bournemouth, and that style runs in contrast to a Palace side that prefers to sit deep and hit back on the break.

Pick: Palace or draw

Leicester (-125) at Aston Villa (+320), Draw (+290)

Make that seven straight now for Leicester while conceding just two goals over that span.

The Foxes seem to be winning 2-0 every week, doing their very best to keep pace with leaders Liverpool. Aston Villa have been in fine form too over the past few weeks, with the club pushing Chelsea to the brink in a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, drawing at Old Trafford, and beating Newcastle. The Villans were unlucky not to get a result at home to Liverpool at the start of November in what was their only home defeat since August.

Teams are fully aware now that the Foxes are lethal, and the opposition knows how the team prefers to play. We should start to notice managers making the necessary adjustments, refusing to open up and give Leicester space on the counter. Dean Smith will force Leicester to play with the ball and attack, with Villa instead posing the threat on the break.

This feels like the match when Leicester's winning run comes to an end.

Pick: Draw (+290)

Southampton (+175) at Newcastle (+160), Draw (+225)

Both of these sides have turned things around impressively of late after they each looked headed for relegation not too long ago. Newcastle have lost just once in their last six, winning three, while Southampton are unbeaten since mid-November, claiming seven of a possible nine points.

Since their opening day defeat at Burnley, the Saints have only lost away against Tottenham and Manchester City. They've beaten Brighton and Sheffield United while drawing Wolves and Arsenal. Even though Southampton have won just once in their last 14 trips to St. James' Park, they should be able to leave with a point on Sunday by forcing the Magpies to get after it, which will open up opportunities for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side on the counter. Newcastle prefer to be the ones to play on the break, as seen in home draws with Manchester City and Wolves, and victories over Bournemouth and Manchester United.

Pick: Draw (+225)

Sheffield United (+130) at Norwich (+200), Draw (+250)

These are worrying times for Norwich, who sit four points adrift of safety. The Canaries haven't been able to rely on home form, which is normally so key for newly promoted clubs. Sheffield United, meanwhile, are unbeaten away from Bramall Lane this season, drawing six and winning once.

With the Canaries reeling, Chris Wilder will smell blood in this match. He'll get the Blades up for it in a big way after losing at home to Newcastle in midweek. While these sides drew at Carrow Road in the Championship last season, the mood in each camp is so different right now. Expect Sheffield United to continue their terrific away form and leave Norwich with three points.

Pick: Sheffield United (+130)

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.