Looking ahead to Matchweek 12 of the 2023/24 EPL season, we break down the five best bets for the weekend of Premier League action.
1. Tottenham H2H vs Wolverhampton @ $2.10
One of the biggest tests for Ange Postecoglou to date. We know that Spurs don’t boast the depth of other top EPL clubs, and whatever depth they do have will be stretched in this clash. The frankly wild encounter against Chelsea had a devastating impact on short-term availability with Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie (both red cards), and Micky van de Ven (hamstring) all out for this one. Crucially, star midfielder James Maddison may also miss. This has meant Spurs have edged out beyond evens in the head-to-head market. But this is when Postecoglou does his best work. We saw from Eric Dier’s performance against Chelsea that those who haven’t been given starting berths this season are desperate to perform, so don’t expect a huge drop-off in output.
👏 A fantastic response from Ange Postecoglou on the Romero and Udogie red card decisions.
We NEED more managers like this in the game… #THFC | #TOTCHEpic.twitter.com/CZ9UOmgb9N
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) November 6, 2023
2. Luton +2.0 vs Manchester United @ $1.85
Fresh off a pulsating draw with Liverpool, Luton will be buoyed as they look to take points off another EPL giant. And against a Manchester United side bereft of confidence after losing three of their last four games in all competitions, they are ripe for the picking. Not going as far as to say Luton will win the clash, or even draw it, but a two-goal head-start feels more than doable in the pressure-filled atmosphere — for United, that is — at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag arrives on Saturday knowing nothing more than victory is good enough and if his side don’t get off to a good start, the familiar groans that have characterised this season may just grow louder.
“I don’t think we can afford to do it anymore, I think we’ve got to let this fella go with it.”
Has ten Hag’s time run out? Paul Scholes doesn’t think so following United’s defeat against Copenhagen 😬
🎙️ @ReshminTV | #UCL pic.twitter.com/cDV4fhXjGv
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 8, 2023
3. Phil Foden (MCI) anytime goalscorer vs Chelsea @ $3.70
For a player who has scored in each of Manchester City’s last three games, Phil Foden’s anytime goalscorer price against Chelsea — in perhaps the match of Matchweek 12 — represents good value. The England star has hit a purple patch, born perhaps off a noticeably increased work-rate in recent weeks. City should have plenty of chances in this one. Chelsea were by no means assured at the back against Tottenham on Monday night, and almost conceded on two separate occasions when Spurs went down to nine men. One of those chances may just fall to Foden.
Phil Foden has been involved in 19 goals across his last 21 starts for Manchester City at the Etihad (12 goals, 7 assists), scoring (2) or assisting (3) in five of his last six home starts. pic.twitter.com/SOGxSIyUFS
— City Chief (@City_Chief) November 7, 2023
4. Arsenal -2.0 vs Burnley @ $2.40
The Gunners are desperate to put last weekend’s chaos at St James’ Park behind them, and midweek Champions League victory over Sevilla went some way to doing that. But having dropped points in two of their last three EPL games, Mikel Arteta’s men are out for a statement win at home. And they couldn’t have asked for a better opponent. Burnley are without a point in their last FIVE matches (all competitions), with three of those defeats being by three goals (to Chelsea, Brentford and Everton). They’ve conceded 27 goals in 11 games this campaign to date, and their eight goals for is the league’s lowest.
Mikel Arteta warns referees that Arsenal are prepared to revolt again if they face anymore refereeing controversy 🚨
✍️ @IsaanKhan_ https://t.co/qb1TFANCQA
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) November 8, 2023
5. Liverpool v Brentford – Draw @ $4.80
Three EPL wins on the bounce has Brentford, after a lacklustre start to the season, has seen them back into the top-half of the table. Liverpool’s form meanwhile has plateaued, having dropped points in three of their last five league matches. It leaves this clash nicely poised. Naturally, the Reds go in strong favourites. But the Bees will by no means be a pushover at Anfield, and some punters may fancy the juicy pre-match odds provided for the draw.
What an unbelievable job Thomas Frank has done and continues to do at Brentford by the way. A really good club 👏🏻
— Tom Garratt (@Tgarratt10) November 4, 2023