Matchweek 19 of the 2023/24 EPL season saw Man United claim a big comeback win, Arsenal miss a huge chance and Chris Wood haunt his old club.
Hojlund breaks duck to give United hope-inducing win
If you’re going to take 15 games to score your first EPL goal, you might as well make it special. And that’s exactly what Rasmus Hojlund did…
Manchester United hosted Aston Villa on Boxing Day without any real confidence heading in. Their $2.50 pre-match price reflected this, with Villa ($2.55) a huge chance to continue their giant-killing run of late with another win against a ‘big six’ club. And when they went 2-0 up inside the first half-hour, the writing was on the wall for an already under pressure United manager Erik ten Hag. At the break, he needed something special. And it came, in the form of young Argentine star Alejandro Garnacho, who got things back on level pegging by the 71st minute with a superb brace ($11 to score 2+ with Palmerbet). That, already, was enough to spark an until then frustrated Old Trafford crowd into life. But there was more to come.
While Hojlund had starred to date in the Champions League, endearing himself to fans, his failure to score had become a sizeable monkey on his back. For a Man United striker — an expensive summer signing, no less — to not score an EPL goal in 14 games is far from optimal. So when the Dane volleyed home in the 82nd minute ($2.40 anytime goalscorer), the outpouring of emotion was there to see. On what’s been a horror December for United, this gave fans some much-needed festive cheer.
RASMUS HOJLUND WINS IT FOR MAN UNITED VS. ASTON VILLA 😤
LOOK WHAT IT MEANS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/evoPgN6Kos
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 26, 2023
Arsenal dealt Hammer blow
The equation was clear for Arsenal heading into their Matchweek 19 clash against West Ham at home: win, and you leapfrog Liverpool back into top spot on the EPL table. And they were strongly fancied to do exactly that. Mikel Arteta’s men started the clash $1.30 with the Hammers sizeable $8.75 outsiders. What transpired, however, was a huge blow to the home side’s title hopes.
It was a tale of efficiency going forward, as David Moyes’ men converted two of their three shots on target, while the Gunners missed a whole heap of opportunities — 30 shots, in fact. The huge 2-0 upset was paying a whopping $51 in the correct score market (and $30 for the Hammers at -1.0) which, inconceivably, could have been more if not for a saved West Ham penalty in the dying minutes. The result is a significant blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, for a clash many had penciled in for three points.
✅ Liverpool beat Burnley
❌ Aston Villa lose to Man Utd
✅ Man City beat Everton
❌ Arsenal lose to West HamThe Premier League title race is 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 🏃 pic.twitter.com/hJKgQmJ5r4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 28, 2023
Wood’s unlikely hat-trick haunts old club
Winless in seven games and heading to an intimidating St James’ Park on Boxing Day, few expected an out of form Nottingham Forest ($6.50) to get much out of their clash against Newcastle United ($1.45) to kick off Matchweek 19. And when Alexander Isak put Eddie Howe’s men 1-0 ($3.40 first goalscorer with Palmerbet) after 23 minutes, things were going as expected. But former Magpie Chris Wood had other ideas.
Prior to Christmas Eve, when he bagged a goal in Forest’s 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, Wood hadn’t scored an EPL goal since October. But he conjured something truly special when he equalised just before half-time, then struck another two before the hour mark. Wood was a hefty $45 pre-game to bag 3+ goals with Palmerbet. The 3-1 victory gives new Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo a huge boost, and drags his side out of the relegation places.
Bet Now ON ALL EPL MARKETSA ghost from Christmas past! 👻
Chris Wood is the fourth player to score a hat-trick against one of his former Premier League clubs! pic.twitter.com/H95vUHnNr4
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2023