Arsenal have jumped back into top position on the Premier League table after a thrilling Matchday 13. Matchday 14’s slate is headlined by a huge clash between Man City and Tottenham, as we’ve got you covered with our EPL Best Bets for this weekend’s action!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 14 Preview & Betting Tips
Newcastle vs Manchester United
St James' Park, Sunday 3rd December, 7:00am AEDT
It’s a battle of sixth versus seventh as Newcastle and Manchester United look to keep themselves in touch with the top four. Newcastle got back to winning ways in comprehensive fashion with a 4-1 victory over Chelsea last week despite a mounting injury list. Manchester United have won five of their last six games, after a 3-0 win over Everton headlined by a spectacular goal from Alejandro Garnacho. United have hit some form after a poor start to the season, however their last five wins have come against sides in the bottom half of the table and only one of the wins came by a margin of more than one goal.
Newcastle’s rise to the top four last season was built on the back of one of the league’s best defences, however Newcastle’s attacking game has come to the fore this season, making them an incredibly dangerous side. Newcastle have scored the second most goals in the Premier League this season (31), whilst maintaining an elite defence that is ranked fourth in the league (14 goals conceded). The Magpies have potency at each end which is going to trouble a Manchester United outfit that has struggled against the better teams in the league.
The Red Devils have played four teams that are in the top eight on the table, and have lost all four games. The aggregate scoreline across those four defeats is 11-2, showing a clear gap between United and the sides amongst them on the table. Manchester United are winless from their last three Premier League matches against Newcastle, with their last matchup against Eddie Howe’s men resulting in a 2-0 defeat. Although United appear to be in form, they have been scraping by against poor sides, and when they’ve faced quality teams this season they have been put to the sword.
Newcastle To Win
$1.91 (2 Units)
Chelsea vs Brighton
Stamford Bridge, Monday 4th December, 1:00am AEDT
Another top ten clash takes place in London as Chelsea look to bounce back when they host Brighton at Stamford Bridge. Brighton ended a six game winless streak with a 3-2 win over fifteenth placed Nottingham Forest in what was far from convincing. After starting the season on fire which saw the Seagulls occupy top spot on the table, their defence has completely fallen away to be one of the worst in the league. Brighton are six points adrift from the top four and are in desperate need of a win to keep themselves in the race for the top four.
Brighton have conceded 24 goals from their 13 games this season, the fourth most in the Premier League. The Seagulls are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and are coming up against a Chelsea side that has scored nine goals from their last three games. In comparison, Chelsea scored five goals from the opening six games, with their ability to convert their opportunities has been the catalyst to their improved run of form. If Chelsea's midfield can break even with Brighton and deny them the opportunity to completely dominate possession, they’ll create enough opportunities to win this game.
Both Chelsea and Brighton have shown they’re capable of producing some high quality football however these two sides have been hard to get a read on, so we’ll be looking at the total goals as it looms as the most reliable market for this clash. Nine of Brighton’s thirteen games this season have hit over 3.5 goals, while five of Chelsea’s last six games have hit over 3.5 goals. There have been goals aplenty in Brighton’s games this season and with the formline of both sides, this fixture will be no different.
Over 3.5 Goals
$2.30 (1 Unit)
Manchester City vs Tottenham
Etihad Stadium, Monday 4th December, 3:30am AEDT
The honeymoon period is over for Ange Postecoglou, with three consecutive losses seeing Spurs fall from the top of the league to fifth spot on the Premier League table. It gets no easier for Tottenham as they travel to Manchester to take on the defending champions, who will be looking to bounce back after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool saw them lose top spot. The pressure is well and truly on for Tottenham, who have been worked out from a defensive perspective over the last month.
Once again Manchester City have been a model of excellence across all three phases of the game. Pep Guardiola’s side rank first for possession (62.3%), first for goals (33), and the third ranked defence in the league having only conceded 13 goals this year. City have been on an attacking tear of late, scoring sixteen goals from their last five games. During their losing streak, Tottenham’s defence has dropped off dramatically. During the first ten games of the season Spurs had conceded only nine goals, in their last three games Tottenham have conceded eight goals.
Manchester City had the better of Liverpool last week in the 1-1 draw, recording eight more shots on goal, as well as having 60% possession. If City can create as many opportunities on goal as they did last week, Spurs don’t have a defence capable of containing them. The defending champions have failed to beat Arsenal and Liverpool this season, and will come out looking to send a statement to ensure they don’t surrender points against another title contender. Pep Guardiola’s side will continue to add to Tottenham’s misery, in a big performance at home.
Manchester City -1
$1.75 (1.5 Units)
