This weekend, we turn our attention to four Premier League matchups on Saturday, providing in-depth insights and betting suggestions for each game.
Before we dive in, let’s take a look at the current outright market odds for the Premier League title race. As it stands, Liverpool are the bookies favourites to lift the title at 1/4, with Arsenal trailing at 9/2. Both Manchester City and Nottingham Forest remain in the mix at 25/1, while the rest of the field are priced at 50/1 or higher.
Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
LIVERPOOL v IPSWICH – Click here to bet
Liverpool returns to Premier League action after securing a narrow 2-1 victory over Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday night, placing them at the top of the table in Europe with 21 points from 7 matches. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott sealed the win for the Reds, extending their unbeaten run across all competitions to four matches, with three wins and one draw. Last weekend, Liverpool earned a 2-0 victory against Brentford in their most recent league outing.
Arne Slot’s men sit comfortably at the top of the league standings with 50 points from 21 matches (W15, D5, L1). Liverpool has been formidable at Anfield, earning 23 points from a possible 30 (W7, D2, L1). The Reds boast a 70% winning ratio on home soil in the Premier League, with over 2.5 goals scored in 60% of their home matches (6 out of 10). Interestingly they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 3 league appearances at Anfield with four goals featuring in each match.
Ipswich Town faces a daunting task following their heavy 6-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend. Kieran McKenna’s side remains firmly in the relegation zone, sitting 18th in the standings with 16 points from 22 matches (W3, D7, L12).
Away from home, Ipswich has struggled, securing just two wins while scoring 12 goals. However, their defensive frailties have been their undoing, conceding 19 goals on the road—a major concern as they prepare to face free-scoring Liverpool this weekend. The Tractor Boys have lost 50% of their away matches (5 out of 10) and have conceded in 90% of their games on the road. Unsurprisingly, this has led to a higher ratio of high-scoring encounters, with Over 2.5 goals featuring in 6 of their 10 away fixtures.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Portman Road. Ipswich’s last visit to Anfield was over two decades ago, in 2002, when Liverpool ran out emphatic 5-0 winners.
Betting
Liverpool 1/9
Draw 10/1
Ipswich Town 20/1
Verdict
This should be one-way traffic from the Reds, with everything seemingly aligning for Liverpool this season. Anything less than a comprehensive win would come as a major shock.
Suggested Bet: Liverpool To Win Both Halves, Yes at 5/6
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v ARSENAL – Click here to bet
Wolverhampton Wanderers will welcome Arsenal to Molineux Stadium this weekend, eager to bounce back from their recent 3-1 defeat to Chelsea. Despite taking an early lead through Matt Doherty, Wolves were unable to hold on and now find themselves 15th in the Premier League standings with 23 points from 21 matches (W6, D5, L10).
At home, Wolves have endured a challenging campaign, with just one win in their last four league appearances, earning a mere three points from a possible twelve. Overall, they have managed only 7 points from 10 home matches this season (W2, D1, L7), scoring 14 goals while conceding 23. High-scoring encounters have been a theme at Molineux, with over 2.5 goals featuring in 8 of their 10 home matches. Both teams have found the net in 70% of those games, underscoring Wolves’ defensive vulnerabilities.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will look to bounce back from a frustrating 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Emirates last weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side remains second in the league with 44 points from 22 matches (W12, D8, L2) as they strive to keep pace with Liverpool at the top. However, the Gunners will enter Saturday’s clash on a positive note, having secured all three points in a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb midweek, which confirmed their place in the next phase of the Champions League.
Arsenal has been impressive on the road, earning 19 points from 11 away matches (W5, D4, L2). They have averaged 1.90 goals per game while conceding 1.09, resulting in both teams scoring in 64% of their away matches (7 out of 11). Notably, this trend has been far more consistent in recent times, occurring in each of Arsenal’s last six league encounters away from home.
Head-to-Head
History strongly favours Arsenal in this matchup. The Gunners have won their last seven consecutive meetings against Wolves, including a 2-0 victory at the Emirates earlier this season. This fixture last season also ended in the same 2-0 scoreline for Arsenal at Molineux, showcasing their dominance in this rivalry.
Betting
Wolverhampton Wanderers 11/2
Draw 15/4
Arsenal 5/10
Verdict
The Gunners are expected to prevail, but at the current odds, it might be wiser to seek value in an alternative market. Arsenal appears to be a bogey side for Wolves, and with Arteta’s team keeping a clean sheet in four of their last five meetings, (including back-to-back meetings) this could be a trend worth pursuing yet again.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal Clean Sheet, Yes at 11/10
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 ’
SOUTHAMPTON v NEWCASTLE UNITED – Click here to bet
Southampton hosts Newcastle United at St. Mary’s, aiming to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The Saints remain rooted at the bottom of the table in 20th place with just 6 points this season from 22 matches (W1, D3, L18). The Saints have lost all five games under new manager Ivan Juric, and their plight appears increasingly desperate as they stare relegation in the face.
At St Mary’s, things don’t appear much better for the hosts. The Saints have registered just 4 points at home this season (W1, D1, L8), failing to collect a single point in 80% of their home games—a statistic that speaks volumes. With limited attacking options, Southampton currently averages 0.7 goals per game while conceding a staggering 2.7 on home soil.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United will be looking to bounce back from a surprising 4-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth last weekend, a result that ended their nine-match winning streak across all competitions. Despite that setback, the Magpies remain in contention for a top four finish, currently sitting 6th in the table with 38 points from 22 matches (W11, D5, L6).
The Magpies have won their last three league games on the road and, with a strong record against the Saints, will be confident of making it four consecutive away victories. Their away form has been impressive, with 18 points earned from 11 matches (W5, D3, L3), scoring 19 goals while conceding 14. Impressively, Newcastle’s defence has allowed just one goal in their last three away games, during which they netted eight times.
Head-to-Head
Newcastle have recorded six consecutive victories over Southampton, including four straight wins in the league. Earlier this season, the Magpies secured a narrow 1-0 victory at St James’ Park. Their most recent encounter at St Mary’s saw the North East side claim a comprehensive 4-1 win during the 2022/23 campaign.
Betting
Southampton 11/2
Draw 9/2
Newcastle United 4/9
Verdict
The Saints are likely to struggle against a Newcastle United side firmly targeting European qualification next season. With both teams in contrasting form, the visitors are favoured to come out on top, bolstered by their impressive recent results away from home. It’s an away win for me—a rather uninspiring selection given that nothing else stands out. This could be a good option to include in a double for added value.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Newcastle United at 4/9
MANCHESTER CITY v CHELSEA – Click here to bet
Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures this weekend, with both teams aiming to maintain their push for the top spots as well as bragging rights. City, currently 5th in the Premier League with 38 points from 22 matches (W11, D5, L6), are 12 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. They come into this match after a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, leaving them in 25th place in the European standings with one group phase game remaining.
However, City’s domestic form does appear to be back on track, with a resounding 6-0 victory over Ipswich Town last weekend. The Citizens have notched up 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four league appearances (W3, D1). Their home record remains strong, having accumulated 20 points overall at the Etihad from their opening ten league games (W6, D2, L2). The Citizens have scored 21 times and conceded 14 in Manchester thus far.
Chelsea have been solid in recent weeks, remaining unbeaten in their last four appearances across all competitions. Following a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, Chelsea have risen to 4th in the Premier League table with 40 points from 22 matches (W11, D7, L4). Over their last 18 games, the Blues have lost just twice, which is a testament to the impressive turnaround under Enzo Maresca. His leadership has allowed the team to settle in well, with Chelsea showing plenty of promise compared to last season.
Away from home, the Blues have been a joy to watch, amassing 21 points from a possible 33 (W6, D3, L2). Their aggressive approach on the road has paid off, as they have averaged 2.18 goals per game, though they have conceded 13 goals at a rate of 1.18 per game. Despite their overall strong away form, Chelsea have seen a slight dip in their recent results, picking up just two points from a possible nine in their last three away matches in the Premier League (D2, L1). This is something they will certainly want to address before heading to the Etihad this weekend.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory away to Chelsea, while last season this fixture resulted in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad. The Blues have failed to beat City in their last seven league meetings, having lost five and drawn two during that period.
Betting
Manchester City 1/1
Draw 3/1
Chelsea 95/40
Verdict
City do appear to be getting their form back, at least on the domestic front, and with a favourable track record against the Blues, Pep Guardiola will see this as an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways after their midweek defeat in Europe. Averaging an impressive 4 goals in their last three league appearances, we can expect plenty of aggression from the hosts. With the visitors reflecting a similar stance on the road, expect fireworks and plenty of goalmouth action.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Both Teams to Score, Manchester City/Draw and Yes at 17/20
Click here for all the weekend’s English Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
