Check out our preview and best bets for Matchday 24 in of the Premier League season below!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 24 Preview & Betting Tips
Manchester City vs Everton
Etihad Stadium, Saturday 10th February, 11:30pm AEDT
After Liverpool’s defeat against Arsenal, Manchester City have moved into a prime position given they still have a game in hand on the Reds which they will play in the next fortnight with the opportunity to move into top spot on the table if they take care of business over their next three games. First up Pep Guardiola’s side host eighteenth placed Everton, to kick off Matchday 24. The Toffees secured a 2-2 draw against Tottenham last week thanks to a 94th minute equaliser from Jarrad Branthwaite, in what could be a crucial point come later in the season for Everton.
After conceding first against Brentford, a Phil Foden hattrick guided Manchester City to victory in a game they were full value for their win. City won the shot count 25-9, had 15 shots on target and recorded a mammoth 72% possession. The defending champions have continued their excellence at both ends of the pitch, City are the most prolific attacking team in the league with 54 goals and the second best defence having conceded only 25 goals. Pep Guardiola’s side also ranked first in the Premier League for possession, averaging 65.2% possession which has allowed them to consistently control the tempo of games this season.
Manchester City have absolutely dominated Everton over the last five years, winning twelve of their last thirteen Premier League games against the Toffees, with their last loss against Everton coming back in 2017. City are in red hot form having won five games in a row, scoring thirteen goals across those five games. The gap in attacking quality between these teams is going to lead to a severely one sided encounter and although Dyche will have some tour tactics to try and nullify the defending champions, it’s not going to be enough to prevent the inevitable.
Manchester City -1
$1.60 (2 Units)
West Ham vs Arsenal
London Stadium, Monday 12th February, 1:00am AEDT
West Ham’s hopes of featuring in European football continue to dwindle, after losing a crucial game against Manchester United which has seen them fall to seventh on the Premier League table. The Hammers defence was all at sea in the 3-0 defeat, and they face a huge challenge coming up against Arsenal. The Gunners are fresh off defeating league leaders Liverpool, in what was their best performance of the season as they keep themselves well and truly in the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side only recorded 42% possession against Liverpool but they were incredibly efficient in their front third, producing 15 shots on goal, with seven on target. It was a back and forth affair that the Gunners defence held up for incredibly well, outside of a mistake by William Saliba that led to the Reds only goal. Arsenal have scored nine goals in their last three games, and will be set to expose a West Ham defence that is vulnerable.
The Hammers have become a quality attacking outfit in recent seasons under David Moyes, however that hasn’t been the case this season. West Ham are ranked tenth in the league for goals this season, and have a tall task to turn around their form against the number one ranked defence in the league. West Ham are winless in their last four games and are struggling to find any consistency with their game, which is a terrible place to be in against an inform side coming off their biggest win of the season. Arsenal will have too much class and will take care of business comfortably on the road.
Arsenal -1
$2.45 (1 Unit)
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Villa Park, Monday 12th February, 3:30am AEDT
The headline fixture of Matchday 24 sees Manchester United travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa in a battle of fourth versus sixth. Villa jumped back into fourth place thanks to a dominant win over Sheffield United, and Tottenham failing to pick up all three points against Everton. United leapfrogged West Ham to move into sixth on the back of their 3-0 victory, which has the Red Devils within six points of the top five. It’s still a big ask to make the top five, but it’s a possibility now that didn’t look likely earlier in the season.
Aston Villa displayed their attacking prowess once again, putting five past Sheffield United in a clinical performance on the road. Villa had five different goal scorers within 47 minutes of play, as they rank as the third most prolific attacking side in the league this season with 49 goals. After struggling to score early in the season, Manchester United are beginning to find their groove in the front third, scoring thirteen goals from their last five games.
On balance, Villa have been the more consistent side this season, however their defeat against the Red Devils on Boxing Day makes it tough to pick them with confidence. The Total Goals market is the safest way to go with this fixture, 13 of Villa’s 23 games this season have hit over 3.5 goals, while three of Manchester United’s last five games have also seen at least four total goals scored. This should be an entertaining fixture given the form both teams are in, with goals aplenty on the cards in a crucial clash.
Over 3.5 Goals
$2.30 (1.5 Units)
