Looking ahead to Matchweek 19 of the 2023/24 EPL season, we break down the five best bets for the festive period of Premier League action.
1. Aston Villa H2H vs Manchester United @ $2.55
Villa missed a golden opportunity to go top of the EPL table for the first time since August 2011 when they drew with Sheffield United, despite starting $1.17 favourites, on Saturday morning (Australian time). Unai Emery’s men struggled to break down a Blades outfit that sat very deep and couldn’t convert on their huge 78 per cent possession dominance. However they should bounce back here, and in particular benefit from a United outfit that simply has to show more endeavour considering they’re at home. This should allow Villa to get in behind on the break, which they’ve proven devastating at to date this season.
Bet Now Manchester United vs Aston Villa“Everything was a bit too formulaic” 🧮
Gary Neville believes Aston Villa need to be more ‘inventive’ and ‘creative’ pic.twitter.com/iaHJMBT3mm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2023
2. Tottenham H2H vs Brighton @ $2.50
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton outfit are without a clean sheet in their last 22 EPL games, which is the club’s worst run in the competition. Less quantifiably, it’s been some time since they’ve put in a performance that’s made the competition sit up, which became regular at the start of the Italian’s reign. Still a strong outfit, they’re undeniably going through a rut at present with just two EPL wins in their last 12 matches. It means they’re ripe for the picking, and susceptible to a a Spurs outfit who have won three on the bounce and will undeniably bring the heat.
Bet Now Brighton vs TottenhamRoberto De Zerbi’s Brighton is currently ranked 8th in the Premier League this season.
They are the 4th worst team in goals conceded (31), and haven’t recorded any clean sheet. pic.twitter.com/DHCaeYTBfS
— MT (@MT_Analysis) December 22, 2023
3. Arsenal and Under 3.5 goals @ $2.10
Top of the EPL table for a second straight Christmas, Arsenal know the hard work starts now. Last year they let things slip in the post-Christmas period, and Mikel Arteta’s men are acutely aware of the importance of maintaining results throughout what is a punishing festive period. While the Hammers are coming off a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Manchester United, the reality is that if the Gunners play anywhere near their potential, they’ll take three points at home. Arteta’s side haven’t, however, been hitting the back of the net at will lately, and have scored more than two goals just once in their last six league games. As such, doubling a Gunners win with Under 3.5 goals in this one.
For the second year in a row @Arsenal are top of the tree at Christmas 🎄 pic.twitter.com/YWibDYTcsq
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 23, 2023
Bet Now Arsenal vs West Ham
4. Bournemouth H2H vs Fulham @ $2.15
With 13 points from their past five matches, Bournemouth are — on that measure — the in-form team of the EPL at present. Andoni Iraola has the South Coast side humming, and their four consecutive away wins in the top flight is now a new club record. Back on home soil, they face a Fulham outfit fresh off back-to-back defeats, to Newcastle and lowly Burnley. Striker Dominic Solanke is in incredible touch having scored seven goals in his last six EPL games, and looms as key here, with Bournemouth enticing odds at home.
Bet Now Bournemouth vs Fulham17 games, 11 goals ⚽@alanshearer says Dominic Solanke is now doing it at the big level 👏#MOTD pic.twitter.com/FXQABzHwI0
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 23, 2023
5. Crystal Palace +1.0 vs Chelsea @ $2.10
Three defeats in four games has Chelsea fans increasingly frustrated at their team’s predicament. It’s one step forward three steps back under Mauricio Pochettino who can only afford a few more poor performances before — given Chelsea’s historical propensity for sacking underperforming manager — his job comes into question. The Blues are disjointed at present, and are leaking goals. In fact, they’ve let through two or more in six of their last seven EPL games. Palace will take confidence from a solid last week in which they took a point from Manchester City and Brighton clashes, and are a solid option for either an upset win or draw here.
Bet Now Chelsea vs Crystal PalaceIt’s been year to forget for Chelsea and Pochettino
💰 Spent £1bn on signings
📉 10th in the Premier League
❌ Lost the most Premier League matches in 2023
😬 Missed the most big chances this season in the Premier League
The Blues will be hoping for a better 2024 👀 pic.twitter.com/aqQzFw7bnt
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 24, 2023