Just one day after the completion of Matchday 19, Matchday 20 is upon us and once again the title race has swung. Liverpool have regained top spot after Arsenal’s defeat against West Ham, and will face a challenge to hold top spot when they take on Newcastle. We provide our best bets for some of the key games below!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 20 Preview & Betting Tips
Fulham vs Arsenal
Craven Cottage, Monday 1st January, 1:00am AEDT
Arsenal surrendered top spot after a remarkable defeat against West Ham on Friday morning, and will be out to bounce back when they take on fellow London side Fulham. Fulham come into this clash on the back of three straight losses after their 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth on Matchday 19, which has seen them fall to thirteenth on the table. It doesn’t get any easier for Fulham to put an end to their losing streak, coming up against an Arsenal side that they haven’t beaten in a Premier League fixture since January 2012. Since that victory the Gunners have eight wins and three draws from the following eleven games.
Arsenal’s inability to capitalise on their chances will come back to haunt them after missing out on three crucial points, which has seen the Gunners drop down to second place. Mikel Arteta’s side recorded 75% possession, 30 shots to 6 and 746 passes to 262, however after 90 minutes the scoreboard read 2-0 to West Ham as the Gunners conceded two goals from West Ham’s three shots on target. It was the first defeat for Arsenal at home this season, and was the second time in their last four games that they’ve been held scoreless.
It’s a terrible time for Fulham to come up against one of the best sides in the league with the form they are currently in. Fulham have failed to score in their three game losing streak, and have an aggregate score of 8-0 across their three losses. Although the defeat against West Ham was frustrating for the Gunners, if they produce a similar performance against Fulham, they will absolutely annihilate them. Fulham have conceded 34 goals this season, the fourth most of any side, and don’t have a defence that is capable of containing the talent Arsenal have in their front third.
Arsenal -1
$2.50 (1.5 Units)
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Anfield, Tuesday 2nd January, 7:00am AEDT
Liverpool have regained top spot on the Premier League table after Arsenal’s loss on Friday morning, and have a chance to consolidate their position when they host Newcastle at Anfield on Tuesday morning. The Reds held top spot for one Matchday after Matchday 16, but lost it the very next game after a draw with Manchester United. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be desperate to make good of the opportunity they have.
After being in the race for a top four position, Newcastle have lost four of their last five matches, with their last two defeats coming against Luton Town and Nottingham Forest who are in the bottom five positions on the table. After being the best defensive side in the league last season, Eddie Howe’s side have struggled at the back in their last five games, conceding eleven goals. Coming up against a Liverpool side that has scored 39 goals this season (3rd most in the league), the Magpies look vulnerable at Anfield where the Reds have been so good this season.
Liverpool have a 7-2-0 record at Anfield this season with an aggregate score of 22-6, and Anfield has been a graveyard for Newcastle who haven’t won a Premier League game at Anfield since 1994. It’s not only at Anfield where Eddie Howe’s side has struggled, they haven’t beaten Liverpool in a league game since 2015, with ten losses and four draws since their last win against the Reds. Liverpool have won five straight against Newcastle and will make it six straight with a convincing win.
Liverpool -1
$2.15 (2 Units)
West Ham vs Brighton
London Stadium, Wednesday 3rd January, 6:30am AEDT
West Ham have won four out of their last five games and are within touching distance of the top four, after a 2-0 win over previously top of the table Arsenal. The Hammers are fours points away from fourth placed Manchester City, and host Brighton who have had an up down month of football. The Seagulls have two wins, two draws and two losses in December, with their last outing a 4-2 win over fifth placed Tottenham.
Brighton have shown their best this season is good enough to compete with the best sides in the league, however they haven’t been able to put it together for long enough periods of the season. The best way to highlight Bighton’s inconsistency is the gap between their attacking game and their defence. Brighton have scored 35 goals (ranked 7th in the league) and have conceded 31 goals (ranked 15th).
Both of these sides have scored an abundance of goals this season, with both clubs ranking inside the top eight for goals scored this season. Both clubs also possess vulnerable defences, which is why both Brighton and West Ham have seen thirteen of nineteen Premier League games record over 2.5 goals. These two sides have been hard to get a read on this season, so the total goals market is the safest place to go in this clash.
Over 2.5 Goals
$1.60 (1.5 Units)
