I’m backing two home sides in the Premier League this weekend.
The pregame narrative: Manchester City host Arsenal to wrap up the weekend’s action and I’m expecting the Sky Blues to take three points from their title rival. Elsewhere, bet on Liverpool to run up the score at Anfield.
Check out the best EPL Matchday 5 picks.
EPL Matchday 5 picks
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Best Bet: Manchester City to win (-124)
We’re only a handful of games into the season but this match has massive title implications.
Arsenal was runner-up to Man City in each of the last two seasons, finishing two points behind the Sky Blues last year and five points back the year prior.
Right now, only two points separate England’s top two clubs, and City has the lead yet again.
Increasing that gap will be massive in Pep Guardiola’s quest for a sixth straight Premiership and I say his side gets the job done. Man City’s 11 goals scored are the most in the league, as is its +8 goal differential. It has won three of four games by two-plus goals.
Arsenal is 3-0-1 and most recently eked out a win against Tottenham in the North London Derby. But the Gunners only had 37% possession in that game and were out-shot, 15-7.
Martin Ødegaard missed the derby with an injury and will also be out on Sunday. On the other side, Kevin de Bruyne is likely sidelined after picking up an injury in the Champions League midweek.
Both players are instrumental in their respective midfield and I’m fine to call that a wash.
With that said, how can I bet against the reigning champs at the Etihad where they’re 16-5-0 since the start of last season?
Key stat: Manchester City had won eight straight Premier League home fixtures against Arsenal before drawing, 0-0, last season.
Quick pick
Liverpool over 2.5 goals (-122): Liverpool’s last Premier League match didn’t go as planned. The Reds lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest as massive favourites at Anfield.
But outside of that shocking result, things have been smooth sailing for Arne Slot in his first year as manager.
Liverpool won each of its previous three EPL fixtures by a combined score of 7-0. That includes a 3-0 drumming of Manchester United at Old Trafford. It also won its first Champions League fixture of the year, 3-1, against AC Milan.
Back home, against a middling Bournemouth side, I expect another offensive explosion.
Picks made at 2:32 p.m. on 09/19/24.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.