The international break has finished and the Premier League is back, as Manchester City leads the pack in a bid for a historic fourth straight title. The league leaders take on West Ham in the headline clash of Matchday 5, as we give you our best bets!
Check out our preview and free EPL tips for Matchday 5 below and good luck to everyone following!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 5 Preview & Betting Tips
West Ham vs Manchester City
London Stadium, Sunday 16th September, 12:00am AEST
Manchester City sit atop the Premier League table as the only team with an unblemished record, with four wins from four games. Pep Guardiola’s side went into the international break on the back of a 5-1 smashing of Fulham, and head to London to take on a red hot West Ham outfit. After a draw on Matchday One, the Hammers have reeled off three straight victories to move into fourth place on the table. West Ham’s winning streak includes victories over Chelsea and Brighton, giving the Hammers hope they can be competing for European football once again.
The defending champions are the number one ranked defensive team conceding just two goals, and are the second most prolific goal side in front of goal, with eleven goals. West Ham play a volatile brand of football, prioritising attacking impact over midfield and defensive structure. The Hammers are yet to record a clean sheet this season, and rank eighteenth in the league for possession.
Manchester City have enjoyed playing against West Ham, winning twelve of their last fourteen Premier League games against the Hammers. West Ham haven’t defeated City since 2015, in what is one of the longest active streaks in the Premier League. Although the Hammers run of form is impressive, their style of play doesn’t match up against a well rounded Manchester City side.
Manchester City -1.5
$2.25 (1.5 Units)
Tottenham vs Sheffield United
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday 16th September, 12:00am AEST
AngeBall is thriving in North London, with Tottenham’s 3-1-0 start to the season having Ange Postocoglou’s side in second place on the Premier League table. Spurs produced a stunning attacking performance in a 5-2 over Burnley in their last outing before the international break, and will be looking to keep their unbeaten start to the season alive when they host Sheffield United. The Blades registered their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw with Everton on Matchday 4, however it’s been a tough reintroduction into the top flight.
Despite losing Harry Kane, Tottenham are the equal second most prolific team in the league with eleven goals. Spurs are dominating possession (averaging 59% per game), and are generating an abundance of goal scoring opportunities from their relentless midfield. If they can continue to bring the pressure they have across the opening month of the season, things could get ugly for Sheffield United.
The Blades have scored just four goals in their winless start to season ‘23/’24, and they are going to have their work cut out against one of the most irrepressible attacking sides in the league. Sheffield United simply don’t have the star power up front to go with Tottenham, Tottenham are getting goals from all across the park and it’s making it nearly impossible for teams to contain. This fixture will be another one sided affair for a Tottenham side that are playing outstanding football.
Tottneham -1
$1.75 (2 Units)
Everton vs Arsenal
Goodison Park, Sunday 16th September, 12:00am AEST
Everton will be looking to move out of the relegation zone when they host Arsenal on Monday morning. The Toffees Are in eighteenth place with an 0-1-3 record, while the Gunners are in fifth with a 3-1-0 record. Arsenal knocked off Manchester United with a dramatic 3-1 win in their last fixture, scoring twice in stoppage time to seal the victory. Everton picked up their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United on Matchday 4, however it looks set to be another campaign the Toffees will be fighting for survival in.
Everton won just three of their last fifteen games last season, and they’ve continued that form into the beginning of this season. The Toffees rank equal last for goals scored, and were goalless across their first three games of the season. Arsenal have scored at least two goals in three of their four matches this season, and their attacking firepower has given Everton plenty of issues in recent encounters.
Arsenal have won two of their last three Premier League fixtures against Everton, by score lines of 5-1 and 4-0. Mikel Arteta’s men know that every point is crucial if they are to stay in touch with Manchester City, so you can expect a desperate Arsenal side that will be looking to keep the pressure on Manchester City. Arsenal have too many weapons at both ends of the pitch, and will be far too strong for a struggling Everton team.
Arsenal -1.5
$1.52 (2 Units)
