Matchweek 20 of the 2022-23 EPL season saw two pulsating derbies, the results of which will have huge consequences going forward.
Here’s how it looked for punters:
Manchester is Red
The Red Devils are back. In a big way.
United already went into their Manchester Derby clash against crosstown rivals City as $3.90 underdogs. And when they went 1-0 down courtesy of substitute Jack Grealish on the hour mark, their odds ballooned further. But this is a different United side this season. Whereas recent United outfits might have wilted in this scenario, Dutchman Erik ten Hag has re-instilled the belief that used to be synonymous with teams under the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Back-to-back goals inside the final 15 minutes — the first of which is still the feature of intense offside-or-not debate — from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford respectively gave United an incredible come-from-behind 2-1 win. The result puts United five points clear inside the EPL Top 4. Two games into the season, they were $7.00 to finish inside the Champions League spots. Now? They’re right into $1.14.
Ten Hag has built a TEAM. #MUFC 🔴❤️pic.twitter.com/D5Tcpryzc9
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) January 15, 2023
Gunners rule North London
Having not dropped points in their previous 12 EPL games, Arsenal went into the North London derby as $2.20 favourites with Palmerbet. This was despite the fact that the Gunners hadn’t won away to their fiercest rivals in a league match since 2014. But they completely justified their pre-match favouritism, too, with a commanding 2-0 win (-1.0 paying $4.60). Martin Odegaard was the star, scoring the Arsenal’s second ($3.80 anytime goalscorer) to cap a dominant performance through the midfield.
City’s loss on Saturday gave Mikel Arteta’s men the chance to take an eight-point lead atop the EPL table on Sunday. And his side took the chance with both hands. The margin of their lead is scarcely believable given we’re yet to hit the halfway mark of the EPL season. The result is considerable for another reason. For the first time this season, Arsenal — who started the campaign as huge $34 outsiders — are now $1.75 favourites to win the title.
Arsenal beat Tottenham home & away in a @premierleague season for the first time since 2013-14 when Mikel Arteta was in their midfield #TOTARS pic.twitter.com/rUFjRtG3Df
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 15, 2023
Reds sinking
It is inconceivable that, without even reaching the halfway point of the EPL season, Liverpool are already 10 points outside the Top 4. This is a market they started the 2022-23 campaign as $1.06 hopes in. Now, however, they are incredibly out to $3.30. The latest loss, a 3-0 defeat to $2.95 H2H outsiders Brighton has heaped even more pressure on an under fire Jurgen Klopp. The Reds manager didn’t try to hide things after the match. “I can’t remember a worse game. I honestly can’t,” he said. “Of course we’re very concerned. How can you not be after a game like this?”
$3.25 EPL title hopes in the pre-season, those hopes are all but gone. Liverpool are now out to $251. And Klopp is begging for patience.
Jürgen Klopp apologized to Liverpool fans after their 3-0 loss to Brighton 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5e0KBAcXGc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 14, 2023
