This Saturday, we focus on four key Premier League clashes, offering in-depth analysis and betting recommendations for each fixture.
Starting with the title race, Liverpool remain strong favourites at 3/10, while Arsenal are valued at 11/4. Meanwhile, defending Champions, Manchester City sit at a staggering 90/1, with the rest of the field priced at 250/1 or greater.
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EVERTON v MANCHESTER UNITED – Click here to bet
Everton will look to continue their remarkable resurgence under David Moyes when they welcome a struggling Manchester United side to Goodison Park on Saturday. The Toffees have been in fine form, going unbeaten in their last five league matches, while picking up a rather impressive 13 points since Moyes’ return at the helm (W4, D1) —joint-most in that period alongside Arsenal. That revival has propelled Everton 13 points clear of the relegation zone and just seven points off the top half. Currently sitting 14th in the standings with 30 points from 25 matches, they will be eager to extend their unbeaten run at home, having taken seven points from their last three league games at Goodison Park (W2, D1). With Moyes facing his former club, Everton will see this as a prime opportunity to claim another big scalp.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are in freefall. Last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham marked their eighth league loss in 12 matches, further deepening concerns about their trajectory. Sitting in 15th place with 29 points from 25 games, the Red Devils are perilously close to their lowest-ever Premier League finish, with relegation fears growing by the week. United’s injury crisis has left them heavily reliant on inexperienced players, as seen in last week’s bench filled with teenagers. Their away form has also been concerning, securing just 13 points from a possible 36 on the road, though they have managed seven points from their last five away fixtures. On a more positive note, Manchester United have won their last five consecutive league meetings against Everton, which might offer them a lifeline in this difficult period.
Head-to-Head
Last five league meetings: Manchester United W5
Manchester United have had the upper hand in recent meetings with Everton, winning their last five consecutive league matches, including a commanding 4-0 victory in the reverse encounter earlier this season.
Betting
Everton 31/20
Draw 9/4
Manchester United 39/20
Verdict
With Everton in excellent form and Manchester United struggling for consistency, this clash could favour the hosts. Moyes’ men have momentum on their side, and given United’s away struggles, backing Everton in the draw no bet market seems a more appealing option. The Toffees look unlikely to lose this Saturday, and the bet provides some insurance in case the fixture ends in a stalemate.
Suggested Bet: Draw No Bet – Everton at 8/10
IPSWICH v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – Click here to bet
Ipswich Town will be desperate to turn their fortunes around when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Portman Road on Saturday. The Tractor Boys are winless in their last five consecutive league outings (D1, L4) and find themselves deep in a relegation battle. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw away to Aston Villa marked their first and only point from a possible 15 in their last five games, offering a glimmer of hope for Kieran McKenna’s struggling side. Sitting 18th in the table with just 17 points from 25 matches, Ipswich’s poor form has been particularly evident at home. They have managed just one victory from 13 attempts at Portman Road—the second-worst home record in the league. Their defensive frailties have also been exposed, conceding nine goals across their last three consecutive home defeats at an alarming rate of three per game. With Spurs back to winning ways and key players returning, Ipswich could be in for another difficult afternoon in front of their home crowd.
Tottenham, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend. That result brought much-needed relief to Ange Postecoglou’s men, snapping a run of disappointing cup exits in both the EFL Cup and FA Cup. Spurs have now won back-to-back league games and, with first-team regulars returning to the lineup, they will be eager to register three consecutive league wins for the first time this season. Currently sitting 12th in the table with 30 points from 25 matches, Spurs must improve their away form if they are to climb further up the standings. They have only managed 13 points from a possible 36 on the road this season. However, they will take confidence from their most recent away fixture, a 2-0 victory over Brentford earlier this month—ending a three-match losing streak on their travels.
Head-to-Head
Last five league meetings: Ipswich W4, Tottenham Hotspur W1
Earlier this season, Ipswich secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse encounter. Despite the one-sided head-to-head record, it’s important to note that these two sides last met in the Premier League as far back as 2002. Given the context of this season, this makes the head-to-head history somewhat irrelevant.
Betting
Ipswich Town 26/10
Draw 28/10
Tottenham Hotspur 1/1
Verdict
Given Ipswich’s disappointing campaign and poor home form, coupled with Tottenham’s recent resurgence, this match appears to be a one-sided affair. The bookmakers are still reflecting Tottenham’s overall season rather than their recent form. With Spurs further strengthened by the return of key players, there’s no reason why they can’t build on last week’s result and secure another victory this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Tottenham Hotspur at 1/1
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ARSENAL v WEST HAM – Click here to bet
Arsenal will be aiming to maintain their push for the Premier League title when they host struggling West Ham in this London derby at the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners have been in excellent form, collecting 13 points from their last five games, matching only David Moyes’ Everton over the same period. Sitting second in the league with 53 points from 25 matches, Arsenal are eight points behind leaders Liverpool and will be eager to close the gap. The Gunners are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run in the Premier League (W10, D5) and have won three consecutive league games. Their impressive home form has been a key factor, with 28 points from a possible 36 and eight wins from 12 home fixtures. With Liverpool facing Manchester City on Sunday, this is a golden opportunity for Arsenal to keep the pressure on and continue their title challenge.
For West Ham, it’s been a season to forget so far. Currently sitting 16th in the table with 27 points from 25 matches, the Hammers are struggling under manager Graham Potter. Their inconsistency continues, having won just once in their last eight games across all competitions (W1, D1, L6). West Ham’s only win came in a 3-2 triumph over Fulham, but they have since managed just one point from their last four matches, including a recent 1-0 defeat to Brentford. Defensively, the Hammers have been leaky, conceding 13 goals in their last seven outings across all competitions. Away from home, their form has been particularly poor, and they will need a huge improvement to stand a chance against an Arsenal side in red-hot form.
Head-to-Head
Last five league meetings: Arsenal W3, Draws 1, West Ham W1
Arsenal have won their last two encounters with West Ham, including a commanding 5-2 victory earlier this season. West Ham have now conceded 11 goals in their last two meetings with the Gunners, highlighting their recent struggles against Mikel Arteta’s men.
Betting
Arsenal 2/7
Draw 5/1
West Ham 10/1
Verdict
With Arsenal in outstanding form and West Ham continuing to falter, backing the Gunners to secure a comfortable victory seems like a solid choice. Given the added motivation of potentially closing the gap at the top, Arteta will surely not want to take any chances, and Arsenal may look to close this one out as early as possible.
Suggested Bet: Handicap – Arsenal -1.5 at 8/10
ASTON VILLA v CHELSEA – Click here to bet
Aston Villa will look to build on their spirited midweek display when they host a struggling Chelsea side at Villa Park on Saturday evening. Unai Emery’s men put in a resolute performance to earn a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday, marking their second consecutive home stalemate. Despite the quick turnaround, Villa will take plenty of positives from their clash with the Reds, and if they replicate that intensity against Chelsea, the visitors could be in for a tough outing. Currently sitting 9th in the table with 39 points from 26 matches, Villa remain five points adrift of the European spots. However, with this being their third straight home game in the league, concerns will be raised over their inability to turn draws into wins, having taken just two points from their last two fixtures at Villa Park. While remaining unbeaten is a positive, Emery will demand more from his side, particularly against a Chelsea team that has often flattered to deceive on their travels this season. That said, Villa still boast the fourth-best home record in the league, having accumulated 25 points from their 14 home matches.
Chelsea come into this contest on the back of a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Brighton last weekend, their third loss in four matches across all competitions. Enzo Maresca’s men have struggled defensively in recent weeks, conceding six goals in their last two away league fixtures at an alarming rate of three per game. As a result, they currently sit sixth in the table with 43 points from 25 matches. The Blues are also winless in their last five away league games, collecting just two points from a possible 15, with draws against Crystal Palace and Everton their only positives amid three defeats. Despite their recent poor run, Chelsea still hold the fifth-best away record in the division, having picked up 21 points from their 13 matches on the road. However, given Villa’s impressive midweek display and their overall solidity at Villa Park, the hosts will be well up for this contest and will fancy their chances of claiming all three points.
Head-to-Head
Last five league meetings: Aston Villa W2, Draw 1, Chelsea W2
Earlier this season, Chelsea claimed a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, while last season’s meeting at Villa Park ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with both teams sharing the points.
Betting
Aston Villa 33/20
Draw 27/10
Chelsea 31/20
Verdict
With Villa showing plenty of fight in their recent performances and Chelsea’s form on the decline, the hosts could have the edge in this encounter. Emery’s side has been resilient at Villa Park this season, and with Chelsea’s defensive frailties on the road, I believe the bookmakers may have mispriced this one. The hosts should be able to contain the visitors and avoid defeat this weekend in a match likely to produce at least two goals, given Chelsea’s recent struggles.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance And Total – Aston Villa/Draw And Over 1.5 at 8/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
