A crazy Merseyside Derby during the week means Liverpool has only a seven-point lead over second placed Arsenal. Can the Gunners make ground on the league leaders? Check out our best bets for Matchday 25 of the 2024-25 English Premier League season below!
EPL 2024-25: Matchday 25 Preview & Betting Tips
Brighton vs Chelsea
American Express Stadium, Saturday 15th February, 7:00am AEDT
Matchday 25 kicks off in the south as Brighton look to end a two-game losing streak when they take on Chelsea, who moved into fourth thanks to a 2-1 win over West Ham on Matchday 24. Brighton were humiliated 7-0 by Nottingham Forest in their last game, despite recording 63% possession. The loss was Brighton’s biggest defeat in 67 years, in what was a completely horrific defensive performance, conceding seven goals from fourteen shots on goal.
Chelsea were utterly dominant in general play but struggled to convert against West Ham, scoring in the 64th and 74th minutes (from an own goal) to come from 1-0 down to win 2-1. Chelsea dominated proceedings with 22 shots on goal and 68% possession, and should have won more comfortably. Chelsea have been a dynamic attacking team this season, ranking as the fifth best attack in the league with 47 goals. Prior to their last two defeats, the Seagulls were in red hot form with three consecutive wins by scores of 4-0, 2-0 and 3-1. Both sides are capable of producing attacking brilliance, and the battle of the front thirds will be crucial to deciding this clash.
This fixture provides a rare back-to-back matchup, given Chelsea and Brighton faced off in the FA Cup last weekend where Brighton came out on top. The Seagulls have struggled at home this season with just three wins from eleven games, while Chelsea have been impressive on the road with a 6-3-3 record. Brighton’s defence isn’t capable of standing up against a side with the attacking quality that Chelsea possess, and that will be the deciding factor in this clash.
Chelsea to Win
$2.20 (1.5 Units)
Manchester City vs Newcastle
Etihad Stadium, Sunday 16th February, 2:00am AEDT
A crucial clash in the top four race takes place at the Etihad, as fifth placed Manchester City take on sixth placed Newcastle. Both sides are on 41 points and have a goal difference of 13, currently two points behind fourth placed Chelsea, making this game a must win for both sides. The defending champions come into this clash on the back of a 5-1 battering at the hands of Arsenal, while Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in what was a missed opportunity to leapfrog City.
Newcastle’s last month has been up and down going win/loss/win/loss across their last four games, despite not playing a team higher than ninth on the table. Newcastle have a top five attack and a top seven defence, however they haven’t been able to get both ends of the pitch working at the same time on a consistent level this season. Newcastle’s defence will need to be at its best against a Manchester City outfit that has scored 48 goals, the third most in the league.
Pep Guardiola’s side have well and truly had the wood over Newcastle, going unbeaten in their last eleven Premier League fixtures against Newcastle. The dominance that City have had against Newcastle stretches nearly 20 years, since 2006 there have been 34 league fixtures played between the two teams, with Manchester City holding a remarkable 27-6-1 record. The defending champions will be desperate to bounce back after an embarrassing performance against Arsenal, and will continue their strong record against Newcastle.
Manchester City to Win
$1.83 (1 Unit)
Tottenham vs Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Monday 17th February, 3:30am AEDT
Two big clubs having nightmare seasons face off against each other on Monday morning looking for reprieve. Tottenham host Manchester United in a battle of 13th versus 14th, which is not where these sides expected to be this late into the season. Manchester United fell to thirteenth after losing to Crystal Palace 2-0 at home, despite having 17 shots and 67% possession. Palace scored two goals from three shots on target, once again highlighting how poor United’s defence has been this season.
Tottenham ended a seven-game winless run and a five-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Brentford, which does give them some hope of salvaging a top half finish this season. Both sides have alarming deficiencies which have been the cause of their underwhelming seasons, for Manchester United it’s their work in the front third, scoring just 28 goals - the fifth fewest in the league. After starting the season as a strong defensive side, Tottenham have fallen away to be ranked in the bottom half for deference, and have conceded 18 goals from their last eight games in the Premier League.
Despite being out of form, Tottenham remarkably are the fourth highest scoring team in the league (48 goals) and have exposed Manchester United’s defence in recent seasons. Manchester United haven’t beaten Tottenham in the last four league matchups between the two sides, with Spurs scoring nine goals across those four games, including a 3-0 win earlier this season. United have only won two of their last eight games, and Tottenham looks set to give their defence another tough day at the office.
Tottenham to Win
$2.40 (1.5 Units)
