I’ve got two picks for the Premier League’s return this weekend.
The pregame narrative: Ipswich Town went into the international break on a heater and I expect it to stifle a struggling Manchester United side. Also, bet on Liverpool to pick up where it left off — dominating teams.
Check out the best EPL Matchday 12 picks.
EPL Matchday 12 picks
Go to full Premier League betting markets.
Best Bet: Liverpool halftime/full time (-130)
Liverpool fans were left wondering if anyone could fill Jurgen Klopp’s shoes when the legendary manager stepped down last year.
It’s still very early, but Arne Slot looks to be legit.
The Dutchman has Liverpool sitting atop the table with a 9-1-1 record and +15 goal differential. The Reds’ defence has been impregnable, conceding a league-low six goals, four fewer than any other team.
And in the Champions League, Liverpool is 4-0-0 with just one goal conceded and 10 scored.
This weekend’s match against last-place Southampton should be a layup. The Saints are 1-1-9 with a league-worst -14 goal differential and seven goals scored.
I was debating backing Liverpool to score over 2.5 goals at -109 but think this is a safer play.
Barring a penalty, I can’t picture how Southampton finds the net. Liverpool is 6-1-0 in its last seven EPL fixtures but has only scored three-plus goals in one of those games.
Look for the Reds to score early and uneventfully close things out.
Key stat: Liverpool (21) has scored three times as many goals as Southampton (seven).
Quick pick
Ipswich Town to win or tie (+135): Manchester United has been a disaster this season.
The Red Devils are 4-3-4, winning just two of their last seven EPL fixtures. They’ve scored the fifth-fewest goals (12) in the Premiership and aren’t getting production out of top players like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Erik ten Hag has been sacked and I’ll need to see something out of Ruben Amorim, who will make his managerial debut on Sunday, before feeling confident in Man United.
Ipswich Town is coming off a 2-1 win against Tottenham in North London and drew Leicester City, 1-1, before that.
The squad has cashed this bet in six of its last nine EPL fixtures and is in a good spot to pick up a point at home.
Picks made at 11:30 a.m. on 11/22/24.
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.