Midweek Premier League action is here, as the schedule begins to enter a jam packed period that will continue to push teams to the limit. Matchday 22 is headlined by a huge clash between Liverpool and Chelsea, and we’ve got you covered with our best bets!
See our preview and best bets for Matchday 22 in the EPL below!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 22 Preview & Betting Tips
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Villa Park, Wednesday 31st January, 7:15am AEDT
Aston Villa will be looking to cement their place in the top four when they take on an out of form Newcastle at home. Eddie Howe’s side head to Birmingham in the midst of a four game losing streak, with their last league win coming on the 16th of December. Newcastle have lost six of their last seven Premier League games, which has seen the Magpies fall to tenth and look like a shell of the side that qualified for Champions League last season. Although they haven’t been at their best of late, Villa have held pace in the top four race, equal on points with second placed Manchester City.
Newcastle’s defence has been decimated by injury with Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope, and Matt Targett all currently injured which has played a huge role in Newcastle possessing one of the league’s worst performing defences. The Magpies have conceded eighteen goals in their last seven games after conceding only fourteen goals from their first fourteen games this season. Add to that the absences of star striker Callum Wilson and midfielder Joe Willock, Eddie Howe is struggling with a lack of depth at his disposal.
Newcastle have been a rabble over the last two months and it’s difficult to see them finding a way to compete against quality sides without their best defenders available. Aston Villa have scored 43 goals this season which is the fourth most in the league, and they will put a mountain of pressure on a struggling Newcastle defence. Unai Emery’s side will be desperate to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat the last they played Newcastle, and will be fair too strong.
Aston Villa
$1.85 (2 Units)
Tottenham vs Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Thursday 1st February, 6:30am AEDT
Tottenham host Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday morning as they look to keep themselves in the top four race. Spurs are in fifth place on the Premier League table, three points behind City, Arsenal and Villa who occupy second to fourth. Despite being unable to get their best eleven on the park for quite some time, Tottenham continue to find a way to get results and keep their hopes of Champions League football alive. Tottenham have a 4-1-1 record from their last five league games, after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in their last outing.
No matter what lineup Ange Postecoglou has put on the park this season, Tottenham have continuously found a way to score, putting an incredible amount of confidence in the style of football the Australian has brought to North London. Spurs have scored at least two goals in seventeen of their 21 Premier League matches this season, and are the third highest scoring team in the league with 44 goals. Brentford are in the bottom half of the league for goals this season, and the attacking firepower between these two sides looms as the major separating factor in this clash.
Brentford have lost five of their last six games heading into this matchup, with their only win during that time period coming against sixteenth placed Nottingham Forest. Brentford have struggled against the better sides in the league this season, holding a 0-1-3 record against the top five teams in the Premier League. Tottenham have averaged 59.9 % possession this season, which should allow them to control the tempo against the Bees and give them repeat opportunities on goal.
Tottenham -1
$2.65 (1.5 Unit)
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Anfield, Thursday 1st February, 7:15am AEDT
Chelsea heads to Anfield in Liverpool’s first league game since Jurgen Klopp announced he will be leaving the Reds at the end of the season. Liverpool are currently five points clear at the top of the table and will be desperate to send their beloved manager out with his second Premier League title. Chelsea haven’t played a league fixture for over two weeks, however they were in excellent form before the break, winning their last three games.
Liverpool have been red hot this season, with only one loss from their 21 games in season ‘23/’24. Liverpool haven’t lost a Premier League game since September, picking up nine wins and five draws in their last fourteen games. The Reds success has been built on the back of their consistency at both ends of the pitch, ranking as the league’s number one defence (18 goals conceded) and the league’s second most prolific attack (47 goals scored). Liverpool have had thirteen individual goal scorers this season, with their depth allowing them to still maintain top spot despite having been without their leading scorer in Mo Salah due to AFCON.
Chelsea have struggled getting past Liverpool over the past five years, picking up only one win from their last ten Premier League matches against Jurgen Klopp’s men. With the way Liverpool have controlled all three facets of the game this season, it’s difficult to see Chelsea being able to stop the Reds with the form they’re in. Liverpool will be desperate to maintain their breathing space at the top of the table, and continue their strong run of form heading into the back half of the season.
Liverpool -1
$2.45 (1.5 Units)
