This weekend, we turn our attention to four Premier League matchups on Saturday, providing insights and betting suggestions for each game.
Let’s start with the outright markets for the title race. Liverpool remain firm favourites at 2/7, while Arsenal are priced at 7/2. Nottingham Forest and Manchester City are available at 100/1, with the rest of the field priced at 300/1 or greater.
Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
LEICESTER CITY v ARSENAL – Click here to bet
Leicester City will be desperate to turn their fortunes around when they host Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. The Foxes find themselves in a relegation battle, sitting 18th in the Premier League table with 17 points from 24 matches. Their latest setback came in a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, marking just one victory in their last nine league matches (W1, D3, L5). Additionally, their home form has been abysmal, losing four consecutive league games at the King Power while conceding at least two goals in each of those defeats. With their defensive struggles mounting, Leicester face an uphill battle against a title-challenging Arsenal side.
The Gunners currently occupy 2nd place with 50 points from 24 matches, seven points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round, but their league form remains impressive, having demolished reigning champions Manchester City 5-1 in their most recent EPL outing. Arsenal have also been solid away from home, going unbeaten in their last seven league matches on the road (W4, D3). With their sights set on keeping pace with Liverpool, the visitors will see this as a prime opportunity to collect maximum points.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have dominated recent meetings, winning each of their last six encounters with Leicester City. Earlier this season, the Gunners secured a comfortable 4-2 victory in the reverse fixture.
Betting
Leicester City 9/1
Draw 5/1
Arsenal 3/10
Verdict
Given Leicester’s poor home form and defensive vulnerabilities, Arsenal should have little trouble securing a comfortable victory. With the Gunners priced at 3/10 on the outright, I’ll take my chances on them to win by at least two goals—a trend that has landed in Leicester’s last four home Premier League matches.
Suggested Bet: Handicap – Arsenal -1.5 at 17/20
WEST HAM v BRENTFORD – Click here to bet
West Ham will be hoping to snap their poor run of form when they welcome Brentford to the London Stadium on Saturday. The Hammers have endured a rough campaign and currently sit in 16th place with 27 points from 24 matches. New manager Graham Potter is still searching for consistency, with the team securing just one win in their last seven outings across all competitions (W1, D1, L5). That lone victory came in a 3-2 win over Fulham, but they have since earned just one point from three matches, including a recent 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. Defensive woes continue to plague West Ham at home, where they have conceded 16 goals in their last six matches, failing to keep a clean sheet during that run.
Brentford, meanwhile, come into this match following a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their last league encounter. Despite this setback, the Bees have been showing signs of improvement away from home, winning back-to-back away matches and going unbeaten in three on the road (W2, D1). Currently sitting in 11th place with 31 points from 24 matches, Brentford will take confidence from their recent upturn in away form. However, their overall record on the road remains concerning, with just eight points from a possible 33 this season.
Head-to-Head
Brentford have been the stronger side in recent meetings, remaining unbeaten in three of the last four encounters (W2, D1, L1), including a 1-1 draw in the reverse encounter earlier this season.
Betting
West Ham 14/10
Draw 26/10
Brentford 37/20
Verdict
West Ham’s defensive struggles at home could be exposed by a Brentford side gaining momentum on the road. This has the makings of an open contest, with both teams likely to find the net.
Suggested Bet: Totals And Both Teams To Score – Over 2.5 And Yes at 8/10
Get your money back if your team loses to an injury time penalty.
Introducing Tough Luck Insurance from World Sports Betting. Bet on football matches with confidence, and if your team loses to an injury time penalty, we’ll return your stake as free bets.
*Valid for Pre-Match and Live in Play events up to 90 Mins.
T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R5000. Single/Straight bets only.
Free Bets do not qualify for this offer. Limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘ Tough Luck Insurance ’
FULHAM v NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Click here to bet
Fulham will look to build on their recent momentum when they take on Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Currently 9th in the league with 36 points from 24 matches, Fulham enter this clash off the back of a 2-1 win away to Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round, marking back-to-back victories after an impressive 2-1 win away to Newcastle United in the Premier League. Despite their strong campaign, Marco Silva will be the first to admit that Fulham still have work to do, particularly at Craven Cottage, where they have struggled to convert their latest fixtures into match winning performances. The Cottagers are winless in their last five home league games (D4, L1), with their last victory at home in the league dating back to early December.
Nottingham Forest continued their fairytale season in midweek by securing their place in the next round of the FA Cup after overcoming Exeter on penalties. Nuno Espírito Santo made wholesale changes to the squad, prioritizing Forest’s main objective of European qualification. Currently sitting 3rd in the league with 47 points from 24 matches, Forest continue to defy expectations, particularly with their attacking approach led by the ever so impressive Chris Wood. However, their most recent away trip saw their momentum take a hit as they suffered their first league defeat on their travels in five matches, ending a four-game winning streak with a heavy 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth. With Fulham struggling at home, this could be an ideal opportunity for Forest to return to winning ways on the road.
Head-to-Head
Fulham have dominated recent encounters, winning four of their last five meetings with Nottingham Forest. Earlier this season, the Cottagers secured a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture. Notably, none of their last 12 head-to-head clashes have ended in a draw.
Betting
Fulham 5/4
Draw 95/40
Nottingham Forest 95/40
Verdict
Fulham’s home form has been inconsistent, while Nottingham Forest’s impressive campaign cannot be overlooked. This could be a closely fought contest, with Forest having as good a chance as ever to capitalize on Fulham’s uncharacteristic run at Craven Cottage.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance – Draw/Nottingham Forest at 13/20
MANCHESTER CITY v NEWCASTLE UNITED – Click here to bet
Manchester City will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing midweek defeat when they welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s men suffered a late collapse against Real Madrid, conceding twice in the dying moments to lose 3-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie. That result marked City’s third competitive defeat in their last six matches, underlining their inconsistency this season. Currently 5th in the Premier League standings with 41 points from 24 matches, City find themselves level on points with Saturday’s opponents, separated only by goal difference. Their most recent league outing ended in humiliation as they were dismantled 5-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates. However, the Citizens have generally been formidable at the Etihad, winning four of their last five home matches in all competitions (W4, L1), with the only blemish being Tuesday’s defeat to Real Madrid.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, come into this clash as the fresher side, having avoided midweek action. Eddie Howe’s men secured a 3-2 away victory against Birmingham in the FA Cup fourth round last time out and will be looking to extend their impressive form. Their last league match saw them suffer a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham, but the Magpies have been in excellent shape overall, winning 12 of their last 14 matches in all competitions. Sitting directly beneath City in the standings, Newcastle know the importance of keeping pace in the race for European qualification. They have been outstanding on the road, winning their last six away fixtures in all competitions, including four Premier League victories over teams such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. This strong away form, coupled with City’s recent struggles, could give them a real chance of securing a rare win at the Etihad this weekend.
Head-to-Head
Manchester City have historically dominated this fixture, winning three of their last four league encounters against Newcastle. Earlier this season, both teams shared the spoils, finishing 1-1 at St James’ Park. However, at the Etihad, City have won ten consecutive games against the Magpies in all competitions, including nine in the Premier League.
Betting
Manchester City 9/10
Draw 16/5
Newcastle United 27/10
Verdict
City may be odds-on favourites, but Newcastle’s recent form and freshness could be significant factors. Given City’s defensive lapses and Newcastle’s attacking threat on the road, this has the makings of an entertaining clash, with both teams likely to find the net.
Suggested Bet: Totals And Both Teams To Score – Over 2.5 And Yes at 13/20
Click here for all the weekend’s English Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
