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EPL Matchday 20, schedule, odds: Northwest derby headlines weekend’s slate

The first matchday of the new year features many exciting fixtures, including the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United.

The latest: First-place Liverpool hosts struggling Manchester United in the Northwest derby. Before that, Newcastle looks to extend its winning streak to five games when they visit Tottenham.

Check out the latest EPL schedule for Matchday 20.

EPL schedule: Matchday 20

Go to full Premier League betting markets

Tottenham vs. Newcastle

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Aston Villa vs. Leicester City

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Bournemouth vs. Everton

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Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea

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Manchester City vs. West Ham

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Southampton vs. Brentford

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Brighton vs. Arsenal

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Fulham vs. Ipswich Town

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Liverpool vs. Manchester United

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Wolverhampton vs. Nottingham Forest

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Betting insights

Tottenham has scored 14 goals in its last five matches. The total of 3.5 goals has gone over in seven of Tottenham’s 10 home matches. Newcastle has won in four straight matches and hasn’t conceded a goal in that span. Striker Alexander Isak has scored in six straight and is emerging as a sneaky contender for the Golden Boot award.

Manchester City has two wins in its last 10 league matches. Pep Guardiola’s side scored three goals in its last four against West Ham. Meanwhile, the Hammers are winless in their last 18 league matches against City (3 D, 15 L).

Southampton owns the league’s worst home record at 1-1-7. They host a winless Brentford side in nine away matches (2 D, 7 L). However, Brentford has won its last four against Southampton and is a +150 money-line favourite on Saturday.

Liverpool has scored 14 goals, with Mohamed Salah contributing on eight (4 G, 4 A) in its last three matches. They host a slumping Manchester United team that has failed to score in its last three matches. Ruben Amorim has a 2-1-5 record in his short tenure as United manager.

Wolves are 2-1-0 with a +5 goal differential since Vitor Pereira took over as manager. They take on a Nottingham Forest team that’s currently second in the league table at 37 points. The Tricky Trees have recorded a clean sheet in its last three matches.

EPL Matchday 18 parlay picks: Bet on offence in the Liverpool vs. Leicester City in +354 wager

The EPL is back on boxing day and I’m sharing a parlay for the action.

The pregame narrative: I like two fan-favourite clubs to pick up a win in the post-holiday EPL slate while also backing offence in the Liverpool and Leicester City match.

Check out our EPL Matchday 18 parlay.

EPL Matchday 18 parlay

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

Parlay: Chelsea to win + Liverpool/Leicester over 3.5 goals + Manchester United to win (+354)

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Chelsea to win (-210): The London club is in form right now and I want a piece of the action.

Chelsea is 5-1-0 over its past six games with the draw coming to Everton on Sunday.

The Blues dominated with 75% of the possession and mustered up 12 shots but Everton kept the danger to a minimum in a defensive battle.

Fulham is a decent side but the stats indicate Chelsea is a tier above. Here are a few of Chelsea’s offensive stats and where they rank in the EPL, according to Fotmob.

36.0 expected goals (2nd)
61 big chances (2nd)
6.2 shots on target per match (2nd)

If you are following English football, you could probably guess that all of those stats are ranked second to Liverpool who is lighting the league on fire.

But Chelsea is slowly creeping into the trophy conversation and the club will need to keep tallying up wins.

I like the home side to grab the victory here as its momentum continues to build.

Quick pick

Liverpool/Leicester over 3.5 goals (-182): As briefly mentioned before, Liverpool has been an offensive juggernaut this season.

The Reds score the most goals per game (2.3) and generate chances at an alarming rate (71 big chances created).

Getting in on the Liverpool side is tough here as it is -1,000 to win and -400 to win by two or more goals. However, I believe this is a sneaky way to find value on the home side.

Four of the last five EPL games Liverpool has been a part of have gone over this total. The offence itself has scored two-plus goals in eight straight matches.

The other good news for this leg is that Liverpool has conceded in nine of 16 games this season so don’t be shocked if Leicester finds a way to contribute.

But the idea is that The Reds cover this total alone and take advantage of a bad defensive side.

Leicester City has conceded 35.2 xG which is the third-most in the EPL.

Manchester United to win (+100): Wolverhampton has been dreadful this season with a 3-3-11 record and I’m looking to fade the side, even at home.

The Wolves are 1-0-4 in their last five and concede the most goals per match (2.4).

Manchester United are not in contention to win the league by any means but this is good value against a team in the basement of the standings.

The Red Devils are 1-0-3 in their last four league games but all those opponents are well inside the top 10 of the table.

Before that, Man U beat Everton and Leicester 4-0 and 3-0 respectively. Those are squads much closer to the standard that Wolverhampton provides.

Picks made at 1:24 p.m. on 12/23/24.

EPL Matchday 18 picks and predictions: Back Arsenal to score, take the over in Nottingham vs. Tottenham

I’ve got two bets for the Premier League’s post-Christmas Day slate.

The pregame narrative: Nottingham Forest host Tottenham on Boxing Day in a game which should have a boatload of scoring. On Friday, look for Arsenal to lay a beating on bottom-feeding Ipswich Town.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 18 picks.

EPL Matchday 18 picks

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Best Bet: Nottingham/Tottenham over 3.5 goals (+115)

Anyone who thinks soccer is boring needs to watch a Tottenham game.

The Spurs have one of the league’s most potent attacks and one of the most porous defences. Injuries to goaltender Guglielmo Vicario and defenders Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven have made them particularly weak lately.

Tottenham just lost 6-3 to Liverpool after beating Manchester United 4-3 in the EFL Cup.

Agne Postecoglou’s side has scored three-plus goals in four of its last five fixtures across all competitions but that’s only resulted in two wins and a draw.

Nottingham is a much more conservative team but it has scored two plus in three straight and will be in a good spot to find the scoresheet at home.

Tottenham ranks fifth in expected goals (30.6) and I expect them to stick to their open style of play which should lead to a high-scoring affair.

Key stat: Seven of Tottenham’s last 10 games have gone over 3.5 goals.

Quick pick

Arsenal over 2.5 goals (-154): Arsenal needs to put its foot on the gas to catch league-leading Liverpool.

The Gunners have picked up points in seven straight fixtures but are 4-3-0 in that span.

They are coming off a 5-1 blowout win against Crystal Palace and are in a good position to replicate that against Ipswich Town.

The newly-promoted side sits 18th in the table and has the second-highest xGA (35.0). Ipswich Town has lost four of the last five and just gave up four goals to Newcastle United.

Mikel Arteta’s side doesn’t play the most exciting brand of football but this should be a game where it can get out and run early.

Picks made at 2:24 p.m. on 12/22/24.

EPL Matchday 18 picks and predictions: Back Arsenal to score, take the over in Nottingham vs. Tottenham

I’ve got two bets for the Premier League’s post-Christmas Day slate.

The pregame narrative: Nottingham Forest host Tottenham on Boxing Day in a game which should have a boatload of scoring. On Friday, look for Arsenal to lay a beating on bottom-feeding Ipswich Town.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 18 picks.

EPL Matchday 18 picks

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

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Best Bet: Nottingham/Tottenham over 3.5 goals (+133)

Anyone who thinks soccer is boring needs to watch a Tottenham game.

The Spurs have one of the league’s most potent attacks and one of the most porous defences. Injuries to goaltender Guglielmo Vicario and defenders Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven have made them particularly weak lately.

Tottenham just lost 6-3 to Liverpool after beating Manchester United 4-3 in the EFL Cup.

Agne Postecoglou’s side has scored three-plus goals in four of its last five fixtures across all competitions but that’s only resulted in two wins and a draw.

Nottingham is a much more conservative team but it has scored two plus in three straight and will be in a good spot to find the scoresheet at home.

Tottenham ranks fifth in expected goals (30.6) and I expect them to stick to their open style of play which should lead to a high-scoring affair.

Key stat: Seven of Tottenham’s last 10 games have gone over 3.5 goals.

Quick pick

Arsenal over 2.5 goals (-141): Arsenal needs to put its foot on the gas to catch league-leading Liverpool.

The Gunners have picked up points in seven straight fixtures but are 4-3-0 in that span.

They are coming off a 5-1 blowout win against Crystal Palace and are in a good position to replicate that against Ipswich Town.

The newly-promoted side sits 18th in the table and has the second-highest xGA (35.0). Ipswich Town has lost four of the last five and just gave up four goals to Newcastle United.

Mikel Arteta’s side doesn’t play the most exciting brand of football but this should be a game where it can get out and run early.

Picks made at 2:24 p.m. on 12/22/24.

EPL Matchday 17 picks and predictions: Bet on Leicester City and take the over at the Gtech

I’ve got two bets on this weekend’s Premier League festive fixtures.

The pregame narrative: On Sunday, I am backing Leicester City to grab a home victory over a frail Wolverhampton side. Before that, take over 2.5 total goals in the clash between Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 17 picks.

EPL Matchday 17 picks

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Best Bet: Leicester City draw no bet (-125)

This matchup has massive implications for relegation and I expect Leicester to come out of it on top.

Things are trending positively for the Foxes since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over as head coach. The Dutchman has instilled new energy into the squad playing more freely in attack.

Recent results saw Leicester deliver a 3-1 win over West Ham and a thrilling 2-2 draw against a respectable Brighton side.

Ageless wonder Jamie Vardy — who has seven goal contributions in the last eight matches — spearheads a Leicester attack that’s scored in all eight home matches and is capable of punishing a poor Wolves defence.

Wolves have allowed a league-worse 14 goals from set pieces, a method that Leicester has scored at a modest 18.3 percent clip.

Four consecutive defeats — off a deflating 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town — and the firing of head coach Gary O’Neil has led the Wolves into utter turmoil. In addition, newly-appointed manager Vitor Pereira likely won’t take the reins on Sunday, with such short notice.

The suspension of Rayan Ait-Nouri adds a further blow and leaves them without an attacking wingback to control the left flank.

The Algerian international sits in the 80th percentile in all shooting metrics among left-backs, per Fotmob.
Ait-Nouri averages 1.84 successful dribbles per 90, ranks 94th percentile.

Leicester has a 2-3-3 record at home, as opposed to 1-2-5 on the road.

I say this is a prime spot for the Foxes to pounce on their prey.

Key stat: Wolves have conceded two or more goals in 11 of its last 13 league matches.

Quick pick

Brentford/Nottingham Forest over 2.5 goals (-143): Matches at the GTech have been nothing short of exciting.

Surprisingly, Brentford owns a league-best 7-1-0 record at home, where its matches are averaging a whopping 5.0 goals.

Overall, Brentford matches have gone over 2.5 goals 13 of 16 times.

Its matchup against a stubborn Nottingham Forest side — averaging 1.22 expected goals allowed (xGA) — isn’t a favourable one, but I believe that’s baked into this low number.

The last match between these two sides ended in a 3-2 victory for the Bees.

Although the goals fest in Brentford matches has reached an unsustainable rate, I believe both teams have the weapons to contribute.

Picks made at 12:06 p.m. on 12/19/24.

EPL Matchday 17 picks and predictions: Bet on Leicester City and take the over at the Gtech

I’ve got two bets on this weekend’s Premier League festive fixtures.

The pregame narrative: On Sunday, I am backing Leicester City to grab a home victory over a frail Wolverhampton side. Before that, take over 2.5 total goals in the clash between Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 17 picks.

EPL Matchday 17 picks

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

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Best Bet: Leicester City draw no bet (-125)

This matchup has massive implications for relegation and I expect Leicester to come out of it on top.

Things are trending positively for the Foxes since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over as head coach. The Dutchman has instilled new energy into the squad playing more freely in attack.

Recent results saw Leicester deliver a 3-1 win over West Ham and a thrilling 2-2 draw against a respectable Brighton side.

Ageless wonder Jamie Vardy — who has seven goal contributions in the last eight matches — spearheads a Leicester attack that’s scored in all eight home matches and is capable of punishing a poor Wolves defence.

Wolves have allowed a league-worse 14 goals from set pieces, a method that Leicester has scored at a modest 18.3 percent clip.

Four consecutive defeats — off a deflating 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town — and the firing of head coach Gary O’Neil has led the Wolves into utter turmoil. In addition, newly-appointed manager Vitor Pereira likely won’t take the reins on Sunday, with such short notice.

The suspension of Rayan Ait-Nouri adds a further blow and leaves them without an attacking wingback to control the left flank.

The Algerian international sits in the 80th percentile in all shooting metrics among left-backs, per Fotmob.
Ait-Nouri averages 1.84 successful dribbles per 90, ranks 94th percentile.

Leicester has a 2-3-3 record at home, as opposed to 1-2-5 on the road.

I say this is a prime spot for the Foxes to pounce on their prey.

Key stat: Wolves have conceded two or more goals in 11 of its last 13 league matches.

Quick pick

Brentford/Nottingham Forest over 2.5 goals (-129): Matches at the GTech have been nothing short of exciting.

Surprisingly, Brentford owns a league-best 7-1-0 record at home, where its matches are averaging a whopping 5.0 goals.

Overall, Brentford matches have gone over 2.5 goals 13 of 16 times.

Its matchup against a stubborn Nottingham Forest side — averaging 1.22 expected goals allowed (xGA) — isn’t a favourable one, but I believe that’s baked into this low number.

The last match between these two sides ended in a 3-2 victory for the Bees.

Although the goals fest in Brentford matches has reached an unsustainable rate, I believe both teams have the weapons to contribute.

Picks made at 12:06 p.m. on 12/19/24.

EPL Matchday 17 schedule, odds and betting lines: Spurs host leader Liverpool in marquee match

Two of England’s top attacking sides clash in the last Premier League contest before Christmas.

The latest: Tottenham take on a Liverpool team fighting to stay atop the league table. Before that, Manchester City looks to snap its cold streak when it visits Aston Villa.

Check out the latest Premier League schedule for Matchday 17.

Premier League schedule: Matchday 17

Go to full Premier League betting markets

Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

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Brentford vs. Nottingham Forest

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Ipswich Town vs. Newcastle United

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West Ham vs. Brighton

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Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal

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Everton vs. Chelsea

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Fulham vs. Southampton

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Leicester City vs. Wolves

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Manchester United vs. Bournemouth

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Tottenham vs. Liverpool

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Betting insights

Aston Villa is 4-3-1 at home this season with a 2-0 loss to Arsenal on Matchday 2. It hosts Manchester City, which has one win in 11 matches across all competitions. However, Pep Guardiola’s side is +110 to win on the road at Villa Park.

Brentford has a league-best 7-1-0 record at home, where matches are averaging 5.0 goals. The total for its contest against Nottingham Forest is set at 2.5 goals. The Bees haven’t lost to Nottingham Forest in their last six meetings (3 W, 3 D).

Ipswich Town is winless in eight home matches (4 D, 4 L). The Tractor Boys haven’t kept a clean sheet in 12 matches. They host Newcastle, which has scored nine in three matches, with striker Alexander Isak scoring in each.

Everton has failed to score in four of its last five matches. The Toffees host a red-hot Chelsea side, which has a league-best 6-1-1 record in away matches. Over 2.5 goals has hit in Chelsea’s last five league matches.

Tottenham matches have gone over 3.5 goals eight times. It hosts table-leader Liverpool, which has conceded multiple goals in three of its last four league matches. Tottenham and Liverpool have not drawn in their last four contests against each other.

EPL Matchday 16 picks and predictions: Bet on Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth to win

I am backing two sides in solid form for this week’s Premier League selections.

The pregame narrative: Crystal Palace is primed to pick up a result when it visits Brighton in a tasty matchup. After that, I expect Bournemouth to push its winning streak at home against under-performers West Ham.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 16 picks.

EPL Matchday 16 picks

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Best Bet: Crystal Palace or tie (-118)

Crystal Palace has found its stride and I like it to pick up a result away to Brighton.

After a troublesome start to the campaign, the Eagles are unbeaten in their last four matches with impressive draws off Manchester City (2-2), Newcastle (1-1), and Aston Villa (2-2).

Manager Oliver Glasner has found stability with a squad that added several new pieces in the summer transfer window.

Trevor Chalobah and Maxence Lacroix have emerged as staples in Palace’s backline, building rapport with captain Marc Guehi.

Crystal Palace averages 44% possession and likes to park in a low defensive block, limit spaces and wait for chances to attack in transition.

This hasn’t favoured Brighton, a ball-dominant side that’s struggled to penetrate defences that sit deep:

Brighton possession	Record
50% or more	W1 D5 L3
49% or less	W5 D1 L0

Amid a first managerial campaign with Brighton, Fabian Hurzeler has struggled to gameplan against the counter-attack, allowing 16 shots and four goals from fast breaks (tied for most in the league).

The Seagulls only have won two of their last eight matches in all competitions, which includes dropping points to relegation contenders Wolves (2-2), Southampton (1-1) and Leicester (2-2).

After Glasner took over in February, Crystal Palace ascended from 16th to 10th in the table with a 7-4-3 run and a +15 goal differential.

The Eagles are flying under the radar and there’s value to back them on the double-result market.

Key stat: Brighton hasn’t kept a clean sheet in its last eight matches.

Quick pick

Bournemouth to win (-138): Don’t look now, but Bournemouth have won three straight matches and are soaring up the Premier League table.

A big reason for its recent success is its ultra-aggressive attack.

Bournemouth is generating the second-highest xG (2.06) per game.

It is whipping in the most crosses into the penalty area (averaging 2.53 per game).

This plays in its favour since West Ham is struggling defensively, allowing 1.80 xG per game. The Hammers also allow the third-most crosses into the penalty area (2.40 per game).

Offensively, West Ham is lacking at the striker position with Niclas Fullkurg not in full health and Michail Antonio (broken leg) out for an extended period.

Bournemouth plays better at home, to the tune of a 4-2-1 record, including astonishing wins over Arsenal and Manchester City.

It’s worth noting it has the rest advantage, with West Ham having last played on Monday.

I say pick the Cherries to extend their winning streak at home.

Picks made at 10:53 a.m. on 12/12/24.

EPL Matchday 16 picks and predictions: Bet on Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth to win

I am backing two sides in solid form for this week’s Premier League selections.

The pregame narrative: Crystal Palace is primed to pick up a result when it visits Brighton in a tasty matchup. After that, I expect Bournemouth to extend its winning streak at home against under-performers West Ham.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 16 picks.

EPL Matchday 16 picks

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

Best Bet: Crystal Palace or tie (-107)

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Crystal Palace has found its stride and I like it to pick up a result away to Brighton.

After a troublesome start to the campaign, the Eagles are unbeaten in their last four matches with impressive draws off Manchester City (2-2), Newcastle (1-1), and Aston Villa (2-2).

Manager Oliver Glasner has found stability with a squad that added several new pieces in the summer transfer window.

Trevor Chalobah and Maxence Lacroix have emerged as staples in Palace’s backline, building rapport with captain Marc Guehi.

Crystal Palace averages 44% possession and likes to park in a low defensive block, limit spaces and wait for chances to attack in transition.

This hasn’t favoured Brighton, a ball-dominant side that’s struggled to penetrate defences that sit deep:

Brighton possession	Record
50% or more	W1 D5 L3
49% or less	W5 D1 L0

Amid a first managerial campaign with Brighton, Fabian Hurzeler has struggled to gameplan against the counter-attack, allowing 16 shots and four goals from fast breaks (tied for most in the league).

The Seagulls only have won two of their last eight matches in all competitions, which includes dropping points to relegation contenders Wolves (2-2), Southampton (1-1) and Leicester (2-2).

After Glasner took over in February, Crystal Palace ascended from 16th to 10th in the table with a 7-4-3 run and a +15 goal differential.

The Eagles are flying under the radar and there’s value to back them on the double-result market.

Key stat: Brighton hasn’t kept a clean sheet in its last eight matches.

Quick pick

Bournemouth to win (-129): Don’t look now, but Bournemouth have won three straight matches and are soaring up the Premier League table.

A big reason for its recent success is its ultra-aggressive attack.

Bournemouth is generating the second-highest xG (2.06) per game.

It is whipping in the most crosses into the penalty area (averaging 2.53 per game).

This plays in its favour since West Ham is struggling defensively, allowing 1.80 xG per game. The Hammers also allow the third-most crosses into the penalty area (2.40 per game).

Offensively, West Ham is lacking at the striker position with Niclas Fullkurg not in full health and Michail Antonio (broken leg) out for an extended period.

Bournemouth plays better at home, to the tune of a 4-2-1 record, including astonishing wins over Arsenal and Manchester City.

It’s worth noting it has the rest advantage, with West Ham having last played on Monday.

I say pick the Cherries to extend their winning streak at home.

Picks made at 10:53 a.m. on 12/12/24.

Premier League schedule, odds and betting lines Matchday 16: Manchester derby headlines weekend’s slate

A new Premier League slate features many exciting matchups, including the highly-anticipated Manchester derby.

The latest: First-place Liverpool takes on Fulham at Anfield. After that, Manchester City looks to find its footing at home against local rival Manchester United.

Check out the latest Premier League schedule for Matchday 16.

Premier League schedule: Matchday 16

Go to full Premier League betting markets

Arsenal vs. Everton

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Liverpool vs. Fulham

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Newcastle United vs. Leicester City

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Wolverhampton vs. Ipswich Town

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Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa

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Brighton vs. Crystal Palace

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Manchester City vs. Manchester United

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Chelsea vs. Brentford

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Southampton vs. Tottenham

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Bournemouth vs. West Ham

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Betting insights

Arsenal has scored 11 goals in its last four league matches. The Gunners’ 15.1 non-penalty expected goals against is the lowest in the league, per whoscored.com. They host an Everton side that has failed to score in its last three away matches.

Liverpool has multiple goals in each of its last seven league matches, including a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Matchday 9. Mohamed Salah leads the league in goal contributions (21) and has scored in seven straight league matches. Fulham has conceded just seven goals in seven away matches.

Manchester City has one win in its last six league matches. It has scored multiple goals in five of its last six league matches against Manchester United. Ruben Amorim is 1-1-2 since appointed as United manager.

Chelsea has scored 14 goals in its last four league matches. The Blues are winless in their last five contests against Brentford (2 D, 3 L) but the Bees sport a poor 0-1-6 record in away matches this season.

Southampton has the highest non-penalty xGA of 36.4. Tottenham has scored three or more goals in seven league matches. The Spurs’ team total is set at 2.5 goals for this match.