We go again.
LAS VEGAS — Here it is, with good tidings and Christmas and Boxing Day cheer. The Festive Fixtures are here. Friday through Sunday Premier League action is upon us and Matchweek 18 is all systems go. This run of fixtures is an absolute blockbuster. From the betting perspective, MW17 saw a mixed stocking with a 2-2 ledger but a miss on the *Best Bet by Darkseid Sports*.
Anywho, moving on, I’m bullish on my chances again. Here is the deal for MW18:
THE TIMELINE
COINCEDENTAL STADIUM of the WEEK
A series depicting a stadium which corresponds to a play featured in The Premier League Prologue actions to open the show.
- Old Trafford, Manchester, England
MW18 POSITIONS PL
*Best Bet by Darkseid Sports* RECORD: 7-8-2 (Record displayed in Win-Loss-Push format)
2025-26 PUBLISHED BET RECORD: 26-25-2 (All plays, W-L-P format).
- Straight Bets: 26-17-2
- Parlays: 0-6 (?!?)
- Proposition (SoT, ATG, etc.): 0-2
These results are unacceptable, embarrassing and so far beneath established standards. I hate it. I couldn’t even bring myself to list the percentages. Obviously, the time is now to go on a run.
— ⚽️: “THE BTTS SPECIAL”
- CHEAVL BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE (-60)
📚: FanDuel
KEY METRICS
- CHEAVL: 56 goals scored aggregate YTD.
BTTS SUPERFACT
KEY OPINION
This is a play on the fact the data and mathematics say both parties will score a goal in this match. I acknowledge both defensive systems are stout, but the ask of scoring just one goal each is a reasonable one.
MY TAKE
The BTTS Special has seen mixed results thus far but I’m undeterred in the pursuit of delivering winners. Not sure what I’m supposed to say really re: my take on The BTTS Special: I think both parties can score a goal in its respective match.
— ⚽️: MASON MOUNT 1+ SHOTS ON TARGET (-15)
📚: William Hill/Caesars
KEY METRICS:
KEY OPINION
- I just think there is value in backing Mount to have a SoT when it’s appropriately priced and Mount should have an influential place in the United attack v Newcastle. I thought this position was unfortunate to not get there last week as my Feature Play.
— ⚽️: WHUFUL UNDER 2.5 GOALS (+03)
📚: Circa Sports
KEY METRICS
- WHU: Bottom 5 in Table in GS (19), aggregate xG (17.4) & npxG/90 (0.98).
- FUL: The Cottagers aren’t much better than WHU in most offensive metrics.
SUPERFACT
KEY OPINION
- For me, I just can’t get past the fact these are two low-potency scoring clubs with xG/npxG metrics to back up said claim.
GL🤝Play Responsibly
— ⚽️BB: SUN DRAW NO BET (-15)
📚: William Hill/Caesars
KEY METRICS
- SUN: T3/20 in Goals Allowed (17). The Black Cats are top-of-table in npxG90/A (0.77) & GK/SV% (77.0).
- LEE: 17/20 in GA/90 (1.82) & 18/20 in GK/SV% (60.0).
SUPERFACT
KEY OPINION
- I see this as a spot where back at home two weeks removed from the Tyne-Wear Derby the club can refocus and at minimum share points. Here, I think Sunderland can do better.
MY TAKE
For the *Best Bet by Darkseid Sports* for MW18, it’s a play on Sunderland Draw No Bet (-15). The Black Cats are a rock defensively and in net and I will trust said statements here. I can’t get there with Leeds. The defense and keeping is suspect. I feel like LEE has overachieved and some regression is due. Plus, this match is at the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland is proven to be better than when it is away from home. For all that, (SUN DNB -15) is your *Best Bet by Darkseid Sports* for the Premier League Matchweek 18.
FC Record YTD: 9-5
— ⚽️: CRY 90+ (+25)
I passed on this to focus on other positions. There was reservation due to the Eagles having midweek League Cup play.
MANCHESTER UNITED MINUTES
PREMIER LEAGUE MINUTES
BEYOND THE TABLE
You can get the Premier League Table anywhere. It’s still superfluous at MW18. I’ll check it out at MW20. But a Table built on xG is something we can use for Sports Investment purposes in the now and Squawka has done solid, practical work in bringing us this PL Table built on xG.
https://www.squawka.com/en/features/xg-table-premier-league-2025-26/
FUTURISTICS REVISITED
It’s tostadas at MW18. Although it is nice to have Cole Palmer back. Amad creates and has been fine for United but the AFCON absence is detrimental. Brentford has vastly exceeded any expectation anybody had. I had it wrong there, as of now.
Follow me on X. Do it now.
RANDOM PROLOGUE PICTURE
REFERENCES:
- X
- Various individual and entity social media accounts on X as cited in this work
- Peacock
- USA Network
- NBC Sports
- FB Ref
- Opta Analyst
- DataMB
- Transfermarkt
- Squawka
- Grok
- Google Gemini
- NBC Sports Soccer
- CBS Sports App
- William Hill/Caesars
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Getty Images
- Darkseid Sports Intellectual Properties
DISCLAIMER: The purveyor of Darkseid Sports (me) and the author of this writing (also me) has no affiliation, whatsoever, with Manchester United, the Premier League, any of the above athletes, managers, media entities, sports betting entities, social media accounts and/or any other corporate entity, either portrayed in written form or depicted in corresponding images. The author of this writing is a passionate and very serious Manchester United and Premier League fan.
INDUSTRY NOTE: I put considerable time and effort into this. Being the best is a process. Don’t plagiarize me, please. It’s already bad enough I’m totally excluded in the space yet have to be subjected to absolute hacks who get the run I don’t. As of this writing I have not seen any person or entity share the plays I have. So that makes me the source material. Any sharing or touting of my plays should include credit to Darkseid Sports. It’s easy. Failure to do so is an explicit proclamation of a gross lack of professional integrity on your part. I am also available to appear on your platform either via phone interview or in digitally written segment to feature my thoughts and selections, FYI.
Sports is sensationally prohibited.
Darkseid Sports 
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