The Premier League action rolls on with a midweek slate of games on the heel of Matchday 14. Arsenal have moved two points clear at the top of the table, with Liverpool and City looking to make up ground as the title race heats up!
Be sure to check out our EPL Tips page to see our Best Bets for each Matchday of the Premier League season.
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 15 Preview & Betting Tips
Manchester United vs Chelsea
Old Trafford, Thursday 7th December, 7:15am AEDT
Manchester United will be out to respond after their three game winning streak came to a grinding halt in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle on the weekend. United were dominated in general play, with Newcastle registering 22 shots to 8 and maintaining 59% possession, with the 1-0 scoreline flattering the Red Devils. United host a Chelsea side coming off a 3-2 despite going down to ten men for the entirety of the second half against Brighton. Despite having 10 less shots and only 32% possession, Chelsea made the most of their chances to claim a victory that keeps them in the top half of the table.
United’s inability to be a consistent attacking threat has been their biggest struggle this season. Manchester United are the 14th ranked attacking side in the league having scored only sixteen goals through fourteen games. The Red Devils have failed to score more than one goal in ten games this season and are the only team in the top half of the table with a negative goal difference. Although Chelsea aren’t amongst the elite front third teams in the league, their 25 goals (eighth most in the EPL) looks immense in comparison to United’s efforts.
Matchday 14 once again exposed the Red Devils as a side that is incapable of defeating the better teams in the league, they don’t have the attacking firepower, or a defensive system that can absorb the pressure. Manchester United are 0-0-5 against sides in the top half of the table this season, conceding an aggregate score of 12-2 across those five games. Chelsea have shown enough over the last month to suggest they will give United plenty of trouble given the pressure the Red Devils are under.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Villa Park, Thursday 7th December, 7:15am AEDT
A three game unbeaten run sees Aston Villa hosting the defending champions in a top four clash on Thursday morning. City’s back to back draws with Liverpool and Tottenham has seen Pep Guardiola’s side fall from top of the league to third place, and sitting just one point ahead of fourth placed Villa. For the second week in a row Manchester City were held to a share of the points after conceding a late equaliser, in what has been a frustrating fortnight for the defending champions who are three points off top spot.
Once again Man City controlled proceedings recording 17 shots to 8 and registering 55% possession, but failed to defend well enough, as Tottenham scored 3 goals from 4 shots on target. City are still playing good football, it just hasn’t completely clicked at both ends of the pitch over the last fortnight. Against Liverpool they couldn’t convert their chances, whilst it was the back four that let down the defending champions last week. They’ve still managed to claim points in two games amidst what looks like a poor run of form, such is the standards of this remarkable side.
This has been one of the most one sided fixtures in the Premier League for over a decade, as City have completely dominated Aston Villa. Since 2009 Manchester City and Aston Villa have faced off in the Premier League on 23 occasions, with City winning eighteen of those clashes and only losing two. City have won eight of the last nine meetings in the league between these two sides and will contain their dominant record on Thursday morning.
Manchester City
$1.70 (1.5 Units)
Tottenham vs West Ham
London Stadium, Friday 8th December, 7:15am AEDT
We’ve got another top ten clash on the cards as London rivals Tottenham and West Ham go head to head in North London. A 90th minute equaliser from Dejan Kulusevski secured a crucial result for an undermanned Spurs side against Manchester City. West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw against thirteenth placed Crystal Palace, as the Hammers failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity to move into eighth place on the table. Tottenham’s draw with the defending champions kept them in fifth place, and with City playing Villa this weekend, a Spurs win would likely see them reclaim a place in the top four.
Tottenham came from behind twice as Ange Postecoglou’s side put an end to a three game losing streak in brave fashion. Tottenham are battling a significant injury list at the moment, however their performance against City showed that when their system is executed, it is greater than the personnel they possess. Tottenham have enjoyed playing the Hammers as of late, winning two of their last three league matches against their London rivals, including a 2-0 win when these teams last met in February.
Spurs’ high line is going to give West Ham some serious issues if the Hammers cannot control the amount of possession Tottenham has. West Ham have conceded 24 goals this season, the eighth most in the league, and could be exposed badly if Tottenham get control of the game through the middle of the pitch. Tottenham rank fourth in the league for possession (59.1%) and third for pass accuracy (87.8%), and will put an inconsistent Hammers defence under an enormous amount of pressure.
Tottenham
$1.80 (1.5 Units)
