Matchweek 18 of the 2023/24 EPL season saw Arsenal stay top again at Christmas, Man United hit a 93-year low, and the Blades minutes away from a huge boilover.
Arsenal top at Christmas again
We forecast that a draw was a good option in the blockbuster Matchweek 18 clash between Liverpool and Arsenal. And so it played out as the closely matched sides sitting No.1 and No.2 on the EPL table played out a 1-1 draw ($7.50 pre-match correct score market). The tit-for-tat at Anfield was far more intriguing than when the Reds hosted Manchester United last week, and a fast start for the visitors saw an unlikely first goalscorer in the form of Gunners centre half Gabriel inside four minutes. But it was superstar Mo Salah who equalised ($2.15 anytime goalscorer) on 29 minutes, before a tight second half tussle saw no further goals.
The result sees neither side deliver the pre-Christmas statement they were both looking for, but neither would be entirely unhappy either. Given they were playing away from home in a hostile atmosphere, Mikel Arteta’s men surely take more from the draw ($3.50) as yet another feather in their cap. It also sees them, for a second straight year, seal top billing at Christmas. It’s an arbitrary stat, especially given we’re less than halfway through the EPL season, but it solidifies their standing as a genuine title threat in 2023-24. Six points ahead of $2.10 favourites Manchester City, Arsenal head into Christmas as $3.50 challengers.
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
United slump to 93-year low
While the Gunners tuck into their Christmas meals content with their work, Manchester United are anything but. Another poor display against West Ham — in which both sides were locked at $2.50 pre-game — saw them run out 2-0 losers ($15 correct score) in further blow to under siege manager Erik ten Hag. The aftermath, statistically, makes for grim reading. Firstly, this is just the second time in 33 years United head into Christmas outside the Top 6. Further, the Dutchman has recorded more defeats to date this campaign than in all 62 competitive fixtures last season. But perhaps most damningly, the 13 pre-Christmas defeats in all competitions is now United’s worst start since 1930-31 (16), a season in which they finished bottom of the first division.
The knives were out yet again post-match. But perhaps the sharpest criticism was delivered by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer. “It is embarrassing for Man Utd. They have scored 18 goals this season, only Sheffield United have scored fewer,” he told BBC Match of the Day. “Erik Ten Hag says ‘we have to stick to the plan’ but I haven’t got a clue what that plan is. There is something drastically wrong.” Starting the season as $1.72 Top 4 hopes, United are already way out to $14 with Palmerbet.
Manchester United have failed to score in four consecutive games for the first time since 1992 📅#BBCFootball #WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/FEUc3avlTt
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 23, 2023
Blades minutes away from season’s biggest upset
It was so close, yet so far for Sheffield United.
The Blades were a whisker away from sealing by far the biggest upset of the EPL season when they snatched a 1-0 lead in the 87th minute against a high-flying Aston Villa side — at Villa Park, no less. At $13 pre-match with Palmerbet, their price was considerably more than when Wolves defeated Manchester City earlier this season as $8.30 outsiders (the season’s biggest upset to date) and Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win against Chelsea ($8.00) at Stamford Bridge. But Villa spoiled the party, when a 97th-minute header from substitute Nicolo Zaniolo ensured a point each.
The result saw neither side walk off overly pleased at Villa Park. The home side — who have defeated both Manchester City and Arsenal in recent weeks — missed a huge opportunity. Unai Emery’s men would have gone top of the EPL table for the first time since August 2011. Not only that, it would’ve seen them in top sport for the first time this late into the season since January 1999.
Bet Now ON ALL EPL MARKETS“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