Liverpool are storming away with the title after Arsenal once again dropped points, as the attention turns towards the battle of teams between 4th and 9th. There’s some pivotal clashes that will impact the logjam of teams in those positions, and Jack Tobin has you covered with his best bets for Matchday 29!
EPL 2024-25: Matchday 29 Preview & Betting Tips
Manchester City vs Brighton
Etihad Stadium, Sunday 16th March, 2:00am AEDT
Manchester City and Brighton face off in a battle of fifth versus seventh, in a crucial game for both clubs given just one point separates them. City fell out of the top four after their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, where a win would have had them in third place. Four straight wins has breathed life back into Brighton’s season, who could move up to fifth by the end of Matchday 29 if results go their way.
Brighton’s return to form has come on the back of their attacking play getting back to the levels they had shown at the start of last season. The aggregate score across Brighton’s four game winning streak is 11-2, which has seen Brighton move into the top half in the league for scoring. Brazilian Joao Pedro has led the way with three goals and an assist in Brighton’s last three league games.
Manchester City have lost three of their last five games, with all three losses coming against top four sides. The defending champions have struggled against the better teams in the league, which has been a big surprise this season. Brighton did come out on top when these sides met earlier this season, with a thrilling 2-1 win. The Seagulls are great value in the handicap markets considering their red-hot form, and they’re more than capable of keeping this game close against an up and down Manchester City outfit.
Brighton +1
$2.15 (1 Unit)
Arsenal vs Chelsea
Emirates Stadium, Monday 17th March, 12:30am AEDT
Arsenal will be desperate to bounce back from a frustrating few weeks when they host Chelsea, in a top four clash on Monday morning. The Gunners have now dropped points in three consecutive games after their 1-1 draw against Manchester United, a three-game streak which has essentially ended the title race with Arsenal now 15 points behind Liverpool. A 1-0 win over Leicester City saw Chelsea jump back into the top four, with a dominant performance in general play, not reflecting entirely on the scoreboard.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been excellent in the attacking and defensive thirds this season. The Gunners are the number one ranked defence in the league (24 goals conceded) and the fifth ranked attacking side in the league (52 goals scored). Chelsea are the third most prolific attacking side (53 goals scored) and the seventh ranked defence (36 goals conceded). Despite ranking in the top five for goals, Arsenal have only scored one goal across their last three games as their title hopes have faded away. The Gunners need to get back to their best attacking football, given the attacking quality Chelsea possess.
Despite their current form struggles, Arsenal have well and truly had the wood over Chelsea in recent seasons. Mikel Arteta’s side have a 6-2-1 record in Premier League matches against Chelsea since December 2020, so the Gunners will be full of confidence coming into this clash. Arsenal are 8-4-1 at home this season, while Chelsea are 6-3-5 in games away from Stamford Bridge this season, the Gunners will bounce back with a win at home against their London rivals.
Arsenal to Win
$1.80 (1 Unit)
Fulham vs Tottenham
Craven Cottage, Monday 17th March, 12:30am AEDT
Fulham will be looking to keep themselves in the hunt for a Europa League berth when they take on Tottenham at Craven Cottage. Despite losing two of their last three games Fulham are only five points behind fifth placed Manchester City, and have a chance to close that gap on Monday. Tottenham managed to scrap a point in their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last week, thanks to an 84th minute penalty from Hueng-Min Son. Spurs are winless from their last two games, and will be looking forward to the end of what has been a nightmare campaign.
Fulham will be desperate to bounce back after conceding a goal in the 98th minute in their 2-1 defeat against Brighton last week. Fulham’s defence held up well for the majority of the game, but couldn’t get the job done in stoppage time. Fulham’s defence will be in for another challenge, with Tottenham being the second highest scoring team in the Premier League. Fulham are in the bottom half of the league for goals this season, and will need to make this a dour affair if they are to get back to winning ways.
Tottenham will be confident coming into this clash given their recent record against Fulham. Spurs have a 8-2-1 record across their last eleven Premier League fixtures against Fulham, and provide plenty of value in both the head to head and handicap markets. Given both sides up and down form, we’ll be taking Tottenham +1, they are certainly capable of giving Fulham’s defence plenty of troubles given the quality they have in their front third. If Tottenham can control proceedings through the middle of the ground, they will be right in this clash.
Tottenham +1
$1.80 (1.5 Units)
